It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

well, it feels like it anyways! The temperatures in Edmonton have plummeted and we have received plenty of the white stuff over the past several days. I can't say that I am super happy about it but I am happy to be able to stay warm indoors so I won't complain too much (until I have to go outside!).

So what have I been doing to keep busy? Well... designing plenty of projects. I have something special coming up so it is in the final stages of being finished and then I can send it off. It would have been done completely BUT I went and lost an entire album. YUP! I have a horrid feeling in the pit of my stomach that it got thrown out. I checked every nook and cranny in my house a hundred times over to no avail:( So I have had to recreate however I did not take photos of it yet so I am trying to do it from memory and once you do a project once it is not fun to have to do it a second time... believe me! Oh well, it will be worth the wait!

In the meantime, I also created a fun layout for My Mind's Eye this week for our monthly challenge:) This time it featured a sketch by my good friend and uber talented Anam Stubbington:


Here are a couple of sneak peeks of my variation but for more photos you will have to check them out on the My Mind's Eye blog!



I hope you decide to play along in this months' challenge! MME always gives away FABULOUS prizes and I love to see all of the variations... they are so very inspiring!

So today, I hope to get my kids out the door for school without too much chaos so I can sit down, finish up my special project and get that shipped out today (fingers crossed!) I have a couple of samples I need to get done before the end of the week so they are off my plate n prep for next week. I get to make a special announcement on the 16th:) Stay tuned for that too!

In case you are wondering though... NO! That is not the GIGANTIC, EPIC screaming from the rooftop news yet (although it is still pretty darn good!). I am dying to tell you all but alas... I must still keep my lips sealed! It is kind of fun as I still get people asking so at least I know there are people waiting with me... lol! Oh well, I am sure that soon enough the big announcement will come:) I hope to see many of my peeps there with me (I am pretty certain there will be at least a few)!

While we are on the topic of secrets... have you heard that Tattered Angels has a big old secret too?! YUP! You can read all about it here:)


In case you are wondering... YUP! I know what it is and I LOVE being in on it... it will BLOW your mind and is going to be such a fun ride... GUARANTEED! The big announcement for that comes on December 14... so you will want to be sure to check it out:)

Alright girls... gotta get to work for the day! Keep warm and happy scrapping!

And the Tattered Angels RAK goes to....

coRinne not connie said...

Way to go Trish! I bet it was a huge load of fun at TA - that would be sooo worth the trip. I'm really thankful for all my friends in my life and that i'm basically healthy. No snow on the ground is another thing i'm really thankful for right now. It's all good.
Trish- thanks for the inspiration you are! you rawk chickie!

November 25, 2009 7:59 AM

Corinne: drop me an email with your address (trisha.lado@gmail.com) and I will pop a little Tattered Angels goodness into the mail for you:)

Hard to believe we are only a few weeks away from Christmas already... that is somewhat scary as I still have sooooooooo much to do! I am thinking about skipping the tree though as we are going away for Christmas. I REALLY need new lights, etc (mine are DONE!) and I would rather wait to buy them on clearance after rather than full price now. Would it make me a bad mama if we don't have one for the kids? hmmmmmmmm... wait! Maybe I should not ask:P Maybe I will let me kids decorate something as an alternative this year... YEAH! That's an idea... maybe I can even get them a mini tree each. hmmmmmmm.....

Anyways, so what is on the schedule today and the rest of the week? Well, I am finishing up a project for Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine and once I have that bad boy off my plate I am happy to say that I am caught up for a bit! YUP! Nothing major in the works for awhile! No traveling (other than with family) until the new year for CHA (unless something else pops up!). It will be a nice change of pace:)

Now of course there WILL be plenty of scrapbooking to do:) YUP! Many of the samples will be starting to make their way up for CHA samples. That is always the best part... getting to play with the goods before everyone else... heheheheh! It always seems that just when you think a companies product could not get any better, they out do themselves and smash it out of the park, time and time again! I LOVE opening the boxes to see what awaits and begs to be played with! I am sure that the next several weeks will be no different.

And then of course there is the other "secret" that I am prepping for. I have been working on some behind the scenes details that I am dying to share! But all in due time, right? I am not sure when they will make their announcement and once they do... I will too! So to all of you that have dropped an email... patience:) It is all good and soooooo worth the wait!!!!

Last but not least... classes for Treasured Memories and Scrapbook Memories and More... I will have a list of December dates within the next couple of days soooooo... be sure to stay tuned! I am also tallying up left over kits and will be putting them on my blog. They would make a GREAT gift for the scrapbooker in your life or perhaps you will create one of the kits and give the completed project as a gift or better yet... keep it for yourself! I hope to have that up this week:)

All right... have a great week everyone!

FABULOUS Class at Scrapbook Memories and More in Sherwood Park tomorrow night...

and it is not one you want to miss as it is plum full of FABULOUS goodies from My Mind's Eye, Tattered Angels, Prima, Riff Raff Designs and Grungeboard. You will learn numerous techniques for working with a multitude of different mediums to create this fabulous wall hanging!

There are only a couple of spots left and I would LOVE to have you come and play with me:) Call (780)449-0603 to register!

Life is full of wonderful little surprises....

and I had more than my fair share of sweet little surprises while I was in Colorado visiting Tattered Angels last week. I had the privilege of seeing many of the new products that will be released at CHA and all I can say is WOW! You will NEVER be able to guess what they have up their sleeve... nuh uh... no way, no how! But WOW!!!!!! It is so over the top cool it will blow your mind! IT SURE DID MINE! I am not even going to risk blowing it so I am not saying another word but I will tell you that you need to stay glued to the Tattered Angels Blog over the next several weeks. When they announce it I am pretty certain that you will be over the top excited! I am sworn to secrecy so that is where I am going to leave it (I know... me BAD and I am such a tease!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

What I can talk about though is some of the fun things we did while in Colorado. It started with Wendy (owner of Tattered Angels) picking me up at the Denver Airport. We went out for a quick bite to eat and then straight to the warehouse where I got the grand tour of the behind the scenes happening of Tattered Angels. I literally let out a few squeals of delight! It was over the top COOL! They took me out for Mexican for dinner (YAY!). Being from Canada, there are not too many good Mexican restaurants in my neck of the woods so fortunately my dear friend, Lizzie, made sure my food cravings were taken care of the very first day (THANKS LIZ!!!!!!!!).

The following day I went into work with Liz bright and early to begin my first full day! I had an amazing time watching some of the new goodies come together and we laughed and laughed while coming up with the new names for the products. Again, they are fabulous and I felt privileged to be a part of something so very cool! You will LOVE it too I am sure:) Vicki and I were lucky to have had the opportunity to create the very first samples with the new yumminess and I cannot wait to share the pics with you (again you will have to stay tuned!... lol!)

Thursday was New Moon Day and everyone was giddy with excitement! I got to create a bit more earlier in the day and then Vicki and I went on a purge session in the TA office and reorganized the creating station! Hopefully the gals can find everything but it made it a lot easier for us to play the next day and be more a part of the action! Too bad that by the time we were done scrapping on Friday there was quite the mess... oooops! I guess we did that in the wrong order eh?!

Anyways, back to New Moon. Have you seen this yet? I have been anticipating the release of this movie for a year and cannot think of a better way to have seen it. Seriously! I was with 20 of the Tattered Angels gals and did we ever have fun! I am sure we seriously irritated the theatre of Twihards at the midnight showing of New Moon with our giggles but OH WELL! I have never had so much fun at a movie even though I was exhausted and I am pretty certain dozed a bit near the end.... aaaaaaaaaargh! Hence going with my hubby yesterday to see it again...lol! Was it as good as the book? HELL NO! But there was a little bit of eye candy to make it all worthwhile...lol! but seeing as he is still a young one, I have to look away or it makes me a sick old lady... heheheheh! For that reason I had better stay on Team Edward!

Friday brought an office full of very tired ladies but we did manage to get some work done. YUP! Vicki and I scrapped the day away while the others did their thing and that wrapped up a pretty cool week! It was hard to say goodbye to everyone but I know I will be back one day soon. How lucky am I to have been a part of the action this week?! Thanks to everyone for having me:)

A special thank you to my dear friend Liz and her hubby James for allowing me to stay with them and their lovely family. Their darling kids left an imprint on my heart and I cannot wait to see their sweet faces again one day soon! Their hospitality was greatly appreciated:)

Same with Wendy and Kyle... you guys were FABULOUS! Thanks again for having me and being so very kind:) I loved having the chance to be in on the fun stuff and look forward to the new year and all that is in store!

So there you have it... my Tattered Angels wrap up. Unfortunately I did not get any pictures (I know... CRAZY, eh?!). i I did not want to risk showing anything that was not allowed sooooooooo I did not pull out my camera...lol! But that also meant that I did not take any of the beautiful Colorado sights... silly me! To see a few pictures, check out Vicki's Blog (at least she took a few!).

So now that I am back to reality I have got to get cracking. I have several deadlines in the next week or so and plan to immerse myself in creative goodness! I am so grateful to be able to do what I do and in light of this being the American Thanksgiving this week, I would LOVE to "pay it forward" with a little Rak:) How about a little bit of Tattered Angels goodness? Leave a comment for me with something you are grateful for and you could be the lucky one to win a little giveaway from me:) I will announce the winner on Monday, November 30... sound good?!

OH! And that little thing I mentioned in my last post... it was NOT a dream! YIPPEE! I got confirmation this past week in a couple of different ways. I still cannot spill the beans but it is getting closer! YAY!!!! Stay tuned as this bad boy is EPIC! YUP! Whooohoooooooooooooo! Still pinching myself and probably will be for a very long time...lol!!!!

Alright everyone... have a GREAT week:)

Off to beautiful Colorado :)

Bright and early Tuesday morning, I hop on a plane that will bring me to BEAUTIFUL Colorado. I have always wanted to visit there and now... I finally get to! What is even better is that I am going to visit my girls (and guys;) over at the Tattered Angels Office... YIPPEE!

It kind of came together in a funny kind of way... chatting away on Facebook a couple of weeks ago, I was saying how I need a getaway without having to teach (not that I mind that... I LOVE it... I just did not want to bring 130 lbs. of luggage!). Well, Liz and Tricia started joking about me coming to visit for the NEW MOON premier. Well, wouldn't you know that as one thing led to another, it turns out I am actually traveling all the way to Colorado to watch a movie!!!!!!!!!!!!! BAwahahahah! That certainly must rank as one of the craziest things I have done to date! Of course, I am totally looking forward to seeing the behind the scenes stuff at Tattered Angels. I pretty much think I will be in heaven while there... no guarantees that I won't go swimming in the Glimmer Mist (but if I do, I promise to keep my clothes on)!

While there, I am also hoping to get a few sneak peeks of the yumminess to come...woot woot! I hope I can convince them to show me... I am ready to beg on my hands and knees...lol! Whatever they have up their sleeves, you KNOW it is going to be out of this world GORGEOUS!

I have stocked up on so Canadiana goodness to share with the crew down there (can't go without some Tim Horton's right?!). I am so grateful to my friend Liz and her hubby James for offering up their home for a few nights. I look forward to spending time with them:) I have no doubt in my mind that this trip will be nothing less than amazing. Stay tuned for details and pics when I get back next week!

While there, I also hope to get to scrap with these girls:) I am always so inspired by others creativity. I LOVE to see how they work with the same products! It should be a fantastic trip and I am sooooooooo looking forward to it :)

Now... onto another topic. Well, sort of (I can`t spill the beans just yet)... I got a call last week from a certain person who I have taught at the same event with a couple of times. I was OVER THE MOON, squealing with delight excited at what this person has offered me for next year:) I think I forgot to hang up the phone properly before I let my little squeal of delight out... if that is the case... SORRY about that- just in case the certain someone happens to be reading this...lol). In my little scrappy part of the world, it really does not get any better than this... and I am looking forward to being able to shout it from the roof tops soon! I feel extremely honoured to have been asked and I am thinking a few of my peeps may wanna join me:) Okay... so I have to stop now before I give anymore away...lol! More details to come soon, I promise and know that it will be well worth the wait!!!!!!!!!!!

Soooooooo... onto the next topic.... well, I am not sure that I can top that now. Hmmmmmmmm... nope! So I guess I will cut it short and start to pack for my trip tomorrow! I am such a tease, eh?! LOL! Well... I hope you will forgive me:)

Have a GREAT week everyone... I know I plan to!

My Mind's Eye Weekend to Unwind summary...

So as I mentioned before, I spent this past weekend at Sheep River Scrapbook Co. in Okotoks teaching 4 classes featuring My Mind's Eye goodness. Haley (the owner) went above and beyond in putting together one heck of an AMAZING weekend! A HUGE thanks to her and her team for making it such as success.

We started the weekend with an amazing cocktail party with yummy CRAVE cupcakes and 50 ladies in attendance (dressed to the nines I might add) and I led them through a fun little Make and Take. Saturday was 4 intense classes from 8:30 am till 11pm. I think everyone was beyond exhausted at the end but it was so very worth it. So many new techniques were learned and they got to play with so many yummy products, it was well worth the Scrapbook Hangover I am sure they all felt come Sunday morning!

There were a tonne of prizes and the big GRAND PRIZE valued at nearly $300.00 went to a gal by the name of Jill who seemed pretty happy to be the lucky recipient. A MEGA thank you to my sister Deana who spent hours putting the beautiful basket together. Be sure to check out her creations at The Secret Basket Company and if you are in the market for a unique gift idea... give her a call. Shipping is only $12.00 to anywhere in Canada right now so order before this offer ends!


So while on the topic of My Mind's Eye... have you checked out the blog this week? Well, you should! First up:

The November Blog Challenge...

Would you like to win three of your favorite My Mind's Eye Collections? All you need to do is share your talent with us by entering our Blog Challenge that starts today.

Your challenge is to create a layout (or other project, your choice) using this sketch from Anam Stubbington as your creative spring-board. You can change use it as-is, flip it, whatever you'd like as long as we can still recognize the sketch (We you know what to do with a sketch).

mme_sketchNov09

The rules: Use ANY My Mind’s Eye products (current or past) you’d like as long as your project has at least 80% My Mind’s Eye products.

The deadline: Email your project to amber@mymindseye.com (with Blog Challenge 5 as your subject) or add a link in a comment on this post by Thursday, November 19, 2009 (midnight, MST).

(For tips on how to best photograph your entry, click here)

The PRIZE: Our lucky winner will be featured in a blog post and receive one of everything from three collections of their choice! We will also award an honorable mention winner with one collection of their choice!

Everyone is a winner! We are grateful to everyone who will participate in this challenge. We will put every entry in a photo album here on the blog. By submitting, you are giving My Mind’s Eye permission to include your entry.


With today being Remembrance Day, we as designers all did a project paying tribute to those who have served to ensure our freedoms and liberties remain. Many paid the ultimate price for which we will always be grateful. Be sure to check out the blog for specifics.

If you wish to personally recognize a service man or woman, a gal by the name of Corine Braun from Saskatchewan has a terrific program where she gathers up handmade cards for the troops overseas. Learn more about it here and see what you can do:)

So what is next... well, there are a few good things lined up! First up... I am heading to Colorado next week to hang with my friend Liz over at Tattered Angels (and all of the other Tattered Angels girls too). We had a sill little conversation about me going there to see New Moon with them and it actually became reality...lol! I know I travel a tonne but I was wanting just a wee little get away to have some down time (with no mega luggage in tow) and this fun little idea kind of grew and we did something impulsive and I KNOW it will be a BLAST! I am looking forward to seeing some behind the scenes stuff at Tattered Angels and I am thinking that if there is a big tub of Glimmer Mist, I just might have to dive in and go for a swim!!! LOL!

And finally yesterday i got a call... no wait... THE call! YUP! I cannot go into details just yet BUT know that I am the luckiest gal in the entire world and when I am able to shout out this tidbit of info you will agree I am sure. Things do not get better than this in my little part of the world and I am looking forward so very much to being a part of it. That is all I can say right now... I am sure I will be able to shout it out soon so stay tuned! It's HUGE though... and I am over the moon excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So there you have it... have a great week!

November... ALREADY!!!!!???????

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEK! Where has the time gone? Halloween wrapped up last night... we were lucky as it was pretty nice out for the end of October. I had the honour of taking my boys trick or treating (I missed it last year because I was teaching in Norway)and I suspect this will probably be the last year as they were really wanting to go without us old folks. Logan will be in Junior high next year so I am guessing they will go with their friends so I actually enjoyed the night with the kids... it was fun watching them!

Logan decided he wanted to be a Zombie Skater this year so we had some fun with the Make Up and his costume was easy... just had to shred some clothes. I got off EASY this year... lol!

Carter liked the idea sooooo much he had to do the same:) They looked pretty ghoulish, eh?

They were telling little kids that if they don't wear their helmets... this is what they would look like... teehehheee!

Drew carved the pumpkins of course... he always does a great job and pulled these off in less than an hour!

This first one is a Werewolf pumpkin (Carter's choice). He is anxiously awaiting New Dawn and is currently infatuated with Werewolves.

Logan wanted a pumpkin like SCREAM and that is what he got! Good job Drewski:)

So now that Halloween is over, it is time to think about Christmas! I know! Hard to believe, eh?! But mark my words, this is THE year I vow to be ready LONG before the big day! YES... that is right! I plan on getting the shopping started this week and have my house decorated by December 1. It will be a miracle if it happens, but that is my goal!

First though, I am finishing up the plans for "Weekend to Unwind", the My Mind's Eye event at Sheep River Scrapbook Co. in Okotoks, AB. So happy to say this event is SOLD OUT!!!!!!!!!! I am really looking forward to it too :) Classes are designed, instructions just about finished (only one left to do!), kits are being assembled and packed up... I am just about ready to go! Friday night is the cocktail party complete with Crave Cupcakes and a fun Make and Take and I have no doubt in my mind that this will be anything less than F A B U L O U S!!! Like seriously! This owner (Haley) knows how to throw a good party! I can't wait to give you the details as I am pretty certain this will be one of the funnest stores I have taught at to date:)

I am finishing up the details on one last mega Scrapbook event for the year event that I cannot wait to share the details on. I am just waiting for the contract to be signed within the next day or two so I can shout it out:) Stay tuned for more info... hopefully in the next few days.

In the mean time... to all of my local peeps... I have two classes this week. The frst one is Monday, November 2 at Treasured Memories. I am teaching the My Mind's Eye canvas. This class has been a HUGE hit wherever I have taken it as there is a plethora of fun techniques involved using not only the fabulous My Mind's Eye Oh La La Collection of papers and embellishments but some cool Tattered Angels tricks for working with Glimmer Mist, screens and Glimmer Chips. This is one class you do not want to miss but you will have to call (780)414-1540 first thing Monday morning if you want in! I need to know how many kits to bring so let them know fast! I should also have a few kits available for those who cannot make it to the store so drop me an email if you would rather have it shipped. They may have a few extras too so you can always ask the staff at Treasured Memories for a kit when you register instead of coming to the class.

On Wednesday, November 4 I will be teaching a fun card class at Scrapbook Memories and More in Sherwood Park. This will be using the bright and cheerful "Colorful Christmas" collection of papers and embellishments from My Mind's Eye. You will make several cards that are sure to put a smile on your face and definitely that of the lucky recipient:) Be sure to call (780)449-0603 to register today if you are interested!

Okay, so last but certainly not least I said I would give a RAK to one of the people who left a comment on my blog so the lucky winner is: Susan... who left the post below! Drop me an email Susan to make arrangements:) I am thinking that if you are going to be at Sheep River Scrapbook Co. for my classes there, I will just bring your prize with me! But drop me an email to confirm you got this message!

Susan said...

Love all the pictures and I can't wait to take your class in Okotoks!

October 26, 2009 9:33 PM

So... there you have it. My update for this week! Hope everyone in blogland is well and I will be back soon:)

Happy Scrapping,

Trisha