Well, there is exactly one week left before my 2nd Annual Riverfrontstampin'Retreat.  Are you excited??  I sure am.  I am so excited that I couldn't contain myself and had to give you a little sneak peek of what's coming. 

I always use a different technique to cover my album and always use Stampinup's linen album because you can decorate them in so many ways.  This year I used the Mostly Vintage Stencil but added a little twist to my stencil technique.  I added stencil paste to my album.  And voila, it turned out great.

It rained here in Eastern Ontario, but the sun is just starting to shine, so I took advantage and went at the end of our dock to get a picture.  Nothing like natural daylight for a great picture!

Here is a close up of my album.  So there you go, you get a preview of technique #1 .  Can't wait to see you all, next week & you will get to see & create the next 23 techniques.  For those of you who got the technique album to go, I am almost done.  See you soon! 

Stampin'up! Supplies Used

You can preorder 24/7 in my STORE

6×6 linen album # 104509

baja breeze ink pad # 111833 (available July 1st)

baja breeze stampin'write marker #120965 (available July 1st)

early expresso ink pad # 119670 (available July 1st)

early expresso stampin'write marker #119680 (available July 1st)

dazzling diamonds # 102023

2-way glue pen # 100425

chocolate chip satin ribbon # 117287

half pearls from the Pretties kit # 109114

color spritzer tool # 107066

Wondering why I have supplies from the next 2010 – 2011 Idea Book & Catalogue?  Well as a demonstrator you get to preorder 1 month ahead.  So I have been rolling over with excitement using my baja breeze marker. My favorite color is back.  Youppi doo! 

If you would like to buy the mini starter kit on sale, you have until June 30th.  It's only 119$,  wow what a deal and you get 220$ of products.  This kit is customizable.  You get to change products for equal value.  Look what is in the starter kit HERE

Does your Recipe Book look like mine? (picture not shown, but maybe I should show it on another post, so you can see the mess)   When my husband looks in my recipe book, he shakes his head.  I guess it's because he is better organized then me.  Right?! 

When I earned the stampin up carribean cruise, someone from the stampinup staff had created this awesome recipe book and I had to recreate it for my own kitchen because it is simply adorable and easy to do.  Only took 2 minutes and voila!

It is as easy as 1 2 3:  I placed the definitely decorative (EAT) on my album with my decor elements applicator and then embellished with my fancy ribbon.  That is it!  Ask Jennifer she saw me do it!

Order HERE or email me!

Polka-Dot 6×6 album #119833

Small Eat  in white #117852

Décor Elements Applicator #114285

1.25" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Old Olive #115618

Isn't it so stinkin' cute?  Check out the other definitely decorative elements that are on sale & available until June 30th in my store.  Starting July 1st look for the new Definitely Decorative 2010-2011 catalogue.

Wow I just realized that I had to talk a lot more about this cruise.  There are so many things we did out there.  Day 2 was sea day, we were heading out to Barbados.  At a Stampin’up! event there is always General Session.  I would love to share with you some fabulous stampin’ projects.  Pam Morgan presented a Tropical theme party which is geared to prep for her sons pre-wedding party.  If you adore these projects, they are all available in the new summer mini catalogue.  You can order from me today or book a party of your own.

Wouldn’t these make great center pieces!

I will definitely do those for my daughter’s birthday party.  Actually, she will be able to help me out as it’s the exclusive Stampin’up Bigz Die Island Floral #118871. What is so practical and fun about using dies with the big shot is You can do 8 layers at a time.  Pam used the Island Oasis designer paper #117173.  The colors are so pretty.

Again using the Island Floral die from page 27 in the Summer mini to create a lei.  Pam gave us a great tip:  curl the petals with a bone folder and then use your paper piercer and string the flowers into our linen thread or hemp twine.

This is a banner Pam created  using the Pennant Die.  Guess what is celebra…?

It is celebrate in spanish

And now what is a party without favor boxes.  Pam used the island Oasis party favor boxes # 117178 from p. 27 of the mini.  There are 12 boxes with 12 bellybands included for only 7.95$ These are just stinkin’ cute!

With the same party favor boxes and island  oasis die, she decorated a string of low voltage patio-party lights.  It was just gorgeous!

Pam also used My digital studio # 118108 to create the invitation and the level 2 hostess stamp set Punched Posies from the summer mini. Get this exclusive hostess set when you have 395$ in sales or more.  Ask me how!

This is one of my favorite things that Pam shared.  She made for the bride to be a bracelet.  It is from the mini also on p.17.  She used the simply adorned bracelet #117342 with the circle charms #117349 and square charms #118476.  Inside she added movers and shakers itty bitty bits stamped images #117056.  These images were punched with the punch pack itty bitty shapes #  118309.  So no cutting involved.  How sweet and delicate.  What a great mother’s day gift or even for my sweet daughters.

Remember you can always shop on-line.  Click on my upper right-hand button.  And get these fabulous products at your door step.  It is not too late to ask gift certificates for mother’s day.  Give your spouses my email and your wish list.  It is that easy!

I hope you enjoyed my share today, I need to finish prepping for Lysanne’s workshop tonight.

Last week I flew in San Juan to join my stampinup family on the Southern Caribbean Cruise.  What an amazing experience.  It is my first incentive trip that I earn.  Let me tell you Stampin’up! knows how to pamper.  I will be sharing this week some highlights of the cruise.

It all started about one month ago, when I received my travel wallet.  My travel agent has never sent me a packet like this one, but Stampin up surely knows how to make this girl smile!  It included luggage & name tags, my tickets, storage for our passport and best of all the interior matched the new designer series paper, Island Oasis from the new summer mini catalogue.

When we arrived on the ship, I realized that I was going to be treated like a princess all week.  Honestly, I never had a job that rewarded me like stampin up does and that recognize the hard work like they do!  How wonderful to be thanked in such an amazing way! Are you tempted to join my team yet?  Ask me how?  + I have a bonus surprise this week if you do decide join in! 

Tu veux joindre mon équipe demande moi comment regardez ici?  Je suis à 10 minutes de la frontière du Québec et je demeure en Ontario. J’ai une équipe de démonstratrices du Québec et de l’Ontario ainsi que d’autres provinces Canadiennes.

I was greated to my room with this fabulous magnet! Let the tour begin!

Then, when I entered the room, on the dresser was a water bottle with swedish fishies.  We ate those immediately!

Attached was a fish, we received fishies everyday!  We would bring them to the hospitality room and spinned the Stampin’Up! wheel to win prizes. I won the oasis designer paper, mini vintage tags etc.  Best of all, we were greated with a big smile from the SU staff!

They even thought of our guests!  My husband, Anthony received a pack sac for all the excursions we were going to do and I received this beautiful clutch that matched the travel wallet.

more swedish fishies, we ate those too!

Can you guess what this is?

A huge purse, just the way I like them!  I was even able to put my mac book in there!  Now I just need to find matching sandals!

Do you like what you see?  Wait, there is more!  More  pillow gifts, swaps, share night, makes and takes… to share this week!

***There are a few spots left for my riverfrontstampin’retreat (NEW techniques), see link here

You’ve got mail!  How fun to get a hand made card in the mail.  Better than bills, Right!  I received this beautiful, yet elegant thank you card from Shelli Gardner, co-founder and ceo of Stampin’Up!  It just made my day!  She sent it from Honollulu, Hawaii (probably from one of the workshops of a lifetime)  To read about my workshop of a lifetime click HERE.

Here is a list of supplies Shelli Used: Chocolate chip, Taken with teal, More mustard & natural ivory cardstocks.  She also used chocolate chip, taken with teal, more mustard and  sahara sand ink.  Stamp sets:  my favorite background stamp En Francais, Bella toille, oval all.  And the best part, she used a combination of alphabets to create the word thank.  How amazing is that!  Her alphabets used were:  lovely letters, wild west, varsity, schoolbook serif.  And finally dazzled this gorgeous card with a half pearl from the pretties kit. Voila!

I will place Shelli’s thank you card in my shadow box in my stamp studio, this way I can look at it, in times of inspiration.

***On another note:  Ready for some stamping and creativity!  I am half way booked for my 2nd annual Riverfrontstampin’retreat, technique class.(24 NEW techniques)  If you haven’t signed up yet, make sure to sign up now.  Before all the spaces are gone for good!

Have a great day!

A fabulous event that I will remember forever!

After dinner with my downline,Shelli and Sara, headed out to Golf Club La Cite for an event that I had organized for my downline,sister sidelines and uplines and for my dear customers who could not attend the workshop during the day!  It was out of this world!  I wanted to share this opportunity with the people that are dear to me! 

My husband came with the kids and sat with 140ish ladies!  He commented: "wow Shelli is a star, look at all these women taking pictures and having autographs!" He has been very supportive since the first day I became a demonstrator. He also commented that Shelli and Sara and the many demonstrators that he has met were so wonderful. He also understands why I do this and why I love it so much.

After thanking Shelli and Sara for attending this event, I recognized the many leaders, new demonstrators.  I was honored to host for all the demonstrators, some came from so far, Kitchener, Victoriaville and even Newfoundland. WOW! I asked Shelli to talk on 3 different things:  the importance of workshops, recruiting and convention, a wonderful event Stampin’Up! has annually.  Can’t wait to attend in July, in Utah!  Then we had a question and answer period with Shelli.  The demonstrators loved that!

Many demonstrators brought samples of their creations!  We have a very creative Canadian bunch of demonstrators!  From swaps, door prizes to great food, the positive energy in the hall yesterday was contagious and I am grateful for this opportunity.

 And last but not the least, there were 4 Make & Takes!  Can’t have an event without the make and takes, Right!

You can now view my Make & Takes here!

I will quote my friend Claudine: "The event that you have prepared so hard for and looked forward to so anxiously has come and gone in a heartbeat."  I was sad that this day had to end, but knew that these fabulous ladies, Shelli and Sara wanted to get to the hotel to find hopefully their lost luggage!! Which they did (smile).  I wanted them to remember their visit to Canada so I thanked them with Maple products and some of our local Cheese "St-Albert"  which people across Canada, the States and Europe come to purchase. 

I guess some were more exhausted then others! See picture below, (wink).  To my husband and children thank you for being so supportive, Sara and Shelli thank you for caring so much, for taking the time to be away from work and especially your families. I will cherish your friendship forever.  I am proud to be part of a wonderful company called Stampin’Up!

On the left is my 4 year old daughter Jordan, who insisted on staying almost to the end! And, on the right is my 8 year old daughter Lauren, my social butterfly.

Here is my daughter Megan who is almost 10, my futur recruit, she is always wanting to give a helping hand.  She just loves it!

 By the way, when I got home at 10ish my girls woke up and said where is Shelli and Sara? I thought they were going to sleep over? (laugh…)

Stay tune, I will share pictures of my stamp studio that Shelli talked about on her blog!
 

Workshop of a lifetime, Today I’m on cloud nine!  I am so excited to share with you my 9hrs with Shelli Gardner and her daughter Sara.  When I first woke up yesterday, I went directly to my laptop to see what Shelli had written on her blog about her flight to Canada.  When I read the Sara and Shelli had lost there luggage I thought to myself I better help them get ready with the workshop.  Kellene Adams is Shelli’s assistant, she called me at 12h30 eastern time and said:  Shelli lost her luggage and she doesn’t have everything for the workshop.  I told her I knew about it and said what I had prep.  for them and she was in relief.

12h55  Door bell rang!  it was Shelli, cute as can be with the most stylish hat.  I had been nervous but in the first 5 sec, she put me at ease.  She was the most amazing, down to earth and kind women I had ever met.  Sara stepped out of the car and we chatted about the luggage and what our plan was going to be.  Despite the luggage being lost, they were so organized!  In 5 min everything was cut and ready to go.  I have never seen paper chopped so fast!  Still I looked at them and had to pinch my self a few times!! Was this real!!!!

My guests arrived and Shelli and Sara greated them, we talked about their adventure and about Shanna’s wedding plans.  Shelli talked about her family with such pride.  How fortunate for her girls to have such a wonderful mom!

Shelli’s workshop was about stencils.  How ironic, I was suppose to present at the Regional in Seracuse, but sadly it was cancelled because of bad weather.  My theme was also stencils.  I just loved them.  I have been using them for numerous techniques but Shelli amazed me with her technique.  Something I hadn’t done with my customers…

This card was her demo card:  love it…..

She used Basic gray cardstock, sage shadow and natural white. 

Designer paper was: Nouveau Chic  (got to order that!), and love the new satin ribbons from the mini.  She used the basic gray ribbon. and embellished with a clear rhinestone.

She placed one of her Elegant trio stencil from the definitely decorative insert on the natural white cardstock and used a dauber to add sage shadow ink.  Shelli left the stencil on and stamped the gratitude stamp from the stamp set define your life, which you can have for FREE if you buy the demonstrator starter kit before the end of Sale-a-bration(March 31st).  For the final touch she spritz black ink with the spritzer tool and the basic black marker.  Voila, tres chic!

 Make and Take # 1

While Shelli was getting ready, Sara "wowed" my guests with the first make and take. It was a adorable pen with a little tag that they had designed with the modern label punch and the trio flower punch.

Then came Make and Take #2

Shelli used the Note cards (you get 20 with envelops for $7.95 canadian).  She cut about half an inch and added the groom specialty paper.  She placed one of her Elegant trio stencil from the definitely decorative insert on the note card and used a dauber to add the orchid opulence ink  (one of Sara’s favorites) Shelli added. The stylish basic black image is called Vintage labels, one of many stamp sets you get for free when you purchase for 65$.  Embellishment with circle ice lilac brads and basic black satin ribbon.  So elegant!

Shelli also made this cute box which I don’t have a picture  for our BOOK TO LOOK.  I guess I got caught in the moment!  But inside was 4 little cards like you see here.  Anyone who booked a workshop that day got one of these cards with a little incentive inside.  We got 3 bookings!! Wooo Ohh for us… Sherry, Therese and Julie get to have a similar stampin party of their own to get lots of great products…For FREE

She used the in color cardstock which will retire in July…

Hostess Gift -how cute is that

Shelli taught of everything.  Look at my cute boxe.  Filled with chocolate (by the way)  We all need a taste of chocolate….  She stamped in french just for me.  "Tu es exceptionnelle" It’s the one of a kind stamp but in french.  I also loved the kaleidoscope designer paper she used. 

Ok I have lots of Stampin up products in my stamp room but Shelli did you know what I don’t have.  Now I have to make another wish list with all these wonderful projects.

When you demonstrated these products, I thought to myself they are so me!  It is like if you knew what I liked.  I am so into vintage…

Anyway this concluded the workshop, my sales are not final but I have to say 3 bookings, 1 recruit and 2 potential recruits is the best workshop ever.  Why?  because I got to spend it with Shelli and Sara.  Thank you!!

Downline Dinner

Top row:  Melissa Lalonde,Melissa Nadeau, Michelle Nadeau, Manon Parent, Roxanne Sauve, Chantale Assaly, Paula Assaly

Bottom row:  Danielle Drouin, Shelli Gardner, me, Sara Gardner and Jennifer Inskip

Some of my downline couldn’t attend but I will give them the scoop at my next team meeting at the end of the month.

Because I live in this little town, Shelli had to drive an hour and she could not drive back to her hotel room before the downline meeting so my husband and I decided to invite Shelli and Sara for dinner.  But then had the brilliant idea of having my downline, my girls attend also.  Shelli was kind enough to agree.  So we had this delicious meal in my home.  It was so much fun!

Thank you again for the wonderful day yesterday. I am in aw mode today! I walked in my stamp room this morning and it felt different! The memories from yesterday’s event, I will treasure forever. The best part was to see the reaction of all the demonstrators during the evening event. (Which I will post about tomorrow)

I am blessed to have met you and Sara and will cherish your friendship forever. My family has been touched by your visit yesterday.  I cannot thank you enough!! I will see you on the Stampin up! cruise in April…

Kim

xxx

Do you want Shelli’s story of her visit to L’Orignal?  Go to Shelli’s blog:  www.soshelli.com

http://www.soshelli.com/so-shelli-blog/2010/3/11/stamping-on-the-rivers-edge.html

Check out tomorrow for the evening event!!!

The cat is out of the bag!  Yes it has been a very emotional week for me.  I was a little sick two weekends ago and had to miss a stampin event to rest. (Which I never do) I always bring my daughter Megan skating in Montreal ( 1hrs drive to and 1hrs back) for skating on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays.  It is her passion!  Since I had been sick, my husband offered to take her last Wednesday so I could rest.  Well it was the best thing I ever done.  At 8h17pm eastern time, I received a call from my new SAM, Becky. She said guess what! Kim Assaly, you have won Shelli’s challenge!! I almost fell of the sofa!

Sorry Josee and all the others  who called or emailed to see if I had won the challenge, but I was told I couldn’t share my news or else… lol Actually I didn’t lie because everyone who contacted me asked if Shelli called, and she didn’t but my SAM did with this unbelievable news.  So it wasn’t a lie! Right!

If you would have seen me, I was pacing in the house.  I think I told her about 20 times really really.  I was shaking.  The bug I had caught during the weekend was over.  I was recharged.  Full of energy.  So fully recharged that I had trouble sleeping that very night.  Then everything made sense to me.

On January 31st, when the challenge finished, I had recruited 6, my goal was 10.  I still do have a few potential recruits but didn’t want to pressure anyone.   When the time is right, they will sign up!  On February 1st, I woke up at 6am ( I usually have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, I’m an night owl.) with one thing on my mind:  I had won the challenge…  Then I said to myself it can’t be true.  I had spoken to one demonstrator who said she knew a few that had recruited 8.  So my  chances were over.  That is what I taught then.  Surprise!  My vision from February 1st  told me that I had won this challenge and I did.  Now that I think of it, it is kind of freeky… 

Anyway I couldn’t tell a soul except my SAM said I could share with my husband.  So I called him on his cell and said babe I have a secret to share but you can’t tell anyone.  Then I paused and started crying.  Which scared the jeepers out of him.  He taught it was bad news.  Then I said chéri, I won the recruiting challenge, Shelli Gardner, co-founder and CEO of Stampin’Up! is coming home.  He was so proud of me,  had a few tears…  (sorry for sharing honey)  A sensitive man is very sexxy!  He got home and kissed me and I knew and felt he was truly proud of me.  It was a very emotional time!

It’s been a week now, I think I called my SAM probably three times,  Sorry Becky,  wanting more details which I didn’t receive yet.  They were waiting to post the information on the site.  Longest week everrrrrrrrr.

Sorry Marlayne and Jo-Ann that I didn’t attend your events!  Anthony and I have a few things to take care of before Shelli comes home.  Also, my SAM suggested I stay away from demonstrators so I would’nt spill the beans.  Which you would have seen as I am glowing right now!

I so wanted a picture with her at leadership but missed my chance, but now I will get more than a picture…

Thank you Ronda, fellow demonstrators and especially to my customers, for your support. 

I will have more details to share as soon as I know when she is coming.  It could be in a week or so.  I have been checking the Stampin’Up! web site about 10 times a day.  What a way to get some hits….Hey!(Proud to be Canadian!)lol…

Happy Tuesday!

 Well I loved my first quilted bag that I decided to do a bigger purse that fits my personal taste!  I was inspired to create in the tones of the bag that I received at leadership. (One of the purkes of being a demonstrator) You can view it  here.  My challenge was to take a picture of this bag since I made it bigger to fit in all my nic nacs that I usually bring in my purse.  The bigger the better!

 Here is a close up.  Thank you Paula for the expertise in haute couture!

The flower folds were different this time.  I decided to add lots of layers without crossing them over.  I just love the fluff, makes it so feminine!

This is my favorite pic.  You can see all the layers here!

If you are interested in signing up for a class on how to do these gorgeous bags, please email me!  I have so many ideas since I started using the Big shot to cut fabrics with all the sizzix dies!  Thank you stampin up. What next!

Have a wonderful monday! Bon lundi tout le monde!