*Are You A Canadian Paper Crafting Blogger?*

I was thinking of putting a list of Canadian Paper Crafting bloggers on my sidebar.... if you fit the criteria (live in Canada, are a paper crafter, have a blog), please email me and I will add you to the list!

Please include your name, a link to your blog and the city you live in!

Also, could you help pass the word around?? Include a post on your blog about what I'm attempting to do and include a link back to my blog.

Cheers

*The End*

It's not only the end of another year, but the end of my Christmas Cards. And I have not a thing created to show you left after this. I think I will drag my Mom down to the basement today and we'll craft for a little bit.

This is one variation of the cards I mailed out this year. I got my original idea from a colour combination I saw at work (the Scrapbook Pantry) and my original card was in shades of blues and greens. Unfortunately, by the time I had made my decision, there wasn't enough of that patterned paper left to make all of my cards. So I did what I could with that paper and then made the rest of my cards using other Christmas papers I had in my stash. The cards were the same except for the colours used (obviously I had to change the ribbons as well). And, silly me... I didn't take a photo of one of the green and blue ones before I mailed them all off.

The image is a great one from Impression Obsession. My family all loved the stamp and I knew I had to use it for my cards this year. We are all big Calvin and Hobbes fans and this reminded us of several of the cartoons where Calvin created his snow people. I stamped the image in black ink on white cardstock, coloured them with my Copics and then covered it all in VersaMark ink and then in Iridescent Ice embossing powder.

I had a lot of complements on my card this year.... they were a little more expensive to make because of their size, but I think it was worth it!

Our New Years Eve plans are pretty simple. We've invited friends of ours to join us for a night of cards. The kids will either watch movies or play video games and we'll hopefully finish off some of the Christmas baking that is left over. Pretty low key, but that's OK. I'm not feeling 100%, neither is my Mom and after my behaviour at the big party last year (at the house of the couple who are joining us tonight) I need to ring in 2009 in a more quiet way LOL!

I hope that 2009 brings you good health, much happiness, lots of laughter, and a whole year full of mojo and inspiration!

Happy New Year!

*Almost Done*

Yes, the Holiday Season is almost over for 2008. I find it funny (now) how stressed I was in about mid to late November... I was so far behind on my Christmas preparations. I wasn't honestly sure I would ever be ready. I know I only work 20 hours a week, but the hours I work are during the time I would have usually been out shopping (while the kids are at school). I was totally freaking out and poor Bruce probably thought I was losing it.

But, I got it all done... with time to spare even! Shocking, I know. I had time in the days leading up to Christmas to actually enjoy the sights, sounds and smells.

We had a good Christmas this year... a little too cold, a lot of snow.... but good times with friends and family.

I created this card for a young friend who has a December 20th birthday. I wore the beautiful and soft scarf that Cindy made for me a few years ago to the TaeKwon Do testing night on the 17th and Tatianna loved it.... so I decided to make her one for her birthday (they go together really quick). I thought that a wintery card would be suitable for her birthday.... especially if it wasn't in typical winter/Christmas colours.

I used all Bazzill Bling cardstock on this card.... did a panel with the Cuttlebug and the Snowflakes embossing folder. The snowflakes are Marvy punches, held together with a small silver brad.

I could see this being an awesome Christmas card... although I'd probably do it in shades of blues and white instead.

One more Christmas card to share with you.... in a few days1

*Happy Boxing Day*

Here in Canada, the 26th of December is known as "Boxing Day". Not exactly sure where the term comes from as there are lots of different interpretations of it, but these days, it's typically a big shopping day, much like the day after Thanksgiving in the US. I would love to see some of the sales on Boxing Day but there has never really been anything we've been looking for or wanting so we don't bother. Instead it's a day in our house to enjoy the new things you received for Christmas.

We had a wonderful Christmas.... I am so glad that my Mom, sister and niece were able to make the trip to see us (unfortunately, my other sister and her family were unable to come due to work). Chistmas Eve we all had a little running around to do so we went off in two separate cars to take care of that. We had an easy supper of pizza buns (a family favourite) and then went off to our friends' house for a few drinks and a visit (this was the group we went to Mexico with). We got home about 11 and sent the kids to bed. No pretending about Santa this year.... but of course Santa still comes. We set up Santa presents (a PS3 for the boys) and filled stockings and went to bed.

My Father in Law joined us for gift opening and brunch on Christmas Morning. There were some great presents under the tree for all of us.... I was lucky enough to receive a Cricut Expressions from my Mom and husband as well as a body pillow from one son and Mama Mia from the other. And some books and stuff from Bath and Bodyworks from my sister and niece (they have one where they live, but none near me). My Mom was thrilled with a scrapbook my sister did of their trip to Amsterdam this past October and was more than surprised when she opened the gift from all three of her girls.... at the bottom of the box was a piece of paper telling her that her three girls are treating her to a trip to Vegas in April to celebrate her 70th birthday.

My Mother in Law and her husband as well as Bruce's brother joined us later in the afternoon, had dinner with us and stayed to play Wii Bowling with the family. We had a great evening of fun!

One of my last Christmas posts for you today... I think I have two more to share after this....

I created this Christmas balls and cards for the ladies I work with for our Staff Christmas Party. I saw the video tutorials on Angie Kennedy Juda's blog and I just had to try them.... they sure went together quickly and easily! I used some of the scraps of paper left over from the majority of my Christmas cards and the two Marvy snowflake punches for the cards. For the ornaments, I used whatever double-sided patterned Christmas papers I could find in my stash.

I am off to go feed one friends' fish, another friends' cat and shovel a driveway (house #2). Good thing house #1 (the fish) is on the way to house #2 (the cat and driveway)!!

*Thank You Merlie!!!*

My friend Merlie rocks!!! I got to know her as she was (and still is) a customer at the Scrapbook Pantry. Her daughters, Lexiss and Madison are two of my favourite customers... both so cute (but each is a total monkey!). A few months ago, I invited Merlie to join the CalGals at my house for a night of stamping and she fit in perfectly.

She came by the store last week to bring my a Christmas present since Thursday was my last day of work. She totally spoiled me by altering a container to hold my Copic Markers!!! I think that the girls had a hand in decorating it for me.

Merlie, I absolutely LOVE it.... the only problem.... I don't think all of my Copics will fit!!!!!!

LOL

*Bad Bad Blogger*

I have been very remiss about blogging lately. I haven't had much crafty time with working and preparations for hosting Christmas. I've been busy shopping, wrapping, visiting, working and then trying to find some time to just relax as well.

I only have a few cards left in my stash to share with you... so posts will be few and far between until my family is gone again in the New Year. Please don't give up on me.... I promise I will be back!

My Mom arrived on Friday afternoon and we've been busy shopping, baking and getting the groceries bought. We think we are pretty much done, at least we will be once the cinnamon buns have risen and can be baked. My sister and niece arrive tomorrow morning, although I suspect their flight will be late because of bad weather out east.

It's still cold cold cold here in Calgary, but the long term forecast is showing some improvement by next Saturday. Right now it's -21C... was -29C when I got up this morning. And of course, since this is Calgary, there's always a wind to worry about!

I created this card for the each of the CalGals at the end of November. I found the tutorial for using the corner punches to make medallion on Becca's Blog and just had to give them a try. They are SO easy once you know what you're doing.

I used Bazill Bling cardstock for the entire card... the blue snowflake is actually just the bling cardstock turned over. I added a little bling crystal to the tip of each end of the blue snowflake as well as the centre of each of the corner punches and a dew drop to the centre of the snowflake.

I really like this card a lot!

*Spellbinders Paper Arts Design Team Contest*

Do you love your Spellbinders products? Do you want to try to earn a spot on their Design Team? Then check out their BLOG!!!

*A Short Break from Christmas Cards*

OMG! Winter has hit Calgary people!!! This past Sunday we received our first good dump of snow. The weather wasn't too cold which was good. Then yesterday we were under another Winter Storm Warning. There is probably about 40cms out there now (about 16 inches or so) and the temperature has dropped drastically. It is currently -23C (-9F) and feels more like -35C (-31F) with the windchill.

We were supposed to go to Bruce's work Christmas Party last night but decided that it wasn't worth the risk on the roads. And wait times for cabs were huge thanks to the weather, Christmas Parties and a Flames Game. Instead, we enjoyed a quiet night in front of the TV catching up on shows we recorded but didn't have a chance to watch this past week.

This afternoon we do have to brave the cold and slippery conditions to go to Alex's piano recital. We're looking forward to the recital, but not being outside!!

So today we are taking a quick break from the Christmas cards.... instead I am sharing with you a card I made for a friend of Alex's for his birthday. I don't often make cards for the kids to take to parties, but I knew I wasn't going to get out to buy one.

The image (Stampendous) is stamped with Memento black ink on Papertrey cardstock and coloured with my Copic markers. I did some layering on some different blues and voila... card for a teenage boy. Sort of LOL

I hope everyone manages to stay warm and safe today!!!

*Second of Two Today*

Since you all had to endure that ugly card, here's another attempt at a one layer Christmas card. I used my idea from these thank you cards I made a few months ago.

Looking at the photo, I think I should have added some bling or something to the card. I have no idea what colours I used on this but I am pretty sure I used Brilliance inks. The sentiment is AMuse, the swirl is Stampin Up and I don't remember what snowflake I used.

Helpful, eh?

Well, that's it for today.... I need to find some time to craft so I can share more with you!!!

Enjoy your day!

*First of Two Today*

I'm going to give you two posts today. First, I am sharing card I made a few weeks ago that I haven't been sure about sharing ... It just didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. In fact, I don't honestly like it at all. It will probably hit the garbage instead of being sent out.

I was inspired by a card in this post by Dawn.... her execution of the technique is so much better so please go have a look at it. I stamped the swirls in green, the snowflakes in white and I embossed them in white as well... and then I sponged lighter green ink over it all. I don't recall which colours I used.

Maybe the biggest problem is the sentiment... not the right size or colour. Maybe I will have to play and make this one layer card into something else. If I find the time to do that, I promise I will share.

*Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr*

Winter has arrived in Calgary. We still only a little dusting of snow, but the temperature has dropped. Right now it is -15C....

We have had a busy week... Monday night the four of us packed into the car and went to see Great Big Sea in concert at the Jubilee. This was my second time to see Great Big Sea and they did not disappoint. They are by far my favourite band and they put on a spectacular show. I sang along to every song they sang, as did the majority of the sold out audience. I would go to see them again in a heartbeat!

Last night we were out again. This time to Alex's school for the first band concert of the year. I assumed it would be a Christmas concert, however there were only a couple of Christmas songs played. I think they are working harder on performance pieces for the band trips they are doing this year. This was our first concert as band parents as Alex didn't join the band last year. All of the bands (grade 7 (first year), grade 8 & 9 and then the senior high band) were very good.

I am *this* close to being done my Christmas cards. I am waiting for snowflake brads to arrive from Scrappin Great Deals as well as Iridescent Ice embossing powder from Stampin' Up. I only had about 12 of the brads and couldn't find them locally and I ran out of the embossing powder with 15 cards left to do. I have done all that I can without these items... all of the cards are fully assembled except the last 15 waiting to be embossed... those 15 are stamped, coloured and all but the embossed layer are put together. All the holes are punched for the brads. The insides are all stamped. The envelopes are all addressed. If the items don't show up today, I will start writing the insides tonight while Bruce and Alex are out.

This card was in the running for "the" Christmas card this year. I really love how it turned out. The flowers were white ones from Petaloo... I just coloured them with my Copics, which the paper flowers absorbed beautifully.

I love how the very thin black layer sets off the white against the red so well.

And don't get me started on how much I love the Merry and bright stamp by Hero Arts.

I think I need to find a sweater to wear to work today.... enjoy your day!

*Day 1 of Santa Hat*

Happy December everyone! We are all festive-looking for Christmas around our house... the tree was decorated last night, most of my snowmen are out, the outside lights are on.... ahhh....

I had a great time at the Festival of Crafts on Saturday with my friend Sam. I did a lot of my Christmas shopping while we were there. So many awesome ideas!!! I still have shopping to do, but I made a good dent in it.

I was at the Scrapbook Pantry on Friday night and all day Sunday to craft. Friday night the CalGals minus Allion and Tracy had our final gathering before Christmas. I managed to get 12 of my Christmas cards done. Yesterday we had our staff Christmas party at the store... we were there crafting from 10am until 5pm! We stopped long enough to wish Sharon a Happy Birthday (and eat some cake of course), do a fun gift exchange, and eat Chinese Food.

I am off to work today... for the month of December, the staff will be wearing Santa Hats at the store. I don't mind wearing them, but I do find my head gets itchy after a while!

This is another card created with that beautifl Stamp It Australia Christmas paper. These cards really do go together quickly and easily... and look so wonderful!

I used a Bazill Bling red card, accented the patterned paper with black cardstock and added some silver stickles in the blank spots.

With all of the work I have been doing on my Christmas cards (which I will share with you after they are mailed off), I haven't had a lot of time to stamp things to share.... I am slowly running out of my stash of cards to show you!

I gotta find some time!

Enjoy your day!