Photo Expressions

Still here

I'm still here.  I haven't had a chance to post this week as we are so busy getting ready for our big crop tomorrow.  It is going to be so much fun!!!  Watch for pictures on Sunday of our Rootin' good time.

Lots of new stuff has come in the store this week and we have so much QuicKutz in now - if QuicKutz has it in stock, we have it in stock!  Watch for the new Gift Set on April 3rd.  I got to see it in person today and I actually squealed!  It is awesome!!!!!!!!!!

Also wanted to remind you that tomorrow is the last day for this month's club card special is 2 8x10's for only $5!! 

Michele

Piggy Tales new papers

One of my favourite newer companies is Piggy Tales . The look of the papers are quite different than what is out there and the owners, Debbie and Ryann are just so nice!

You will find all 3 new lines in at Photo Express (PE) - Hansel, Gretel and Jack and Jill (love all the fairy tale names they use.)

Signature Life & Bohemia Embossed Chipboard

Signature Life from My Mind's Eye is on the shelves too.  Very fresh and beautiful and so easy to create fabulous layouts in no time with.  There are 15 themes and here are a few of them.

My Mind's Eye also has the coolest chipboard called Bohemia Emossed Chipboard.

 

Tres Jolie est Tres Magnifique

The Tres Jolie line from My Mind's Eye is on the shelves at Photo Express (PE) and it is scrumptious!  There are 8 "lines" each with 4 themes.  The papers are all double sided and fantastic.  Here are 8 of the sets (1 from each line).  You will find it so easy to create beautiful layouts super fast with these products.

Trust Us With Your Memories,
Michele

Help Ali Edwards raise money for Autism

This is the week of helping people! Ali Edwards is one of our favourite people at Photo Express (PE).  She is a true joy to be around.  As many of you know, her son Simon has Autism.  Ali's Blog has a badge on it where you can donate directly to Autism Speaks to help raise funds to solve the puzzle of Autism.  To date she has raised over $20,000!  The only problem is, is that you have to be a US resident to donate.  I have gotten around this issue by asking my SIL who lives in the states to donate in my name and I will send her the money.  You can do this too!  It requires only a minimum $10 donation (and of course they will take more). 

This is part of sixdegrees.org .  Kevin Bacon with the help of Network for Good has the Six Degrees Website (yes, taken from the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon) to help celebrities and "Celebrities for your cause" enable people to easily donate to charities.  The top 6 badges by number of donations between Jan and March 31st, receive a matching donation up to $10,000 from Kevin himself.  How very cool.  He has taken a game that was done at his expense and turned it into good.  And now Ali is at the number one spot and is helping to create awareness about Autism and fundraising at the same time.  Let's keep Ali in the number one spot.  If you live in the US,donating is easy by going to Ali's blog (link above), and if you live outside of the US, have a friend or family member donate for you.  $10 means a few less coffees this week and makes all the difference in the world.

Michele

Scrapbook & Cards Today Free copy

The spring issue of Scrapbook & Cards today has arrived at PE. You can pick up a copy for FREE with any purchase at PE or we can ship it to you with your order. (while supplies last) This great magazine is also available as a FREE DOWNLOAD (this issue is so big it is in 2 download parts!).

spring issue includes:

• ribbon: how do we love thee? – join us as we celebrate our affection for ribbon

• the wonder of watercolours – love the look of watercolours but afraid to try?  have we got some tips for you!

• an interview with Vicki Boutin – read what Vicki has to say about her style, herself and the industry

• your words, your way – don’t miss part 1 in an informative and hands-on series on journaling

**

Enjoy it!

Michele

Photo Composition tips

My brother (aka Ron C) just sent out the Photography news (a great monthly newsletter from Photo Express (PE) with tips and more sign up here ) and it has a great article on photo Composition...

What is composition?  In photography, it refers to what we choose to place in the frame and how these things relate to each other.

You may look at a photo in a magazine and say "I like it", but not know why.  You may also wonder why your photos don't look as good as that.  A lot of it has to do with composition.  This month we've got some tips that will get you immediately taking better photos.

Check out the tips here...

Trust Us With Your Memories,
Michele

Join the PE Scrapbook Team

Anyone who has been in the store lately knows that our darling Leina is going to be having a baby very soon.  She has one of the cutest baby bellies I've seen in a long time.  Since she will be staying home with her new little one for awhile, PE is in need of another member for our Scrapbooking team.

Photo Express has a fast paced, dynamic work environment serving our customers complete photo imaging and memory preservation needs. Our sales team plays one of the most important roles in our company and is the main area of customer contact, thus requiring the right type of person. We are looking for outgoing, friendly sales people, able to provide excellent customer service to our customers.

The successful candidate must have at least basic knowledge of scrapbooking and the tools and techniques associated with it, basic computer skills, and must have excellent customer service and sales skills. Previous retail sales experience, while not absolutely necessary for the right candidate, is preferred. Photo Express is a busy store with many different functions, so the successful candidate must also be able to maintain a high level of productivity throughout the entire shift.  The successful candidate must be available for normal retail hours including evening and weekends.

PE offers a fun place to work, competitive wages based on experience and full benefits. If you would like to know more about the scrapbooking team position, visit here for job requirements and application form.

Also, please pass this on if you know someone you think would be a great fit for the PE team.

Thanks

Michele and the Scrapbooking Team at PE

Cutest Little Baby Contest Special offers

Reminder for those of you who entered your children into PE's 13th Annual Cutest Little Baby Contest. (Here are the winning entries and group shot to the left)

You have until March 31st to take advantage of the 13 special offers with your baby CD, at up to 88% off regular studio prices.  You can also order online at www.pestudio.ca.

Check out the Special offers and hurry in to order.

Trust Us With Your Memories,
Michele

You can help

Calling all QuicKutz fans and calling everyone who loves children, and calling everyone who loves good food! (That pretty much covers all of us!) (this is a long post, but so worth it)

I am asking all of you to be part of a very special project that Natasha Hixon, founder of QuicKutz, is undertaking.  Her and her husband Mark (who created QuicKutz after Natasha told him what she wanted) and their 4 children, are adopting 3 children from Haiti (you will recall my post from CHA where I was overwhelmed with tears of emotion at what they are doing.) There are so many more children that need help, so Natasha has arranged a cookbook fundraising project to raise money to assist the Holt Foundation build houses and support the at-risk children of Haiti. Through QuicKutz, they will be selling the cookbooks with all proceeds going to the Holt Foundation.

The cookbooks will be available at PE towards the end of April/beg of May but are available for purchase now. QuicKutz is doing some presales, so they can estimate how many cookbooks they will need. I am asking you to support Natasha (after all, if we didn't have her, we wouldn't have QuicKutz and that would not be fun!) and the children of Haiti and purchase a cookbook for yourself and even some to give as gifts. Mothers day is coming, graduations, wedding showers, birthdays and just because are all wonderful reasons to give someone this cookbook. It is a wonderful cookbook with recipes from the Hixon's, other scrapbook celebrities, QuicKutz staff, and people who are involved with the Holt foundation and have also adopted children from Haiti.  Many many yummy recipes and photos that will melt your heart. The cookbooks will be $25 Canadian.  PE is not making any profit on these cookbooks and neither is QuicKutz (they will just cover the printing and shipping costs).  All the money will go to the Holt foundation to help make life a little easier for some of the children of Haiti.

Natasha called me yesterday to talk about her project and I told her how thrilled I was that we could all participate and help her with this project.  She thanks all of you for your support.  I have ordered lots and lots of the cookbooks, and would love to go back to Natasha and tell her I need even more! So come in to PE, call us 604-463-3654, or email us [email protected] and buy your copies today.  You will get a great cookbook (possibly signed by Lisa Bearnson as we will be getting quite a few of those), you will help the children of Haiti have a brighter future, and you will be saying a big "thank you and we support you" to Natasha. Let's show Natasha how many friends of QuicKutz she has here. Everyone who preorders a cookbook from PE before April 6th, will also be entered into a draw for a $100 gift card from Photo Express. Below you will find the details about the Kids from Haiti Cookbook and some photos of Natasha and the beautiful new children she is adding to her family.

Thanks for your support!
Michele

Kids From Haiti Cookbook

This delightful charity cookbook is full to the brim with over 250 recipes and photos of life at the Holt Fontana Village in Haiti!

Inside you'll find Natasha Hixon's favorite recipes and those of:

-Our friends in the Scrapbooking and Craft industry, including Lisa Bearnson, Stacy Julian, Becky Higgins and more

-QuicKutz friends and family

• -Peter and Shay Fontana, founders of the Holt Fontana Village
• -Our friends at Holt International, an organization which has been advocating for children around the world for over 50 years
• -Families adopting children at the Holt Fontana Village

Proceeds from the sale of this cookbook will help build houses and support at-risk children at the Holt Fontana Village in Haiti.

Facts About Haiti

80% of the population lives in abject poverty. Minimum wage is only $1.60 USD per day. Haiti's literacy and unemployment rate is roughly 50%. With 8.3 million people, Haiti is the most densely populated nation in the Western Hemisphere. Less than 35% of Haitian children complete a primary education. 50% of Haiti's children die before they reach the age of 5. A Haitian's life expectancy at birth is 52 years if they can survive to the age of 15. Average life expectancy in the USA is 76 years. The majority of the population does not have ready access to safe drinking water, adequate medical care or sufficient food. Chronic malnutrition is widespread among children with severe or moderate stunting affecting 42% of children under the age of 5.

A Message from Natasha Hixon

As a founder of QuicKutz, I have been able to spend the last six years pursuing my passion for helping people tell their stories and preserve life's most important memories.

Recently, my husband Mark and I have developed another passion. That passion is for our three amazing children waiting for us in Haiti.

In June of 2005, we began the process to adopt beautiful Katiana through Holt International, and we will soon bring her home. When we found Katiana, I had a very strong impression that we would adopt again.

Soon I was led to Marie-Verige and her little brother Roberto. They had been waiting for a family at Foyer de Sion orphanage for three years. After much thought and many prayers, we committed to bring them home, too.

Originally, this Kids From Haiti Cookbook was a project I started because I wanted to give the beautiful children at the Holt Fontana Village, where our daughter Katiana is currently living, something tangible to preserve their memories of their life in Haiti. However, we found ourselves wanting to do more to help more children. The money earned from the Kids From Haiti Cookbook will be sent to Holt International to help build more homes, which will help more children.

I hope, as friends of QuicKutz and Holt International, you will embrace our efforts to help the children of Haiti. Please be generous as you ponder how many cookbooks you can purchase for yourself and as gifts for your friends and family.

Sincerely,

Natasha Hixon
Founder, QuicKutz, Inc.

 

Princess Dress layout

From the Reminisce Easter line (from their website)

To create this layout:

1. Round corners of 12x12 piece of light blue cardstock.
2. Trim piece of Easter Ribbons paper to 10x10. Round corners and center/adhere to cardstock.
3. Cut 2x12 strip of Easter Ribbons (reverse side pattern) and round corners. Adhere across layout approximately 1/3 from the bottom of the layout.
4. Arrange photos around 10x10 square. Round photo corners if desired, and adhere to layout.
5. Add a trio of flowers, brads, etc down left side of 10x10 square.
6. Use yellow alphabet stickers to create a portion of your title.
7. Punch circles from yellow dotted Happy Easter paper and add Easter rub-on alphas to create the remainder of your title. Adhere with pop dots to add some dimension.

Products used in this layout:

HE-003 (Easter Ribbons)
HE-004 (Happy Easter)
HE-102 (Easter Rub-On Alphabet)
MB-101 (Monkey Alphabet Sticker)

An Irish Blessing - Read by Roma Downey

To finish off the St. Patrick's Day weekend, I thought I'd share this Irish Blessing with you.  It is read by Roma Downey of Touched by an Angel.  I just love the music and her voice reading the blessing.  Visit here to listen to the Irish Blessing .  The first part is a song, wait a bit to hear Roma.  It is worth it! I'm sure there are many sites with this blessing, this is the first one I came across.

May the blessing of light be upon you,
Light on the outside, Light on the inside.
With God's sunlight shining on you,
May your heart glow with warmth,
Like a turf fire that welcomes friends and strangers alike.
May the light of the Lord shine from your eyes,
Like a candle in the window,
Welcoming the weary traveller.
May the blessing of God's soft rain be on you,
Falling gently on your head, refreshing your soul
With the sweetness of litte flowers newly blooming.
May the strength of the winds of Heaven bless you,
Carrying the rain to wash your spirit clean
Sparkling after in the sunlight.
May the blessing of God's earth be on you,
And as you walk the roads,
May you always have a kind word for those you meet.
May you understand the strength and power of God.
In a thunderstorm in Winter, And the quiet beauty of creation,
In the calm of a Summer sunset, And may you come to realize,
that, insignificant as you may seem in this great Universe,
You are an important part of God's plan.
May he watch over you and keep you safe from harm.
Words and Music By Phil Coulter, narration by Roma Downey

Green Day and Easter from Reminisce

Here are some layouts from the Reminisce website. The new Green Day line from Reminisce - use it for your St. Patrick's day photos and so much more!

And the new Easter line is great for more than just Easter.

Here are the papers.  The chicks on the Easter paper are way too cute!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day and may the luck of the Irish bring you joy.

I have a cute plaque that my husband's aunt gave us when we moved into our new home years ago.  It is hanging in my kitchen..

"May those that love us, love us.
And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May He turn their ankles
So we'll know them by their limping."

We are having a St. Patrick's Day/birthday celebration at my house tonight.  We are having an almost all green menu - For appies Guacamole chips, spinach quiche and green punch. For dinner pesto fettucine, salad, spicy green beans and I thought I should leave the meat not green (ewwww) so we are having ham, but I'll tint the applesauce green.  And then Doug is making lumpia mmmmmmmm!!!  And that wouldn't look good green other.  Then for dessert, one of our favourite deserts Pistachio Cheesecake which isn't really a "cheesecake", is super easy to make and such a pretty green.

Michele

Sports Chick

Love the Sports Chick line from Reminisce.  If sports isn't your thing, you can also turn it over and it has the same "look" on the back without the sports part.  Tres cool!

Sports Chick 12x12 layout

To create this layout:

1. Convert photos to black and white, if desired. For added impact, photoshop color back into certain elements of your photo.
2. Using Softball 24/7 paper as background, adhere a 6x6 inch square of Teammates Forever paper in top right hand corner.
3. Adhere a 6x6 inch square of Superstar paper in bottom right corner of layout.
4. Use "you wish you could throw like a girl" sticker to seam together the two 6x6 inch squares. (You will need two of these stickers, lining them up end to end). Layer the "If you can pitch it" phrase sticker over the first sticker.
5. Trim softball image and word from corner of Softball Superstar paper. Adhere to top right corner of layout.
6. Using white paint or pen, scribble or brush edges of photos for added effect.
7. Mat photos if desired on remaining scraps of paper. Add sticker and rub-on phrases along borders of photos.

Products Used:

SC-103 (Softball Superstar Sticker)
SC-006 (Softball Superstar)
SC-007 (Softball Forever)
SC-008 (Teammates Forever)
SC-009 (Superstar)