*I'm So Excited!*

Tonight is going to be so awesome!!!  Merlie (see the link under CalGals for a link to her blog) called me last night to offer me four tickets to the Grey Cup Gala concert at the Saddledome tonight.  I had thought about getting us tickets to this concert as our favourite band is playing at it.  All four of us love the music of Great Big Sea.  But I couldn't see spending the money not knowing how long they would be performing and not having any interest in the other acts involved.

Merlie had no idea how much we love Great Big Sea....  but she had these extra tickets for the box (thanks to her hubby's work) and she thought of us!

I am SO EXCITED!

 I had been asked to go shopping in Kalispell this weekend with some good friends but I decided that there wasn't enough I could get there for a good price that would make the trip a good idea financiallly.  I could have just gone for the fun, but I felt bad about the money.

And now I know that there was a reason I didn't go on the trip!  I would have been so bummed to have been missing out on Great Big Sea tonight!!

Merlie, you rock!

This is another of the cards that I created earlier this week.  This time it's for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge.  I had a lot of fun with the colours for this card.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Baja Blue, Purely Pomegranate
*Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye
*Images:  Stampendous
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copic Spica
*Tools:  Big Shot; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder; Fiskars snowflake border punch
*Challenges:  MTSC49


I managed to get some more Christmas shopping this morning.  I have one person I still need an idea for, a few people who are getting gift cards that I need to go pick up, one more "big" thing for each of the kids, and then little things for the kids and Bruce.  I'm almost done!  I might do some wrapping in the next few days so that when the tree goes up next week there are some items to go under it!

I can't believe Christmas is less than a month away!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy your Saturday... you know I'll be enjoying mine!!!

*Dare I Say??*

I think my headache is finally gone!

Unfortunately, that means that the Chinook wind is gone, taking with it the warmer temperatures.  It's just below freezing right now and will stay close to freezing for most of the day.  There is also talk of some snow today.

But that's all OK ... I'm just glad the headache went away!

My friend Sandra and I are off later this morning to the Festival of Crafts here in Calgary... it's a big Craft Fair with lots of wonderful products to see and taste.  I've gone all but one year since I moved to Calgary in November 1995.  And usually I take Sandra with me as she and I like the same sorts of things.

And of course, it's always more fun with a friend!

I had fun playing with the MojoMonday sketch this week.  I wasn't sure what I wanted to do at first, but the card came together rather nicely in the end..

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Bazzill Bling
*Images:  Magenta
*Ink:  Blue Encore Ultimate Metallic embossed with blue pearl embossing powder
*Tools:  EK Success border punch; Big Shot; Snowflakes Cuttlebug embossing folder
*Embellishments:  Stampin' Up! Sheer Ribbon; Kaiser Rhinestones
*Challenges:  Mojo114


Have a wonderful Friday!

*Another Day, Another Headache*

Sigh... I really thought that the headache would be gone this morning.  I had a not bad evening after a few doses of Advil, but I started feeling the headache again just before bed.

And when I woke up this morning I could feel it there again/still.

Yes, we are enjoying another unseasonably mild day in Calgary so I am sure that it's the air pressure related to the Chinook.

After I posted to my blog yesterday I decided I should just get busy on some cards... and I did.  I made another 4 cards yesterday, bringing my two day total to 8!  Woo hoo!  I went to see how many cards I made in all of 2008 and I am very happy to report that as of this morning, I have made as many different designs of cards so far in 2009 as I did in 2008.  I will pass by last year, which was my goal!  For a while there, I didn't think it would happen, but I've been much more creative in the last few months which as brought my number up!

Still lots to show you in my folder of photos!

This card looked a lot better in my head than it turned out in reality, but it's still not a bad card.  I'd still send it to someone (there are some cards I've made that will only take a trip to the trash can!).  I used the current sketch over at Crazy 4 Challenges.

Items Used:  
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black, Baja Breeze
*Images:  Impression Obsession
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copic Spica
*Tools:  Big Shot; Snowflakes embossing folder
*Embellishments:  ribbon (bought last year at the Scrapbook Pantry)
*Challenges:  C4C12

*Santa's Belt*

It felt great to craft yesterday.  My plan had been to craft the day away today, but I got caught up doing other stuff (nothing of importance other than tidying my kitchen) and here it is after 2pm and I've still to do anything more than turn on the task light over my workspace.

It doesn't help that I am battling a nasty headache... I started with it last night and woke up with it this morning.  I think it has something to do with the Chinook that has blown in and the change in air pressure associated with it.

All I know for sure is that my head hurts.

When I took a good look at the Splitcoast Sketch Challenge from last week yesterday, I knew what I wanted to do.  The line across the card made me think of Santa's belt.

So that's the theme I went with for this card.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red
*Images:  Stamp Francisco
*Ink:  VersaFine Onyx Black
*Tools:  Big Shot; Ornaments Cuttlebug folder
*Challenges:  SC255

I am pleased with how the card turned out....simple but good.

*Tracy's Final Challenge*

Here we are at the end of November, and I've just spent part of my afternoon finishing off the last of Tracy's Christmas Card Challenges.  I got started a little late, but I have done every challenge but last month (as I knew I wouldn't really need gift card holders this year).

Tracy, it was a great idea and I hope you will be doing it again starting in January!

So, today I get to share with you four cards that I made today...  Tracy found a wonderful One Sheet Wonder template that Julee used as a Verve Challenge in 2008.  I don't remember seeing this.... so I'm glad Tracy found it for us to play with!

The challenge this month was to make the four Christmas cards using the 6X6 One Sheet Wonder template.

I love the clean and simple look of these cards....

I used all the same colours and papers for these cards...  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Baja Blue and Red Riding Hood; American Crafts Paper.  I also added some snowflake brads (no idea who makes em!), stamps by Stampin' Up! (All Holidays), PaperTreyInk (Signature Christmas), and PSX.  I also threw in the use of my Big Shot with the Snowflakes Cuttlebug folder.

Quick, easy, simple lines...  beautiful!

Thanks again for the challenges Tracy!!!
 

*Not Much To Say Monday*

Another weekend has come and gone.  And we're another week closer to Christmas!!  Yikes!

I've started my shopping, have ideas for some people that I need to go shopping for... and still need ideas for a few people.  I don't mind the shopping, but I suck at coming up with ideas for people!

Anyway... not much to say today.... am hoping to find some time and some mojo to craft today....  it's already 2:40pm, though, so who knows if it will happen or not.

I made this card on Friday at Shannon's house when the CalGals met. I am very very pleased with how this card turned out.

Items Used: 
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black; PaperTrey Scarlet Jewel
*Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey Fruitcake
*Images:  Hero Arts
*Ink:  VersaMark Onyx Black
*Tools:  Big Shot; Pointsettia Nestabilities; Stampin' Up! Scallop Border punch
*Embellishments:  Kaiser bling, pearls; Stickles
*Challenges:  MTSC48

*Sunday Means Laundry*

I don't know what I do it, but I do laundry on Sunday.  We grew up doing laundry on Sundays and I guess I've just carried on that tradition.  When the kids were younger, I did laundry whenever there was enough to be done, but now that it's pretty steady, I know I can do it once a week. And the new front loading washer and dryer can hold a lot more than our old set so I can do bigger loads less often.

Unfortunately it translates into Sunday not being a totally relaxing day.

I am enjoying a little time to myself right now... Bruce took the boys and they headed off to the local community centre/gym.  Bruce is working out, Matthew and a friend are swimming, and Alex is going to the library.  It's not often in the last month that I have had the house to myself.

I love my family dearly, but I do enjoy some quiet time in the house without them.

We are gearing up to watch the Western Final of the CFL this afternoon... the Calgary Stampeders are playing the Saskatchewan Roughriders to see who will be playing football in the Grey Cup next weekend.  While I live in Calgary, I will be cheering for the Riders....  once a Rider fan, always a Rider fan!

I created this card on Thursday morning after seeing Julee use this colour combination on a card on her blog.  I like her card a lot more than mine, but I still love the colour combination!  I created this card using the sketch from the current MojoMonday challenge.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze
*Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye
*Images:  Gel-A-Tins Retro Snowflakes; PaperTrey Signature Christmas
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities
*Embellishments:  Stickles; Stampin' Up! ribbon
*Challenges:  Mojo113

*Creative at CalGals!*

I had a great time with the CalGals at Shannon's house last night, except for the part of the evening when a car cut me off and I ended up with a Starbucks spill on the floor of my car.  That was not cool.

But I did manage to make a few cards last night.  Two in 4 hours isn't great, but better than what I feared I would do.  I was about to start on Tracy's Christmas Challenge, but decided I was too tired and needed to head home.

I had the alarm clock set for 7:40 this morning....  not only had I decided to take the boys for our H1N1 shots and I wanted to get there early, but Shannon was dropping Hailey off here around 8:15 so she could go teach at the Scrapbook Pantry.

The boys and I left soon after Shannon dropped off Hailey and Bruce did an awesome job of babysitting until I got home.

Shannon was in charge of the CalGals challenge last night and she chose the current challenge over on Beate's blog.

I had fun playing with this great paper from My Mind's Eye.  I just love the colours and the fun designs!

Items Used:  
*Cardstock:  Coredinations; Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Baja Blue
*Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye
*Images:  Hero Arts
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Purely Pomegranate
*Tools:  Marvy punches
*Embellishments:  Bazzill Bling brad; Stickles
*Challenge:  WSC107


Getting the shots this morning was pretty easy.... compared to what it was like a month ago when they first started giving the shots in Calgary and people were waiting around 6 hours in line, it was a definite breeze...  we drove the extra bit and went to the one location I kept hearing was never busy and very well run....  from the time we walked in the door to the time we walked back out was only 38 minutes... including the 15 minutes they require you to wait in case you have an adverse reaction to the immunization.  There were probably about 80 people in line in front of us and honestly, the line didn't stop moving for more than a few seconds at a time... we even filled out the paperwork while walking!  Kinda glad now that we didn't wait in line for 6 hours when it was this easy today!

Plan for tonight is to get together with friends to watch the UFC Fight.  Well, the guys will watch the fight and the girls will nibble on food and chit chat... isn't that the way it's supposed to be?  I think it will be an early evening as Bruce isn't feeling 100% and we're both pretty tired.

Happy Saturday!
  

*On The Mend*

I think that Matthew is on the mend....  the headache and fever are gone, throat is not nearly as sore, and the general aches and pains are barely there.

I still feel bad for thinking he might have been faking it.

Not a proud parenting moment.

But reality, I suppose.

I do the best I can... what more can anyone ask?

I am packed and ready to head to Shannon's house to play with the CalGals tonight!  I had to pack early as a friend and I have tickets to see "New Moon" later this afternoon and there won't be time to pack between the movie and the Starbucks run I offered to do before heading to Shannon's house.  I have packed all of my Christmas paper (easy to do since it's all in it's own 12X12 plastic container), some cardstocks to match, the inks and ribbons to match that, and some of my favourite Christmas images.  I also printed off a few of the challenges I still need to complete this week.  I sure hope I do more than sit and watch the others play tonight!

It won't be a late night tonight as Shannon has to teach at the Scrapbook Pantry at 9am Saturday morning and is dropping Hailey off at my house at 8:15.  Blech!  If Matthew continues to feel well, I am heading off to get the three of us our H1N1 vaccinations now that we've made the cut of who's eligible (Bruce got his last week).  Bruce will watch Hailey while I am gone.  Not like she's tough to look after at 4 months old!

I sure hope there isn't much for lineups for the vaccine!

Enough chit chat...  I should be making and eating lunch instead of chatting away on my blog LOL!

This is another of the cards from when Heather was here....  you can see the original sketch idea HERE.

The sketch was pretty easy, once I decided what colours to use.  I found the little strip piece of patterned paper in my stash, something I had done with one of my border punches months ago to see if it would work.  I chose paper I never thought I'd use and I have no idea why I kept it!

Why wouldn't I use this paper? Well, it's the Imaginisce Halloween line from last year and I don't do Halloween cards.  But I thought about it and decided that the colours were perfect for fall.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Crushed Curry, Basic Black
*Patterned Paper:  Imaginisce
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities; EK Success Border Punch; Paper Piercing tool (above & below the patterned paper)
*Embellishments:  Michael's Bridal Flower (coloured with Copic); Kaiser Pearl; Liquid Pearls


I could see this being a great layout for a Christmas card as well... I see a snowflake where that flower is.  Hmmmmmmm

*I Take It Back*

Well, he's not faking it...  sorry bud, for even thinking that you might be.

I don't pull out the thermometer unless the kids feel really warm to the touch.  If it's just a slight fever, I don't worry too much about it.  Because of that, I had to teach my 12 year old son how to place the thermometer in his mouth yesterday morning.

And when it was all said and down, his temperature was around 102F

The fever came back down to more acceptable levels (just a low grade fever) over night and the aches and pains are a little less.  Throat is still sore.

It's just so hard to tell when they're not sick enough to be sleeping the day away.  In fact, the kid has been bored and has wanted to be on the computer, which I've not allowed.  I figure if you're home sick, the most excitement you get is daytime TV.

I have had the time, the desire, but not the mojo to create this week.  Or maybe it's just I've been too lazy to pull out the papers and inks needed to create cards? It's just too easy to watch TV, surf the net, read...

So that means I am good and behind on the challenges I like to do each week!

The CalGals are meeting at Shannon's house tomorrow night... I am hopeful that I will get *something* done while I am there!  It's so hard to pack to craft elsewhere as I am used to being the host for everything.  But with Ian still out of town, it's easier for Shannon to have Hailey at home for the evening and we've missed Shannon the last few months!  So I will pack up some stuff and smile, and enjoy being with my crafting friends tomorrow night!!!

This is another card I created while Heather was here back in September...  Another of her challenges.  You can see the original card HERE.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Going Grey, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities
*Embellishments:  Stampin' Up! brad; ribbon from Michaels; Stampin' Up! Rub-Ons


This card came together quickly and I am pleased with it...  I like how the colours work together.

*Still On The Couch*

Matthew is still home and resting on the couch today.  Slight fever, sore throat, headache.  He's not feeling very hungry but he just scarfed down a fruit smoothie so I'm thinking the cold from the frozen fruit felt good.

He's not really sick, but there's something in his system.

Today I am sharing another card that I made while my sister was here.  Heather had fun sending me cards to challenge my creativity and keep me busy.  And I appreciated the kick in the ass to get me going.  You can see the original card HERE.

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  Staples White; Stampin Up! Rich Razzleberry
*Patterned Paper:  Imaginisce
*Images:  The Angel Company Petal Pack
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Rich Razzleberry
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nesstabilities
*Embellishments:  Kaiser bling

*How Do You Know?*

This morning, Matthew complained of a sore throat.  Not seeing anything alarming, I sent him to school.

And hour later, he phones to tell me that his throat is really sore.  I ask if there's anything else wrong, he says "no" so I tell him to stick it out until lunch.

About 90 minutes later (and before lunch) the school secretary calls to tell me that Matthew really isn't feeling well so Bruce went to pick him up from school.

He's complaining of a sore throat, more like the jaw area inside his mouth, but we see nothing.  No fever, no cough, no sniffles... just his claim of a sore throat/jaw.

This is one of those times I hate being a parent.  I hate that he is home, on the couch and I have no idea if there's something actually wrong or if he's just got a little sore throat that will be fine in a few hours.  Am I being "played" by my 12 year old?

He's not usually one to want to stay home if he's not sick.... so I have to assume that something isn't right... I just have no clue what that is.

Being a Mom is hard work!

I had fun playing with the Splitcoast Sketch Challenge this past weekend.  I knew what I wanted to do almost as soon as I saw the sketch...  I envisioned the Cuttlebugged snowflakes and a snowman on the front.  Not thrilled with the colouring or the colours of the snowman, but otherwise I love this card.

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  PaperTreyInk White; Stampin' Up! Bashful Blue
*Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up! (retired)
*Images:  Hero Arts
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics
*Tools:  Big Shot; Snowflakes Cuttlebug folder
*Embellishments:  Kaiser bling
*Challenges:  SC254

*I Started Today*

It's official....  I've started listening to Christmas music.   The Santa Claus Parade in Toronto was yesterday and I've used that parade for years to mark when I can officially start singing along to my favourite Christmas music.

I had it on in the car this morning on the way to drop something off at Alex's school that he forgot to take with him this morning.  I enjoyed it immensely!

I love the music I remember from my childhood... Nana Mouskouri, Boney M, The Carpenters, Kenny and Dolly... and I've added in some great new stuff too like Barenaked Ladies, Robert Downey Jr, Crash Test Dummies.  My Christmas music taste is *very* ecclectic.

Making Christmas cards has been different for me this year.  I've been participating in Tracy's Christmas card challenge making 5 cards a month since January (although I actually started later than that!), plus I've made a few cards here and there.  Instead of playing, trying to find the perfect card to mass produce, I will be sending out various different cards to people.

Different for me, but not a bad thing (except when someone says "I love the card you sent" and I have no idea what card I sent LOL!).

This is another Christmas card I created this past week.  As soon as I saw the sketch on Mercy's blog, I knew what I wanted to do.  I love it when cards come together like that.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PaperTrey Scarlet Jewel, White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Images:  DeNami (ornament); Hero Arts Holiday Cheer
*Ink:  Versamark, embossed with gold embossing powder
*Tools:  Big Shot; D'Vine Swirl Cuttlebug embossing folder
*Challenges:  MTSC47


The only thing I am not thrilled with is the skinny burgundy layer... I should have decorated it with a different Cuttlebug folder or something...

*I'm In A Good Mood!*

I have had a great day so far today!!  I started bowling again this fall after a 20 year break.  I bowled (5-pin) as a kid until I moved to Toronto in 1990.  I always thought I'd get back to bowling but there was always a reason not to.  This fall I finally took the plunge and I bowl in two leagues each week.

A few weeks ago we were bowling in the leagues to qualify for a qualifying tournament... totally based on pins over average.  The top 50% over average were invited to bowl this  morning to qualify for a team going to the Southern Alberta Provincials.

I qualified and after a bad day of bowling on Thursday, I seriously considered staying home.

But since I'd committed, I went.

And this morning I bowled awesome and managed to not only qualify for the team (top 4 women and top 4 men over average) but also take first place for the women (which happened to be better than the top man as well).

I am very proud of myself!  I had fun and I bowled well.

It was awesome

So I'll be bowling in a tournament on December 6th... not sure how the four of us will do, but hopefully we'll do OK!

So ya, I'm in a good mood!

I created this card last week for the Tuesday Morning Sketches challenge.  Unfortunately, my photo isn't so great so you can't tell that the photo is pink and black, not white and black.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Pink Pirouette
*Images:  Rhonna Farrer Swirls
*Ink:  VersaFine Onyx Black
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder
*Embellishments:  Stampin' Up! Rub-Ons; Kaiser Pearls
*Challenges:  Tuesday Morning Sketches #18