Ros Davidson, Independent Stampin' Up!® demonstrator, Melbourne, Australia

Canada recap

Going to do a quick recap of my Canada trip today... My backside is still sore thinking about all the sitting we did on the planes and car rides. The trip home took almost 36 hours from leaving the hotel to arriving back home at our house.

We flew from Melbourne to Sydney, Sydney to Dallas and finally Dallas to Calgary. We only stayed in Calgary for the night and didn't have time to sight see any of it. Maybe next time? :) We drove from Calgary to Banff, Lake Louise and onto Jasper for the night. The drive from Lake Louise to Jasper was in the dark and along the ice fields parkway in a 2WD car and at times, it became a little scary!

Photo of shops in Banff where we experienced our first twinkling of snow.

Hubby with some hot chocolates to keep us warm (at the Banff Gondola.)

After staying at Jasper overnight we did a quick tour of some local stops including the Marmot Basin ski fields, Fairmont hotel (picture below) and we saw some mountain sheep on the drive to Spruce Grove.

After a housewarming party, a few drinks and a sleep, saw us drive from Spruce Grove to Saskatoon. I finally got the chance to meet Kerri's family after 11 years of friendship and Kerri's husband (Wade) his parents drove two hours to meet us also.

Kerri and I at dinner in Saskatoon

After staying in Saskatoon the night and sight seeing some the following day we drove back to Spruce Grove in the evening. We started to experience some really cold weather. It was -9 but felt like -19 according to the iphone.

We spent the next day at West Edmonton Mall. It is the seventh largest shopping mall in the world and has an amusement park, a hotel, a shooting range, a skateboard park, a huge boat (pictured), seals, an ice skating rink and so much more plus gazillions of stores.

Boat again but from another view, this time you can see the stores along either side

We saw an ice hockey match on the following day. Edmonton Oilers vs Ottawa Senators. Oilers lost 2 vs 5.

Weather also turned a lot cooler. - 22. Before we arrived, it hadn't snowed and in one day it snowed 8 inches!

Snowfall in Spruce Grove

Hubs and I at "supper" on his birthday

We flew to Toronto after Hubby's birthday and went up the CN Tower, went to Eaton Place (Toronto's only downtown mall apparently) and we dined at the Hard Rock Cafe.

CN Tower

View looking out the CN Tower of downtown Toronto

Not sure what these are called but this was in Downtown Toronto also

After Toronto, we drove to Niagara Falls. How pretty are the falls?

View from our hotel room on the 18th floor

Finally, the bridge to the USA. We went into the US a few times while we were in Canada and did a spot of shopping. Yay for Lego being a lot cheaper!

Our return journey home was extremely long as I mentioned before. We drove from Niagara Falls to Toronto airport, flew from Toronto to Dallas, Dallas to Brisbane via Noumea for fuel as Brisbane was under a thick cloud of fog and finally Brisbane to Melbourne.

I hope you enjoyed my snap shot of my Canadian trip.

Back in the saddle...

Hubs and I have been back from Canada for a few days now and are slowly getting back into routine. Today is the first day in almost three weeks I sat at my craft desk and made something. Cards for my techniques class on Friday night (faux silk technique). I've used a few new goodies from the upcoming Summer Mini catalogue (release date, December 1st.)

I'll be back soon with a Canada recap and share my photos.

Christmas theme blog hop

This is the final blog hop I am participating in for the year. Our theme this month is Christmas. Using the pillow box die (10% off this month with the "A sale to die for") I made this super cute box. Perfect for homemade goodies for a neighbour. Now, I just need to know what to fill mine with. Good thing there is still a few weeks left for cooking.

 
Click through the links of each and everbody to see what wonderful Christmas creations we are showcasing today.

Click here to visit Tina's blog

Other ladies blog hoping today:
Tina Gillespie: http://scissorspapercard.blogspot.com/
Nikki Sadler: http://www.inkyart.com.au
Sue Madex: http://www.madexcreations.com
Di Dunk: http://www.stampartbydi.typepad.com
Judy May: http://www.judymay.typepad.com
Kathryn Mangelsdorf: http://klm55.blogspot.com
Alisha Watson: http://www.ratherbstampin.typepad.com
Christine Blain: www.christineblain.blogspot.com
Ros Davidson: www.rosdavidson.typepad.com <-- Me

Materials list:
Cardstock: Real red, basic black, whisper white, gold metallic
Punches: Curly label, scallop edge border
Accessories: Big shot, pillow box die, buttons #5, basic black grosgrain ribbon (retired)

December classes

Techniques class*, December 2, 7pm - 10.30pm

Image coming!

Join me and learn the embedded image technique. You will create a sample card (with step by step instructions) and two finished cards with envelopes.
Cost $20 

Petal card *, December 3, 2pm - 4pm

Join me to create 2 petal cards using big shot dies and designer series papers.
Cost: $25

To see more upcoming classes, visit here

*Bookings and pre-payment are essential as spaces are limited and to allow for kit preparation and ordering of supplies. If you have to cancel for any reason, I am happy to provide you with your kit so that the cards can be made at your leisure.

Girly card

After making the 13th birthday card I posted recently, I wanted to make a real girly card. What is more girly then doilies and pinks and oranges??? This card uses 3 of the coloured embossing powders found in the idea book and catalogue (Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi, Tangerine Tango, $8.95ea.)

Materials list:
Stamps: Delicate doilies, perfect punches
Cardstock: Whisper white, tangerine tango, wild wasabi
Inkpads: Versamark, wild wasabi
Punches: Wide oval
Accessories: Big shot machine, lots of tags die, coloured embossing powders - melon mambo, wild wasabi, tangerine tango

Guest crafter

Today, I have a guest crafter to share with you. It is my youngest daughter Bella. After seeing her sister make some Christmas cards recently (using a card kit she received) Bella couldn't be left out and tried to out do her older sister. Bella has used the stocking stamp set and co-ordinating punch from the upcoming Summer Mini catalogue, released December 1st.

This is Bella's card. I helped her but cutting the card/scoring it and cutting the rectangle, she did all the rest.

Creating her card

Sharing her finished card

and finally, the card on its own.

She did such a great job didn't she? I love how easy the stocking stamp set and punch are to use. No problems even for a four old. Contact me to get yours today.

Magazines

As a crafter for many years I have been a long time fan of craft magazines. Over the years, I have gotten less and less magazines due to the all talent online and also the availability of online magazines. I love online magazines as they don't take up space and I can always find them *grin*

One of the online subscriptions I have is running a techniques tag course as part of its library. Originally, I thought nah I am not going to learn anything new, I know a few techniques. Well, I was so wrong. I have only finished the first weeks tags and am loving it. I can't wait to find sometime to work on future tags.

Do you have any favourite online magazines? I will share a few of my other fav's in the coming days.

Faux quilting, take 2

Final card from my faux quilting class this month.

Close up

Inside card (inspiration taken from Teneale Williams for the inside decoration.)

Next month class, embedded image. Friday December 2, 7pm - 10pm. 

Faux quilting

One of the cards from my faux quilting class this month.

Close up

Next month class, embedded image. Friday December 2, 7pm - 10pm.

Jet plane...

Source

I am going on holidays for two weeks (to Canada) starting today. I have some blog posts scheduled while I am away but I will be contactable on e-mail.