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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

*The End*

Sigh... the day has come.... today is the end of summer vacation.  It's August 31st and while I know that technically summer isn't over until mid-September, I always think of September as fall.  Adding to the feeling like it's the end of summer is the fact that it is a whopping 7*C outside (and raining) right now.... and the kids go back to school in the morning.

I am so not ready for that early morning alarm clock!

I have been having a great time with my sister over the last week... lots of laughs, quite a bit of shopping, a little crafting... and a lot of just hanging out in the same room.  I can't believe she goes home tomorrow :-(

I had playing with some slightly different colours from what I usually do....  typically I look at these colours and think "masculine" but this time I paired it with flowers....
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight; Coredinations
*Pattern Paper: Reminisce
*Images: Whippersnapper; AMuse
*Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics; Sakura glitter pen
*Tools: Stampin' Up! scallop border punch
*Embellishments: twine
*Challenges:  SSS118

Monday, August 29, 2011

*Fall To Layout #155*

This week, the Clean and Simple blog is playing along with the folks at ColourQ to celebrate their 100th Colour Combination.... the ColourQ challenge will be posted on Tuesday.... but if you want to play along a little early, I suggest you take a look at the CAS sketch (link in my sidebar) and have a peek at the 99 previous challenges over at the Colour! blog....
Items Used: 
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi
*Images: A Muse
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Big Shot; My Favorite Things open scallop die
*Embellishments: assorted buttons
*Challenges:  FTL155; ColourQ#46

Friday, August 26, 2011

*Playing In Paradise #30*

It's time for another Playing in Paradise challenge over at the Scrapbookers Paradise Blog... 

This week it's another one of Allison's wonderful sketches.... she creates them to be made as scrapbook pages or cards....  
I had fun with this one!

Items Used: 
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Wild Wasabi
*Images:  Outlines; Stampin' Up! Occasional Quotes
*Embellishments:  Prima Flowers; assorted buttons

I invite you join us in playing this week... simply add your card to the links at the bottom of the challenge post before midnight on Thursday for your chance to win a prize from Scrapbookers Paradise as well as a chance to play along with the Design Team in a future challenge.

Take a few minutes to check out what the rest of the Design Team has been up to...
*Tracy

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

*Use It Tuesday #14*

It's time to play again with the girls at Use It Tuesday.  I love that these challenges are only twice a month... it gives everyone lots of time to play and post their cards!!!

For this challenge we are asking you to create something with a back to school theme.... and once again, you are challenged to use stuff from your stash (not new stuff!).

Let me tell you, some of our challenges are really challenging  me.  This one did as I've never done anything "back to school" themed in my 15 years of card making!!!

But, I was able to get a digi image from my friend Allison (see her link under the CalGals) and the rest of the items came from my stash....
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Rose Red, Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi
*Pattern Paper: Stampin' Up (from my stash!)
*Images: Amber Ink digital image
*Ink: Copics
*Tools: Big Shot; Crafts Too Polka Dots embossing folder (also from my stash.... found it at the bottom of the pile!)
*Challenges:  UseItTuesday#14



Please play along with us for this great challenge....  I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

Monday, August 22, 2011

*Fall To Layout #154, again*

As I said in my post on Friday, I created another card for the sketch this week over at the Clean and Simple Stamping blog.  I created the card before I knew we were teaming up with the Jingle Belles.... so here is my non-Christmas card using that sketch....
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Pool Party, Purely Pomegranate
*Images: CTMH From Me To You
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Stampin' Up! scallop border punch
*Embellishments: assorted flowers; Viva Pearl Pen in black; assorted buttons
*Challenges:  FTL154

Friday, August 19, 2011

*Fall to Layout #154*

We had some fun with our challenge this week over at the Clean and Simple Stamping Blog...  we have teamed up with the gals at the Jingle Belles blog....  so this week, the challenge is to use the Fall to Layout and make a Christmas card!  If you play along, be sure to link your card at both blogs!!!

I will admit that I made another card for this sketch before we found out we were playing with the Jingle Belles... I will share that card later in the week.

This is what I came up with for a Christmas card...
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Bazzill Bling
*Images: Inkadinkadoo Snowflakes; Hero Arts Christmas Tags
*Ink: Blue Encore Metallic
*Tools: heat tool; Stampin' Up! scallop border punch
*Embellishments: blue pearl embossing powder; unknown buttons; Imaginisce bling
*Challenges:  FTL154

*Playing in Paradise #29*

It's time for another Playing in Paradise challenge over at the Scrapbookers Paradise Blog... 

This week, Merlie has challenged us to play with our punches!  I decided that instead of playing with my fancy punches I would play with some ideas with some of the more basic punches I have... this was actually my first idea and I really liked it!



Items Used: 

*Cardstock: PTI White
*Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up!
*Images:  Hampton Art
*Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools:  Spellbinders circle punch
*Embellishments:  Pebbles Candy Dots

I invite you join us in playing this week... simply add your card to the links at the bottom of the challenge post before midnight on Thursday for your chance to win a prize from Scrapbookers Paradise as well as a chance to play along with the Design Team in a future challenge.

Take a few minutes to check out what the rest of the Design Team has been up to...

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

*No Mojo*

I have wanted to craft every day this week.... and so far I have done nothing more than pull cardstock on to my table for a ColourQ Challenge I want to do.  Oh, and I scored my card base and folded it.

I *want* to create but I find myself finding other things to do instead... watching TV, reading, sitting outside, going shopping, surfing the net.... and now I'm blogging instead of creating with the half hour I have left before I head off to the orthodontist with Thing2.

Please send some mojo vibes that I might be able to create this afternoon...

For now, a card I created a few weeks ago following a Sweet Stop sketch....
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Regal Rose, Marina Mist
*Pattern Paper: Imaginisce
*Images: Lizzie Anne Say It In Script
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Embellishments: Stampin' Up! grosgrain ribbon
*Challenges:  SSS115

Monday, August 15, 2011

*Welcome to Calgary*

You gotta just laugh at the weather in Calgary....  if you didn't you'd probably cry.  We spent the weekend with temperatures around 27C (that's about 81F) and it cooled off over night.  It is almost noon and we are currently a whopping 12C (that's 54F)...  and tomorrow we are back up to seasonal temperatures (22C/72F).

So I am going to go put on a sweater and head to the basement to create for the rest of the day.... but before I do that, here's a card for you!
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Marina Mist, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red
*Pattern Paper: Cosmo Cricket
*Images: There She Goes Flowers of Happiness; PTI Mega Mixed Messages
*Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Stampin' Up! Real Red; Copics
*Tools: Stampin' Up! circle punches
*Challenges:  SSS116; ColourQ93



This Sweet Stop Sketch confuses me every time I look at my card... it looks sideways... probably because of the sideways sentiment.  But still, I like it!

Saturday, August 13, 2011

*Fall To Layout #153*

Happy Saturday everyone!  I hope you are enjoying the last few weekends of summer... amazing how fast it blows by!

I always have such big plans for the summer and then poof, it's over and nothing gets done.  This is the second summer in a row that I've wanted to get around to painting our front door.  Last year I was barely home so it didn't happen... this year I think I am just too daunted by choosing the colour and then taking on the task.  I wonder if it will actually get done....

It's time for another sketch over at the Clean and Simple Stamping blog....  and this week we are playing along with the girls at CAS-ual Friday!  I encourage you to check out the twist to our sketch so you can enter your card in both challenges!

This one truly is quick and easy!  I wonder if I should have created another layer on the base and textured it to create some more interest?  But then I think that it would have made it too busy for a Clean and Simple card....
Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PTI White; Stampin' Up! Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight
*Images: Penny Black; Impress
*Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa; Copics
*Challenges:  FTL#153



So quick and easy to throw together.... I hope you'll play along with us!

Friday, August 12, 2011

*Playing in Paradise #28


It's time for another Playing in Paradise challenge over at the Scrapbookers Paradise Blog... 

This week, Tracy has challenged us with a colour combination....  a chocolate brown, any pastel and any neutral.
I kind of wish my colours popped more than they do, but I really didn't think that white worked as my neutral on this card.  It was almost too crisp.  I chose to use a kraft coloured cardstock as well as a pastel pink.

Items Used: 
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette
*Images:  TPC Studio Playful Expressions
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip
*Embellishments:  Frosted Lace Stickles
*Tools:  PTI flower dies
*Challenges:  PlayingInParadise#28

I invite you join us in playing this week... simply add your card to the links at the bottom of the challenge post before midnight on Thursday for your chance to win a prize from Scrapbookers Paradise as well as a chance to play along with the Design Team in a future challenge.

Take a few minutes to check out what the rest of the Design Team has been up to...

Thursday, August 11, 2011

BIG Paper Crafting Garage Sale in Calgary


WHAT:  Paper Crafting Garage Sale
DATE:  Sunday, August 28th
TIME:  10am to 4pm
LOCATION:  Lake Bonivista Down Community Centre
                   1418 Lake Ontario Rd SE

The last I heard, there are 7 different retailers/businesses participating....
*The Scrapbook Cupboard
*Scrapbookers Bliss
*The Scrapmobile
*MondayNightClass.ca
*Paper Pastimes
*PAMS
*Scrapaway Retreats

I'm not sure but it might be a cash only sale for many of the vendors.... bring a credit card in case they can process it for you, but bring cash for sure!

All of the sellers are local businesses who are looking to clear out old stock.  

Please feel free to pass along to any of your paper crafting friends who might be interested!!!

*A Teeny Tiny Wish....*

I really really really like the card that I am sharing with you today.  I'm not "in love" with it, but I really really like it!  While I love the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenges, sometimes I find them difficult since there are so many layers.  I'm finding the same thing with MojoMonday which was always my favourite sketch site.

I guess I'm really going through a long phase of clean and simple cards.

Even though there are a lot of layers in this card, I like the clean lines.... and love the outline of black on each layer.
Items Used: 
*Cardstock:  PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wasabi, Tangerine Tango
*Images:  Penny Black
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black; Copics
*Tools: Big Shot; Bloom Dots & Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folders; Spellbinders Nestabilities
*Embellishments: Michael's Bridal Flowers (coloured with Copics); unknown pearls
*Challenges:  ColourQ#92; SSS114

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

*Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge #112*

Look at me... posts three days in a row!!!  Are you excited??!!

LOL

I really hope to have posts at least 5 days a week from here on in....  it's only fair that I have something new for you to see when you come to visit!

I love the bright colours in this card... makes me think of popsicles!
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; black linen
*Pattern Paper: unknown
*Images: Hampton Art
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black; Copic
*Embellishments: Michael's Bridal Flower (coloured with Copics); unknown button
*Challenges:  SSS112



I am so glad that I found the Sweet Stop Sketch Challenges thanks to my good friend Merlie....  they are a great way for me to use up some of the patterned papers in my stash!

Monday, August 08, 2011

*Use It Tuesday #13*

I love that the Use it Tuesday challenges are only twice a month instead of weekly....  as a player I felt so much less pressure to get a card created and posted to my blog than playing along with weekly challenges.

Not to mention that the challenges are forcing me to dig in to my stash to find things I haven't played with in a while.

For challenge #13, we are challenging you to dig in to your stash to create something inspired by "Indian Summer".  Indian Summer is when you have warm summer-like days after a killing frost in the fall....  and to me, Indian Summer screams rusts, and deep yellows and browns.....  which is what you'll see used in my card.  I found a piece of patterned paper deep in my stash that had only been cut in to once.... and I used a stamp set that I had to have and then barely used....
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Cajun Craze, Kraft
*Images: PTI Beautiful Blooms; There She Goes Flowers of Happiness
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Riding Hood Red, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip
*Tools: Stampin' Up! circle punches
*Challenges:  Use It Tuesday#13



Please take a few minutes to go see what the other members of the UseItTuesday Design Team have created (their links are in my left sidebar) and then get busy in your crafty space to create your own card inspired by Indian Summer using items from your stash!

*Back In The Groove*

I am going to try VERY hard over the next few weeks to get back in the habit of blogging more often than just my design team posts.  I have cards to share, just never think to come and blog them.

I want to share with you.... I really do....  just sometimes blogging gets pushed to the side for a variety of reasons. It's not like I don't have the time, because I do.... I think that not blogging much last year with Mom being ill has transferred to me not blogging much this year either.  I should change that!

I created this card a while back following a Mojo Monday sketch and using some colours from a ColourQ challenge.
Items Used: *Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Grey, Bordering Blue, Cajun Craze, Bravo Burgundy
*Images: PTI Signature Greetings
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Bravo Burgundy
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities beaded circles; Stampin' Up! scallop border punch
*Embellishments: Prima flowers; Kaiser Pearls;
*Challenges:  Mojo195; ColourQ#89

Friday, August 05, 2011

*Fall To Layout #152*

Happy Weekend everyone!!  I spent Friday suffering from a headache that just wouldn't go away.  It was so bad that I felt like I was going to lose my lunch when I moved my head.  Not sure what caused this one... a friend in the area who also suffers from weather-related headaches had one on Friday as well, but I don't know if that was it or just a coincidence.

We have a quiet weekend planned....  and I'm looking forward to that I think.  Sometimes too much quiet can get boring... sometimes there's just not enough quiet in a weekend.

I found the sketch for this week's Clean and Simple Fall to Layout a little challenging at first.  I just couldn't think of what I wanted to do..  I finally decided to dig through my stash of Spellbinders dies and settled on Labels 4 which then dictated some other sizes on my card....
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry
*Images: Heartfelt Creations Daisy Patch; Stampabilities
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Big Shot; Heartfelt Creations Daisy Patch; Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 4
*Embellishments: Making Memories brads
*Challenges:  FTL152

*Playing in Paradise #27*

It's time for another Playing in Paradise challenge over at the Scrapbookers Paradise Blog... 

This week, Angie has challenged us to a stencil or template in the creation of your project.
I had a tough time with this challenge... I actually asked if I could skip it after I spent almost two full days and a lot of product trying to come up with a card....  And finally, I created my own stencil with painters tape to create a stenciled background on kraft coloured cardstock.... and in the end, I love my card!!!
Items Used: 
*Cardstock: PTI White;  Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake
*Embellishments:  Stampin' Up! Rich Razzleberry ribbon; Thickers
*Tools:  painters tape; sponge; Big Shot; PTI die
*Challenges:  PlayingInParadise#26

I invite you join us in playing this week... simply add your card to the links at the bottom of the challenge post before midnight on Thursday for your chance to win a prize from Scrapbookers Paradise as well as a chance to play along with the Design Team in a future challenge.

Take a few minutes to check out what the rest of the Design Team has been up to...

Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Clean and Simple Birthday

I am back from my long weekend trip to Regina, a little tired and emotionally drained.  I had a good time visiting with family and friends but it was emotional to be there and not stay at Mom's house, to not have Mom at the anniversary party, to go to the old neighbours for a visit and see some stranger watering the grass at our house.

I'm glad we went... it was wonderful to see some Aunts, Uncles and Cousins at a happy event.

We drove home yesterday afternoon/evening and we're totally unpacked and the laundry is almost finished.  I need to run out and get some groceries today as the bread went really stale while we were gone and the milk expired three days ago.

This is the card I created for this week's sketch over at the Clean and Simple blog... I hope you'll play along with us!
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Marina Mist
*Pattern Paper: Memory Box
*Images: AMuse
*Ink: Versafine onyx black
*Tools: Stampin' Up! scallop border punch
*Embellishments: Kaiser Rhinestones
*Challenges:  FTL151