Well, it’s finally here – my 8th annual Christmas Card Class is tomorrow!

This is one of the door prizes.  It’s a empty Christmas book box!  Look, it opens up to reveal space for cards, a gift, chocolates, etc.  SO MANY things coud fit in here:

One lucky person will be able to take all their handmade cards home with them in this fabulous box!  I got the pattern to make this from a USTamp with Dawn and Friends a couple of years ago so unfortunately I can’t share the “how-to”to make this box with you.  But Becky at Inking Idaho is the original designer for this project – see her version here.

 I can’t wait to give it away tomorrow!

TTFN!

Natasha

Here in Alberta where I live, scrapbook and quilting retreats are very popular.  Crafters pack up all their crafting gear and head to a hosting bed and breakfast, where they enjoy personal crafting space, beautiful accommodations,  homemade meals, and most importantly, uninterupted crafting time!  Getting away for a couple of days to concentrate wholly on your crafting projects is exciting and rejuvenating…

…they also can be pricey to attend! 

 I’ve decided to host my first every Stampin’Up! “Retreat”!  But unlike a traditional retreat where you plan for days (if not weeks) the projects you will complete, and thus tote all the supplies with you to make your projects, I will be supplying my guests with 2 amazing scrapbook related projects and all the supplies needed to complete them both!  They will enjoy all the benefits of a retreat, and more, without the accommodation cost.  Find THAT at any retreat around here!

  Want to see the projects I’ve prepared?

A DVD case cleverly housing both a calendar and a notebook!  We made something similar to this as a Leadership make-and-take, and my mind started spinning with many uses for these DVD cases. The protective case makes this calendar/notebook easily thrown into any bag.  It’s economical as well since we’ll be using the same Simply Scrappin’kit as our scrapbook the next day! 

 I found notepaper at WalMart that is appropriately sized and fits amazingly into our cases.  Voila – easy peasy!!

I developed the calendar myself so it would be the same size as the notebook – coordination is important to me!!

Here’s the second project – the Saturday project - the 2011 “One Great Year” scrapbook:

 Scrapbookers are usually trying to play “catch-up” with their photos.  For once, I want to work ahead of myself and my photos!  Now that this book is completed, all I have to do is insert a couple of photos from the month, journal a bit and enjoy watching our year unfold!

This scrapbook has 16 pages.  Each month of the year is represented on it’s own page with space for 2 photos and some journaling.  Some additional pages I’ve prepared are a title page, favorites of 2011 page, and a reflections page. 

The neat thing about this Simply Scrappin’Kit, One Great Year, is that it can be used to document the year of an inidividual, a couple or an entire family – it’s so versatile!!  Once this book is made, it can be used by anyone!

What about the food??? 

You don’t have time to make a meal when at a retreat!  You just get to craft the day away and listen for the dinner bell to ring!  Many of my guests and class attendees know that I love to cook and bake so hosting this retreat allows me to provide my guests with some fun homemade food and goodies while they’re here too – it’s all about the pampering at a retreat!

I’ll be hosting this retreat on March 11-12th so if you are in the area and want some details, let me know!

Have a great weekend and TTFN,

Natasha

I’ve prepared these fun AND easy projects for a special class I’m offering in February. 

Here are some close-up photos of each project for you:

Two cute cards using the new set Valentine Defined, found in the new Occasions Mini Catalogue!  Notice the fun border on the second card?  That’s made with a new great embossing folder called Framed Tulips, also found in the Occasions Mini.

I had no idea this little purse was going to be as popular with you all, as it has been!  All those who register for the class, receive my Trapezoid Purse PDF tutorial as well (available for order by clicking on the photo on the right)!

And last but not least, these two fun projects –

- a 3×3 card and matching stamped envelope

- and a matchbox with tag, to hold the all-important Valentine’s themed chocolate!  This little box’s tag is made with another great set in the Occasions Mini catalogue called Eat Chocolate – check it out, it’s awesome!

If you happen to live in or near Calgary, here are some class details:

DATE:  Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

TIME:  6:30-9:00 p.m.

COST:  $20.00 for all supplies and project kits contents

TTFN!

Natasha

These cards are all projects for my New Product Card Class on Tuesday July 27th.  If you’re in the Calgary area and would like to come participate, email me at nzandbergen@shaw.ca – I have 3 spots available and the cost is $12.00.

Let’s take a closer look at these fun cards:

This set, Notably Ornate, caught my eye on my very first flip through the catalogue.  I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it!!  I also knew I was going to love working with paper flowers – aren’t they beautiful???

Isn’t the owl precious???!!!  I think this new 2-step owl punch is genius – nicely done Stampin’Up!!!

This card may look unremarkable at first glance, but look closely at the scallops around the wide oval shape…we don’t have a scallop punch to match the wide oval punch…hmmmm…..I can’t wait to show you how I did that!!!

I sure find these two sweet little friends in the set The Nicest Things irresistable!!  Too cute!

  I also love the new stamp set Aviary – love the whimsical cages!

Now you know which stamp sets are MY new favorites – I’d love to know which sets are YOUR favorites!

TTFN!

Natasha

I know I promised photos of the open house but it was so busy here, I never got a chance to take 1 photo!  But, I do have photos of all new samples to share with you over the next week so check back often for new stuff!

For today, here is a new home decor piece that I presented at the open house as a class project this summer:

Create this unique work of art for your home.

Class Details:

DATE:  Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

TIME:  6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

COST:  $30 – includes 1 package of YOUR CHOICE of new Designer Series Paper (to take home with you) plus all other supplies to complete the project

Yes, you get to choose the color palette of this project – choose the DSP pack and base color you like best for your home! 

RSVP: by August 3rd, 2010  Open House guests received first take on spots for this class and half the spaces are already taken, so contact me soon to join in on the fun!

TTFN!

Natasha

Let’s get ready…

Here’s a sneak peak at some new colors and DSP. 

 This card is made with Daffodil Delight, Chocolate Chip and Marina Mist, with the flower made from Pumpkin Pie and Real Red and of course the Sizzix daisies #2 die.  The DSP is a beautiful new pack called Greenhouse Gala. The ribbon is also a new offering this catalogue and is 1/8″ taffeta in Daffodil Delight.  I know that the corduroy buttons are being discountinued, but I just had to use them one more time!

Want to see more samples made with new product?

Are you in the Calgary area?

I would love to meet you at my

New Catalogue Open House and

Annual Garage Sale of retired products

Wednesday, June 30th

10 a.m.- noon OR  7 p.m. – 9 p.m

* make ‘n take project with new products

*door prizes

*summer class details

*make new catalogue tabs

*pick up your new catalogue

*enjoy FREE shipping this day only

please contact me to let me know your coming- I want to make sure I have enough card kits for everyone coming

nzandbergen@shaw.ca

Hope to see you soon!

TTFN!

Natasha

We started off the morning with a card making session where we made the following five cards:

It’s always good to keep sympathy and thinking of you cards on hand so you have them right when you need them!

Baby cards are good too – one for a boy and one for a girl…

And then my favorite card…

A beautiful wedding card directly CASEd from the talented Lynn Weiss at LW Designs seen here.

You know by now that I like to surprise my class guests with a little “thanks for coming” homemade gift and this is what I handed out this time:

I love these little purses!  I thought my guests might need a mid-morning snack and the homemade granola bars inside were pretty tasty! 

After lunch, I handed out the kits to make the afternoon project.  This matching card and box gift set.

Not only did my guests receive the tutorial and kit to make the project, I surprised them each with their own stamp set, Three Little Words, to take home with them after the class!  I love my customers and I love to surprise them!

We had such a great day and if you live in the Calgary area, I hope you can join us next time!

TTFN!

Natasha

The projects I created for my Stair-Step Class have been quite popular and I have had many requests for the tutorial.  I have created a PDF file of the projects with step by step instructions and photos as well as cutting and scoring dimensions.  The price for this tutorial is $3.99 CAD and payment can be made through Paypal by clicking on the “Add to Cart” button under the “Tutorials for Sale” section of this website.  I hope you enjoy!

TTFN!

Natasha

 SPRING FLING EVENT!

DATE:  Saturday, April 24, 2010

TIME:  9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

COST:  $55.00*   *See Early Bird Special below

RSVP:  Friday, April 2^nd*       *See “3 for Free” Special below

Have I got an exciting day planned for you!  Your crafting day will consist of:

• Morning crafting session where you will make 5 occasion card make-n-takes including themes like new baby, wedding, get well and sympathy
• Fresh homemade lunch
• Afternoon crafting session will include a set of 5 cards, matching envelopes and gift box ready for you to give as a Mother’s Day, teacher appreciation or birthday gift.  A PDF photo and full instruction tutorial provided for your personal use! 
• Here is a photo of this afternoon project:

Highlights include:

• Valuable product prizes for everyone!
• Lunch, snacks and beverages throughout the day
• Special handmade gift for coming and crafting with me
• Ample workshop space
• Instruction sheets for you to use over and over again
• Go home with a gift set and 5 cards completed = 10 projects!
• A day for crafting with friends – every girl needs a day to herself!

Specials include:

Early Bird Special – cost will be $50 if you book and pay by March 10^TH

OR

Bring Three, Come FREE:  register with three new friends or family that I don’t know and I will wave your registration fee!

I’m really excited to present this paper crafting day for you and I hope to see you there!

TTFN!

Natasha

I have been finding many wonderful versions of the stair-step folds and would like to share with you this technique!  I’d love for you to join me – here are the details:

DATE:  Tuesday, March 9th

TIME:  7:30-9:30 p.m.

PLACE:  my home

COST:  $12.00 includes all supplies, 3 card kits and written instructions and measurements

RSVP:  by February 25th  Only 12 spots available so book soon!

 TTFN!

Natasha