Photo Expressions

Epic 6 Videos

Here are some you tube videos from QuicKutz on cutting and embossing with the Epic 6. Thanks QuicKutz!

Buy A Book, Win a $500 prize! And help end Poverty in a Small village.

From Friday Monday August 24th until Sept 30th, PE is helping to raise funds for a small village in El Salvador called Las Delicias, to help them buy books for their new library/resource center that is being built. An amazing family that I know (Angelique and Michael) have been going yearly for the last 5 years to this village with a group dedicated to making a difference in this world. They are really starting to see the difference their efforts are making.

This is the village that we raised shoes for a few crops ago (I can't remember the number, but it was 100's of pairs thanks to your generosity).  Well, after a long journey, the shoes arrived last spring and here are a few photos of the difference you made in the lives of these kids who used to run around bare feet!

Now you have the opportunity to help again and make a huge difference in the efforts to beat poverty.  Through education these kids (and adults) will have a chance to beat the cycle of poverty that surrounds them. The books will be purchased in El Salvador as it is too costly to ship from here, plus this helps the economy there.  Each book on average costs $5-$10 US. So for every $6 donation you give to the Book Fund, you will receive one ticket to win a $500 Scrapbooking Prize! A $25 Book Donation earns you 8 tickets! Buy one book for back to School or buy many books. Drink a few less cups of coffee and buy a book. When you buy a book for yourself, consider buying one for the kids also.  Each one will make a difference.  Tell your friends and neighbours also, and help to show this little village that people care about them and their future. You CAN make a difference!

 Here is a little boy named Moses who when they first started going looked like a baby still he was so small and he had white hair - both situations from malnourishment and neglect.  Here is Moses today with his new backpack that Michael brought for him.  What a difference!

I was talking to Angelique about the changes that have happened in this village since they started going. Here is what they have noticed has changed.

"We've been involved in El Salvador since 2005- this year was Michael's 5th trip (Since the birth of their Daughter, Angelique helps with the fundraising and support from here, she went the first year). We just can't stop being part of the effort there - the people become part of your soul.

So far, we've helped to build 4 permanent homes (it's difficult to build houses for people b/c they are all squatters & don't own the land - we don't want to build houses that the landlord will throw families out of for their own gain), a medical clinic (doctors see as many as 30 people/day for front-line medical treatment of anything from viruses/infections/pre and post natal care, any first-aide, etc.), and this year a library/resource centre.

We also help fund scholarships for kids to go to school (they have to have a uniform & book/supply $$ before they're admitted - it only costs $60/year to send a child to school), and we've helped sponsor the hot-lunch program (to the right) so that kids get at least 1 good meal/day and the moms who cook have employment through that, too. We've helped pay for surgeries for kids who needed them (things like clubbed feet and gastro- intestinal problems) and funded supplies (like a washer/dryer) for the Catholic-run orphanage. Prior to that, they were washing clothes/diapers for 70 kids by hand.

  The resource centre/   library (shown here) will be HUGE because not only is it part of a complex with the medical clinic, it will be a place where kids can be safe and have access to information. Some of the children from the village have grown up, made it through school and gone on to university and they go back to be leaders/community organizers in their villages. This is a far better solution - empowering the people - than just giving them hand-outs. 

The resource center is almost done...it needs some electrical work & flooring installed, but that will happen this summer, God willing & the centre will be ready to be stocked. They'll need EVERYTHING from books to computers to tables and chairs, etc. Sister Gloria has already started researching where to get everything...all they need now is the $$. And again, by purchasing things there, the local economy is strengthened & local merchants get the benefit; a win-win situation. Members of the community itself will staff/run it.

The children there are angels from heaven -they are all so beautiful in their own way. Their faces are truly the face of God. They're always happy - despite their circumstances and they never ask for anything, just that we remember them and that we are a voice to the world for them. Michael has a friend who has pledged $15K US to build a day care next summer, and already delivered $5K to start the project off. This will make it possible for working moms to have a safe place to leave their kids during the day. As it is, many of them tie or chain their children to whatever structure they call home so that they are not stolen while they work 14-hour days in factories. I've never seen anything like it. We met 2 girls the year that I went, one 6-years-old and her sister 4-years-old who were left at home under just such circumstances. I remember we dug through our packs & gave them granola bars & whatever we had on us...it still makes me cry when I think of it. The government will provide staff/teachers for the day care so long as the facility is there. That will be HUGE for the community and it will enable families to get on their feet. Because many men leave the villages to find work, there are few adult men around. The ones who stay often father several families, abondoning all but one. This places the whole burden on the moms. Many of the families are completely matriarchal (moms & grandma's raising kids).

OK...hope I answered your questions...please ask any & all questions & we're happy to share whatever we know.  Thank you again for your efforts - YOU are part of the change happening in the lives of the people & children of the village of Las Delicias, El Salvador!

 

Polar Expressions from Imaginisce

Keep your eyes open for this fabulous new line at PE. It's so adorable, I'm certain it will sell instantly, just like their Christmas line from last year!

Polar Expressions

 

 

   

     

Here are some projects I found on the Imaginisce website using this fab new line:

 

 

    

Template Mania with Kaylyn

Saturday, August 29 2009, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Instructor: Kaylyn Cost: $25 Skill Level : I/A Join Kaylyn for this fun and innovative class, using page templates in some new and creative ways! You will create 3 single page layouts to showcase some of your favourite photos. This is a fast paced, intensive class and is not recommended for beginner scrapbookers. Please bring a basic class kit including a fine tip black pen, paper piercer and pop dots. You can sign up online by clicking here, or give us a call at 604-463-3654.

Halloween from American Crafts

Check out this fab new line from AC now in-store - great colour scheme!

 

 

   

   

 

I-Top Brad Tool from Imaginisce

 

You're about to grip your new favorite tool! The i-top transforms an ordinary brad into a custom accent in an easy 2 step process. Just place your paper and blank brads in the tool and give a little squeeze. It's that easy! You just can't 'top' it! The i-top tool comes equipped to make 16mm and 22mm brads, but you can also purchase the large carriage for the ability to make 28mm brads.

Other items used with the i-Top Tool:

Brad Daddies - they come in 16mm, 22mm and 28mm

Topper Templates - for cutting the perfect piece of paper for use in the i-top tool

i-Top Paper Punches - to punch out the perfect topper for your next i-top brad

Paper Toppers - pre-cut, self-adhesive papers for creating custom brads

All these items can be purchased in store or online.

Here's an "I-Top 101" video from Imaginisce, to get you started!

And take a look at this video. It'll show you how to get a super smooth edge on your brad. When you're finished watching it, click on the small images at the bottom of the video screen to see more i-Top demos from Imaginisce.

New from QuicKutz

We have scads of new stuff from QuicKutz in the store! Although their embossing folders took a while to find their way to PE, they're in the store now and they're fabulous!! The embossing dies work with the QuicKutz Die-Cutting Tools to add fun patterns to any QuicKutz shape or letter you create. 2x2 Folders work in the portable Squeeze, the tabletop Revolution, and, of course, the Epic. Larger A2 Folders are designed to work in the Revolution and Epic and are not compatible with the Squeeze.Border Folders are also designed to work with the Revolution and the Epic.

Here's a look at some of the embossing dies available:

    

     

      

      

     

And here's their Halloween release - Spookfabulous!



And that's just a sampling - there's even more available in store and online. Check it out today!

Get Your 50¢ 5x7 Prints!

TWO DAYS LEFT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS GREAT DEAL!

 PE's August Club Member special is four 5x7 prints for $5, which works out to $1.25 per print.

Well, only until August 18th at midnight P.S.T. we have a Foto Depot special for you that is even better!  Order as many 5x7 prints as you like from Foto Depot and pay only 50¢ per print!

Remember, you have only until August 18th at midnight to take advantage of this great deal, and it is only available on Foto Depot, the online service with FREE unlimited photo backup, photo sharing, and the ability to edit your photos and order prints and photo books.

Visit Foto Depot and start ordering your beautiful 5x7 prints now.

Trust us with your Memories,
Ron C

Creative Corner with Tam - Silhouette Card

 

Everyday Friend

This card was lots of fun to see come together. Using my digital designs that I have downloaded with my unlimited subscription (the only way to go) I cut out the title, Everyday Friend after welding it together in the one touch button in the software. 

The retro, rounded square image was cut out in two steps, once in green and the other in Bazzill Creampuff. I wanted two colours so I could inlay the one into the other. However, before I pieced them together, they were embossed with my 2x2 die and the squeeze, then inked with Momento ink in brown.

Enjoy!

Tam