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Friday, June 29, 2007

*Flashback Friday*

Ahhhh, Summer Vacation has officially begun! The kids had a half day yesterday and were out at noon. Both boys did amazingly well with school (no grade lower than an 80). I'm very proud of them!

Our July is very busy with two trips, but our August is wide open. Going to love having an entire month to just hang out.

My first trip starts on Monday night... flying with the kids to visit my Mom in Regina. We always look forward to this trip. Matthew has been counting down the days for a few days now... says he can't wait to see Nana!

Today, being Friday, means a card from my past. I sure wish I could find some from older than this. Oh well... I still have lots to share.

I want to say I used VersaMark ink on this but I don't think VersaMark was around yet. So I am guessing I used a white pigment ink or a clear embossing ink. I coloured a piece of white cardstock with crafting chalks and then stamped the image over top. I heat set the ink so that it wouldn't smudge when I took a soft cloth and buffed away the excess chalk. I then sealed it with some handy-dandy Finesse aerosol hairspray.

This card was done in my "celestial phase"... which lasted quite a while. I only have a few celestial stamps left in my collection... I'm much more a flower girl now!

I hope you all have some great plans for the Canada Day Long Weekend!

Thursday, June 28, 2007

*Last Day of School*

Finally. The kids have a half day today and then summer break officially begins. They've both had great teachers this year and have both had shown us what they are capable of academically. Today ends a chapter in Alex's life as he'll be leaving the school he's been at (it's a grade 4-9 Middle School) to start grade 7 at a school for Gifted kids in the fall. I'm a little sad about that, but excited for the opportunities ahead of him. Matthew will be moving up to grade 5 next year and I'm sure that he will continue to grow and blossom.

I have two hours of work I need to put in at the school today and then I too, am officially off for the summer. Not that my work is hard. But by the end of June one is rather tired of playing maid in the lunchroom. Today we'll be continuing on the work we did yesterday... sorting the locks numerically to make it easy for next year. At least there's four of us, not just me, stuck in an office, opening locks!

Today's card is one for another of Beate's sketch challenges, but since I forgot to post yesterday, I'm too late for the draw. But that's OK. I absolutely fell in love with this sketch. It is so easy to do and I love how it looks!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, So Saffron, Pretty in Pink
*Patterned Paper: unknown
*Image: Michael's $1.50 mounted stamp
*Ink: black Document ink
*Embellishments: Stampin' Up! Silver Brads, Prima Flowers, Stickles

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

*Beach Blogger Bingo*

Here's another entry for the Beach Blogger Bingo over at Poetic Artistry. I've had a lot of fun with these sketches. Sure wish she'd call some of my Bingo numbers though!!!

The front panel of this card was stamped and coloured in with markers... I then added the dots to soften up the white space a little.

items used: all items Stampin' Up! (unless otherwise stated)
*Cardstock: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron, Regal Rose
*ink: Always Artichoke, Tempting Turquoise, So Saffront, Regal Rose
*Tools: small and large oval punch, Marvy Mega Circle Punch and Giga Scallop Circle Punch

Monday, June 25, 2007

*I'm SO Sorry!!!*

I went through my blog last night, altering the tags for each post to make them more streamlined... I had no idea that Google Reader would treat them all as if they were new again!

I'm so sorry for all of the old posts that you had to wade through!

*Sketch Challenge #128*

Another sunny morning here... calling for cool temperatures and thundershowers for most of the day though. Sigh... just give me a month worth of no rain during the days and lots and lots of sunshine!

Had a good weekend.... got some stamping done, some tidying done, some reading done, some shopping done.... and more or less just took it easy. I like weekend like that! This coming weekend I'll spend getting the kids and I ready to fly off to visit Mom for 10 days. Sad to be leaving Bruce and the dog at home, but glad to be going to spend some time with Mom!

The card I'm showing you today is another that I made for the order of thank you cards that I finished off last week. For this one, I used the Sketch Challenge #128 over at Splitcoast Stampers. I thought it would be more difficult than it was to create the triangular pieces.

I am totally loving the papers in the the Stampin' Up! Palette o' Prints sampler that was available in May. I have two pads with a third on the way thanks to Peggy and a blog candy win! I can't wait to see all of the colours that will be available in these patterns in the new Stampin' Up! Catalogue (which should be in my hot little hands sometime this week!).

Items Used: (all items Stampin' Up!)
*Cardstock: Whisper White, So Saffron
*Patterned Paper: Certainly Celery Palette o' Prints
*Ink: So Saffron and Certainly Celery
*Embellishments: Silver Brads

Sunday, June 24, 2007

*Sunday Sunshine*

It's been a good weekend. The weather has been OK. A little more cool than I'd like it, but at least the sun has been shining most of the time and we aren't scrambling for our sweaters.

I took my girlfriend Kelly down to Paper Pastimes yesterday afternoon so that I could pick up a few items that my Mom asked me to bring to her when we travel to Regina next week. Unfortunately for me (or perhaps fortunately), Carol had just gotten in a HUGE shipment of scallop and non-scallop Marvy punches. I came home with three more punches. I now own the Giga and Mega scallops in the circle, square and oval as well as the Mega in the circle and oval.

I got home and decided that I didn't like the way my space was laid out. It worked well, but there was no room for expansion. So, I asked Bruce's opinion on a few things and I set to work moving a few things around. I changed my mind part way through and needed more help... and at some point I noticed this twinge in my lower back. So Bruce did most of the moving from that point and I got to put it all away. I was able to get it all put away by dinnertime and after we ate I sat down there watching TV and crafting a bit. I was able to do four more cards last night.

I like to make a bunch of cards, photograph them and have them waiting on my computer for blogging. So the card you are seeing today is a card that was made a week or two ago. In fact, I have 10 cards sitting and waiting to be shared. Less pressure this way!

This is another Tent Topper card, an idea I got from Michelle a few weeks back. I just love these cards! They are easy to make and just so cute! This is another of the cards I made for that last card order I had.... 3 dozen thank you cards!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White and Old Olive
*Patterned Paper: Font Werks
*Image: Hero Arts
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Old Olive
*Tools: Marvy Mega Circle Punch and Giga Scallop Circle Punch

Friday, June 22, 2007

*Flashback Friday*

Another Friday, another old card.

I really struggle about what cards to share with you. Some of them are not bad looking. Others are good. And then there are the ones that I think are horrendous!

This one falls in the "not bad" category.

The multicoloured panel is all me... I took dye based ink and coloured plain vellum (text weight). Once it was dry, it cut it into thin strips and then did some elementary school weaving. I cut a square in the front of my card and adhered the woven panel to the inside of the card. The flowers were punched out of dark purple cardstock and I added a dot of Liquid Pearls to the centre of each flower. I think that the sentiment stamp was a gift I received from Hero Arts for entering one of their contests.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday!

Thursday, June 21, 2007

*Happy Summer!!*

So sorry for the late post today. I was out of the house b 9:30 this morning and not home again until after 3. And then, when I got home, my son was using the computer so I decided it was a good time to sit on the big comfy swing in the shade and read my book.

We are having wonderful weather for the first day of summer. It's hot and sunny with a nice warm breeze. Perfect day, really.

Todays card is another of the cards I made for our former school Principal. I love the simplicity of this card as well as the patterned paper that I used.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Old Olive and Whisper White
*Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Cool Caribbean
*Image: Amuse
*Tools: Marvy Mega Oval Punch and Giga Scallop Oval Punch

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

*Poetic Artistry Beach Blogger Bingo*

I enjoy a good game of bingo with my Mom and Sisters. It's a fun night out and we do a lot of giggling. If only we won more often.

Over at Poetic Artistry, I have joined an online bingo game. The way to get our "caller" to call more numbers is to submit cards using her layout challenge!

This is my first card for that challenge. The colours are so NOT me, but I loved the way my coloured image had turned out so I really wanted to use it...

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Pixie Pink, Certainly Celery
*Images: Stampin' Up!, Great Impressions, Amuse
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Basic Black and Pixie Pink
*Tools: Prismacolor Pencils, Cuttlebug and D'vine Swirl Embossing Folder
*Embellishments: Stampin' Up! Certainly Celery Brad, Prima Flower

*Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #6*

This is my interpretation of the Sketch Challenge Beate had this past weekend. I bought the Coluzzle a few months ago and it was the perfect tool for making this round card. I simply placed the round template on folded cardstock, ensuring it hung over the folded edge slightly.

If you have the time, check out Beate's Blog... she does such amazing stuff!!






Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White and Almost Amethyst
*Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up! in Certainly Celery and Rose Red
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Rose Red
*Image: Amuse
*Embellishements: Stampin' Up! Certainly Celery Brads; Prima Flowers
*Tools: Marvy Giga Scallop Square Punch (cut down with my Xacto Knife and a ruler)

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

*RAK Thanks*

I received this beautiful card in the mail yesterday from Megan Olsen. It was a thank you for the blog candy I sent to her that she won recently on my blog.

The more I see this new Stampin' Up! set, the more I think I will be ordering it....

Thanks so much Megan!

Megan doesn't have a blog but you can see her wonderful work at Splitcoast Stampers.

*#100 of 2007*

Another bright and sunny morning. Seems like we have had so many rainy days this spring that a sunny morning is worth mentioning to anyone who will listen.

I can't believe that it's already the 19th of June... school is out in a little more than a week. Then it lazy days, stamping, visiting family and friends... and then, of course, I know from experience that before we know it September will be here again. I can't believe how fast the time flies. I won't think about September quite yet... I have a summer to enjoy first!

The card I am posting today is the 100th card I've posted on my blog in 2007. It's the 100th card I've stamped in 2007. I think this is probably on track to be a record-setting stamping year for me. I don't know if I've ever made 100 different cards in a 6 month period before. I have made more than 100 cards.... many of the designs I liked so much I made more of them. But I have created 100 different designs/layouts. Pretty cool.

I was inspired for this card by a card I received from DaleAnne a few weeks ago. I like hers better just because it felt like the colours worked better together than this one does. That's not to say I don't like this card, I just liked hers more.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White
*Patterned Paper: Deja Views
*Images: Stampin' Up!
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Embellishments: Brad by Deja Views, Prima Flower, Grosgrain Ribbon

*Happy Birthday Milo!!*

Today our puppy turns 5! Milo is the sweetest most awesomest puppy in the world. He is a toy poodle/papillion cross. He weighs a whopping 8.5 pounds. He is a total "momma's boy"... a big cuddler and an even bigger baby. He loves to be held, snuggled, pet... He does a lot of tricks too... sit, stay, down, off, leave it, shake a paw, dance... and the best party trick... BANG... you shoot him and he rolls on to his back.

Milo came to us completely unexpectedly. In August of 2002, friends of ours were looking to get a dog. I went out to the pet stores with my girlfriend and our four boys (we each have two) one morning. I went to one pet store but she wasn't there so I assumed she meant the other one down the street so I went there... but she wasn't there either. Then my cell rights... Kelly is wondering where I am as she's at pet store #1. I tell her where I am and she comes to me. We have a look around, don't see much. Do one more look past the cages and we see this cute little brown fluffy puppy that Kelly wants to hold. This little girls' brother was in the cage looking so lonely without his sister so I said I'd hold him to keep him company. He immediately snuggled right in to me and I was in love. I called Bruce and he had the nerve to say "no"! I was devastated. Kelly and her family went back that afternoon and chose the brown little fluffy puppy.

As it turned out, I had to pick Bruce up from work that evening... and his office was right near the pet shop. So I begged him to at least come have a look. We left that evening a few dollars poorer with a date to pick up our new family member in a couple of days.

And that is how Milo came to be a part of our family. His sister is Mila... Milo is pronounced MY-low and Mila is ME-la. They are both such sweet doggies.

Check out Mila's mom's (her name is Kelly) artistic journalling blog if you're interested! She's done some neat things!

Monday, June 18, 2007

*Daisy Daisy Daisy*

You know, sometimes the most difficult part of this blogging thing (at least for me) is coming up with good titles for my posts! I try to be creative or witty, but it's really tough on a Monday morning!

I am so sorry for abandoning you this weekend. We were out and about most of the day Saturday. I came home and tried to craft but nothing came to me. Then we were out with friends on Saturday night and didn't get home until 3am.... and Sunday was a total write-off as we were in bed until about 11:30, then showered and dressed and then I was on the couch napping until our Father's Day company showed up at 4:30. It was a long day!!

The thing is, I *know* better!! I'm a grown up. But hey, I don't do it often. Once in a while it might not kill me LOL! Late nights are ROUGH!

The card for today is part of a set of cards that I made for a friend of mine. She ordered 3 dozen cards from me... wanting the majority of them to be thank you cards. I replicated a few of my recent designs for her and then also made a handful of new designs. I made 3 of each design (12 designs). It was a lot of work but I know she appreciates them. This is the 3rd or 4th time she has ordered cards from me. When she called to place this order, she admitted that she has trouble using my cards because she thinks they are too nice. That's a great compliment to be given, but what a waste of my hard work and the materials used! I told her to stop being so silly and just use the cards already!

I'll be popping all of her cards into the inter-school mail today (she is a Principal at another school in the system)... sure hope she likes them all!





Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Rose Red, Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant
*Patterned Paper: Karen Foster
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Almost Amethyst, Certainly Celery
*Images: AMuse, Stampin' Up!
*Embellishments: Versamark and Iridescent Ice Glitter
*Tools: Large Oval Punch; small hole punch (to create ticket corners on flower

Friday, June 15, 2007

*Great Mail Day*

I received some good mail on Thursday!! I like getting good mail!

First was this Blogger RAK from Diane Gilbert. I dont' use a lot of brown in my creations, but am always amazed at how good it looks when others do it. I guess I need to step out of my box once in a while. Thanks so much for the beautiful card, Diane!

The other piece of good mail was my Score-Pal from Diana Crick. I have only used it for scoring cards so far, but it works really really well! Check it out here!

*Flashback Friday*

Ahhhh, Friday. I like Friday. I don't work on Fridays. The kids have a half day on Fridays. I usually treat the kids to lunch out on Fridays after Alex's piano lessons. Friday means I probably get to sleep in a bit tomorrow.

Yup, I like Friday.

Of course, working in a school means that in a couple of weeks, I won't care about what day of the week it is as I won't be heading off to work anyway. Two weeks from yesterday will be the last day of school and my last day of work.

Can someone please tell me where the year has gone??

Since it is Friday, you get to see one of the older cards saved on my computer. I have trouble choosing which cards to show you... some of them are just so ugly!

For a small moment in time, I was doing some paper quilling. There was a craft store here in Calgary that sold quilling kits as well as just packages of the quilling papers. They are coloured papers, cut into long thin strips, made out of a text weight paper. The trick to quilling was learning how to make the different shapes... it wasn't all just rolled paper.

I evenutally gave up the quilling because I felt like I had hands the size of an ogre. In reality, my fingers are teeny, but trying to work with such small little strips of paper sure made my hands feel big!

I have this one down as a quilled dragonly... but I think it looks more like a flower.

Thanks for popping by!

Thursday, June 14, 2007

*Same Look Different Card*

I caught a few minute of a nap yesterday afternoon. I was dozing on the couch and woke up with a start when one of the kids dropped a pen on the plastic chair mat by the computer. It was a good thing he did it... It was a mere 10 minutes before we needed to be on our way out the door to head off to lessons at the local rec centre. It wasn't a satisfying nap in any way, shape or form. I did go to bed a little early and for the first time in a while I slept right through the night. I sure hated to hear that alarm go off this morning.

Today begins the countdown... two weeks from today is the last day of school and my last day of work! Yee haw! The kids in the lunchroom (which is where I work) are just so full of energy these days... they need summer vacation. And I need a break from them!

Today's card is the same layout and idea as the card I posted yesterday. It's my second submission for the June Happiness Challenge Giveaway on Tracy's blog.

CosmoBella was my first Bella image. I bought it to make a birthday card for my girlfriend Kelly. This Bella looks so much like Kelly... cute hair, dainty girl, big girly drink in her hand!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White and So Saffron
*Patterned Paper: Imaginisce
*Ink: Stampin' Up! So Saffron, Creamy Caramel, Blush Blossom, Rose Red, Apricot Appeal, Bashful Blue; Document Black Ink; Black Micron Marker

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

*So Tired*

I had a rough night last night.... was still awake going on 2am. That alarm going off at 6:30 this morning sure was early. I am not a morning person to begin with so this was just that much more difficult.

And boy do I look PURTY with those bags under my eyes

Fitting to be showing you a card with JammieBella this morning!

This card is one of my entries into the June Happiness Challenge Giveaway on Tracy's Blog. The challenge was to use the sketch she posted and a Bella image.

I have found that you can shade a bit with the Stampin' Write markers from Stampin' Up! if you use a light coloured marker (like Certainly Celery). The more times you go over an area, the darker it gets.

I'm sure I'll be napping later.... at least I hope I will be! If only I looked like this when I was ready for be!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White and So Saffron
*Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up! Palette o' Prints in Certainly Celery and Almost Amethyst
*Images: Stamping Bella
*Ink: Document Black Ink, Stampin' Up! Certainly Celery, Almost Amethyst, Creamy Caramel, Blush Blossom
*Tools: paper piercing tool

Monday, June 11, 2007

*Two More Cards For Today*

I made these two Gate Fold cards for a Sketch Challenge over on Beate's Blog.... I wanted to get them posted before I was too late for the contest!
Items Used: *Cardstock: Stampin' Up Basic Black, Real Red and Whisper White *Patterned Paper: Luxe *Images: Amuse and Studio G *Ink: Stampin' Up! Basic Black and Real Red, Black Micron Pen *Tools: Marvy Giga Scallop Oval Punch, Marvy Mega Oval Punch, Stampin' Up! Small and Large Oval Punches *Embellishments: Bling
Items Used: *Cardstock: Stampin' Up Whisper White, Real Red and Brushed Silver *Images: Amuse and Studio G *Ink: Stampin' Up! Basic Black *Tools: Provocraft Cuttlebug and D'vine Swirl Embossing Folder, Marvy Giga Scallop Square Punch


*Interesting Colour Combination*

What a perfect weekend to have new patio furniture! It was sunny and warm most of the weekend. Not too hot which was nice. We sat out during the day and did some reading. Had company over and sat out there to have appetizers before heading in to dinner. The set is WONDERFUL! I think we'll be spending a lot more time on the deck this summer... if only we could get that patio done!

The card I have for you today is Sketch Challenge #118 from Splitcoast Stampers. This is the last of the Sketch Challenge cards I did a week or so ago. Do not ask me where I got the colour combination because I honestly don't know. And since I hardly ever use Chocolate Chip cardstock, the combination had to have come from somewhere!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Rose Red, Chocolate Chip and Cool Caribbean
*Ink: White gel pen
*Embellishments: Prima Flower, Making Memories jeweled brad

Saturday, June 09, 2007

*Questions Looking for Answers*

I have a few questions I would love some answers to.... please read on and either comment or email me if you have any answers for me.

*I know that there are lots and lots of places I can send blank cards to for charities and for soldiers and things like that. Does anyone know of an organization or person I can send cards to that require the fronts cut off and placed on to a new card? I have a big box full of cards I'd love to donate but I don't have the time or resources available to remount the cards. I'd prefer a Canadian option, but would really just like a way to share these cards with those who need it.

*I keep hearing about people blending their Prismacolor Pencils with "gamsol". I know I can use odourless mineral spirits instead of the gamsol, but I can't find that in any of the stores near me either. Is there something else I could try?

Thanks for trying to help me out!!

*The Patio*






















OK, it's actually the deck.... the patio is still in the planning stages and will hopefully be in the backyard before fall...


We ate out on the patio at a local restaurant last night and we were talking today about how nice that was. I made the comment that if we got our act together and actually bought a patio set, we'd be able to eat out on our "patio" anytime we wanted.

So off we went today... first to Canadian Tire and then to Walmart. We got this tile topped set at Walmart. We had some money to spend that we got as a gift for our birthdays and anniversary and we added some of our own cash to it to buy this set. A big thank you to those who gave us money this year!!!!! I hope you like how we spent it! (the birthday stuff was in advance since our birthdays aren't until the end of July)

It's a little big for deck, but like I said, a patio is in our future for the table and chairs....

Yup, we're doing a BBQ stirfry for dinner and we'll be eating outside tonight!

(and hey, you can see the new shed in the background of the first picture! The new patio will go in to the right of the deck in the 2nd photo)

*Another Sketch Challenge*

Thanks to everyone who sent me well wishes for my headache yesterday. I think the combination of a lot of Advil and finally a Diet Coke (and the caffeine) at lunch kicked the headache. I think it was either a really bad bad headache or a mild-ish migraine. It sucked, whatever it was.

Had a quiet Friday night around here... one kid off watching a movie, another with a friend for a sleepover. Husband and I doing our things on computers until we could steal the TV from the kids when they went to bed. We had been invited to a house party but I don't think either of us was really feeling in the mood.

Anyway.... on to today's card.

This is another card I did a week or so ago when I was challenging myself to do a bunch of the Sketch Challenges at Splitcoast. I was working on them from the last one that was posted and I guess working backwards. This is Sketch Challenge #119. I also managed to use one of the Colour Challenges as well but I didn't write that information down. The colours are Old Olive, Vintage Violet and Certainly Celery with some Whisper White thrown in to the mix.

I really love the idea for the tag that Asela came up with using the scalloped square punch. I only have the giga scalloped punches and the mega non scalloped punches... maybe I need to be getting the mega scallops too.... hmmmmm If anyone wants to send me a birthday present next month, I'm open to it LOL!!!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Vintage Violet
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Vintage Violet, Old Olive, Certainly Celery
*Images: Stampin' Up! and A*Muse
*Embellishments: Stampin' Up! Black Brads
*Tools: Marvy Giga Scalloped Square Punch

Friday, June 08, 2007

*Flashback Friday*

Not much chitchat from me today. Around 9 last night this killer headache appeared out of nowhere. I went to bed. Got up this morning and it is still there. Three Advil Liqui-Gels have done nothing for it. Nor has a dark room, rest or and ice pack. It hurts so much I feel sick to my stomach. It sucks.

Today is Friday (woo hoo!) so it's time for a card from my past. This card was done during my Radiant Pearls phase. For a period of time when this product first came out, I had all of the colours produced (more than 100). I was a member of the Radiant Pearls Design team and was lucky enough to meet Leslie (the creator of this product and Twinkling H20s) at a stamping convention. She was such a sweetie. We've lost touch over the years....

I painted the image with Radiant Pearls, stippled a colourful background onto white cardstock and swirled a white based Radiant Pearl colour onto dark cardstock and then embossed it with clear embossing powder.

I loved how I could so easily blend these colours together... they stayed wet long enough to blend and play. This is probably the one product I've used in my stamping the most.

I sold off a bunch of the colours I no longer used, but kept a whack of my favourites, but they mostly sit in a drawer waiting for the day I decide to pull them out again... someday!

You can see some of the stuff I did with Radiant Pearls years ago here and here.

Thursday, June 07, 2007

*Paislies and Petals*

I just realized I didn't post yesterday. What a blonde!! Some days I wonder where I put my memory. My memory got bad when I was pregnant, something I read about in the pregnancy books. But I thought it would come back. With the second pregnancy, it got worse. My ability to remember things came back somewhat, but not to it's full extent I'm sure. I can be in the middle of a conversation and forget a word. And I don't mean I forget a super long word I've never heard of before. No. I can forget the word "car" or "dog". So frustrating!

I made this card using another of the Splitcoast Sketch Challenges. This one is Challenge #120.

I'm not totally pleased with how it turned out. I should have chosen a different background paper to make the three panels as I think it's difficult (even in person) to see that there are indeed three panels across the back of the card. I used the Fancy Pants paper as my colour inspiration for the random design I stamped on the white cardstock. To add more interest I sent it through my Cuttlebug after I stamped it.

After it was all done, the card still needed more. I thought a sentiment would work but of course, I had already sent the front through the Cuttlebug so I couldn't stamp right on it. So I played with my sentiment stamped on a piece of vellum and came up with this idea of wrapping the vellum around the back of the card and securing it on the back. I really like it a lot.

items used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, text weight vellum
*Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Taken With Teal, Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal, Rose Red, Basic Black
*Images: Stampin' Up! and A*Muse
*Tools: Provocraft Cuttlebug and D'vine Swirl embossing folder

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

*A Beautiful Day*

The weather here in changing... sigh... been hot and sunny and wonderful the last few days and now the clouds have rolled in, the temperature is a little cooler and there rain and not so hot temperatures in our forecast.

The rain will be good for the flowers, trees and grass.... but I still prefer the sun!

This is another card using the Sketch Challenges over at Splitcoast Stampers. This is Sketch Challenge #121.

My colour combination is the same as I've been using a lot lately... the same colours that were in the Palette o' Prints stack from Stampin' Up!... So Saffront, Rose Red, Certainly Celery and Almost Amethyst. I just love these colours on their own and together.

I love the Palette o' Prints papers too! Since I bought a second pad of them, I have felt OK about using the papers in the first one. I am acting like I only have one stack though!

To create the tag at the bottom, I cut out a rectangle from the Amethyst and the Celery and then used my smallest hand held hole punch to create the notched corners.





items used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, So Saffron, Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Almost Amethyst
*Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up! Palette o' Prints in So Saffron
*Ink: Basic Black, So Saffron, Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Almost Amethyst, black Micron pen
*Images: Stampin' Up! and A*Muse
*Embellishments: bling

Monday, June 04, 2007

*Congratulations!!!*

I almost forgot to choose a winner! See, I went to work today and 2 hours on my foot left me rather sore (that coupled with some time on the recumbent bike at the gym)... so I got home from work and immediately sat down with my feet up!

Anyway... thanks to the Random Number Generator, Cindy K is going to be receiving the Friend Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Thanks to everyone for their input on my decision. I think I will start weeding out the cards I don't want to keep anymore and will then figure out something good to do with them... some donations, some gifts, some RAKs and maybe even sell a few (are you happy Kari????).

*Jammie Bella is in da House*

Good Monday morning everyone. We had a simply beautiful weekend here weatherwise with lots of sun and very warm temperatures. Supposed to be more of the same today but then it all goes downhill.

Of course, with nice weather comes sitting outside with a good book while your husband and son build a shed. Tee hee

An update on my foot... has been feeling better the last few days... able to walk heel to toe again with no sharp shooting pains, but still experiencing an ache. I went back to the gym this morning and instead of the treadmill I did the bike. The combination of the movement and real shoes didn't help things so I am sitting at my desk with an ice pack on my foot while typing. I will be heading to work this morning but will be sitting down when I can to take it easy.

I am a very lucky girl... my girlfriend Cindy had me do a little favour for her a while back and I was happy to do it for her. As a thank you, she sent me a brand new JammieBella from Stamping Bella. This is one of my favourite Bella images... just love her little teddy bear!

This is another card that I made a week and a half ago during my blitz of Sketch Challenges over at Splitcoast. This is Sketch Challenge #122. I'm glad I didn't get ahead of myself and start adhering layers before I realized that the Cool Caribbean card looked too plain in the layout. I was able to easily use my Itty Bitty Backgrounds stamp with Cool Caribbean ink to add a little interest in the background.

It's also the first time I've used these particular pieces from my Hodgepodge Hardware. In fact, I really haven't used much from the tin at all. What a shame, eh? I should pull it out more often! I just hate that I have to buy a whole new tin of the items instead of just the ones I'm running low on.

Bella was coloured using Stampin' Up! Markers... except the Cool Caribbean on her jammies... for that I used my blender pen and the ink from the Cool Caribbean pad.

items used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White and Cool Caribbean
*Patterned Paper: My Minds Eye
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Cool Caribbean, Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Basic Black, Creamy Caramel, Apricot Appeal
*Images: Stamping Bella and Stampin' Up!
*Accessories: Stampin' Up! Hodgepodge Hardware

*Question for You*

I have a question and I'd love to hear all of your input on it....

For the last 5 years or so, I have kept one of every card I have ever made. I had wished that I had done it from the beginning so I could see how my work has changed.

Also, in the last 5 years or so, I've scanned or photographed each of the cards I've made and they are all saved on my computer and backed up.

The question is, do you all keep one of each of the cards you've made? For those of you who do... why? For those of you who don't... why?

I am feeling like it's silly to hang on to all of these old cards (and even older recent cards) instead of sharing them with people via mail. But then again it's nice to be able to pull out cards and remember when.

Totally waffling here.... need some good arguments!

To encourage some comments on this topic, I will be giving away a "Friend" Cuttlebug Embossing Folder that I have... unopened and unused! I'll pick a comment at random on June 4th and send out the prize.

**Be sure to scroll down for new posts as this one will stay up top for a few days**

Sunday, June 03, 2007

*I Should Clarify*

In my post that is sticky on top right now, I was asking about whether or not I should keep one of each card I make. Please don't think I am hoarding all of these cards I have made. In the past I have made 4 or more of each design, holding on to one of them and using the rest as RAKs or birthday cards or whatever. Lately I've only been making one of each card, just because I've been playing and I don't want to waste materials on a group of cards when I'm not sure it's going to work.

I know that I have a digital copy of each of the cards I've made, however the digital copy does not help me if I need measurements to recreate a card. I have family and friends who order cards from me... they ask for specific cards they've seen on my blog or in my stash. To recreate them properly I need measurements for layers... don't I? That's the hardest part of all the sketch challenges for me.... figuring out the scaling for all of the layers.

Comments on the sticky post will be accepted until the time I get home from work tomorrow afternoon.... I will draw for the Friends Cuttlebug Embossing Folder around 1:30pm my time (3:30 eastern)

*I Challenge You*

.... and this one is easy!

I know that most people with blogs will say they are doing it for themselves. To have a record of their lives and creativity. But I think that everyone, no matter who you are, likes to have a little validation.

So, I challenge you.... in your blurfing* today and every Sunday, take a minute or two to comment on the creations that catch your eye. I know that some days I have time to go through my favourite blogs but not always the energy or time to comment. I feel like I've done a good deed when I comment on posts... I know I like seeing comments on the posts I do, so I'm sure others must enjoy it to!

You never know... someone else might read this post today and post a comment on your blog!

*
(I love that term for Blog Surfing that I learned from Allison)

Saturday, June 02, 2007

*Flashback Friday*

... on a Saturday. In my excitement to finally be able to share my Page Maps Contest Entry with you yesterday (I made that card in early April I think!), I completely didn't think about the fact that it was Friday! Duh!

So, I'm going to do Flashback Friday on a Saturday!

This card was made sometime before 2003 as it is in my "older cards" file instead of the "2003 cards" file. I still have that Congratulations stamp.

This technique is called Serendipity. I used to teach it at a local stamp store. To do it, I took a piece of black cardstock and I randomly glued different sizes and shapes of different papers on to the cardstock. I filled most of the space of the black cardstock. Once dry, I cut the cardstock into squares and mixed them up. I then arranged the number I wanted onto a layering piece (in this case brushed gold) and then onto the card. I also did a thin strip along the edge of the card.

This was one of my favourite techniques for a while... except for the gluing part. I really hate glue LOL!

Enjoy your Saturday!

Friday, June 01, 2007

*16 Years*

Sixteen years ago today, Bruce and I got married. It was a beautiful hot sunny day in Regina Saskatchewan. The beautiful weather was the perfect backdrop to our special day.

We were young.... I was 20, Bruce was 22 (our birthdays are in July). There were a few who thought we were making a mistake. Everyone thought we were young. But when you know, you know... we met on Friday, October 13, 1989. We were engaged six months later on Friday, April 13, 1990. We moved to Toronto and moved in together on June 1, 1990. And then we got married on June 1, 1991.

And here we are, 16 years later... a little older, a lot in love.

It's not always been easy.... we have our disagreements and "issues", but there's no way you could get me to walk through life without Bruce at my side.

I love you, Bruce!

This is not the card I've giving Bruce for our Anniversary. You see, I don't often make cards for Bruce. They are never "just right", or perfect enough. Hallmark still has the corner market for cards for my husband. They say it so well and the designs always look good. Of course, I add something personal to the inside of the card.

I created this card for the PageMaps Anniversary Contest. You had to use one of their maps to create your card or scrapbooking page.

I found out today that I didn't win so I can finally post my card for you all to see.

I'm disappointed that I didn't win as I am extremely proud of this card. But that's OK... winning isn't everything!

And yes, the sentiment was done by hand....



items used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Buckaroo Blue
*Ink: Black Micron pen
*Embellishments: Making Memories Silver Brads, Prima flowers, Stickles
*Tools: Doodle Genie (for the scallop edge