Nancy's Creative Mess

FTL175

2012-01-29T17:27:00.000-07:00

For those of you paying attention, you will notice a few things:
(a) I haven't posted in a while
(b) I didn't play along with the Fall To Layout last week.

I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry.

I will admit that I am spending a lot less time on my computer now that I'm spending 8+ hours a day on my computer at work. And when I am home, I am not in my crafty space. I like to spend some time with my husband, watching TV. Not to mention the lack of Mojo. When I do want to create, it's like my Mojo takes a vacation.

I did manage to create a couple of cards this weekend.... and Friday night a couple of friends are coming over to play so I hope to create that night too.

And then there's Crop-A-Ganza coming up in a few weeks... my sister and I are going together and will be spending the weekend in Red Deer AB taking a couple of classes and playing with some friends of mine. If you're interested in going there are still a few crop spots left and I understand they have opened the classes up to the public (so if you're in the area you can just pop in to take one of the great classes). If you sign up for a class, please let them know that I sent ya!

I really love the sketch for this week at the Clean and Simple Stamping blog.... I sure hope you can find some time to play along with us this week....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White
*Pattern Paper: Stampin' Up!
*Images: Amuse
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Perfect Layers Tools; Big Shot; PTI dies
*Embellishments: assorted buttons; black marker
*Challenges: FTL175

FTL173

2012-01-19T19:33:00.000-07:00

My apologies for not posting this sooner. I made it with lots of time to post this week but didn't get around to taking a photo of it! Bad bad Nancy. I suddenly realized that the new challenge would be posted tomorrow so I thought I should get it up.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Cameo Coral
*Images: Inkadinkadoo Dot Flourishes; Hero Arts Essential Messages
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Pear Pizzazz, Cherry Cobbler
*Tools: Big Shot; Couture Creations Intrinsic embossing folder
*Embellishments: Prima Pearls
*Challenges: FTL173; ColourQ118

This card looked so much better in my head.... sigh

Playing in Paradise #49

2012-01-13T00:01:00.001-07:00

I am here to share with you, my final post as a Playing in Paradise Challenge Team Member.... I have stepped down from this team as my creative time is extremely limited. I found that being on 3 teams, the only things I was creating anymore were for challenges. I am hopeful that I will be able to carve out a little time to create for me instead of creating for design team commitments.

This week, Kasia has a Tic Tac Toe challenge for us.... you need to choose any three items in a row to use in your creation.

I chose Text, Button and Ribbon....

Items Used

*Cardstock: PTI White; Basic Black
*Images: Hero Arts Sending Smiles
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Perfect Layers
*Embellishments: American Crafts ribbon; 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 HERE 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...

*Allison

*Kasia
*Laurel

*Merlie

*Nina

FTL 172

2012-01-11T20:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Hump Day everyone.... the weather has turned to average temperatures here in Calgary. A week ago we had a record for daytime high for the date and now we're looking at it getting worse over the next few days. I sure hope we don't see record colds!!

Life is busy but good.... I am really missing my creative time. My plan had been to play on Sunday but I woke up with a migraine, complete with nausea, and ended up doing absolutely nothing all day. Big sad face.

I really like the sketch for this week over at the Clean and Simple blog (see the link my sidebar).... Some of the gals on the design team have made it simple, others have made it less simple. Very versatile!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizazz, Chocolate Chip
*Images: Hero Arts
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities; Big Shot
*Embellishments: Michael's Bridal flower (coloured with Wisteria Wonder); Kaiser Pearls
*Challenges: FTL172; ColourQ105

Quiet Blog

2012-01-08T12:22:00.001-07:00

Happy Sunday everyone.... I want to start with apologizing for how quiet my blog has been lately. The new full time job has taken up most of my creative time.... and when I am home from work I am often too tired to want to create or find myself without Mojo.

So, for a while, I think this blog will be quiet. I will post when I have something to share.

I have decided that I can't put stress on myself to create so that I can blog as I think that is creating the problem with the lack of mojo.

I have one last 2011 Christmas card to share with you today....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Bazzill Bling
*Images: Impression Obsession
*Ink: Blue Encore Ultimate Metallic
*Tools: Big Shot; Scrollwork Cuttlebug embossing folder; Heat Tool; Corner Chomper
*Embellishments: Kaiser Pearls; Blue Pearl embossing powder

Playing in Paradise #48

2012-01-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to another Playing in Paradise Challenge! I am lucky enough to be the first challenge host in 2012!

I have fun playing with tall and skinny cards... and I hope you will too!

The card I have created is 8.5" long and 3.75" wide...

Items Used

*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Baja Breeze, Ruby Red
*Images: Stampin' Up! All Year Cheer I
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black; Copics
*Tools: Big Shot; Couture Creations Intrinsic embossing folder
*Embellishments: unknown ribbon; Petaloo flowers (coloured with Copics); Doodlebug flocked brad

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T12:06:00.000-07:00

We had a great night last night with some of our closest friends (and my sister too!). We hosted a fondue party here at our house. Most years, we host our fondue in the weeks leading up to Christmas but this year everyone was busy. So we talked about doing it later in the New Year. Then, some how, word was that we were going to host New Years Eve so I figured, why not combine the two ideas and host a NYE fondue?

Everyone pitched in with the food and we had hot broth, cheese, a "hot plate" plus chicken, beef, shrimp, bread and veggies. Instead of kissing the person to your left or right when you dropped your item in the fondue pot, we decided to do Jello Shots. Who knew that 11 people would go through 6 boxes of Jello before 9pm?

We were sure to have someone available for driving friends home if they needed it... no one was in too bad of shape. We ate, watched Canada beat the US in World Jr Hockey, played a game and had a great time. It was a lovely way to bring in the new year!

As I said a few days ago, I still have a couple of Christmas cards to share with you.... and that's what you're getting today....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Baja Breeze
*Images: PTI Signature Christmas
*Ink: VersaMagic Agean Blue
*Tools: Perfect Layers; Stampin' Up! scallop border punch; Big Shot; Snowflakes Cuttlebug embossing folder
*Embellishments: assorted brads

My Traditional New Years Post

2011-12-31T11:51:00.003-07:00

And here it is.... the last day of 2011.... a year that was definitely better than 2010. It was a year filled with laughter, smiles, sadness, struggles, friends, family, fun, work....

This year I turned 41, celebrated 20 years of marriage to my best friend, traveled to see my sister, attended a family reunion, struggled with some stuff, loved my children, started a new job, dyed my hair, sat on three design teams, read lots of books, watched my boys turn 14 and 16, and wondered how in the hell time has gone by so fast!

As I have done for the last few years, I am here on the last day of 2011 to share one favourite card from each month .... cards I have created this year..... (the count for cards this year is 211 different designs although I have yet to share four of them with you).

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

And with that, I wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Winding Down

2011-12-30T15:42:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that the hustle and bustle of Christmas is done for another year. We un-decorated the house the other day and the outside lights will be turned off for another season in a day or two. I will miss seeing the beautiful Christmas lights when we're out and about... I think it's one of my favourite things about the season.

I have just a few more Christmas cards to share with you over the next few days... and sadly I have nothing else! I really need to find some time in my creative space! My niece left for home this morning (sniff sniff). It's both good and bad.... bad that she's gone but good that Alex can have his room back so my sister and I can take over the basement and craft a little!

I can't believe I go back to work in a few days! Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

But for now, a Christmas card to share with you....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Real Red
*Ink: black Micron pen
*Embellishments: Echo Park stickers

Talk about a quick and easy card using some punch outs from an Echo Park sheet!

Use It Tuesday #22

2011-12-27T00:01:00.023-07:00

Welcome to another challenge with the Use It Tuesday Design Team!!! Today marks my last post as a member of this fun Design Team. I hope to find the time to play along with them each week, and use a little more of the stuff I have been hoarding away over the years!

This week we were challenged to create a card using our favourite team's colours. I was going to go with Green and White for the Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL Football) but I couldn't come up with something I liked.... instead I went with the Calgary Flames colours of Red, White and Black. I suppose I should have had a little yellow in there too.... oh well.

I know it's past Christmas and all, but I was still in a Christmas Card Making Mood when I created this one...

The items from my stash are the black linen cardstock that I've had forever, as well as the glittered brads that I bought way back when I worked at the scrapbook store.

Items Used:

*Cardstock: PTI White; black linen
*Patterned Paper: Echo Park

*Images: Serendipity

*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Perfect Layers
*Embellishments: Doodlebug Sugared brads
*Challenges: UseItTuesday#22

I hope you'll take some time to play along with us!

It's Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T11:15:00.011-07:00

Happy Christmas Eve to everyone.... I hope that you are busy with holiday preparations, family and friends, laughter and fun! And I hope none of you are going to have to brave the stores today!!!

I am both excited for Christmas and a little sad this year.... this is our first traditional Christmas since my Mom died in September 2010. Last year we escaped the sadness and went on a 10 day cruise over Christmas and New Years. It's strange to have been planning a traditional Christmas without my parents.

We will be sharing tomorrow my with my father in law and one brother in law as well as friends of ours. There will be 10 of us for dinner. And on the 26th my sister and niece arrive for a short visit.

I know tomorrow will be filled with mixed emotions.... and memories and laughter.

I hope you all find some peace a joy this holiday season.... Merry Christmas!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White
*Pattern Paper: My Mindy's Eye
*Images: Penny Black
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Garden Green
*Tools: Perfect Layers; Stampin' Up! scallop border punch
*Embellishments: Kaiser pearls

I love how clean this card looks.... while being festive and fun!

Again, I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Playing in Paradise #47

2011-12-23T00:01:00.008-07:00

Welcome to another Playing in Paradise Challenge! This is our last challenge of 2011 as the Design Team is taking a little break for Christmas. We will be back on January 6th with a new challenge!

It's time for another one of Allison's versatile sketches... she likes to create sketches that can be used for cards or scrapbook layouts.

I absolutely LOVE this tree die by Memory Box.... it's amazing how detailed it is!

Items Used

*Cardstock: PTI White; Bazzill Bling
*Patterned Paper: unknown
*Tools: Big Shot; Memory Box die; Stampin' Up! scallop border punch
*Embellishments: unknown ribbon

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

*Allison

*Kasia
*Laurel

*Merlie

*Nina

Swirls and Dots

2011-12-21T08:11:00.011-07:00

Happy Hump Day! The week is getting close to winding down and we are another day closer to family, friends, celebrations and fun!!!

The card I am sharing today is probably my favourite Christmas card from this year. I love how simple it is!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White
*Images: PTI Flourishes; Penny Black Winter Wonders
*Ink: VersaMagic Sage & Red Magic
*Embellishments: thickers

I liked this card so much that I made about 30 of them this year... problem was, I didn't have enough of the dots from Thickers to do that. So I ended up changing it up a bit, using ScorTape on a piece of cardstock and covered it with red Glitter Ritz glitter and burnishing it so it shone. I also changed up the colours a bit, still going with red and green. I also changed the sentiment to one that worked just a little better than this one.

Sadly, I didn't take a photo of one of the altered ones.

If I could have used just the thickers dots for this card, they would have been SO quick and easy... but punching all those dots out was time consuming... but totally worth it!

Another Monday

2011-12-19T08:04:00.000-07:00

You know, I never really appreciated my weekends until I started working full time again.... and now it feels like weekends absolutely fly by!

We were supposed to go to Bruce's company Christmas party on Friday night but we bailed on it... Bruce had been home sick since Wednesday and we didn't think it was a good idea to show up to a party on Friday night. I was a little disappointed but was content with a night in front of the TV with the family and a cozy blanket.

Saturday was a busy day around here... I made candycane bark and spudnuts. Spudnuts are an old fashioned yeast donut that contains mashed potatoes as an added starch. They took about 6 hours from making the dough, to rising, to rolling and cutting, to rising again, to frying. A long process but totally worth it! It was a little tough as it was the first time I was making them without my Mom. I was worried I'd screw them up as I've only ever been the assistant LOL!

Saturday night we were off to a friends' house for their annual Christmas party. Lots of food, lots of friends and lots of fun!

Sunday night was our bowling league where we had a potluck dinner while we bowled. Always a fun time!

And here it is, Monday again.... sigh. But, there are only 40 hours this week, between me and 10 days off!

I'm not in love with the card I'm about to show you... it's OK... but not my best...

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake, Real Red
*Pattern Paper: My Mind's Eye
*Images: Inkadinkadoo Snowflake
*Ink: VersaMagic Aspen Mist
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities (circles and Labels 4)
*Embellishments: Doodlebug Sugared Brad

Fall To Layout #171

2011-12-17T08:04:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone.... this is the last Fall To Layout sketch on the Clean and Simple Stamping blog for a few weeks... the design team is taking a few weeks off and we'll be back in the New Year with some more of Natasha's great sketches....

We hope you will be able to play along with us with this sketch... it's clean and simple and fun to do!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Kraft, Early Espresso
*Pattern Paper: unknown
*Images: Hero Arts Very Merry Christmas
*Ink: Brilliance Coffee Bean;
*Tools: heat tool; Perfect Layers
*Embellishments: clear embossing powder; unknown brad covered with Glitter Ritz glitter; Petaloo flowers
*Challenges: FTL#171

I love that the colours are rather untraditional for this Christmas card.... it truly became one of my favourites from this year!

Playing in Paradise #46

2011-12-16T00:03:00.001-07:00

Welcome to another Playing in Paradise Challenge! It's Merlie's turn to host the challenge and she's asked us to create a something using buttons! You all know how much I don't like buttons, right ??? LOL!!!

I borrowed the idea for my card from Miss Merlie herself... she made one similar to this last year... before my button addiction began...

Items Used

*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Bazzill Bling
*Embellishments: assorted buttons; unknown ribbon

*Tools: Perfect Layers; black marker

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

Seasons Greetings

2011-12-14T08:56:00.002-07:00

Another pretty simple Christmas card for you today.... and not much chatter at all LOL!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Bazzill Bling; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Pattern Paper: My Mind's Eye
*Images: Penny Black Winter Wonders
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Perfect Layers
*Embellishments: unknown snowflake brad

Use It Tuesday #21

2011-12-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to another challenge with the Use It Tuesday Design Team!!! The new design team has been chosen and they are busy working on their creations for the New Year. This is my second to last post as a member of the Design Team... I'm going to miss it... I sure hope I have time to play along as it has been a great way to use some of the stuff in my stash!!

The challenge this time around was a holiday theme....

I had some fun with this card, using some snowflake brads that I seemed to have a thousand of as well as some great shimmer cardstock I bought on a trip to BC about 4 years ago and never bothered to grab off my shelf to use! I am happy to say that after using a lot of these brads this year, I am down to about a dozen of them.... I bought a bunch of them a few years ago for a card I was making as my main Christmas card. I ordered them online somewhere then found out there was a delay for me to get them so I ordered more from somewhere else that could get them to me quicker.... and both orders of course showed up, leaving me with about 200 of them!

Items Used:

*Cardstock: PTI White; unknown shimmer cardstock

*Images: PTI Signature Christmas

*Ink: Blue Encore Ultimate Metallic
*Tools: Perfect Layers
*Embellishments: unknown snowflake brads
*Challenges: UseItTuesday#21

I hope you'll take some time to play along with us!

Two Weeks???

2011-12-12T07:46:00.009-07:00

Actually, it's less than two weeks! Two weeks from now we're all waking up with a turkey and present hangover! I can't believe how fast time is flying by!

I had a busy last week... I got my cards addressed and signed and popped in to the mail, I came closer to being finished my shopping and I got more than half of my Christmas baking done!

I WILL BE READY! I hope! LOL!

This is a quick and simple card... all put together with pieces from My Mind's Eye...

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White
*Pattern Paper: My Mind's Eye
*Embellishments: glittered dome stickers by Mark Richards

Fall To Layout #170

2011-12-10T08:31:00.000-07:00

Natasha came up with another great sketch this week.... and I knew as soon as I saw it that it needed snowflakes. I only wish I had used a darker layer as a thin mat behind my blue layer, to add a little more dimension....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Bazzill Bling
*Images: Hero Arts Very Merry Christmas
*Ink: Silver Encore Ultimate Metallic
*Tools: Marvy snowflake punch; heat tool
*Embellishments: dollar store bling; unknown ribbon; Stampin' Up! Iridescent Ice embossing powder
*Challenges: FTL170

Please head on over to the Clean and Simple blog (the link is in my left sidebar) and play along with us this week!! Natasha's sketches are a lot of fun!

Playing in Paradise #45

2011-12-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to another Playing in Paradise Challenge! It's Tracy's turn to host the challenge and she's asked us to create a something using a tree...

I bought this stamp while I was visiting my sister in Ontario in October and had a lot of fun glittering it up a little bit! This card is one of my favourites from this year....

Items Used

*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake, Bravo Burgundy

*Images: Penny Black; Kaiser Christmas Sentiments

*Ink: Stampin' Up! Bravo Burgundy

*Tools: Perfect Layers

*Embellishments: Stickles; unknown ribbon

I invite you join us in playing this week... simply add your card to the links at the bottom of the challenge post HERE 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...

Snowpile

2011-12-07T08:53:00.021-07:00

Have I told you lately, how much I LOVE my Perfect Layers tools??? I use them on any card that has mats. I know a lot of you think it's just easier to use your ruler to measure the size you want and then use your paper trimmer to cut to that size... but I find that no matter how much I love my paper trimmer, it's never exact for the smaller measurements.... and then there is the whole thing about trying to put the top layer on the next layer and making sure everything is straight.

With my Perfect Layers tool, it truly is a perfect layer every time! And it's so easy! I cut my top layer to size and then adhere it to a piece of cardstock that is slightly larger than what I want my second layer to be. I then choose the right measurement on the Perfect Layers tool, catch the top layer on the ridge on the back of the Perfect Layers tool and use my cutting knife along the edge of the ruler to cut the mat layer. My mat is always straight and the reveal is always even!!

I used my Perfect Layers a few times on this card, creating different sized layers and mats for this fun card....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White
*Pattern Paper: Echo Park
*Images: WhipperSnapper
*Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black; assorted markers; Sakura Stardust gel pen
*Tools: Perfect Layers tool

I'm excited that the people over at Perfect Layers have done their research and have found a shipping option to Canada that is almost half of what they had been charging, making these tools very affordable for everyone!

If you click on the Perfect Layers ad in my sidebar you can order your own set of rulers.... use the coupon code nelrick5% at the checkout and you'll get 5% off your order too!! If you've been a good little paper crafter, maybe you can even ask Santa for this awesome tool for Christmas!

Wishes For A Joyous Season

2011-12-05T08:48:00.008-07:00

We got a big dump of snow on Saturday night.... combine that with us decorating the house this weekend and you can truly say it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! I can't believe we're in to December all ready! I hope to get some baking done soon... I'm not doing a lot but am making a single batch of one favourite of each of ours.

I have another very simple and easy card to share with you today.... I have really been enjoying the Kraft cardstock for Christmas cards this year.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Kraft
*Pattern Paper: My Mind's Eye; Echo Park
*Images: Penny Black
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Perfect Layers

Fall To Layout #169

2011-12-03T12:01:00.015-07:00

Just a fly by from me today.... just long enough to share my take on the current sketch over at the Clean and Simple Stamping blog.... I sure hope you will find some time to play along with us this week!

I abosolutely LOVE this scroll work tree die by MemoryBox.... I needed to add a couple of cardstock shims to get it to cut perfectly but other than that, it makes beautiful cuts! The excess pieces popped out so easily! I have found out from some friends who have used these dies before that I could have run it through my Big Shot with SookWang (Scor Tape) on the back of the cardstock... instead I tried gluing with this card... not easy! Next time I will put the tape on the card and then cut!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; silver shimmer; Stampin' Up! Garden Green
*Pattern Paper: Imaginisce
*Images: Penny Black Winter Wonders
*Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities; MemoryBox die
*Embellishments: Sakura Stardust gel pen
*Challenges: FTL169

Playing in Paradise #44

2011-12-02T00:01:00.014-07:00

Welcome to an other Playing in Paradise Challenge! We hope that you will have some fun playing along with us this week, making a monochromatic creation!

I really love the look of white on white... so that's what I decided to play with.... and I added a little sparkle for some dimension.

Items Used:

*Cardstock: PTI White
*Ink: Versamagic
*Tools: Marvy snowflake punch
*Embellishments: Ultrafine clear glitter on Scor-Tape; Stampin' Up! Iridescent Ice embossing powder

I invite you join us in playing this week... simply add your card to the links at the bottom of the challenge post HERE 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...

Happy December!

2011-12-01T08:42:00.017-07:00

It's December 1st.... amazing! I am off to the big Christmas craft fair tonight with a couple of friends (Festival of Crafts) and I hope to do a little more Christmas shopping while there. I managed to do a bunch of my Christmas shopping last Friday afternoon.... have I mentioned how much I love having Friday afternoons off??? I have a few things I still want to get and then some stocking stuffers and I'm done!

Then it's time to write Christmas cards and wrap presents. I think we will decorate the tree tomorrow night.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White
*Pattern Paper: My Mind's Eye; Echo Park
*Images: Kaiser Craft Christmas Sentiments
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Real Red
*Tools: Corner Chomper
*Embellishments: assorted buttons

Winter Tree

2011-11-30T09:37:00.002-07:00

I will admit that this card isn't completely my idea.... when I was in Ontario for the retreat in October, we went to my most favourite stamp store called Stamp Art in London. It's a great store with lots of fun product... and a very friendly and knowledgeable staff. A card similar to this was in the store... and was the impetus for me to buy this tree stamp...

I will also admit.... their card looked better LOL!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White
*Images: Penny Black; Kaiser Craft Christmas Sentiments
*Ink: VersaMagic Aegean Blue, Aspen Mist, Jumbo Java
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities
*Embellishments: Kaiser rhinestones; Stikles

Joy Love and Peace

2011-11-28T11:33:00.009-07:00

I will admit that on Monday mornings I'm not quite sure why I got myself a full time job... 5:45am comes awfully early to this non-morning person! But, I did like getting notice of my first pay deposit on Friday and I enjoy the work and the people I work with. I can't believe I'm starting my 4th week of work already!

This card was extremely simple to put together.... one I made while at the retreat in Ontario last month....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Bazzill Bling; PTI White
*Images: Stampablilties
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Big Shot; Scrollwork Cuttlebug embossing folder
*Embellishments: Pebbles Candy Dots

Fall To Layout #168

2011-11-26T12:50:00.014-07:00

It's funny how much more I appreciate the weekend now that I'm working out of the house full time! It's so nice to leave work at 12:30 on Friday and have some time to myself.... and then know that there is no alarm clock in the morning!!

It's time for another sketch over at the Clean and Simple Stamping blog.... I had a bit of trouble with this one.... I like it, but it's not one of my favourites. I'm sure some of the other gals have done a better job with it! I was working with limited supplies while I was at the retreat in Ontario with my sister in October

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Tempting Turquoise
*Pattern Paper: My Mind's Eye
*Images: Penny Black Winter Wonder
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Tempting Turquoise
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities
*Embellishments: unknown ribbon
*Challenges: FTL#168

Playing in Paradise #43

2011-11-25T00:01:00.001-07:00

This week, for the Playing in Paradise Challenge, Kasia challenged us to use household items in our creations!

I decided to play with a technique I haven't used in a VERY long time.... you simply take a piece of waxed paper and crumple it up.... smooth it out somewhat with your hand and place it between two pieces of cardstock. Put scrap paper around the sandwich to protect your iron and your ironing surface... and then iron with a hot dry iron. The heat from the iron transfer the wax to your cardstock. If you do it with glossy cardstock you can then use the wax as a resist for ink techniques. I liked the way it looked on it's own...

Items Used:

*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Pear Pizzazz, Chocolate Chip
*Images: Stampin' Up! All Year Cheer 1
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip
*Tools: Perfect Layers
*Embellishments: unknown satin ribbon

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

Holiday Flourish

2011-11-23T10:43:00.012-07:00

For those of you who have asked, I'm here to update you on my new job.... I am here to say that so far, I am really enjoying it! Someone asked if I "loved" it and I can't say that I love it. I like the work, I really like the environment and my co-workers. I'm not liking the early mornings and the bus, but the early mornings mean I'm home at 5:30 instead of 6 which I do like. The first week I was so tired I could barely move once I got home. This week I feel a lot more human.

I think we've all adjusted pretty well to the change. I know that the kids aren't thrilled with cooking dinner one night a week each, but WOW do I appreciate it! Besides, it's a good lesson to learn before they move out!

I really like working an extended day Monday thru Thursday so that I am leaving work at 12:30 on Fridays... *that* makes me happy! Last Friday I drove my car to the LRT station and took the train downtown.... which meant I had a quick trip to my car after work and was able to run a few errands before heading home and crafting the afternoon away!

I have to say, I am in love with this card!!! I love this swirl I borrowed from my sister... and it's such a clean and simple design...

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; shimmer cardstock
*Images: unknown flourish; PTI Signature Christmas
*Ink: VersaMagic Night Sky
*Embellishments: unknown snowflake brads

Use It Tuesday #20

2011-11-22T00:01:00.017-07:00

Welcome to another challenge with the Use It Tuesday Design Team!!! I want to remind you that they're looking for applications for their new Design Team.... click on the link in my left sidebar for more information. It's a great design team and a great way to challenge you to use some of the items in your stash!

This time around, we're being challenged to create a Thank You card.

Items Used:

*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Island Indigo

*Images: Hero Arts Great Flourish

*Ink: Brilliance Coffee Bean
*Tools: Heat Tool
*Embellishments: clear embossing powder; Kaiser Pearls
*Challenges: UseItTuesday#20

I didn't dig into my stash for the stamp... it's one I bought while I was visiting my sister in October. But the ribbon is from deep in my stash. It's from a package of cupcakes my husband bought me a while back... they use this beautiful satin ribbon to pretty up the cupcake box. I sometimes wonder if I like the ribbon more than I like the cupcakes from there! This card used up the last of my stash of this ribbon.... I guess it's time for more cupakes!

I hope you'll take some time to play along with us!

Jingle-Balls

2011-11-21T12:36:00.010-07:00

We have survived the first cold snap of what will probably be many this winter (yes, I know it's technically still fall).... it was awfully chilly all weekend long! And tomorrow should be above seasonal averages again... a welcome change!

I can do the cold as long as it's not for long long periods of time... a few days with a break is just fine with me!

I absolutely love these little snowmen from Whippersnapper.... so adorable!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White
*Images: Whippersnapper
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black; assorted markers; Sakura Stardust glitter pen
*Tools: Big Shot; Snowflakes Cuttlebug embossing folder
*Embellishments: unknown ribbon

Fall To Layout #167

2011-11-19T15:46:00.000-07:00

It's time for another Clean and Sample Fall To Layout..... and I made it Christmas-y (of course)! The sketch for this week is perfect for showcasing a patterned paper with a small design or a great embossed paper.... as well as an image. So versatile....

I chose to showcase some patterned paper I had on hand.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Pear Pizzaz
*Pattern Paper: TPC Studios
*Images: Hero Arts Very Merry Christmas
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities; Perfect Layers Tool
*Embellishments: silver brads
*Challenges:

Playing in Paradise #42

2011-11-18T00:01:00.015-07:00

It's my turn to challenge you all for the Playing in Paradise Challenge... and I decided it would be fun to play with a round card!!!

I had fun with this one.... a fun die from Spellbinders and a great idea for a sentiment that helps keep my card upright when it's standing!!!

Items Used:

*Cardstock: PTI White; Bazzill Blin
*Images: Kaiser Craft Christmas Sentiments
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities; Perfect Layers Tools
*Challenges: SBPC#42

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

*Allison

*Angie
*Kasia

*Merlie

*Tracy

Happy Holidays

2011-11-16T12:49:00.010-07:00

Good afternoon all.... another Christmas card to share with you.... I truly love the simplicity of this card... wondering if I should have used green buttons instead though

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Garden Green
*Images: Penny Black Winter Wonders
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Garden Green; Versafine Onyx Black
*Embellishments: assorted buttons; Frosted Lace Stickles; Sakura Stardust glitter pen

Snowman Joy

2011-11-14T12:40:00.015-07:00

Ahhh... my favourite reason to be creative.... I love love love creating Christmas cards!!! I don't like snow, I don't like the cold, but I love all things Christmas....

This is the first of the cards I created while I was at the retreat in Ontario with my sister a few weeks ago.... as I was creating this card, I discovered that the only colouring tools I had brought with me were dry.... my Copic Spica markers mostly didn't work and my Blender Pen was dry.

Sigh

I made due with some of the markers that others had... nothing great, but better than nothing....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Garden Green
*Pattern Paper: Echo Park
*Images: Whipper Snapper; Kaiser Craft Christmas Sentiments
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black; assorted markers (LOL); Sakura Stardust glitter pen
*Tools: Perfect Layers Tool; foam dots
*Embellishments: unknown brad

Fall To Layout #166

2011-11-13T15:31:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon all... sunny, cool and windy here in Calgary. We've been lucky so far with our weather this year... so glad we don't have a tonne of snow yet!

I have survived my first week of work.... I think I am going to enjoy the work environment and my co-workers but there is no way I will ever start liking being on transit at 6:30 in the morning! I am at my desk around 7:15 in the morning and am on the bus to come home around 4:30.... and back in the door at 5:30 We work longer Monday through Thursday and can take Friday afternoons off. I like that idea!

I haven't had a lot of time for anything... nor the energy to do much more than sit on the couch after work. I'm sure that will change eventually. I'm glad I managed to make a bunch of cards to share, although I have a few cards I need to make for design teams.

I'm just excited that it's Christmas Card season again!!!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Bashful Blue
*Pattern Paper: Stampin' Up!
*Images: PSX
*Ink: Blue Encore Ultimate Metallic
*Tools: Big Shot; Snowflakes Cuttlebug embossing folder
*Embellishments: unknown ribbon
*Challenges: Fall To Layout166

Playing in Paradise #41

2011-11-11T00:01:00.001-07:00

This week, for the Playing in Paradise Challenge, Allison has another great sketch that can be used for either a card or a scrapbook page.

Items Used:

*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Baja Breeze, Early Espresso
*Images: Hero Arts
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Early Espresso
*Tools: Perfect Layers
*Embellishments: unknown flower; Doodlebug sugared brad; Kaiser Pearls

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

*Allison

*Angie
*Kasia

*Merlie

*Tracy

Use It Tuesday Design Team Call!

2011-11-10T10:06:00.000-07:00

If you like being challenged to use items from you stash and would like to share your creations with others, then do I have an idea for you!

The gals over at Use It Tuesday have posted their 2nd Design Team Call.... my term is up at the end of December and they are looking for a few good Users to join them for a 6 month term! Here's the information they had on their blog...

We are happy to announce an open call for our 2nd Design Team; we are looking for people with all experience levels.

Requirements:
- have an online gallery and/or a blog
- if you have a blog, you need to be a follower of Use It Tuesday to apply :)
- have a Facebook account or a willingness to make one
- be able to work with deadlines
- make and post 2 inspiration projects per month
- comment on players’ projects
- be a team player
- have a positive attitude

Term: January 1-June 30

Interested? Please email the following completed application to UseItTuesday@gmail.com by November 30th.

1. Name
2. Links to your online galleries and/or blog
3. Your previous DT experience, if any.
4. Please tell us a little about yourself.
5. How did you hear about our DT Call?
6. Have you played with us previously?
7. Please tell us why you would like to be on our team.
8. Please share one fun fact about yourself.
Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you!!

Sweet Stop Colour Q

2011-11-09T17:35:00.017-07:00

I cheated.... I spent some time on the weekend scheduling a few posts for the week.... I have a good reason, really....

Monday marked my first day back at work.... I accepted a full time job about a month ago and Monday was my first day. I am writing this on Friday so I have no idea how the day went, but I'm going to go with "good" LOL! This is my first full time job outside the house in more than 16 years.... I'm excited and scared.... and am hopeful that life will sort itself out!

I created this card a while back using a ColourQ palette and a Sweet Stop Sketch challenge.... you can tell since there are flowers in the background LOL!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Soft Suede, Island Indigo, Bermuda Bay
*Images: Hampton Art
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities; crafts Too Daisy Delight embossing folder
*Embellishments: Michael's Bridal flower; assorted buttons; Twinery twine; Kaiser pearl
*Challenges: SSS#122; ColourQ98

Use It Tuesday #19

2011-11-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to another challenge with the Use It Tuesday Design Team!!! This time around, we're being challenged to use a theme of "cooking" in our creation.

My first thought was to decorate a recipe card with a favourite recipe on it, but it wasn't going to be easy to incorporate goodies from my stash in to my creation... so instead, I grabbed a cupcake stamp I haven't used in forever and created a card....

Items Used:

*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Pear Pizzazz
*Patterned Paper: Upsy Daisy

*Images: Hero Arts Cupcakes

*Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities; Perfect Layers Tool
*Embellishments: unknown ribbon; Kaiser Pearls; Frosted Lace Stickles
*Challenges: UseItTuesday#19

I've had the Bazzill Bling cardstock in my stash for a long time.... and Only Orange and Lovely Lilac hardly ever see the light of day.... I also don't do a lot of heat embossing and the brads aren't in colours I grab for very often.... yup, lots of stuff from my stash used in this card!

I hope you'll take some time to play along with us!

Fall To Layout #165

2011-11-05T12:01:00.009-06:00

I absolutely LOVE making Christmas cards.... I have so many beautiful Christmas stamps and I just love to use them. I think that the majority of the cards you'll see from me for the next while will be Christmas.... with a few non-Christmas thrown in for good measure!

It's time for a new sketch challenge over at the Clean and Simple Stamping blog (see the link on the left sidebar)... As soon as I saw the sketch for this week, I knew I needed to pull out snowflakes!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! silver; Bazzill Bling
*Images: Hero Arts Merry Christmas
*Ink: blue Encore Ultimate Metallic
*Tools: Marvy snowflake punches
*Embellishments: Prima pearls
*Challenges: FTL165

*Playing in Paradise #40

2011-11-04T00:01:00.036-06:00

It's the first Friday of November... and I'm slowly giving up my flip flops. I can't wear them to work so I might as well make the break. My new job starts on Monday morning and I am both excited and nervous about it! It will be a big transition for me and for the family. I haven't worked full time outside the home since before Alex was born in the spring of 1995. The kids are older now and perfectly capable of chipping in and helping out.... let's just hope they agree LOL!

This week, for the Playing in Paradise Challenge, Merlie has asked us to make an easel card.... I love easel cards! There are lots of directions out there.... just Google Search it..... I used the directions found HERE

Items Used:

*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Pattern Paper: Jillibean Soup
*Images: Stampendous; Hero Arts Sending Smiles
*Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics
*Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities; Martha Stewart border punch
*Challenges: SBPC#40

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

*Allison

*Angie
*Kasia

*Merlie

*Tracy

Fall To Layout #164

2011-11-02T13:38:00.000-06:00

My apologies for being so late with my card for the Clean and Simple Stamping sketch from Friday. I was in Ontario visiting my sister for the last week. I took my laptop with me but had internet issues so I ended up on my sisters laptop instead.... without access to my card photos.

I had a great time at the retreat last weekend put on by The Kit Company.... I even managed to make 21 Christmas cards while I was away! Last year I made more than 70 cards (35 different designs).... had I made two of each card I'd have more but I wasn't in the mood to make two of everything. There is one card that I really like that is quick and easy, and if I run out of time to make more Christmas cards, I will top up my numbers with that design.

But for today, a clean and simple card....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Bazzill Bling
*Pattern Paper: Hot Off The Press
*Images: Amuse
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Marvy snowflake punch; Perfect Layers tool
*Embellishments: unknown brad
*Challenges: FTL165

Playing in Paradise #39

2011-10-28T00:01:00.007-06:00

Happy Friday everyone!!! Friday means another challenge over at the Scrapbooker Paradise blog... and this week Tracy challenged us to create a masculine card.... definitely not easy for me.... I don't even make cards for my husband LOL!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip
*Pattern Paper: My Mind's Eye
*Images: Hero Arts Essential Messages
*Ink: Versamark
*Tools: heat tool
*Embellishments: clear embossing powder; unknown button; Twinery twine
*Challenges: SBPC#39

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

*Allison

*Angie
*Kasia

*Merlie

*Tracy

Use It Tuesday #18

2011-10-25T00:01:00.021-06:00

Welcome to another challenge with the Use It Tuesday Design Team!!! Seeing that it is the end of October, the girls decided to challenge us with Halloween inspired colours....

For this challenge, you need to create a card using black, orange and purple.

As you know from my Scrapbookers Paradise challenge card, I am not a person who makes cards for Halloween... so I decided to play with the colours and have some fun!

Items Used:

*Cardstock: Bazzill Bling

*Images: Hero Arts Essential Messages

*Ink: Versamark; Stampin' Up! Lovely Lilac, Only Orange
*Tools: heat tool
*Embellishments: white embossing powder; Michael's Bridal flowers; Doodlebug Sugared Brads
*Challenges: UseItTuesday#18

Fall To Layout #163

2011-10-23T11:29:00.000-06:00

I am home today after spending the last two days at the Jingle Bell Crop... an annual event put on by MondayNightClass (where I've been working for the last year). This was my last event as one of their staff members as I prepare to start a full time job in two weeks. We worked hard this weekend and had a lot of fun too! I packed a bag of crafty stuff and ended up not even taking it out of the car!

I ended the event in a big way.... while helping to mop the floors in the rec. centre, I managed to slip and fall on my back. I was truly worried last night as everything hurt.... today it hurts, but not nearly as much as I feared it would. More than anything, I am stiff. I think I landed directly on the part of my back kinda between my shoulder blades... that area hurts the most.

I definitely went out with a bang LOL!

Anyway... here is my creation for this weeks sketch over at the Clean and Simple Stamping blog.... I have so many other ideas on what to do with this sketch!!!! I love it!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White
*Images: Hero Arts Essential Messaegs
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizzazz, Callypso Coral, Poppy Parade
*Embellishments: Michael's Bridal flowers; Kaiser pearls
*Challenges: FTL163; ColourQ103

Playing in Paradise #38

2011-10-21T00:01:00.003-06:00

Happy Friday everyone!!! Friday means another challenge over at the Scrapbooker Paradise blog... and this week we're playing spooky!!! It was Angie's turn to choose the challenge and she chose Halloween....

Now, before we get to my card, you have to understand that while I love Halloween, I have only made a few Halloween cards ever.... and those other ones were for a class I was going to teach at the scrapbook store when I worked there. The class never happened. I had some Halloween paper, but no Halloween stamps.... so you're getting one heck of a quick and easy and simple card....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Coredinations; Stampin' Up! black
*Pattern Paper: Imaginisce
*Embellishments: Thickers; Twine
*Challenges: SBPC#38

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

*Allison

*Angie
*Kasia

*Merlie

*Tracy

Perfect Layers Tool

2011-10-19T16:58:00.000-06:00

I am so excited to be part of a program with the company that created the Perfect Layers Tool.... for a while Stampin' Up! sold this wonderful tool for layering and many people have said they found them on QVC in the US. I bought mine through Stampin' Up! and lately use them on almost every card I create with straight edged layers.

The tools are SO easy to use.... simply choose the size of mat you want (I use 1/16" most of the time).... attach your top layer to the next layer with adhesive. Then, take the Perfect Layers Tool and slide it over the top layer until the edge of the layer catches on the guide. Then, using your craft knife, simply cut. Do this on all sides to create a perfect layer every time!

No more guessing at your paper cutter, no more crooked cuts, no more off centre layers!

If you're interested in these great tools, simply go HERE and use the coupon code nelrick5% ... and you'll get a 5% discount!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this tool.... and will be sharing more projects made with it soon! Some of my recent projects are now tagged with PerfectLayers... click on the word in the tag on the right and you'll see some of the creations I've made recently!

Just Because

2011-10-18T09:36:00.016-06:00

Finally, a chance to post a card that isn't for one of my design team commitments.... I don't have a lot of these in my stash and I fear it's only going to get worse soon...

I hope to make lots of great cards to share while I'm at the retreat in Ontario at the end of the month... but when I get home from Ontario I only have a few days before I'm heading back to the workforce! I accepted a full time administrative position with an engineering consulting firm here in Calgary and I start work in November... this will be my first full time job since before Alex was born back in the spring of 1995! I'm a little nervous and a lot excited. My friend Tracy, one of the CalGals, also works at this company, as does the husband of Dianne, another CalGal!

Anyway... here's a card for you.... I love the fall colours...

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Island Indigo
*Images: Stampin' Up! Baroque Motifs
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Old Olive, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie
*Embellishments: twine from The Twinery; Kaiser Rhinestones
*Challenges: ColourQ#99

I absolutely love this stamp set!

Fall To Layout #162

2011-10-16T12:30:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone is having a great weekend... ours has been quiet, but I'm not complaining. The sun has been shining on and off all weekend, there is a chill in the air (but not too bad), and everyone here is healthy and happy.

It's going to be a busy week for me... my sister arrives on Wednesday and I have some stuff I need to get done before she lands. The Jingle Bell Crop put on by MondayNightClass (where I currently work) is Friday and Saturday so I am sure there will be lots to do to get ready for the doors opening at 4pm on Friday including shopping for food, set up, seating charts.... and then of course, a fun event where I get to play and work!

Next Tuesday I hop on a plane with my sister and we head back to her place in Ontario where we will enjoy each others' company for a few days before packing up and heading off to a scrapbooking retreat put on by The Kit Company... I went with Heather and Birute last year and had so much fun that I'm doing it again! I plan on taking my Christmas card supplies and making Christmas cards again!

But for today.... more quiet around our house.... some laundry, maybe a little card marking.... maybe even a chick flick!

I loved this sketch that Natasha came up with for this week`s Clean and Simple challenge.... I hope you'll carve out some time to play along with us!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Marina Mist, Wild Wasabi
*Images: Hampton Art; Hero Arts Sending Smiles
*Ink: Versamark; VersaFine Onyx Black
*Tools: heat tool
*Embellishments: white embossing powder
*Challenges: FTL162

Playing in Paradise #37

2011-10-14T00:01:00.000-06:00

Happy Friday everyone!!! Friday means another challenge over at the Scrapbooker Paradise blog... and this week I made my fellow challenge design team members a little crazy by choosing a one layer card! That's right... the only cardstock or paper allowed is the base of your card.... stamp it, ink it, embellish it.... but only one layer!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White
*Images: Bo Bunny; A Muse
*Ink: Blue Encore Ultimate Metallic; Versafine Onyx Black
*Embellishments: Kaiser rhinestones and pearls
*Challenges: SBPC#37

Use It Tuesday #17

2011-10-10T23:59:00.018-06:00

The girls over at Use It Tuesday sure have picked some tough challenges... at least tough for me!!! Each time I have a thought in my head but no way of completing it without heading off to buy something, which is against the rules of the Use It Tuesday challenges.

Yup, you're supposed to dig into your stash to find the items to create your project following the challenge prompt.... and then you need to tell us exactly what you dug out of your stash.

This week, the challenge is to use METAL in your creation....

So this week, my second idea was to use some old Stampin' Up! brads that I *had* to have, but that were "too pretty for me to use".... I figured I might as well use four if I was going to use one.... I also grabbed out some Bazzill Bling cardstock that I haven't been using lately as well as a piece of silver shimmer cardstock that I cherish too much to use LOL!

Items Used:

*Cardstock: Bazzill Bling; PTI White; silver shimmer

*Images: Hero Arts Sending Smiles

*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Martha Stewart border punch
*Embellishments: Stampin' Up! decorative brads
*Challenges: UseItTuesday#17

I hope you'll take some time to play along with us!

Fall to Layout #161

2011-10-10T10:09:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my Canadian friends. We typically try to do our big meal on the weekend but instead I am going to be cooking it today. We have 5 others joining us for dinner tonight for turkey and all the fixins! I love the way the house smells when it's all cooking... and I love that we get the leftovers!

I am feeling rather blue today.... I had thought that this year would be easier, but I am missing my parents so much today. There is such a hole in my heart. I am thankful that I miss them so much because it means they meant a lot to me... I am just so sad that they are gone from my life. I miss seeing them, hearing them, being held by them. I truly find it difficult to feel thankful when I feel like this.... but I am thankful for a happy and healthy family, a wonderful husband, great friends, a supportive and loving extending family, a roof over our heads and food on our plates.

I love the card that I created for this week's sketch over at the Clean and Simple stamping blog... I hope you'll find a little time to play along with us this week!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Old Olive, Melon Mambo
*Images: PTI Mega Mixed Messages
*Ink: Stampin' Up! chocolate chip
*Tools: Stampin' Up! circle punches; Big Shot; Tim Holtz die
*Embellishments: unknown button; unknown brads; Prima flowers; satin ribbon
*Challenges: FTL161

Playing in Paradise #36

2011-10-07T00:10:00.002-06:00

It's time for another Playing in Paradise challenge over at the Scrapbookers Paradise Blog... and it's time for another of Allison's sketches!

As soon as I saw the sketch, I knew I wanted to play with some Christmas papers and images....

Items Used:

*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Real Red

*Pattern Paper: unknown

*Images: Impression Obsession
*Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics

*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities

*Embellishments: grosgrain ribbon; Stickles

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...

*Allison

*Angie
*Kasia

*Merlie

*Tracy

Fall To Layout #160

2011-10-03T12:43:00.000-06:00

Just a quick post from me today as I am some kinda tired... I've worked the booth for MondayNightClass at the Great Canadian Scrapbook Carnival put on by Canadian Scrapbooker for two weekends in a row... one weekend here in Calgary and this past weekend up in Edmonton.

I had a fantastic time, laughed a lot, but let me tell you, I am totally exhausted today! I'm so glad I have nothing pressing that needs to get done today!

This is my card for the sketch this week over at the Clean and Simple Stamping blog . I love how this sketch helps me showcase this beautiful paper!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Old Olive
*Pattern Paper: Stamp It Australia
*Images: Stampin' Up! Warmest Regards
*Ink: Versafine Onyx |Black
*Tools: Martha Stewart border punch
*Challenges: FTL160

I hope you'll take the time to play along with us this week!

World Card Making Day Canadian Blog Hop

2011-10-01T00:01:00.023-06:00

Welcome to the next stop in the World Card Making Day Canadian Blog Hop!!! If you got here without starting at the beginning of the hop, please head on over to Tara's Blog to see the start of the hop..... and then, when you're done with this hop, head on over to visit Nicole as she's the start of the other ring of Canadians doing the blog hop today!

We all got together on Facebook a few weeks ago and decided it would be great to have an All Canadian Blog Hop for World Card Making Day.... and to make it more fun, we were all challenged to try to use at least one thing from a Canadian manufacturer. I managed to find not only a stamp by a Canadian company, but all some paper!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Pattern Paper: Upsy Daisy
*Images: Stamping Bella
*Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics; white gel pen
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities
*Challenges: SSS75

Now that you're done with my blog,

head on over to visit KIMBERLY

as she's the next participant in the hop!

Playing in Paradise #35

2011-09-30T00:01:00.002-06:00

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

Merlie has challenged us to use a distressing technique in our creations this week.... As Merlie and I are good stamping friends, I asked if it was good enough that I found the challenge distressing LOL! I don't do a lot of distressing in my creations... I prefer the clean and simple look.

But I came up with something... and it's OK...

Items Used:

*Cardstock: PTI White; Core'dinations
*Tools: Big Shot; Crafts Too Daisy Swirl embossing folder; sanding tool

*Embellishments: Thickers

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

*Allison

*Angie
*Kasia

*Merlie

*Tracy

Use It Tuesday #16

2011-09-27T00:01:00.023-06:00

I had a tough time with the challenge for the 16th installment of Use It Tuesday.... we were supposed to use chocolate as an inspiration.

Many many years ago, I had a stamp of a chocolate bar... but since it never got used it got given away. I wish I hadn't done that LOL!

I thought about doing a chocolate bar wrapper, but that would have required me to avoid eating the chocolate and that might have been difficult.

I thought about using a cupcake set I have and making the cupcake chocolate but I never have luck colouring that image so I passed on that.

So I decided to use some chocolate brown Bazzill Bling cardstock from my stash as my base.... and then I went digging even deeper in to my unused stash of crafting items to find more items to use on my card.... and I came up with this....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Bazzill Bling
*Tools: brown marker
*Embellishments: Stampin' Up! stickers
*Challenges: UseItTuesday#16

I have had the Stampin' Up stickers in my stash for so long I honestly don't know where they came from... I don't think I bought them.... I think they were a gift from something or other. I had a lot of fun layering the strips of stickers together to create the horizontal stripe.... and I layered three flower stickers on top of each other and added some brown dots to the petals for some interest.

Not a lick of stamping on this card LOL

I hope you'll take some time to play along with us!

Fall To Layout #159

2011-09-25T11:54:00.000-06:00

I have had a busy but fun weekend, working at The Great Canadian Scrapbook Carnival here in Calgary... I was working at the MondayNightClass booth and got to visit with a lot of great paper crafters over the two day event. I am happy to be sitting with my feet up today before a busy week of work and running around... and then another weekend of The Great Canadian Scrapbook Carnival in Edmonton!

If you live in the Edmonton area, check out the Canadian Scrapbooker Website for more information about this great event.... it's not only a crop for registered attendees but there's a great vendor mall that will be set up for your shopping pleasure! And it's open to the public!

I made a few changes to the card I am sharing with you today before I was ready to show it to you.... I'm not totally happy with the card but I like it better than what I had before....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Pear Pizazz, Pretty in Pink
*Images: Hero Arts Sending Smiles
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Embellishments: unknown buttons; Stampin' Up! grosgrain
*Challenges: FTL159

Playing in Paradise #34

2011-09-23T00:01:00.002-06:00

It's time for another Playing in Paradise challenge over at the Scrapbookers Paradise Blog... This week was very very difficult for me... Tracy challenged us to be inspired by a book quote or the title of your favourite book. I LOVE to read, but I don't get inspired by quotes etc. In fact, I don't usually remember lines from books.

I was sitting at my stamp table, wondering what on earth I was going to do.... when it suddenly hit me. Hidden in my stash was an image of little piggies in a bathtub... perfect for a book we read to our kids EVERY DAY from conception until the younger one was about 2. This was many years ago, but I still remember that book.

We love "The Going To Bed Book" by Sandra Boynton (as well as many of her books) and it is always part of any new baby gift we give.

And to this day, I can still recite the entire book.... "The sun has set not long ago... now everybody goes below... to take a bath in one big tub... with soap all over, scrub scrub scrub....."

And thus was born my card, inspired by a book quote...

Items Used:

*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Island Indigo
*Images: unknown

*Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics

*Embellishments: unknown ribbon; Baby Blue, Waterfall and Frosted Lace Stickles

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

*Ally

*Allison

*Angie

*Merlie

*Tracy

Mojo 206

2011-09-21T11:10:00.001-06:00

I've been busy over the last few days helping to get things together for MondayNightClass for the Great Canadian Scrapbook Carnival happening in Calgary this weekend and Edmonton next weekend. I haven't been to this event before but I have heard great things about it. Canadian Scrapbooker likes to have fun!

I am taking a small break from kitting class packages... bending over the table for 1.5 hours has made my back just a little sore.

I created this card a few weeks ago, playing with an old MojoMonday sketch...

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip, Lucky Limeade
*Pattern Paper: MME Lime Twist
*Images: Hero Arts Lauderdale Floral
*Ink: Versamagic
*Tools: heat tool; white embossing powder; Copics; Big Shot; D'vine Swirl and Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folders
*Embellishments: dark brown satin ribbon
*Challenges: Mojo206

I absolutely LOVE this Hero Arts flower stamped on white and embossed in white and coloured. Just love it!

Fall to Layout #158

2011-09-18T15:56:00.000-06:00

I hope you've all had a great weekend... mine has been very good with a nice balance of quiet and fun, work and play.

I even managed to get some card making in this weekend... and created four cards! Go me!!

I created this one a couple of days ago.... as soon as I saw the sketch this week on the Clean and Simple blog, I knew I wanted to do my main image white on black.... I also thought a nice burst of colour would be good... although I'm not sure how I feel about it in the finished card. I do love love love the black and white trim I bought while my sister was visiting.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Melon Mambo, Basic Black
*Images: PTI Mega Mixed Messages; Stampin' Up! Pocket Silhouettes
*Ink: Versamagic
*Tools: heat tool; Corner Chompter
*Embellishments: unknown trim; white embossing powder
*Challenges: FTL158

Playing in Paradise #33

2011-09-16T00:02:00.027-06:00

It's time for another Playing in Paradise challenge over at the Scrapbookers Paradise Blog... This week, Angie has asked us to create a tag....

I had a lot of fun playing with the bandana technique for my tag....

Items Used:

*Cardstock: Black; Stampin' Up! Island Indigo
*Images: Hampton Art

*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black; white gel pen

*Embellishments: unknown ribbon

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

*Ally

Sweet Stop 119 and Colour Q 96

2011-09-15T15:39:00.001-06:00

Happy Thursday everyone.... been a quick week for me, which is a good thing. I'm looking forward to a few days without the alarm clock again :-D

Not much to chit chat about so let's get on to the card...

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up!Tempting Turquoise, Bashful Blue, Lucky Limeade, Basic Grey
*Images: Amuse; Stampin' Up! Best Yet
*Ink: Stampin Up! markers; Memento Tuxedo Black
*Tools: Big Shot; Crafts Too polka dots embossing folder
*Embellishments: Kaiser pearl
*Challenges: SSS119; ColourQ96

Combining Challenges

2011-09-14T16:58:00.001-06:00

I'm finding myself lost for the second week in a row.... somehow I managed to miss Monday both weeks! That means today feels like a Tuesday... but look at that! It's Wednesday!

That's a good thing!

I had some fun playing with a ColourQ colour combination and a Sweet Stop Sketch... turned out OK I think...

Items Used: *Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Pool Party
*Images: Inkadinkadoo Fancy That; Impress
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Tangerine Tango; Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities
*Embellishments: unknown buttons; unknown ribbon
*Challenges: ColourQ#97; SSS120

Calgary and Area Crafters!!!

2011-09-13T16:43:00.002-06:00

So many people asked if they could rent a table at the August garage sale that Robin (the Scrapmobile) and Carole (Paper Pastimes) have decided to rent the Haysboro Community Hall so that others could participate!!

It's the Craft Supplies Intervention.... also known as the "I Thought I Needed It" Festival!!!

Gather up your new, gently used or left overs from your stamping, scrapping, stitching, beading, quilting, fibre work, metal work or any other craft or art projects. Craft magazines, books and grab bags too!

Sort and price your collection, buddy up with a friend if you want! Rent a table (or a parking tall near Robin and have a tailgate party in the parking lot!). Bring a cash float, sell your treasures and KEEP YOUR CASH!!!!

DATE and TIME
Sunday, October 30th
11am to 2pm

LOCATION
Haysboro Community Hall
1204 89th Ave SW (one block west of Elbow Dr on 90th Ave SW)

FEES
$30 for at able in the main hall
$5 for one reserved parking stall near Robin... you will set up your table (bring your own) behind your vehicle

QUESTIONS?
Please call Robin at (403) 606-3470 or Carole at (403)255-8731

REGISTRATION
Registration begins at 10am on Thursday, September 15th. Please call Paper Pastimes at (403)255-8731... have your credit card ready when you phone!!

THE FINE PRINT
*Fees are not refundable
*space is limited... if you're interested, book early to avoid disappointment!!!

DON'T WANT TO PART WITH YOUR STASH??? then bring your cash and come shopping!!

Use It Tuesday #15

2011-09-13T00:01:00.017-06:00

It feels like forever since we did a Use it Tuesday challenge.... there was an extra week between the 4th Tuesday of August and the 2nd Tuesday of September. The calendar can be crazy sometimes.

Challenge #15 is to use an uninked stamp.... and I chose to use some other items from my stash as well...

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Bazzill Bling
*Pattern Paper: Stamp It Australia
*Images: Inkadinkadoo Fancy That *Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics *Embellishments: unknown grosgrain ribbon; Michael's Bridal flowers; Kaiser pearls; Frosted Lace Stickles
*Challenges: Use It Tuesday #15; SSS123

The images were both uninked.... sad since I bought the set because I loved that butterfly image! It has sat in my stash for years! The patterned paper is a beautiful shimmer paper that I bought when I was working at the scrapbook store.... and since I can't get it anymore I am always apprehensive about using it. I just love it!

I hope you'll be able to find some time to play along with us! Click the picture at the top of the post to head to the Use It Tuesday blog to read the guidelines.... and be sure to take some time to check out what my fellow design team members have done with this challenge!

Mojo 202

2011-09-12T11:52:00.001-06:00

Our streak of hot weather has ended and we are going to be either around seasonal or just below for at least the next 5 days.... sure feels chilly after the heat of the last week or so! I was enjoying the sunshine and warmth. Today it is overcast and cool. Blech.

We had a good weekend.... got a little crafting done, spent time with friends, slept in, got back to our Sunday evening bowling league... yup, a good weekend.

Since the weather is icky, I am really hoping to get a little creative today... so far I've procrastinated it LOL. What's up with that? Fear of no mojo I'm thinking...

Speaking of Mojo, here's a card using an old MojoMonday sketch....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Certainly Celery
*Images: Hero Arts Lauderdale Floral
*Ink: Versamagic ink; Copics
*Tools: heat tool; Big Shot; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder
*Embellishments: white embossing powder; black marker; unknown ribbon
*Challenges: Mojo202

I'm not in love with this card, but I like it enough LOL

Fall To Layout #157

2011-09-10T15:14:00.001-06:00

I decided to use the current ColourQ challenge along with the sketch from the Clean and Simple blog this week. I took a little liberty with the sketch (as did our sketch master Natasha) and moved the thin strip from the right side of the card to the left... it just looked more balanced to me....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Pool Party, Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade
*Images: Impress
*Ink: Versamagic Perfect Plumeria, Spring Pansy
*Tools: Big Shot; Sizzix plaid embossing folder
*Embellishments: Doodlebug flocked brad; Petaloo flowers (coloured with the Versamagic inks)
*Challenges: FTL157; ColourQ#101

Playing in Paradise #32

2011-09-09T00:01:00.002-06:00

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

Ally has challenged us to use the following picture as inspiration.....

I know I didn't use roses, but I took the layout and the colours into consideration for my creation... I had a lot of fun playing with the placement of the flowers to make it look full without being too busy.

Items Used:

*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Images: Hero Arts Sending Smiles

*Ink: Copic markers; Versafine Onyx Black

*Embellishments: Michael's Bridal flowers (coloured with Copics); Kaiser Pearls

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

*Ally

*Allison

*Angie

*Merlie

*Tracy

All By Myself

2011-09-06T13:10:00.001-06:00

For the first time since June, I am alone in my house.... and I'm enjoying the quiet! Of course, my day started with a bunch of errands and running around, but I'm enjoying the rest of my day to myself.

I love how this card turned out.... totally not my usual colours but I think they work well.... I hope you like it too!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Early Espresso, Island Indigo; Pool Party
*Pattern Paper: Cosmo Cricket
*Images: Hampton Art *Ink: Stampin' Up! Soft Suede
*Embellishments: assorted buttons; unknown grosgrain; Frosted Lace Stickles
*Challenges: Mojo201; ColourQ#95

Fall To Layout #156

2011-09-04T12:06:00.001-06:00

The weather is beautiful again in Calgary and supposed to stay that way for the entire week... yahoo!

We are marking the first anniversary of Mom's passing today... I can't believe how fast a year goes by. I will admit to feeling pretty blue today and not wanting to do much of anything. I will head out in a bit to buy myself a bouquet of flowers and tonight we will head out to dinner to celebrate my Mom. I still find it so hard to believe that both of my parents are gone. I miss them both so much.

I know from experience that each year gets a little easier.... but for now it feels like there is a brick on my chest and tears constantly waiting to tumble down my cheeks.

I might try to create today... it was Mom who got me started stamping so it would be a fitting way to celebrate her.... we'll see how it goes LOL

I am not too sure how much I love this sketch from the Clean and Simple blog.... I had a tough time getting it to look right for me... not a horrible card, but not great either in my eye....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White, Black
*Images: AMuse
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilties
*Embellishments: Doodlbug sticker; Glitter Ritz, unknown printed ribbon
*Challenges: FTL156

Playing in Paradise #31

2011-09-02T00:01:00.000-06:00

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

It was my turn to come up with a challenge idea for this week... and I made it easy on myself LOL! I decided to challenge everyone to play with flowers this week...

I absolutely LOVE playing with flowers!!!!! It was a great reason to use a lot of flowers!

Items Used:

*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler

*Tools: Martha Stewart Punch

*Embellishments: Prima Flowers; assorted buttons; Frosted Lace Stickles

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

*Ally

*Allison F

*Angie

*Merlie

*Tracy

The End

2011-08-31T11:58:00.001-06:00

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

Fall To Layout #155

2011-08-29T11:11:00.000-06:00

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

Playing In Paradise #30

2011-08-26T00:01:00.002-06:00

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

*Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics

*Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities

*Embellishments: Prima Flowers; assorted buttons

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

*Allison C

*Allison F

*Angie

*Dana

*Merlie

*Tracy

Use It Tuesday #14

2011-08-23T00:01:00.018-06:00

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!

Fall To Layout #154, again

2011-08-22T08:32:00.000-06:00

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

Fall to Layout #154

2011-08-19T23:27:00.002-06:00

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

2011-08-19T00:01:00.001-06:00

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

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

*Allison C

*Allison F

*Angie

*Dana

*Merlie

*Tracy

No Mojo

2011-08-17T11:28:00.001-06:00

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

Welcome to Calgary

2011-08-15T11:55:00.001-06:00

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!

Fall To Layout #153

2011-08-13T10:59:00.020-06:00

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!

*Playing in Paradise #28

2011-08-12T00:01:00.003-06:00

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

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

*Allison C

*Allison F

*Angie

*Dana

*Merlie

*Tracy

BIG Paper Crafting Garage Sale in Calgary

2011-08-11T16:52:00.000-06:00

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....

2011-08-11T09:44:00.011-06:00

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

Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge #112

2011-08-10T09:35:00.001-06:00

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!

Use It Tuesday #13

2011-08-08T23:59:00.017-06:00

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

2011-08-08T10:26:00.000-06:00

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

Fall To Layout #152

2011-08-05T16:14:00.001-06:00

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

2011-08-05T00:01:00.017-06:00

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

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

Clean and Simple Birthday

2011-08-03T10:29:00.001-06:00

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

Playing in Paradise #26

2011-07-29T00:01:00.003-06:00

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

This week, the challenge is to use Tags, Twine and Buttons.

I'm not a big fan of the shipping tags, which was what my mind went to when I saw "tags".... so I created a gift tag.... this is about the size of a business card and would be perfect for on a birthday present. I never even thought to use a die cut fancy tag (I have a set by Spellbinders). Duh!

Items Used:

*Cardstock: PTI White; Bazill

*Images: Hampton Art
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black

*Embellishments: twine from The Twinery; assorted buttons

*Challenges: PlayingInParadise#26

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

I'm A Colour Queen Courtier!

2011-07-26T10:03:00.002-06:00

No card from me today... just excited to share that my card was chosen as one of the favourites over at the ColourQ blog this past week.... the card chosen was the one where the colours just screamed summer!

I'm excited because I really really really liked that card!

Use it Tuesday #12

2011-07-26T00:01:00.029-06:00

Happy Tuesday everyone!!! It's time for another Use It Tuesday challenge! This time we are being challenged to use TWO items from our stash... two things we haven't pulled out in a while....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Core'dinations;
*Images: Lizzie Anne Designs Say It In Script
*Ink: VersaMagic Tea Leaves
*Tools: Crafts Too Daisy Swirl embossing folder; Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilties; sanding block
*Challenges: Use It Tuesday #12; Mojo196

My two hoarded items are the Crafts Too embossing folder and the Coredinations cardstock. I love the embossing folder but it never seems just right for a card I am making. But I loved that the background is almost the central focus of this design. When Coredinations was a new product I begged the store own to carry it at the store I was working at... and I bought two sheets of every colour we carried. And it sits there simply because I don't think to distress things too often.

Please take a little time to check out what the rest of the design team is doing... and play along with us this week!

Happy Birthday To Me!

2011-07-25T10:00:00.001-06:00

It is a beautiful, sunny, and warm day in Calgary today.... a perfect day for a birthday! I have a cake in the oven, am going to pick up some tenderloin steaks and we'll have a tasty dinner at home tonight. I am off in a bit to take myself for a pedicure and to get my nails filled. And then I think I have a date on the patio with my book.... or if it's too hot to sit in the sun, a date with my creative space!

This is the card I created for the current Clean and Simple challenge... be sure to check out the sketch for yourself and play along with us!!

Items Used: *Cardstock: PTI White; black linen; Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler, Pool Party, Island Indigo
*Images: PTI Mega Mixed Messages
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Embellishments: assorted buttons
*Challenges: FTL150

These Colours Scream Summer!

2011-07-23T12:30:00.001-06:00

Happy Saturday everyone... I hope you are going to be doing something you enjoy this weekend!!! We spent this morning cleaning the house and now we have the entire weekend to relax and enjoy. We have friends coming over to sit on the deck this evening.... sure hope it doesn't rain LOL!

I found some time this week to play with the current challenges over at MojoMonday and ColourQ. And I'm even posting them in time for the deadlines! Go me!

Items Used: *Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry
*Images: Stampin' Up! Occasional Quotes
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Rich Razzleberry
*Tools: EK Success border punch; PTI flower dies
*Embellishments: Stampin' Up! Green Galore grosgrain ribbon
*Challenges: Mojo200; ColourQ94

I am in love with this card.... love the layout, love the colours.... so pleased with how it turned out... and as I said in the title, these colours together just scream SUMMER to me!

Playing in Paradise #25

2011-07-22T00:01:00.019-06:00

It's time for another Playing in Paradise challenge over at the Scrapbookers Paradise Blog... please see my sidebar for a link to their blog!

This week, the challenge is to use the following photo as inspiration for your creation...

I wasn't quite sure where I wanted to go with this challenge, so I used the quilt idea and some of the colours. I used a technique called Bargello which I haven't done in quite a long time. Bargello has been adapted to card making and papercrafting from the quilting industry. Do a Google search for directions on how to do this great technique and try it for yourself!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, Peach Parfait, Pacific Point
*Images: PTI Mega Mixed Messages
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Pacific Point *Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 14
*Challenges: PlayingInParadise#25

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...
*Allison C
*Allison F
*Angie
*Dana
*Merlie
*Tracy

Nancy's Creative Mess

*FTL175*

*FTL173*

*Playing in Paradise #49*

*FTL 172*

*Quiet Blog*

*Playing in Paradise #48*

*Happy New Year*

*My Traditional New Years Post*

*Winding Down*

*Use It Tuesday #22*

*It's Christmas Eve*

*Playing in Paradise #47*

*Swirls and Dots*

*Another Monday*

*Fall To Layout #171*

*Playing in Paradise #46*

*Seasons Greetings*

*Use It Tuesday #21*

*Two Weeks???*

*Fall To Layout #170*

*Playing in Paradise #45*

*Snowpile*

*Wishes For A Joyous Season*

*Fall To Layout #169*

*Playing in Paradise #44*

*Happy December!*

*Winter Tree*

*Joy Love and Peace*

*Fall To Layout #168*

*Playing in Paradise #43*

*Holiday Flourish*

*Use It Tuesday #20*

*Jingle-Balls*

*Fall To Layout #167*

*Playing in Paradise #42*

*Happy Holidays*

*Snowman Joy*

*Fall To Layout #166*

*Playing in Paradise #41*

*Use It Tuesday Design Team Call!*

*Sweet Stop Colour Q*

*Use It Tuesday #19*

*Fall To Layout #165*

*Playing in Paradise #40

*Fall To Layout #164*

*Playing in Paradise #39*

*Use It Tuesday #18*

*Fall To Layout #163*

*Playing in Paradise #38*

*Perfect Layers Tool*

*Just Because*

*Fall To Layout #162*

*Playing in Paradise #37*

*Use It Tuesday #17*

*Fall to Layout #161*

*Playing in Paradise #36*

*Fall To Layout #160*

*World Card Making Day Canadian Blog Hop*

*Playing in Paradise #35*

*Use It Tuesday #16*

*Fall To Layout #159*

*Playing in Paradise #34*

*Mojo 206*

*Fall to Layout #158*

*Playing in Paradise #33*

*Sweet Stop 119 and Colour Q 96*

*Combining Challenges*

*Calgary and Area Crafters!!!*

*Use It Tuesday #15*

*Mojo 202*

*Fall To Layout #157*

*Playing in Paradise #32*

*All By Myself*

*Fall To Layout #156*

*Playing in Paradise #31*

*The End*

*Fall To Layout #155*

*Playing In Paradise #30*

*Use It Tuesday #14*

FTL175

FTL173

Playing in Paradise #49

FTL 172

Quiet Blog

Playing in Paradise #48

Happy New Year

My Traditional New Years Post

Winding Down

Use It Tuesday #22

It's Christmas Eve

Playing in Paradise #47

Swirls and Dots

Another Monday

Fall To Layout #171

Playing in Paradise #46

Seasons Greetings

Use It Tuesday #21

Two Weeks???

Fall To Layout #170

Playing in Paradise #45

Snowpile

Wishes For A Joyous Season

Fall To Layout #169

Playing in Paradise #44

Happy December!

Winter Tree

Joy Love and Peace

Fall To Layout #168

Playing in Paradise #43

Holiday Flourish

Use It Tuesday #20

Jingle-Balls

Fall To Layout #167

Playing in Paradise #42

Happy Holidays

Snowman Joy

Fall To Layout #166

Playing in Paradise #41

Use It Tuesday Design Team Call!

Sweet Stop Colour Q

Use It Tuesday #19

Fall To Layout #165

Fall To Layout #164

Playing in Paradise #39

Use It Tuesday #18

Fall To Layout #163

Playing in Paradise #38

Perfect Layers Tool

Just Because

Fall To Layout #162

Playing in Paradise #37

Use It Tuesday #17

Fall to Layout #161

Playing in Paradise #36

Fall To Layout #160

World Card Making Day Canadian Blog Hop

Playing in Paradise #35

Use It Tuesday #16

Fall To Layout #159

Playing in Paradise #34

Mojo 206

Fall to Layout #158

Playing in Paradise #33

Sweet Stop 119 and Colour Q 96

Combining Challenges

Calgary and Area Crafters!!!

Use It Tuesday #15

Mojo 202

Fall To Layout #157

Playing in Paradise #32

All By Myself

Fall To Layout #156

Playing in Paradise #31

The End

Fall To Layout #155

Playing In Paradise #30

Use It Tuesday #14

Fall To Layout #154, again

Fall to Layout #154