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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

*Another Post Today*

Be sure to scroll down as I have posted twice today!

I have so many cards to share with you all right now that I thought I'd post a second time today.

For those who might be wondering, I managed to survive my day after such an early morning... and I did it without a nap.  I will be in bed early tonight though!!

Since this is post #2 for today, I will just get to the card instead of boring you with my chitchat ;-)
Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Classic Crest White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Rose Red
*Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up!
*Images:  Whipper Snapper
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up! markers
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities Labels 8
*Challenges:  MTSC85
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*Up Way Too Early*

Despite staying up way too late night (especially with the change in time zones), I was wide awake just after 5 this morning....  I gave up on trying to fall back to sleep and got up just after 6.

I've had a productive morning so far... I've been up for under two hours and I've caught up on my blog reading, tidied the kitchen, washed a few dishes, put a load of laundry in the washer and unpacked all my crafting goodies from my trip.  Now I'm watching "Ellen" and updating my blog.

There may be a nap in my future!

I think there will be a lot of posts from me over the next month... there are so many cards to share after my crazy crafting weekend!

Here's a Christmas card I created a few weeks ago...
Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Classic Crest White
*Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye
*Images:  Stampendous; PTI
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up! markers; Stampin' Up! Rose Red
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities
*Embellishments:  unknown snowflake brad; Liquid Pearls
*Challenges:  Mojo145
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Monday, November 29, 2010

*Heading Home*

Today is the day I head back home to Calgary.  I am looking forward to seeing my husband and sons and friends (and the dog), but I hate to leave my sister and niece behind.

They are the only reasons I wish we hadn't left Ontario back in 1995.

There will be tears later this afternoon.... I can promise you that!

As promised, more Christmas goodness for you to enjoy...
Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Classic Crest White; Bazzill Bling; Stampin' Up! Shimmer
*Tools:  Big Shot; Spellbinders Snowflake Wonder
*Embellishments:  unknown snowflake brads; Doodlebug flocked brad
*Challenges:  FTL115


So quick and easy to do... I love playing with this snowflake die set from Spellbinders... definitely worth taking the extra step to emboss them!

Happy Monday!
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Sunday, November 28, 2010

*What A Weekend!!!*

I got back to my sisters house late this afternoon after a wonderful scrapbooking retreat but on by The Kit Company.  I went with my sister Heather and her good friend (and my friend) Birute!  We arrived at the camp around 3 on Friday and left there just after 3 this afternoon.

We had a wonderful time!  Great food, a big 8ft table each, a comfortable room to sleep in, lots of laughs, made some new friends.... and I worked HARD!

Anyone who's been around here for a while knows how much I hate crafting away from home!!  Well, on my trip to London ON on Wednesday (Great Big Sea was awesome... we were third row centre!), I did a little shopping and had several new stamps to play with.  I bought a My Mind's Eye paper stack from Michael's before I left Calgary and packed the inks, papers, embellishments and ribbons to go along with the papers.

In my head, I figured I needed to make about 70 Christmas cards to finish what I need for sending out....  I already had 30+ at home.

But at some point I must have downsized my list as it turns out, I need about 70 cards.  Ooops LOL!

Anyway... I managed to create a total of 75 cards this weekend in 35 different designs.  I sold 5 of the cards to one of the gals who was scrapbooking at the retreat this weekend.

Some of the cards followed sketches, some came from my head.... and most of them I love.

I will have a lot of work ahead of me when I get home, getting all of those photographed so I can get them signed and mailed out!

What a relief to have them done!

I've decided to share only Christmas cards with you from now until Christmas... I hope you enjoy!
Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Classic Crest White; Stampin' Up! Silver
*Patterned Paper:  Die Cuts With A View
*Images:  PTI Signature Greetings
*Ink:  Rocket Red Brilliance
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities
*Challenges:  FTL113
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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

*Left The Bitter Cold Behind*

I am happy to be away from Calgary for the next few days....  this morning at 6am, the windchill in Calgary made it feel like -41C (that's -41.8F).... and here in Toronto, where I am visiting my sister this week, it was +13C (55F).

Yup, glad I'm here!

Felt bad for the family and friends back home though....  that is one hell of a cold day!

I had a good day with my sister today....  the mall where I bought some new shoes (discovered yesterday, in the rain, that there were holes in the soles of my shoes... hello wet feet), lunch with her (and now our) friend Birute, Scrapalicious, Scrapbooking Queens, Starbucks, the liquor store and WalMart.  Lots of running around but it was fun!

I'm dreaming of warmer temperatures... so a card with some flowers for you today...
Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PTI White; Stampin' Up! Perfect Plum, Pear Pizzazz
*Patterned Paper:  Imaginisce (this is actually Halloween paper!)
*Images:  Stampavie
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics
*Embellishments:  Pebbles Candy Dots
*Challenges:  MTSC86


I know... this image is totally too "cute" for me... but I needed some images to play with my Copics.... and this one was cute without being too over the top for me!

For those still reading... a quick story for you.... I almost didn't make it to Toronto!!!  I set my alarm on Sunday morning when I got out of bed.... for 5:10am... when I set the alarm, the alarm automatically turns "on".... but I managed to turn it off instead....  at 5:40am (about the time we should have been leaving for the airport), Bruce woke up and woke me up with a "what time was your alarm set for?".  I nearly died when I saw the time!  Thankfully I was all packed except my toiletries.... so it was a quick trip to the bathroom to clean up my hair a bit, put on a bit of make up and finish packing... we were out the door a mere 10 minutes later (too me 6 minutes to get "beautiful" and dressed) and I was at the airport 55 minutes before my flight.

Whew!

Thanks for popping by!
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Friday, November 19, 2010

*Packing Up*

Sadly the CalGals have canceled for tonight.... two had things they were doing tonight instead of coming over to play, one has had the stomach flu all week, another is coming down with a cold with a nasty cough and the last one and I figured it was better to avoid the cold and crappy roads tonight...

So instead of leaving it to the last minute and stressing, I started to pack my papercrafting bag for my trip to visit my sister!

I am jetting off to the Toronto area on Monday morning (7am flight to optimize time with my sister!) and will be staying with her for a week.  While there, we will be heading to see Great Big Sea again with my niece, meeting my adopted sister Birute, and next weekend Birute and Heather and I are going to the Fall Spa-Tacular for a weekend of fun and papercrafting.

Anyone who has been visiting my blog for a while knows just how stressful it is for me to pack up stuff to go create somewhere else... this time it's even worse since I'm limited to what I can take in one bag on the plane!  Heather and Birute are offering to share tools (paper cutter, ATG, Big Shot) but still!!!  I packed all of my Nestabilites and several embossing folders, a new Christmas stack from My Mind's Eye (Michaels), papers inks and ribbons to match, Christmas stamps, some embellishments....  staying behind is a lot of bling, my Copics and God knows what else!

I am hoping that by packing now I will have some more time in my craft space to see what I might have missed.  There's still a little room in my scrap tote... not sure on the weight though!

My big fear is things getting broken... lids to ink pads etc.

Anyway....

I love how this card turned out.... so simple and easy...
Items Used:  
*Cardstock:  Stardream
*Images:  Stampin' Up! Occasional Quotes
*Ink:  Brilliance Moonlight White
*Embellishments: buttons (got them from my boss to play with)
*Challenges: FTL114


I may have to try this card again with some snowflake brads!!
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Thursday, November 18, 2010

*Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr*

It's official.... I am cold!  This is the coldest we've been in several months and for the most part, I am chilled to the bone.  Except when under all my blankets and cozy in bed at night with a Magic Bag straight from the microwave to warm me up enough to be able to sleep.

This is day three of snow falling.... and while it hasn't all been heavy snowfalls, it's accumulating pretty damn good out there.

Talk about a Winter Wonderland.

I am thankful that I have a jacket and mitts and a scarf, a home to protect me, a car to get me from A to B...  but I sure hate the cold!  I'm sure it could be worse ... and I'm sure it will get worse before spring shows up again!

So far the forecast for next week in Calgary is for more crappy weather... but I'll be in Toronto visiting my sister where it may be rainy, but at least it won't be cold!  I might even take my flip flops with me LOL!

Today I will share a card, that reminds me a lot of looking out my front window right now...
Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PTI White, Bazzill Bling
*Images:  Impression Obsession; Hero Arts Holiday Tags
*Ink:  Brilliance Moonlight White; Encore Ultimate Metallic Blue
*Tools:  Big Shot; Snowflakes Cuttlebug embossing folder; Labels 5 Nestabilities
*Embellishments:  bling, unknown ribbon
*Challenges:  Mojo163


I created this card to meet the requirements for a mingle I joined on the CreativeCuttlebuggers YahooGroup email list... we had to make a card that was blue and silver and at least one thing had to be Cuttlebugged.

Sure does look icy and cold.... just like the world outside my window!
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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

*Dodged a Bullet*

Well, at least for now.... by mid-afternoon yesterday they had changed our forecast to include 10-15cm of snow instead of 5-10.... and we woke up to somewhere between 5 and 10cms.  Enough to make a mess of the roads and to require shoveling, but not enough to cause major delays and problems in the city.

Sadly, the temperature is dropping.... gonna be brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr here for a while.

I had an email from a friend of mine last night, asking if I would be willing to teach her group of 22 Girl Guides to make some Christmas Cards to donate to some seniors to use this year....  sadly the date she wanted me is a date I'm not available, but I volunteered my time and costs and put together 44 card kits (four designs, 2 cards per Guide) for them to play with at their meeting on December 1st.

My friend has made cards before and is familiar with paper crafting so I am sure she can walk the girls through it all without any difficulties.  I've written up directions for her just in case she needs them.  And each of the cards is a take on something I've created before, all of them pretty simple as the girls won't have a lot of time to create.

It was a lot of work, but I am glad I could do it for them!

Anyway.... for today.... a non-Christmas card....
Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Early Espresso, Marina Mist; PTI White
*Tools:  Big Shot; Quickutz Retro Diamonds embossing folder
*Embellishments:  Stampin' Up! Marina Mist Ribbon; Michael's Bridal flowers; Kaiser Pearls
*Challenges:  Mojo138


This could have very easily been a winter card by substituting snowflakes for the flowers....

Enjoy your Tuesday!
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Monday, November 15, 2010

*Waiting For The Winter Wonderland*

It's a good thing I put on socks and shoes last week... the weather forecast for Calgary is ugly!!!  There is a chance of up to 10cms of snow tonight (almost 4 inches) and the temperature is going to fall severely.  We've been above freezing for the most part all fall, and tomorrow our high will be about -8C (17F).  And our nightly lows will be around -18C (that's 0F).

And from what I've heard, the long term forecast shows temperatures below freezing until at least the 26th of November.

I think I need to find my mitts and scarf too.... and probably my boots!

It's all a part of living here, but that first big snowfall and the first dip into such cold temperatures is always a difficult thing!

So, since we're looking at Winter in Calgary, I'm sharing another Christmas card with you...
Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Tangerine; Classic Crest white
*Pattern Paper:  My Mind's Eye Colorful Christmas
*Images:  Hero Arts
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Tangerine Tango
*Challenges:  MTSC94


As soon as I saw the sketch, I knew I wanted to play with Christmas papers.  I love this MME paper as it's so untraditional in it's colours...

Thanks for stopping by today!
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Saturday, November 13, 2010

*I Just Realized....*

... just far behind in Christmas preparations I am!!  It's November 13th already!!

I have bought one Christmas present and have approximately 30 Christmas cards made.  I send out about 100 cards every year.....

And in the coming weeks I have a trip to Ontario to plan for and to take (including a chance to work on Christmas cards at a crop, I hope!), the Purdy's fundraiser for Alex's school band to enter into the computer and consolidate all payments, shop for presents, shop for our Cruise....

I sure hope it all gets done!

I probably should have done something today after preparing for the party we're hosting tonight (like maybe take the boyz shopping for clothes for cruise dinners) instead of sitting on my ass instead....

Ooops

LOL

Oh well... going to try to not stress too much about it and just see what happens!

On to the card... I love these new Nestabilities...  I think that the Beaded Circles look a lot like snowballs when done in white!
Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White; Bazzill
*Images:  Hero Arts Holiday Tags
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
*Tools:  Big Shot; Spellbinders Beaded Circles Nestabilities
*Embellishments:  unknown ribbon; unknown brad
*Challenges:  FTL108


I just wish that the regular Nestability dies could cut larger for creating circle or scalloped cards...  I think Shannon is ordering the Grand Calibur that will be able to cut a full 8.5 inches wide as well as some of the dies....  I think I'll be visiting once she gets it!

Hmmmm, maybe I should put it on my Christmas wish list!

LOL!

Enjoy your Saturday folks....  Jimmy (our new Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker) has invited some of our friends over tonight for margaritas (and other frozen concoctions)!
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Thursday, November 11, 2010

*Strong and Free*

I love any day when there are no alarm clocks going off in the morning!!

The kids are lucky enough to get today and tomorrow off from school... today to mark Remembrance Day, tomorrow is a Professional Development Day.

Sadly I have a lot of things planned for the next 24 hours including a two hour round trip to pick up some stuff for Christy for her to take to Saskatchewan this weekend for a crop, getting blood work done in the morning (means I can't eat after 10 tonight, which is probably a good thing), getting some groceries and hopefully pre-bowling in preparation for my trip to see my sister in a few weeks.

In other sad news, I retired my flip flops today....  I was beginning to think that the crappy support in them was what has been causing the pain in my heels....  figure it's time to put on some socks and shoes and hopefully put the pain behind me.  We'll see if it works.

This was probably the longest I've ever gone wearing flip flops... and I loved every minute!

Anyway.... I thought a very simple but strong card would be good to share in Remembrance Day.....
Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Marina Mist, Cherry Cobler, Wild Wasabi; PTI White
*Images:  Stamping Bella
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics
*Tools:  Stampin' Up! border punch
*Challenges:  MTSC89; SCS ColorChallenge #279


I took two minutes of silence at 11 this morning to remember all who have come before me, who have sacrificed so much to give me the freedom I cherish... I hope you did too!
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Wednesday, November 10, 2010

*Song For Remembrance Day*

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day here in Canada... a day for all of us to pause and remember and honour all of those who have fought for our country, to ensure our freedom.... take a listen to this beautiful song....


"Highway of Heroes", was co-written and co-produced by The Trews and Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar) and was inspired by the 2006 death of Captain Nichola Goddard from The Trews' hometown of Antigonish, NS. Canada's Highway of Heroes, is the section of the MacDonald-Cartier freeway named to honour those who have sacrificed all in service of country.
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*Smile*

Are you shocked?  So many days with posts!!  I just have so many cards to share that I figure I should share them instead of holding on to them.  I have several already photographed and ready to share as well as 10 cards waiting for me to take them outside and take photos.

I don't know that I've ever had this many cards in my stash to share!

It feels good to have cards made instead of panicking that there is nothing for me to share!

Sad part is that the traffic to my blog has really dropped off in the last months... I guess too much time without regular posts.

But I'm glad you're here!!

And for coming, I'm sharing a smile with you....
Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PTI White; Stampin' Up! Rich Razzleberry, Tangerine Tango, So Saffron
*Images:  Whipper Snapper; PTI Mega Mixed Messages
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics
*Tools:  Stampin' Up! border punch
*Challenges:  MTSC95; SCS Color Challenge #291
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Tuesday, November 09, 2010

*I've Been Crafting!*

I have had an awesome couple days of crafting!  From Sunday afternoon to Monday evening, I created 9 cards!!  Yup, 9!!  And only a few of them are Christmas cards!

I am trying very hard to leave the Christmas card creating until I head to Ontario in two weeks.  I am going to a weekend retreat with my sister and her very good friend.  You all know by now how much trouble I have figuring out what to take with me to create outside of my space that the decision to go to this retreat has me totally stressed!  I decided from the beginning that I would take stuff to do Christmas cards at the retreat... so I don't want to have nothing to do once I get there so I'm trying to not make too many Christmas cards before I go away.

I have enough trouble taking my stuff to Shannon's to play with the CalGals....  how the hell am I supposed to pack stuff to take on a plane??!!!  GAH!!!!

Anyway... there's still lots of time to stress over that LOL!
Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PTI White; Stampin' Up! Baja Breeze, Basic Black
*Patterned Paper:  Imaginisce
*Images:  Stampin' Up! Baroque Motifs
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Pear Pizazz
*Tools:  Cuttlebug; Swiss Dots embossing folder
*Embellishments:  Prima Flowers; Doodlebug Brads
*Challenges:  MTSC96


Thanks for popping in for a visit!


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Monday, November 08, 2010

*A Lighter Start*

The best part about the time change in the fall is that the sun is rising when we are getting out of bed at 7.  And Matthew and his friend can walk to school in daylight instead of darkness at 7:40.

The worst part about the time change is that I'm making dinner in darkness now.

I sure do prefer spring and summer to fall and winter....

But I'm still wearing flip flops

LOL!

I'm not a huge fan of this card.... it's not ugly, it's not a "bad" card... I'm just not a huge fan....
Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Baja Breeze, Cajun Crazy, Wild Wasabi; PTI White
*Images:  Inkadinkadoo Dot Flourishes; PTI Mega Mixed Messages
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Cajun Craze
*Tools:  Stampin' Up! Border Punch
*Challenges:  FTL107
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Sunday, November 07, 2010

*Tired Nancy*

Happy Sunday everyone.... I hope you all remembered to change your clocks before bed last night...  I was thinking about it all day and when it came time to go to bed, I was this close to forgetting!

I had a good but busy weekend....  I went to an appointment on Friday morning, leaving the house at 9:30 and got a call from Christy that she needed help getting the groceries for the Jingle Bell Crop.  As soon as I was done with my appointment I went to help her and ended up working for several hours getting the last minute stuff ready for the big crop.  I came home for about an hour and was at the hall at 6pm to help get things set up.  The crop ran from 7 until midnight on Friday night and again from 9:30am until 11pm on Saturday.  Over the weekend I helped set up, greeted croppers, chatted, laughed, ate, taught a class, cut way too many onions, sliced buns (and my finger), served food, cleaned up, coloured images with my Copics....

I came home last night and fell in to bed and slept for 9 hours straight.  Felt good!

Today I have had to do some work for Bruce's business as our year end was October 31st and I've been busy since then.  I'm now spending a little time with my crafty side... I've made one card and decided I'd take a minute and share a (different) card with you!
Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black, PTI White
*Images:  PTI Signature Greetings
*Ink:  VersaFine Onyx Black
*Tools:  Corner Chomper
*Embellishments:  Petaloo flowers; unknown ribbon; Doodlebug glitter brad coloured with a Copic
*Challenges:  FTL112


I gotta tell you... I love this card!  The picture is a little dark.... the flower is purple and black.  The card is just simple and beautiful!

Enjoy the end of your weekend!


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Friday, November 05, 2010

*Quick Card, Quick Post*

Another weekend....  where does the time go???

Not that I'm complaining... I like weekends!

This weekend will be a little different as I'll be at the Jingle Bell Crop (run by MondayNightClass.ca) all weekend....  I'll be working when I'm needed, teaching a quickie card class, and hopefully playing a little bit.  Guess I should pack up at least a little stuff to take with me!

I have a few things I need to get done this morning including a Drs appointment in a half hour... so this is a quickie post....

I absolutely love the simplicity of this card...

Items Used:  
*Cardstock:  PTI White; Stampin' Up! Old Olive
*Images:  PTI Signature Greetings
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Rich Razzleberry; VersaFine Onyx Black
*Embellishments:  Michael's Bridal Flowers (coloured with Rich Razzleberry); Kaiser Pearls
*Challenges:  FTL106


And with that, I'm outta here!
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Wednesday, November 03, 2010

*I'm Still Wearing Flipflops!*

I can't believe it is November 3rd and I am still wearing flip flops.

I went for a walk with the dog the other day and put on socks with my running shoes, but only because I don't like wearing my running shoes without socks.

And I wear socks in my bowling shoes.

But other than that, it's been flipflops or sandals since April!

The cold is going to hit hard and fast I'm sure, but for now I will enjoy my flipflops!

This is another card that I created at Shannon's house in October when the CalGals got together for an evening.
Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Marina Mist, Basic Black; PTI White
*Images:  Inkadinkadoo Dot Flourishes; CTMH From Me To You
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Old Olive; Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools:  Martha Stewart border punch
*Challenges:  FTL105


I feel like the card needs "something" along the punched border, just not sure what that "something" is.... otherwise I really like it!

I am off to work now....  preparing for the big Jingle Bell Crop this weekend!
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Monday, November 01, 2010

*What The ...???!!!*

Could someone please explain to me how it is already November??  Didn't 2010 just start a few months ago?  With all that has happened in my life this year, how on earth did it all go by so fast?

Maybe it's because so much of the year wasn't "mine"... it was spent doing what I needed to do, not what I wanted to do.... and a lot of it went by while I was in a state of shock-like existence....

But seriously??  November 1st??!!!!???

GAH!  So much to do!!!!  and honestly, not a lot of desire to do some of it.  I've got absolutely no desire to "do" Christmas this year....  the thought of buying everyone gifts puts me in a cold sweat.  It might be the year of the gift card.... so original....  I hope people will understand....

Anyway....

Hallowe'en was good... Matthew decided at 4:45pm that he wanted to go out with a few friends to get candy, so he was one of "those teenagers" who show up in a mask (sigh).... but the three of them got bored and gave up after only a handful of houses.  We had a record number of kids at our door (136).  I have kept track of the number since 2002 ... we keep a tally during the evening and then I write it on the back of a cardboard skeleton decoration that we use every year.  The next highest number was 120 kids in 2005.  And this wasn't the warmest Hallowe'en we'd had either.... sure it was above freezing and there was no snow (beautiful night, actually) but we've had warmer but had fewer kids.  There truly is no rhyme or reason to it!

And now, a card to share with you.....
Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Kraft, Chocolate Chip
*Images:  CTMH From Me To You; PTI Signature Greetings
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Tempting Turqouise; Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics; white gel pen
*Embellishments:  Stampin' Up! grosgrain ribbon (white, coloured with Copics)
*Challenges: FTL111


Tracy challenged us at the last CalGals gathering to use this colour combination.  I was smart before I packed my stuff to go to Shannon's house....  I took the colours Tracy wanted us to use, found a sketch and decided on stamps before I left.  The card was pretty much created in my head before I even left the house!  I did that with a few other sketches as well... picked the colours and stamps and packed them up.  It worked out well for me as I created a handful of cards at Shannon's!

Have I mentioned lately how much I love the clean and simple cards these days??!!!
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