Rejoicing in Christmas by Stampin Up, Carolyn and me

Good morning dear all of you.

Only 26 more days until it's Christmas. Oh my how time flies these days. Me and my sweet mother in law Carolyn used this gorgeous 'Rejoicing in Christmas' stamp set just before I went to Holland. She purchased that one and we couldn't wait to try it out. I have to say, we had a blast. So fun. We so needed to relax hat evening. Just to sit and create & get our minds focused on other things than running after the kids :). My hubby went on one of his hunting trips that weekend and she helped me with the care of the kids. She is amazing. She reads them stories, takes them out for some chocolate milk at their/her favorite coffee shop.. She just loves them all over. The kids can't wait to see her and Ray again.

I love how this card puts the focus on Josef and Maria and Jesus. To me that's what Christmas is about.. the celebration of the birth of Gods Son Jesus. What a gift.. unreal!!! But don't get me wrong, I also super duper enjoy getting together with our dear family and friends over Christmas and the New Years. We are so blessed with all of them.

You know when I was being crafty here with Carolyn, I was thinking..

We should do something like this with her friends. In the last 9 years I have gotten to know them a little bit and they are all so, so sweet. In one way or another they have all been so good to our family. When I started dating (with my now hubby) Scott, they dropped me of at the airport after I visited him in Canada, the threw an amazing Bridal shower for me before we got married. They send us cards and gave us rides to Fairmont, phone calls and the best hugs when we would meet.

But above all they have been such amazing friends to Carolyn over all those years. And I also keep hearing from Carolyn that they love the cards I make for them.. maybe they would like to give it a try for them self.. They will be surprised at how fun and relaxing it is to do something like this. & I would love to sit at our table and make some Christmas cards with them.. Spoil them and have some snacks, some wine and some lovely Christmas music and some fun chats. I am so sure they would all enjoy it.. I might ask her..

Anyways.. It's gorgeous outside.. and I need to do some heavy duty snow shoveling.. before it turns into ice on those many steps that lead to our home sweet home...

Have a beautiful day yourself.

Inky hugs, Pauline

Amazing Stampin deal for yourself or as a gift to pass on at Christmas!

Hi dear all of you!
Are you in Canada? And do you love Stampin Up?

I just wanted to share something with you, that I am completely tickled about. Stampin Up is offering a huge deal right now. For only another 2 days you can purchase a starter kit from Stampin Up for half the price. 50% off. $107 and you don't pay any taxes and any shipping on top of that!

Here is a link to all that is in this Stampin Up starter kit. http://www.stampinup.com/ca/documents/CA_start_kit_0510_digital.pdf

This is truly the 'I want it all kit'. worth over $375. after November the 30th it is again $215 dollars. This is still a good deal compared to the $375 you would normally pay for all the stuff you get. You can customize your own stamp sets, choose the colors of your ink pads, ribbon, paper and more

• When you purchase the starter kit you also become a Stampin Up demonstrator and member of my Pursuit of Stampiness crafting bees. You are not required to sell or purchase anything further or host any workshops or sell products.
  


• You do receive Stampin Up demonstrator discounts and benefits (20% discount on everything and 30% discount on your next order after you receive your starter kit) until the end of the next full quarter. Stampin Up's quarters are from January - March, April - June, July - September, October - December.


• There is also the Digital Starter kit with the Digital Studio software and many many stamps, paper etc. on sale for $107.50. This Digital software alone is worth $106 dollars. Here is the link to the download for this starter kit. http://stampingjo.com/wp-content/uploads/Digital_start_kit.pdf


• There is never a penalty to drop and the fun part is, you totally keep all the products that are in this starter kit..
  
• It's my honour to welcome both hobby stampers and business demonstrators to my Pursuit of Stampiness group. I provide support for both!


• If you want to remain active and continue Demonstrator discounts and benefits you will need to sell a minimum of $400 per quarter. Most demonstrators find that this goal can be reached in one or 2 workshops or with their own purchases or of that of their friends.
• Starting December the 1st, you'll get to pre-order products from the upcoming Occasions and Sale-a-Bration mini. You'll get the products first and get the discount.
• Enjoy exclusive acces to thousands of creative ideas and samples and fun discussions on the Stampin Up demonstrator website.
• You receive a free subscription to an exclusive monthly Stampin Up magazine.
• You receive 2 free months subscription to your own Stampin Up website.. I can help you set this up.. It is so fun!
• You have the opportunity to earn many free stamps and fun trips.
• you will get all the new catalogues for free when they come out.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

If you are ready to sign up here is the link to my website http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/pursuitofstampiness/.

When you are there. This is what you need to do. Click on 'Start your own business' ( I know sounds kind of scary :) Then click on 'Join now' and there you have it. 'the online Independent Demonstrator Agreement. Do you see the line: Enter your recruiter Authorization Password? Type in there: Pursuitofstampiness. Simple as ABC.

Have fun taking a test drive in all the Stampin Up benefits. i would love to hear from you!

Fine Flourish by Stampin Up and me

Hi dear all of you.

The kids are playing outside in the snow and I am on my couch trying to ignore my jet lag. It feels like I can sleep for weeks. I brought my hubby to the airport this morning.. he has to work somewhere far away for a couple of days.. Talk about timing.. I could have used a little bit of help with this whole transition of settling back in to Canada.. Oh well.. this too will pass right! ?

I started this post with a gorgeous picture of Canada.. The Rocky Mountains.. I am trying to convince myself that it is good to be back in Canada. It is good.. I know that part :) I just miss my family and friends in Holland. The windmills.. the meadows, the oh well.. everything.. (smile) when I went through my pictures.. I saw this one I took last summer.. Again it took my breath away.. All on the same planet.. but yet so far away from each other.....

Anyhoo! I created this card last night.. I couldn't sleep anyway. :) I used the gorgeous 'Fine Flourish' stamp from Stampin Up. Don't you love the Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon.. To bad that color is retired.. I stocked up on some :) so that's the good part.

I love how it turned out... I hope you enjoy it too. Well.. I gotta go.. one more suitcase to unpack.

Inky hugs, Pauline

Back from our sweet trip to Holland

In Hilversum with our 3 cuties


Me and my dear friend Ellie.. Hi Ellie :)

A good cup of Douwe Egberts Coffee and a speculaasje


Me and my son on the beach in Hoek van Holland

Hi dear all of you.

I just got back from an amazing time in Holland. Those days just flew by.. But I am full of great memories and impressions that will last a life time.

It was so good to be with my family again. They are all so sweet. the way they all opened their hearts and homes for me. and helped me and the kids to hang out with them in Holland.
On one of the pictures you see one of my dear friends Ellie. She rocks, if you ever see her walking on the streets, just give her a hug from me.. My arms are just not long enough to do that from here... just kidding Ellie... well.. about the arms not being long enough.. . :)

I also met so many new dutch stampers who also love to be creative.. We exchanged some blog addresses.. I can't wait to follow them in their creative journey. & oh I wish for them too that they would have Stampin Up in Holland.

Well.. I have some unpacking to do.. I am loaded with dutch chocolate and dropjes and coffee and hema clothes.. sigh.. I miss Holland already.. So difficult to have my heart in 2 countries..

But.. that's life right.. I hope to be able to create a card somewhere in this day.. I missed my little craft spot in the house.. and my hubby too of course :)

Hugs, Pauline