Vicki Boutin

Lots to Share and a GIVEAWAY!!!

Check one, two.  Is anyone still here?  I have had the craziest couple of months.  It feels like I have been away more than I have been home.  I miss this blog and hearing from my friends.  I thinks it's time to reconnect.  Not even sure where to start.  Grab a drink, get comfie and let's chat.

Lots has been going on since my last post way back in December.  The holidays came and went.  The Boutin's had a great time gift giving, spending time with the family and eating, of course.

 

Love these nutballs!!  Glad to get to spend lots of quality time with them!!  Before I new it CHA Winter work was upon me!!  I created samples for Simple Stories, Tim Holtz Idea-ology, Queen & Co and Basic Grey.  Busy, busy!

 

Simple Stories...

 

 

 

Tim Holtz Idea-ology

 

 

 

 

 

 

Queen & Co

 

 

Basic Grey

 

 

 

 

Then after getting my first of a number of sinus infections/cooties, I headed to California for CHA Winter!

 

 

I was excited to work in the Simple Stories booth demoing their new DIY line!!  This one was made for anyone who loves to layer (me! ME! me!)...

 

 

That's just a peek at all of the fabulous-ness they released!  Watch this coming Monday March 3rd for something exciting I want to share!!!  Stop by for more info on Monday.

 

Love these two!  Me with Paula Cheney and Tim.  So excited to get to do something with this release!

 

Look who I got to catch up with at Big Picture Scrapbooking's PLAY event!!!

 

What else happened in January?.....

 

This...

One Direction here we come!!!  I am as excited as she was!

Oh...and this...

He is so stinkin' cute in his new braces!!

 

LOTS of this...

...and it can go away now.

 

With February came the Scrapping Turtle's Cruise.  Let me tell you...this is an amazing getaway!!!  I have the best time teaching on these cruises.  Got to spend time with a great group of ladies (and some guys, too!), great weather, amazing ports, Royal Caribbean Rocks...just a great time!

 

 

This one left from New Orleans (now one of my FAVOURITE cities!!!!)

 

 

 

 

 

mmmm...beignets!

 

After a whirlwind stay in New Orleans we set sail...

 

Jamaica, mon.

 

Grand Cayman...this is Hannah in her element!!

 

Cozumel..awesome..again.

 

This is us at sea...Thanks for the photo Bertha!

 

This is one of the projects we made.

 

It was a great time!  I will share more photos and info soon.  We are working on next years dates.  Don't miss out.  This really is a great experience!!!  I would love to see lots of familiar faces on the 2015 Scrapping Turtle Cruise!!!!

Only a few days after arriving home from the cruise we were off to a hockey exchange in Philidelphia.  The Merriton Bulldogs and Wissihickon Hockey Club have been doing this hockey exchange for over 50 years!!!  Riley billeted with a great family and it was a once in a lifetime experience..

 

and...

 

they won!!!!  So proud of these boys!!!

 

Thanks to a great group of coaches!!  These guys put a ton of their time and hearts into providing our boys with an amazing team experience!

 

Once we arrived home from Philly, Ri and I packed up and left a day later for Camp Wanakita with the Grade 7 and Grade 8 kids from Power Glen school!  Four days of skiing, snow shoeing and team building!  So glad I had the chance to experience this with Ri.

 

 

Then I came home with a doozy of the flu.  The one with the sore throat, earache, bronchitis and headache.  Spent the four days in bed.  Finally felt human again before heading off to...

 

Fun filled workshops, catching up with sweet friends, fabulous food and lots of productivity!!!  It was a great event!!!  I love these Crop & Create weekends!!!  Have you attended one yet??  You still have time this year.  We will be heading to...

 

 

Crop & Create Moncton next!!!!  LOVE Moncton, too!!  Great people here!  Love this hotel!  Love the lobster dinner after the event!  HA!  Here is a peek at the classes I will be teaching...

 

 

Fundamentals of Distress

  

We are going to have a ton of fun!!!!  I hope to see lots of familiar faces on March 21st-22nd!!!  Are you planning on attending??

 

So you see...it has been a little busy around here.  On top of all that travel is day to day family life, assignments due and prep work.  I must admit that it feels really good to get this posted.  I miss keeping in touch with a lot of you and this blog is a great way to do that.  I plan on posting once a week moving forward.  Think that's doable.  Fingers and toes crossed!!!

Don't forget about this one, too....

 

 

PUERTO RICO!!!!!!  Oh man I love this event!!  The people are truly amazing in PR.  Great store.  Crazy and beautiful store owner.  Awesome team.  And heck...it's in Puerto Rico!  Are you going to come and play??  Here is a link to all of the details...Puerto Rico Scrapbook Event.  It is June 6th -8th!!!  Hope to see you there!!!

 

OK!  Now a giveaway!!!  How about a Vicki's Favourite Things goodie bag!!!  I will fill it with a bunch of the things I love!!!  Just comment on this post.  I will draw a name on Wednesday March 12th.

 

Thanks for sticking with me!  Can't wait to hear from you!!!!  See you in a few days!!!

 

 

CKU Special, Some Heidi Swapp Fun and a Giveaway!!

Hey friends!  Hope you are having a fabulous week!  I know for some of you this is back to school week.  Hope you got through that unscathed.  We have a week and a bit before the kids go back.  I am looking forward to it, but a little sad too.

I have been busy working on classes.  LOTS of classes!  September is going to be a crazy month!  Here is a list...

 

First, I will be teaching at CKU in San Jose for Simple Stories.  It is a full day album class with their Year-o-logy line.  Take a look at the sneak peak...

 

 

Did you see this deal from CKU???  You and a few of your friends could come and play...

 

 

Here is some more CKU info...

 

Event dates:

San Jose, CA – September 6-8, 2012

Dallas - Fort Worth, TX – October 11-13, 2012

Stamford CT- November 1-3, 2012  

Cost is $295 (does not include hotel room or food) and includes an album track, four 90 minute classes, evening activities, goodies, prizes, and more.

Register online at www.creatingkeepsakes.com/cku

 

Hope to see you there!!!  This class is super fun!!!!!! 

 

Next, I will be off to Nevada for Inspiration Unlimited!  Can't wait for that!  Flying in to Utah to meet my friend Layle and then driving to the event.

If you are coming to IU, you can pre-order my book now!!!

 

Later in September is Crop & Create Ottawa!!!  Those are always guaranteed good times!  Can't wait to see lots of familiar faces. 

 

Can't Forget Scrapfest Oshawa in October!!!  The Portfolio album class is already sold out with a waiting list. There are spaces in my EDE class on Friday.  This will be a fun fall themed Simple Stories class FULL of product!!!  Go HERE to Register.

 

You know what I love?  Heidi Swapp's product lines!  Seriously...LOVE everything she does!  And I really like her, too.  So when they asked if I could whip something up for a guest post on Heidi's site I said ...heck, yes!!!  Here is what I made, quick like...

 

A little vacation Flip book!!!

 

You can see the whole thing over on Heidi's blog HERE!  Tell her I said "hi"!!!  Can't wait to get some of her new CHA-Summer releases, look HERE!!  What is your FAV??  One of mine is the Color Magic...oh and the chipboard Memory Files...oh and the new stickers and Color Magic notes...you get my point...LOVE her stuff!!!!

 

Now for a give away...actually 3 giveaways...of the same prize.

I love Sassafras.  They closed their doors this year.  Sad.  But Tim and Becc are still designing...I see their stuff and know it right away.  I decided I wanted to share my love and put together 3 Sassafrass Loving Prize Packs!!!  Felt, stamps, blossoms and more!!  I think these are great add ons for mini books, journals, Smash book and that kind of jazz.  Cards, too.  But heck, they will work on layouts as well!  It is a nice little goodie pack!!

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post.  I will draw 3 names on Monday, August 27th.

 

Ok!  That's it for today!  Have a great Thursday!!!  

 

 

 

Stamp Winners and a few Crop & Create Winnipeg Photos!!

Wow, my friends!!!  Thanks for all of the posts and kind words regarding my new stamps with Stamping Bella!  It was wonderful to first have Emily's support when I approached her about making the stamps and then to get such an awesome response here when I posted them...it was good.  Thanks!

If you are interested in buying any of my Creative Foundations stamps you can order them through Stamping Bella HERE.  They have tons of great stamps and stamping accessories.  Check it out!

What else do I want to talk about?  The spring issue of Scrapbook & Cards, Today...

 

is now available and it will knock your socks off!!!  Look at that cover and the inside is good too!  Great ideas to get you in the mood for spring.  I had a chance to flip through it in Winnipeg and I kept telling Catherine and Becky what a great job they did!  Check it out online HERE.

Then Catherine handed me the new CardMaps 2 and I fell in LOVE!!!  I knew the sketches would be great, Becky is just cool like that but then the cards everyone created blew me away!!!  This is a must have card book.  Sketches, techniques, tons of great projects.  Just.  Plain.  Good.

 

If you need info on where to find it go HERE.

So I mentioned I was in Winnipeg for the latest Crop & Create.  It was a blast!!!  I met so many GREAT ladies and saw a few old friends.  The Delta was a suberb hotel with the most courteous and helpful staff!  The food was yummy and the classes went smoothly.  I also have to say that the stores that attended really brought their A game and it was a bustling marketplace!  Thanks Winnipeg for another great event!!!  And thanks to Nicole for helping to TA my classes.  You were such a help!!!

Here are a few photos.  I didn't get as many as usual this time around...

Kimber and Catherine

 

Leica

 

Catherine

 

Beth and Leica

 

Vicki and Beth

 

and just Beth.

 

It was such FUN and now on to Moncton!!!!  Get ready ladies, 'cause here we come!!!!!

 

Now...last but not least!!!!  The stamp winners!!!!

 

I LOVE your stamps!!! The banner one reminds me of your style so much! obviously right??...you designed it, so it reminds me of your classes!! I love everything about stamping, especially adding to my hoarding-like amount of stamps!!

Posted by: Tanya W | March 24, 2012 at 12:28 AM

 

 

Congrats Vicki Love all of your stamp designs. Another accomplishment under your belt. I like the versatility of stamping. THousands of choices of images, different stamping medias,and the fun of seeing your finished project never loses it's appeal.
Thanks a million for this opportunity and your website URL that I now have bookmarked.
Have a great day.

Posted by: Heather Getson | March 22, 2012 at 10:26 AM

 

 

congrats Vicki!!! I LOVE stamping cos it's FUN, creative, and offers so many possibilities!!!! Btw, I LOVE your twirly bird set.... sooo ADORABLE!!!

Posted by: Linda Mok | March 22, 2012 at 09:51 PM

 

 

Holy-O girl.....you are on a roll!!! Congrats to this new endeavour (sp?) Ilove stamping....especially on cards. So many different things to do with stamps....it's never ending!!! ;)

Posted by: Vern | March 22, 2012 at 07:24 PM

 

 

CONGRATS Vicki!

LOVELY stamps indeed!!!

Posted by: Dale Anne Potter | March 22, 2012 at 10:45 AM

 

 

Congrats, ladies!!!!  I will email you for your mailing adresses and Emily the queen Bella will be sending these out!  I will let her decide who gets what!!!  :)

Thanks for all the "love".  Have a good night!!!!!

 

 

Crop & Create Markham was a Blast!!!!

I am finally somewhat recovered from another wonderful Crop & Create event!!!  What a fun weekend!   The attendees were wonderful!  The workshops went so well!  The food was so yummy!  The hotel and staff were great!  In all, a superb weekend!

I took a few photos...

Waiting for the doors to open.

Badges waiting to be claimed.

Chairs waiting to be filled.

Let the good times roll!!!

And they did...

 

 

 

 

What a great time, I tell ya!

My classes both went well.  We had a ton of fun and the ladies were happy to get there hands dirty!!  Thanks to my sponsors... Little Yellow Bicycle, American Crafts, Core'dinations, Hero Arts, DecoArt, Harmonie, Maya Road, Authentique and Queen and Co.  If you get a chance plese visit their fan pages on Facebook or their blogs and let them know how you enjoyed the classes and the event!!!

Ok Winnipeg!!!  Get ready!!!  You're the next stop on this craft and fun filled journey!!!!!

Crop & Create in Markham and Scrapfest Peeks

Hey All!  Just packing up for Scrapfest Oshawa but I wanted to check in before I leave tomorrow.  I just finished up the two classes I am teaching a few days ago and I have a few peeks to share.

I am excitied to be using the new Doodlebug Santa's Workshop line and their yummy twine in the Easy, Detail, Expert workshop!!!  It is such a fun and colourful line!!!  If you are taking this class tomorrow please bring a CROP-A-DILE or hole punch and eyelet setter!!  I didn't know until just recently that we would need it so it isn't on the supply list.

This is the workshop with all of the painting, decoupaging and all around fun messy stuff!!!!  A second class was added on Saturday night and I think there may be a few spots left.  If you are coming to play you can add FOAM BRUSHES, BABY WIPES AND ADHESIVE FOAM SQUARES TO YOUR BAG!!!  We are going to have a good time!!!

If you have been following the news on the Scrapbook & Cards, Today website and the blog than you know the next Crop & Create event will be held in Markham, ON on Jan 13th and 14th.  Info regarding classes and all of our big plans will be posted tomorrow HERE and registration will open up on Monday, Oct. 17th.  There will be great deals on the classes and they fill up fast so make sure to visit the SITE and make plans.  Here is a peek at one of my workshops...

This one is a technique BOOT CAMP!!!  Three hours of arty play and good times!!!  I taught this one in Saskatoon and it was a big hit!  Lots of Maya Road, Authentique, DecoArt and Ranger goodness!!!

I am working on the kit for my second class, an ALL NEW Easy, Detail, Expert workshop.  This workhop will also be 3 hours long and students will create 3 layout with some fun techniques.  It will be a fabulous kit full of scrappy goodness!!!

Hope to see you this weekend at Scrapfest!!!!!

 

Crop & Create Saskatoon and Stuff

It has been a few days since I returned from the first Crop & Create in Saskatoon, SK but I had a lot of catching up to do before I got around to posting.  Like sleep.  Then kids.  And of course, work.  But I'm here now!  With photos!!!

 

I didn't have a chance to take a lot of pictures.  we were busy with classes, make 'n takes, a photo booth and mixing and mingling!!  Here is what I got...

 Packing goodie bags.

 
Great food!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Good times!

It was a great event with fun classes, a nice hotel, awesome goody bags and fun ladies!!!  Thanks to Catherine, Leica and Jen for all of your hard work!  Thanks as well to Karen and Jodi, my ROCKIN' TA's!!!!  Couldn't have done it without you!!!

I can't wait for the Toronto event in January 2012!!!  You heard me!  That is this January!  And the details were just announced!!!  The next Crop & Create will be held at the Markham Hilton Suites on January 13th and 14th!!!  I hope to see a lot of familiar faces there!!!  I will be teaching an ALL NEW Easy, Detail, Expert class with 3 layouts and a technique or two and I have the Technique Savvy class that is a boot camp filled with lots of fun stuff!!!  Go HERE for all of the details!!!

 

Scrapfest, Oshawa is next weekend!!!  Wooowhoo!!  You may have notced that my Mixed Media Art Board class sold out within hours.  I was at Creative Escape in Arizona when registration opened up and there were a group of ladies there that missed out.  Couldn't have that!!!  So I asked Lisa to add another class and we almost filled that one from the waiting list alone.  Guess what?!?!?  There are 7 spots still open!!!  These are ideal classes because there are only about 25 students and that means we get a lot of one on one time.  This is a fun class and a little different from some of the others that I have taught.  It will be messy and I hope memorable!  Go HERE if you want to sign up and come play!!!!

What else?!  I was invited to teach at Inspiration Unlimited in Las Vegas on the weekend of Sept. 21-22nd, 2012!!!  This is very exciting!  My friend Layle has taught at this event for the last few years and she always has the best things to say about it!!  There are some great teachers for 2012 and I have always wanted to be a part of Teresa's event!  I know it sells out fast, so if you feel like a weekend of creativity in NV start planning soon!!! 

I have some really exciting news to share but I might not be able to for a bit.  It's good.  Have a great Thanksgiving weekend and Columbus Day for my American friends!!!