TECHNOLOGY I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT

You all know I am a certified Macavist, I live, sleep, drink, dream, collect and bleed Macs. Back in the day we used to say I bleed six colors (in reference to the six color Apple logo at that time). I have owned almost one of every generation of Macs sold. The only notable Macs that I've not purchased for myself are the iMacs, mostly because I have always required a production Mac. By that I mean an upgradable or expandable machine. I've owned Apple's printers (all 3 versions, can you name them?), their camera, scanner, the Newton, monitors, modems, the first true laptop, Shuffle, iPod 5th Gen and now my most favorite, my iPhone! With my MacBook Pro 17" breathing down it's neck. I AbSoLuteLy ADORE my 3G iPhone. If I can't get to my laptop to get my email, it's OK, because I get it on my 3G. That alone is worth the price of admission! Coordinating my calender, contacts, music, and photos is just too slick!! Surfing and posting to my blog with it, priceless. My favorite app that I've downloaded? Lightsaber, complete with background music! Yes, I am easily entertained.

To be honest, I have to say this is one of my most productive tools. At CHA this little puppy helped me find places to eat, keep up with emails without lugging my laptop around, gave me directions to the nearest grocery store, took pictures of cool layouts and displays, helped me find my group when we got separated from each other, and I could go on endlessly about it. This is why a Mac will always trump a PC, ease of use, totally useful in every way, productive, and FUN!! it is never a chore to work on any of my Apple products. Yes, dare I say it, I am an Apple snob! Chuck your viral PC in the trash and buy a Mac. Macs can even run Windows, if you just can't give up your addiction to the BOD and hate to give up your one-on-one personal time with your antivirus routine. I do have a PC laptop but I have no reason to run it. I have my Cricut DesignStudio software running on my PC partition on my Mac. :-)

Go get a Mac and an iPhone and use all that extra free time you'll gain doing some serious Scrapbooking!

DON'T LOOK BEHIND THE CURTAIN

I must have some latent urge to watch old movies and listen to old hymns, as those seem to be the things that pop into my head when I get up in the morning and go to post on my blog! Actually, every morning when I wake up, my brain already has a song embedded in it. I am not sure how that works, so I am going to say it is Divine Intervention. I think God gives me a song to hum every morning that somehow fits my day when I think about it at the end of the day. Normally these songs are hymns that I learned growing up or it could be one of the praise songs we sing at church or a new song from the radio (once it was row, row, row your boat...NOT analyzing that one), but sometimes, the song I get is a real thinker. Those songs are usually good old hymns, many of which the words were taken right out of The Word of God (aka, The Bible). Like today. The song of the day? "His Eye is on the Sparrow." Now this is an old traditional favorite of mine, as sung by Selah. I was brushing my teeth, the bathroom windows were open and the birds outside were just chittering away, and the sound of it just captured me in that moment and BAM! the words just popped into my head. That song touches me in so many ways, to think that God is specifically watching me today, that His eye is on me, ME! He CARES for plain little old me brushing my teeth and wondering if my husband's interview for a job will go well today (hes' been unemployed for four months so far). The words aren't long, but the message is straight from The Word just for times like these when life feels uncertain. Here are the words:

"Why do I feel discouraged? Why do the shadows come? And why does my heart feel lonely and long for heaven untold? When Jesus is my portion, a constant friend is He, His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me. So I sing because I'm happy, and I sing because I'm free! Yeah, His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me."

I am special and unique and God loves me for exactly who I am, right this very minute, even if I am like the man behind the curtain running to and fro trying to put up an illusion of grandeur and magnificence and have others think I am more than what I am. At the end of the day, I am still God's child, deeply loved and cherished, no matter what I actually get done on my list! Now, that makes me happy and puts a song in my heart. I just try not to sing out loud, the cat's haven't started a fan web site for my singing capabilities yet—they're too busy covering their ears! teehee

I'm getting ready to fire up the Cricut and put in some major project prep time. I'm a big believer in the right tool for the right job, especially when it comes to prepping for a class. One of the best things about going to CHA is seeing all the new tools! I just LOVE tools! There weren't as many this time (OK, I'll qualify that by saying "not many that I would USE"), but I did order one really nifty tool/appliance that I am absolutely DYING to use, but I've not had the time to fire it up! Can you believe that?! This nifty new product comes from the other side of the pond, and I am sure that once I start using it, it may break me financially! Possibly mentally too... But I'm not going to tell you what it is until I've actually USED it. Hopefully that will be before April...

You'll just have to get the deets later! :-)

WORKING FOR THE WEEKEND

Tomorrow I'll be "working for the weekend" as an old Loverboy song goes. I have a LOT to DO before Saturday gets here as we prepare for the CMN crop, the Scrapbooking for Miracles crop held Saturday, March 21, 2009, from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm at the Wesley United Methodist Church at 922 W. Republic Road, in Springfield, MO. This crop is presented by Cox Health Nursing, Cox Health North Outpatient Therapy Services and the Scrapbooking Momeez and benefits the Children's Miracle Network. This is one of the best crops in Springfield, you'll find old friends here and make new ones too. They are offering classes and various types of make-n-takes at the vendor tables, mine included! ;-) You can find out more about the crop on the Scrapbooking Momeez web site here.

As in previous years, my booth for Conquest Keepsakes will be set up next to Clear Dollar Stamps. I design stamps for Lori and we like to tag team the attendees with some of the best make-n-takes in southwest Missouri. I have heard of some people coming up from Joplin to attend the crop. I'm sure they are ready to get their hands a little inky, don't you? You know who you are! Lori will be showcasing her knew stamp sets for the month of March, and if you're REALLY lucky, you might even get a sneak peak at some April stamps! Be sure to check out her web site and her blog. Her blog has some of the best tutorials and tips that I've seen anywhere. [grin] OK, so I wrote of couple of them along with a few other guest designers...

That brings me to the class that I am offering at the Children's Miracle Crop this Saturday. This class utilizes one of my most FAVORITE tools, the Zutter Bind-It-All, along with two other tools that I really like, my Cuttlebug and Cricut Expressions. You all know I am Arr--rrr--RR tooltime about tools, especially those that plug in or make scrunching noises. You may laugh, but I have a serious problem with tool addiction! Ask my hubby, he's the first to tell you not to get between me and my tools. I OWN THEM ALL! Cricut, 7Gypsies Binderie (I'll have that at the crop), Crop-A-Diles ad nauseum, Cuttlebug, Sizzix, Sizzlets, mat cutters, knives, Melt Pot, heat guns, punches, corner rounders, cordless Dremmel tool (woo-hoo-oo), 15 rulers (don't ask), Nestabilities dies from Spellbinder, I could go on. My hubby will tell you that if it plugs in or uses batteries, it's ALL ME! I'm a sick puppy. And I digress.

Back to the class. We will be using the BIA (Bind-It-All) to make a very cute wire-bound book. You will have two choices of the type of book to make, the Birthday Book or the Prayer Journal. This cute little darlin' of a book can be made using library envelopes or you can cut your own, or even use your Cricut with the Boxes, Bags, Tags and More cartridge. It cuts a very nice envelope and tag, should you choose to go that route. All papers will be cut for you, this will be an assembly party! We want to make this a fun class without having you drag a trolley of supplies to the class and camping all day at my table.

However, you do need to bring a few supplies and tools to the class, Here is what you need to bring for this class: 1) your favorite adhesive (I would recommend Zip Dry, my new FAVORITE adhesive), 2) scissors, 3) a brown chalk ink pad for aging (but optional), 4) a fingernail file (one of those big black ones you can buy at the Dollar Store, Walmart, Walgreens, etc.), 5) pop-dots or other dimensional adhesive, 6) Crop-A-Dile or other eyelet setting tool, 7) a folding bone will come in handy, and 7) any stamps and inks that you think you might like to use. If you don't have the supplies you need, I know that most of these things can be purchased at one of the onsite stores.

I've posted some sample pictures at the bottom of this post and a full copy of the tutorial will be made available to class attendees. The sampels posted are not the colors we are using for this class, but the look and feel will be similar. This project has several paper options to choose from, 1) Kaiser Craft paper from the Elegance line, 2) Kaiser Craft Paper from the Old World line, and 3) Basic Grey paper from their Porclain or Marakesh line. When you walk away from this class, you will have a beautifully bound book with gorgeous ribbons, beads and embellishments, along with some extra embellishments for another project. Come over to my booth and take a look at the kits and pick yours before they're gone! Space is very limited! Cost for this class is $15 and worth every penny and then some...I see Christmas gifts to friends in your futures!

All of these papers and embellishments, along with supplies for the BIA will be available for purchase at Scrapbooking Momeez, Clear Dollar Stamps, Scrap Nook and Conquest Keepsakes. I'll have a complete selection of wires, covers, and closures, some that you cannot find anywhere else, or you can place an order from me or CDS for what you don't see. My tip of the week BEFORE you come? Go use your 40% coupon and purchase a BIA at Hobby Lobby and bring it with you to the crop!

I'll be posting everyday up until the crop with more information on our make-n-takes, door prizes and a show stealer of a product, you won't want to miss this! Also some new and fascinating news on the scrapbooking front! Stay tuned...

Now, enjoy a few pictures...

PREPPING FOR CHA

Nothing like last minute shopping for a trip! Personally, I am THRILLED to be going to a warm destination where my fingers don't turn blue. I'm already tired of winter in the Midwest. Between twice-weekly physical therapy appointments and last minute shopping, I'm getting more exposure to cold weather than I care to have. I'm a cactus, I should be living in Arizona. I like warm, dry weather! Our contingent of CHA goers are busily emailing back and forth trying to determine what tools and supplies we're bringing and coordinating our last minute travel schedules. Saturday can't get here soon enough for me!

In the mean time, I am going to work a bit more on my organization project in ye old craft room, and gather my notes on all the booths I want to be sure and scope out while we're there! Then I'm going to read up on my new Canon compact camera (it's harder to use than my DSLR!) and make a few test shots of all the sleeping cats scattered about the house. Maybe even take a few more of the craft room. I moved some of my tables and now my DH is referring to my craft room as "the dance hall." OK, so it was a little crowded before. :-) Now that I have taken over the media room for more work space, I can afford to take down a table or two. heh heh heh Oooo, it doesn't get any better than this!

TOO MUCH HGTV

This post isn't so much about my crafting addiction as it is about my HGTV/DIY addiction, but they are both related, as you'll see in a minute.

Hi, my name is Vicki (Hi Vicki!) and I 'm addicted to HGTV. [Clapping in the background, murmurs, some head nodding and shaking, and a few slurps of coffee]

I have to confess, this addiction started over ten years ago when I moved to California for a job. I was living in San Francisco bay area by myself, working in a high tech, workaholic company. I was lonely, pining for my fiance back in MO, and as befits a lonely, single, Mac technodweeb with a bent towards art, I got caught up in something so innocent, so NORMAL, so secretly devastating, I can hardly bear to speak of it. The shame of it all. Yes, I subscribed to satellite so I could watch HGTV and DIY. [shocked murmurs, a few snobs, I mean sobs here and there] What had I DONE?!! Wasn't cable enough?

As each day turned into the next, coming home from work day after day with my head spinning full of Unix code, multiple platforms, and command line text, I finally broke. I couldn't take it any more. I HAD to watch more and more HGTV. I couldn't keep myself from it any more. Trading Spaces, Divine Design (who doesn't love Candace Olsen?), Designed to Sell (Lisa LaPorta, you ROCK), Oh Clivey, where are you? I was SMITTEN! I too, wanted to be out there redecorating America. It was my dirty little secret, my addiction to HGTV. I watched it morning, noon and night (nothing like working from the home office). Pick #2 you idiot, it has all the features you've been whining for! And what I confess to you now is downright shameful, despicable, and practically criminal.

When my fiance moved out to CA so we could get married, I (of course) had to drag him in to my secret, sordid addiction (my Mother told me it was good to share). I was hoping that since he was a bean counter, his common sense and money-twitching goatee could feel the danger and pull me up. Sadly, as it often happens, I ended up bringing him down in the mortar and mud with me. We never recovered. It wasn't long after we were married when we searched for and purchased our first house in California. Our HGTV addiction escalated. We sat for hours staring at "Designer's Challenge", "Landscaper's Challenge" and "House Hunters". We spent our spare time at Home Schelpo and Schmoes arguing over satin nickle verses brushed chrome. Were they same or different? We couldn't tell and those lingering questions hung in our minds as we were lost deeper and deeper into the abyss that is HGTV.

Unfortunately, my Lupus health issues got in the way if my 80 hour work week and it was decided that we needed to move back home closer to my family and a less stressful lifestyle. We needed to sell our house and sell it in a hurry. I was ecstatic! NOW was the time to pull out the stops and fish out my three-ring binders (yes, binders is plural) of tips gleaned from my fanatical worship of HGTV. When it came time to sell our house in Morgan Hill, it was quite evident that my HGTV addiction was going to pay off. There was hope, maybe I could actually USE what I had seen. There were s0oo many ideas, my head was spinning.

I staged our house just like Lisa and Clive advised, I mean we REALLY put on the dog, er, cat! I had the table set with china, candles burning, cookies baking, fresh flowers and I even cleared away the clutter and made a color brochure for those coming to the open house. We talked to our realtor on Wednesday to list it, had a realtor-only showing on Friday and scheduled an Open House for that Sunday. It never made it. A couple saw our sign and insisted on seeing the house on Saturday, so we scurried off to Lowes in San Jose. Who couldn't waste a day or two in there, eh? We were there about 30 minutes and my cell phone rang. The number on caller ID was OUR home phone number. Eh? It turned out to be the agent and he had an offer at our asking price written up and they wanted to know if we would sell it RIGHT NOW, while they were standing in OUR kitchen. Huh? Now? This minute? After I picked the bean counter up off the floor, we went straight home and signed the papers. It was on the market for a whole 4 days although it technically never made the MLS listing. We sold it for 40% more than we paid for it, and we only owned it for a year and a half. If THAT doesn't show you that satellite pays for itself, what does? A living testament to Do-it-Yourself living. So how does all of this relate to crafting...?

Enter Carol Duvall.

We arrived in Missouri and the house hunt was on, and so was the satellite. Again. You just can't break some habits no matter how hard you try. I just couldn't kick the addiction. While the DH hunted for a new job, we sat huddled in front of the TV. The only channels we watched were ESPN, HGTV, and DIY. My cats sat on the floor and learned how to vote for their favorite house and make Zen gardens in their litter boxes. I hang my head in shame at the thought of it.

As you know, if you have an addictive personality, it is not uncommon for addictified (my word, and I am NOT related to George Bush) people to find other useless things to become addicted to. And thus Carol Duvall entered my satellite orb. She crafted, I drooled, she talked and I was mesmerized. Horror of horrors, I felt COMPELLED to go purchase EVERY item she used. My stash was growing exponentially. What to do with all this new stuff? I already had enough computers and peripherals than most small businesses do. So much stuff and no room to put it in our rental duplex. I was getting desperate. I needed a fix-it fix, or more to the point, I needed to decorate something or I would self-destruct! House hunting became priority one. Who needs a job? Then, along came THE house. Not just any house, THE HOUSE. A house in frame, like polyclay in my hands. A house with a very large room that could be, would be [vacuum sucking noise here as I draw in my breath]...a CRAFT ROOM! My very own haven, my space to do with as I wished! Where's that Osterhouse carpenter guy when you need him? We bought it. That summer we put the "sweat" in sweat equity.

Flash forward to today. I got the itch again last fall to paint something. Specifically my craft room. It had languished in chaos crying out for organization and color! I went on a satellite binge (OK all that means is that I watched the repeats too). I watched it all, made my notes, collected my color swatches and procured my tools. I was driven. I NEEDED to have color, to mix those patterns, to pop in some bling, to light it up. I gave myself like a two-bit drunk to the task of creating order out of chaos. Here are a few peaks at the process, it's not quite done, but after reading this whole story, you deserve a picture or two. When it is finished, I'll post up the final shots. After it is all up, you can sentence me for my crimes. But whatever you do, don't separate me from HGTV! I can't take 16 hours of ESPN and the DH already took away my DIY!!

The first pic is of my closet in my craft room. It holds my wiring hub for all my CAT5 and QUAD6 cable and alarm system, all home-run as it should be, and all pulled and installed by myself and my DH. Our electrician thought I was nuts (he still pulls 2 pair in daisy chain--cringe!). Then he asked me to do a couple other houses in the same manner for him. I told him HE was nuts. :-) My canvas cubbies came from Hobby Lobby (they fold up when I don't need them). The gray racks were cast-offs from Staples. FREE!! This is a first cut at the reorg, more organizing to happen later.

The second pic is one of my light table that I rehabbed. I built the bottom half of the unit it get it to count height to make it more practical and it awaits final painting. The slat board behind it holds my inks and other supplies. I've already changed this arrangement some, so the final pics of this area will look different. I've put several of my projects up on the red shelves throughout the room. Mostly to keep them away from my cats. They really like my work. :-)

And that ends tonight's story of addiction and creativity. G'day!

ALMOST THERE

This is going to be a short post, but at least it will make it up before the new year! The reason for the shorty? I've got a full arm cast on my left arm, from the tips of my fingers to about 4 or 5" below my shoulder! There are not enough words to describe how I feel about this, this THING! Arrrgghh! OMGoodness, I can barely type, it's a one-handed effort as the left hand is stuck in the permanent "handshake" position. Great for a door greeter, not-so-much for a crafter. Evidently, according to the MRI, I have moderate to acute tendonitist and a torn muscle in my elbow, or however you might describe that. The orthopedic surgeon thought that "immobilizing" my arm would help it heal, but I am here to tell you that I'm pretty sure the only thing this cast has done is make me feel like a feral animal. The urge to gnaw this thing off is overwhelming. Grrrr.

Have you ever thought about turning an accountant into a hair dresser? It can't be done, uh-huh. He is hair dryer impaired. Not happenin'. Sigh. Only six more days to go. SURELY I can distract myself with enough Hallmark TV and sleep to get through the next six days. I tried working on my projects, as most of my Christmas was supposed to be handmade, but I gave up after I painted the table--several times, glued my Kleenex box to my leg, and then inked more of my cast than I did the project I was working on. The handshake position is not condusive to holding anything other than someone else's hand. I give up.

I did get my lengthy tutorial done on my Birthday Book (Days to Celebrate) before being "casted", so go take a look. It's on Lori's blog at clearlyistamp.typepad.com.

Cheers!

A FINISHED DAYS TO CELEBRATE BOOK

I've been promising a picture of this project for quite some time, so enjoy the photos of this particular version. I have another one using patterned paper that I'll try to post when I finish it. I'm working on a tutorial for this project, and if you know me, you know I am nothing if not thorough when it comes to documentation! :-)

Here is a brief synopsis of some of the tools I used to complete this project.

*Zutter Bind-It-All with brass 3/4" wires
*Cricut Tags, Bags and Boxes Cartridge to cut the tags (I also trimmed 1/2" off the bottom of each tag)
*Stamps from Clear Dollar Stamps; Log It, Days to Celebrate, Colossal Title Outline and Coaster Calendar
*Ribbons are American Crafts
*Buttons, eyelet and brad from Hobby Lobby
*Inks used; Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Lady Bug, VersaMagic Jumbo Java for aging, Versamark for clear embossing, and the Kaleidacolor Autumn Leaves for the book title
*Paper is Bazzill and Neenah Solar White
*Copic 0.35 black multiliner pen to write in Date, Name, Birth and Anniv on the tags (there are stamps included in the Days to Celebrate set that you can also use to stamp in those headers)

Finished size of the book is 4 x 6.

What I really like about the Log-It stamp set is the grid can be used for all kinds of things. I chose to use it for this project and in the right-hand columns I put the year the person was born (so I don't foget how old they are) and used the last column for anniversaries. If you put the year the person was married, you won't let their 25th wedding anniversary go by without that special gift... like I forgot my brother's 25th wedding anniversary because I did not reference my handy little book. Sigh.

Look for more hints and tips in the full project tutorial, coming soon-ish.

CRAZY FUN!

We all had some crazy fun on Saturday! Things got rolling about 2p and then the paper was flyin'! We took on Rodney Reindeer first and learned there IS a difference using Copic markers versus regular markers like Marvey markers when it comes to coloring and blending. I wish I had the investment in Copics that Marianne has when she teaches classes! Things you don't think about until you have 15 people all wanting to use the same three or four markers! I think we succeeded in enabling some folks with Copics! If you want to learn more about these fantasic markers, check out Marianne Walkers' blog http://ilikemarkers.blogspot.com.

After Rodney, it was down to business with the Celebrate book and Advent Calendars. Everyone was busy scoring, folding and inking, and even the kids were working on magnetic notepads! For once, we got out of there before 10p after several crafters and their spouses stayed late to help clean up, what a wonderful group!

MORE ADVENT CALENDAR PICS

Here are some additional pictures of the Advent Calendar and one includes a pic of the container used to store your boxes to keep them pristine.

Here are some suggestions of the types of things you may want to put into the boxes; money, miniature ornaments for a small tree, Bible verses about Christ birth prophesy and fulfillment, beads, candy, scavenger notes, or a lump of coal. Just kidding on the last one! You could also make lists of nice things to do for someone else and have your kids do it that day, like send a card, make some cookies for the neighbor, do a chore for mom, play some Christmas music, etc., the ideas are endless!

REINDEER NUGGET/CARD and WOOD PLACE SETTING PEAK

If you would like to take a look at the Rodney Reindeer Nugget Make-n-Take, hop on over to Lori McCroskey's blog, Clearly iStamp, for her super-cool tutorial on how to make this project and a peak at what we will be doing at the event. We're going to use, by permission of course, Lori's tutorial to make a nugget and a card during our Craftaganza.

If you want to take a look at our wood block place setting Make-n-Take, surf on over to Lori's web site, Clear Dollar stamps (links to her site and her blog are in the sidebar) and check out her "Eat More Ham" stamp set. Click on "Go to Eat More Ham" and from that page click on the link for "Go to tutorial for Place Cards by Laurie Wilson". Laurie is a card and stamp designer for Clear Dollar Stamps and when you click on that link, it will take you to her blog, Clearly Delightful. This is a great blog to learn new techniques in stamping and to see some of the prettiest cards around! So after looking at her tutorial, check out the rest of her site! We will be doing a Christmas version of the placesetting. Both Make-n-Takes are free since we are doing a sample and not a complete project.

If you want to purchase any of the stamps we are using, we will have them at the event along with any accessories shown in the tutorials., or you can order direct from Lori's web site. If you look in the sidebar, you will see links to both her web site and her blog, just click and go!

ADVENT CALENDAR SNEAK PEAK

Here is a quick peak of the Advent Calendar Countdown to Christmas. This project kit includes everything but adhesive. You'll need to bring some quick drying liquid glue (I used Scotch's Quick Dry Adhesive, available at Hobby Lobby), a full tape runner with STRONG tape or something like Terrifically Tacky or Wonder Tape (red double-stick tape)—anything that is double stick, and a package of foam squares. I don't bring a lot of extra adhesive, so make sure you bring more than you think you need! The ribbon that goes on the boxes already has adhesive, we're primarily sticking paper to the canvas and the boxes. The boxes come with a separate plastic container that holds all of them for safe keeping between seasons, I'll post a picture of that later along with some additional pictures of the calendar. This project will take between three and four hours to complete. Tools you will need are a pencil, ruler, detail (small) scissors, a corner rounder, and a brayer (if you have one). Please bring a corner rounder if you have it! I only have three, the brayer is not a necessity, but it makes things go faster by flattening the papers being glued together. A folding bone would work as well. Lots of gluing...

If you want to do this project, please let me know by Wednesday if possible. There's a lot of paper cutting... and I have a limited number of box kits, so speak up early! Your background canvas can be gold, red or white, you'll need to tell me which one! Finished size is 16" x 20" and the canvas will hang on the wall or can be set in a frame holder.

CHRISTMAS 2008!

I don't even know where to start, it has been soooo long! I could lie and say I've been really busy crafting, but it's more like busy doing everything else BUT crafting! So, to remedy this situation, we are getting ready to have a Craftaganza Event at NorthBridge Baptist Church, just north of Valley Watermill Road on North Glenstone. We did this last year here at the house for a smaller group of ladies but we've already outgrown the basement space this year and we're opening it up to anyone who would like to attend. Since the church is so close to the house, I can still fetch (or better yet, have the DH fetch) anything I didn't think to bring (as IF!!). Plus, the four-footed party crashers will be left at the house, so we'll be cat free for the evening. Since there are so many details to relay, I'll dish on the generalities of the event and then continue to post on the details, including pictures of the projects available and costs for each project.

This open event will be a great time for you to get away from the everyday and spend some time working on Christmas projects and cards with friends and church family in a Christian atmosphere. We know times are tough and finding cute, economical and personal gifts for our friends and family can be difficult, so let us make it easy! Whether you scrapbook, stamp, or work on paper projects, we'll have plenty of project ideas in all areas. We will have oodles of samples on display to inspire your homemade gift giving and card making. Several of the project display samples will be available as class kits you can purchase at the event that you can work on during the event. You can also feel free to bring your own projects to work on during the event, so don't feel like you have to purchase a class kit to participate. We will also be conducting make-n-takes of several projects and cards so you get the feel of how to do a part of a larger project or how to use a new tool or technique. Bring yourself and be prepared to have a good time visiting, playing and, of course, snacking the afternoon away.

Tentatively, we are looking at Saturday, November 15th from 2p to 8p for the first date, at NorthBridge Baptist Church, at the corner of Hwy H (3765 N. Glenstone) and StoneRidge. If we have enough response, or enough people who need an alternative date, we'll schedule an additional date and time. In traditional Baptist fashion we're asking that everyone bring a snack dish, and we'll provide the drinks (tea, coffee and water, bring your own soda if you prefer soda).

Finally, here is a list of class kits that will be available. Each project will be sold as a kit with everything you need to complete the project, including instructions. Purchase and complete your first one at the event and if you want to do more, buy a few more to do in your spare time! No time? We can do them for you for an extra fee. If you are interested in doing any of the projects below, PLEASE contact me BEFORE the event to reserve your kit. Otherwise, it will be first come, first serve! You will need to bring some basic tools and adhesives, we'll detail those with each project as we finalize them this week and post final pricing for the projects.

Tools we'll have on hand will be the Cricut Expression (12"), Cuttlebug, Crop-A-Dile, Big Bite Crop-A-Dile, Zutter Bind-It-All with supplies and whatever else I can dig up. Bring your own dies, embossing folders, and cartridges. We will have some on hand.

Advent Calendar
This is an AWESOME project and I have a very limited number of kits. This is LARGE 16 x 20 canvas with pull-down containers ready to be filled with goodies and to help your family count down the 24 days before Christmas. The containers store away in a nifty box so they don't get lost or damaged during storage. We use Basic Grey Christmas papers, glitter, Star Dust pens, lots of ribbon and paper, velcro and paint for this one. You won't see another Advent/Countdown Calendar like this anywhere in Springfield! Watch for pictures of this one!

Days To Celebrate Book
This is a wire bound book that keeps a list of birthdays and anniversaries. A great gift with limitless opportunities to stamp and embellish, or leave plain, whatever suits you and your recipient. We'll learn how to use the Zutter Bind-It-All with this project.

Monogrammed Mini Magnetic Notepad
A cute mini notepad to fit in your purse or pocket with a magnetic flap complete with your monogram or a Bible verse. A great gift for a friend or co-worker, easy to make.

Old Time Christmas Place Settings (we will have a free sample make-n-take)
This is a unique project using wood blocks as place settings for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Make them elegant or fun, each includes a card for the name and an additional card with a Bible verse. You can even use these on a daily basis to display a picture or card. Super cute, super easy!

Rodney Reindeer Nuggets (we will have a free sample make-n-take)
This a a super cute gift to fatten up a friend! We'll be making a sample "nugget" using the Rodney Reindeer stamp from Clear Dollar Stamps and some Avery labels and Copic Markers. Once you learn how to create these super cute nuggets and see other examples on display, you won't be able to stop yourself from making them. Just don't eat all the candy first! Another Super cute, super easy idea courtesy of Clear Dollar Stamps! Of course, everything you need to make a complete gift can be purchased at the event.

We will be doing card make-n-takes throughout the event, if I get REALLY energetic, I'll post those samples, but no guarantees! We'll be using stamps from Clear Dollar Stamps for our make-n-takes, you can preview their selection at www.cleardollarstamps.com. We will have the stamps we are using for our make-n-takes available for purchase during the event, as well as some embellishments and other basic supplies.

Watch for more details and pictures of each of the projects. If you have questions or requests, email me at vconquest@conquestkeepsakes.com and don't forget to reserve your class kit, only a limited number are available. Again, we will try to have some supplies available for sale if you find yourself without, along with stamps that go with each of the projects. To reserve your seat, call 350-4569, or email me at my Conquest Keepsakes email address given above.

Hope to see you there!