leaving on a jet plane

On Thursday I leave for Calgary.  It's picture day for my kids, it's the Book Fair at both their schools, it's harvest time on the farm.  But I'm flying to Calgary. (sigh).  I hate flying, but I love teaching, so I have to take the great with the bad.

It's actually not that I hate flying altogether...............I just hate flying anywhere without the ones I love.  Got it???

I can't wait to see everyone that I've met over the many years I've been in this business.  It's been a few years now since I've seen most of them and it's exciting.  It's like a huge school reunion.......but I'm the only one that's really out of the loop (most of them work together for the magazine).  Click here to see the event I'll be at.

This gig is definitely different than my other ones.  Usually I'm a "closer"; a "teacher"; a "social butterfly" hired to keep everyone happy and busy and scrapping and laughing -- yeah, that's me.  I'm usually specifically hired for that last job.  This time..............I'm represently a fabulous company who manufactures fabulous trimmers (etc.).  I'll be demoing their latest baby (The 12" Titanium Bonded TrimAir Trimmer).............wowzers.........and creating some pretty cool stuff with some pretty cool chicks!!!  Always love that part......the face-to-face connection with people / new faces.  So, I'm brushing up on my Westcott fact sheets and checking all the lists twice.  No kits this time.  No tools this time.  Just ME.  Smalltown ME in a big city.  Love it.

Check back next week for photos (hopefully someone takes some).  I'm trying to go with just a carry-on this time.......yikes!!!

I'll let you know how that goes.  (hahaha)

{from the farm},

j.

weekend // blizzard

It's snowing outside and I'm having trouble loading photos onto blogger.

Here's a few sneak peeks from my Saskatoon weekend.........thanks to Christy Riopel's camera. Thanks, girl.

I'll share more when the weather turns nice................but, in the meantime..............

Here are the Make 'n Take layouts I created (& taught) for Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker.

And here is me in action at the Make 'n Take table. (love, love, love this part of the job -- teaching)
And why am I on the phone while I'm working?????? (it's not even my phone)

Come back to see more from the fabulous weekend. Treats, goodies, food, teachers, friends & more....................

cuddling up tonight {from the farm},
j.

Have I Shared These?

Flying out to Saskatoon, SK this coming weekend to work some Make 'n Take projects for Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker. It's gonna be a BLAST!!!!! I always have so much fun teaching at these conventions with all my long-lost scrapbooking friends. I love meeting new people in this industry and seeing all those people that I haven't seen in days...months.....o.k. -- years (lots of projects created in the meantime). Read all the convention details here.

Now.............sometimes I forget whether I've posted certain layouts or not -- sorry if you've seen these before.

It's nice (some days) to work on a layout where there is no pressure to use a particular product line or company. This LO is an example of just that -- using some of my favourite products from my "gotta use this soon cuz it's so cool & pretty" basket. LOOOOOOVVVVEEEEE the fuzzy iron-on title from donna downey!!!!!! And check out the October Afternoon pattern paper -- totally in love with them right now. Hey....and speaking of 'love' -- love this guy in the photo as well.

And here's a few LOs that I've created recently with some of my favourite mSB stamp sets. Go check out their website AND blog.........I work with one of the best deign teams & the ideas are endless!!!!!

I'll post some photos from the weekend and the Make 'n Take project when I return.

later alligator {from the farm},

j.

BIG announcement today

Go head over to this fabulous blog where there's a BIG announcement today ....... where I'm teaching next. It's coming up really quick -- better start gettin' on my game for the crowds of scrappers.

I'll be using this collection from Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker for my project:

Hey................and if there's some product left over (they always send LOTS!!!!!), maybe we should get together when I get home and do a little scrappin' with some Nikki Sivils products!!!!!!! Leave me a comment if you're interested.

smiles {from the farm},

j.

Sneak Peek on Classes

Check back soon.............for details about a very cool convention happening in the fall that I will be teaching at..........in Winnipeg!!!!!!! The host??? Only the coolest store in Manitoba. Can anyone guess?

Products from companies like Fancy Pants & American Crafts are pouring into the house. Time to get creating.

Love it when teaching opportunities are so close to home!

enjoy.

{from the farm},

j.

if you're in the area this weekend ...

... come see me in Brandon. I'll be teaching at the Brandon Charity Convention (www.scrapbook2007.piczo.com) at the Victoria Inn on Saturday all day. I've been teaching at this convention for the past 4 years and I must say.....it is such a blast!!!!! The girls that organize it are soooooooo cool. I just love them!!!! They are so much fun -- some of them even participate in my classes and there are always a riot!!!

Thank you sooooo much, ladies, for organizing such a FANTASTIC event that fundraises so much money for some great organizations. You guys ROCK!!!!!!

Here are the classes that I'm teaching:

All You Ever Wanted to Know about Scrapbooking But Were Afraid To Ask.
Time: Saturday 9:00 – 10:00AM
Come and meet our guest designer, Jill Hildebrand--scrapbooker extraordinaire. Bring along an item to share with the group--perhaps an album, mini book, layout, card, altered item etc--that you are proud of and would like to share with the group. Make sure you have your questions handy as Jill will answer whatever questions you have about scrapbooking, techniques and ..............anything else scrapbooking related.

Frame It BIG
Sponsored by: Cut Your Way & Close To My Heart
Time: Saturday 10:15 – 11:45AM
Who ever said size doesn't matter? They never saw this!! Bring your creativity & join Jill's energetic class as you transform a plain MDF frame into a work of art that will showcase a favourite family photo. Using products from both CYW and CTMH, as well as my favourite Gel-a-tins stamps, class participants will learn the technique of layering acrylic stamping with water-based dye ink. After the paint dries & you can stamp no more, finish your Masterpiece with the latest in unique & beautiful vinyl rub-on appliques from Cut Your Way. You will leave this class with a finished 18 inch frame ready for that one special photo. Be the envy of your friends & family when they see your fabulous finished product. Come prepared to get down & dirty with paint and ink, be inspired by other framing creations, and have a blast creating with Jill.

One Kit -- Two Looks
Sponsored by: Upsy Daisy Designs, Riff Raff Designs, Smalltown Scrappers & Cut Your Way
Time: Saturday 12:00 – 1:30PM
Wanna get at least 2 layouts done this weekend? Come & join Jill's wacky, energetic & contagious personality as she guides you in creating two 12x12 single-page layouts using one kit. Using the latest products from Upsy Daisy Designs, Riff Raff Designs, Cut Your Way & Smalltown Scrapper's, you will create both a masculine & feminine layout using only ONE ?Jill-selected? kit. Complete with fantastic pattern paper (my fave), gorgeous laser-cut designs, unique rub-on vinyl images and fabulous embellishments, this class is sure to get your creative juices flowing. Jill's kits are all hand-chosen for you and are filled with amazing products ? ALWAYS with extras to use later. Trust Jill to come well prepared with goodies to use from her own stash!! Come with your photos in hand and personally create two layouts that showcase your favourite photos. You will leave this class with two finished 12x12 single-page layouts to adorn your scrapbook pages.

(photos unavailable as I am having a hard time uploading photos onto blogger -- help, anyone??)

Well.......if you can make it, come see me!!!!

My sister, Laura Lee (www.cutyourway.blogspot.com) will be there as well in the Close To My Heart booth. You'll love her AND her products too!!!!!

Also.....go by the Smalltown Scrappers booth (www.smalltownscrappers.com) and talk to Connie & Bronwen. These girls will have every product that you will ever need!!!! This store is my everything!!!! And check Heather Hildebrand's AMAZING demos out at the store as well. This girl knows her stuff and she will BLOW YOUR MIND with very cool product demonstrations on stamping, glitter spray, alcohol inks, and tons of new stuff that she still has to teach me to do (hint hint, Heather).

Hopefully I'll see you there!!

smiles {from the farm},
j.