*A Beautiful Day*

We have been having some wonderful weather in Calgary for the last few weeks. It's cooling off nicely at night which allows the house to cool down and for all of us to sleep comfortably, but the days are very warm to hot with lots of sun!

With all this wonderful sun, I have been spending time in my yard (both in the sun and in the shade) reading. First I read "The Time Travelers Wife" which, after I got used to the writing style (a few chapters), I totally loved. I no sooner finished that one and I was picking up "My Sister's Keeper" which is another great book to read. "My Sister's Keeper" took me about a day and a half to read (with breaks). I have another book (the third I borrowed from Shannon) but I have no idea what it's called... it's one she thought I would enjoy. And since we've liked a lot of the same books in the past, I'm sure I will enjoy it. When I have the name in my head, I will let you know.

I think the one thing I have enjoyed most about not working is that there is more time in my day to do the things I love to do... like read. I have read about 3 dozen books since I stopped working at the beginning of April. I don't read "heavy" books... a lot of "chick lit" and not too heavy crime stories. I read a lot as a kid, not as much in high school, hardly at all in University... I love getting lost in a good book.

I did take a little time off from reading this morning to create a card for the MojoMonday challenge (Mojo101). As soon as I saw the sketch, I knew I wanted to use my new Sizzix Daisies #2 die from Stampin' Up. I wonder if I should have texturized the Very Vanilla layer on the front or done something to it... it looks awfully plain.

Items Used:
*cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla; Cored'inations
*patterned paper: My Mind's Eye
*tools: Daisies #2 Sizzix die (from Stampin' Up!), Big Shot
*embellishments: chocolate brown satin ribbon

*First Day Of School*

Pardon me while I share a Mommy Moment.... photos of the boys on their first day of school...
First we have Alex, ready for his first day of grade 9.... he's gotten so tall! Yes, he is taller than both Bruce and I!

And then we have Matthew, off to his first day of grade 7. He's not at a Jr High as he's at a Middle School, where he will stay until he finishes grade 9. Matthew has sprouted up a lot since spring... and his voice is changing.... the top of his head comes to the middle of my eyes. Only a matter of time before I'm looking up to talk to him!

You can see the changes in the boys from last year HERE!

I am off for my annual back to school breakfast with my girlfriends... enjoy your day!

*Last Day of Summer Vacation*

I can't believe that the boys are back to school in the morning!! I am so not ready! This is the first year that I haven't been itching to get the kids back to school. They've done their thing and I've done mine this summer. Sure, we've done stuff together, but they're pretty self-sufficient. Not to say I'm not looking forward to having a quiet house every day!

Now, this is a really early start of school for us... Our kids were supposed to go back on the 3rd since Labour Day falls so late.... but Calgary is hosting the World Skills Competition and there is an opportunity for some grades (mostly grades 9 and 10) to attend the competition as spectactors. Basically, this is a competition of skilled trades (chefs, esthetics, computer industry, construction industry, interior design etc) and the kids will get to go see some different career choices than Dr., Lawyer and teacher. The competition starts on September 1st. The school boards in Calgary both decided it was an important opportunity for the kids so they made the decision to start school a full week early. Alex will be heading to the competition with his school a week from Friday. To make up for the extra 5 days of school, the kids will get an extra day or two at different times of the year... Christmas, Easter, Spring Break etc.

I think it would have been nicer to just give them a full week off at the end of the year (end early) but what do I know??!! LOL

These are the final cards from the week long Mojo Turns 100 sketches... and they also fulfill the needs for this months Christmas challenge over on Tracy's Blog. So this is MojoMary (or Mojo100#7).... and uses patterned paper as the focus of the card.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black and silver; Bazzill Bling
*Patterned Paper: StampIt Australia
*Embellishments: Kaiser Pearls

I think that the cards would have turned out better had I only been making one... making 5 with so many layers I started to get sloppy. My little squares were cut with my paper cutter and I guess I got sloppy as there were some that just weren't right. A punch would have been easier but the SU punches I have were too big. The first card I did I didn't use the black behind the white and blue squares... I think it looks better with the black...makes them POP!

Thanks for popping by to visit!

*Circle of Friends Award*

A big thanks to Julie for giving me this award today..... and now it's my turn to pass it along to five of my blogging friends....

Of course, I choose my Cal Gal friends..
Allison
Dianne
Merlie
Shannon
Tracy

*I Enjoyed My Day With Hailey*

I had a nice day with Hailey yesterday. She is such a content baby, although I'm pretty sure she's going through a growth spurt! She was a hungry little girl yesterday and sleepy tired too. I apologize for getting her age wrong... she's actually six and a half weeks old (not 5 and a half as I said yesterday). Shannon, thanks so much for giving me a day long baby fix! While I enjoyed it, I couldn't imagine doing it every day (like being her caregiver once Shannon goes back to work) and I was certainly happy to give her back to her Mommy and then tell my own kids to get busy and unload the dishwasher LOL!

I didn't manage any crafting time yesterday... and everytime I picked up my book (I am reading "The Time Travellers Wife") Hailey decided she needed attention. I watched a lot of daytime TV yesterday! LOL!

This card was created for MojoJanette or Mojo100#6. I love how it turned out. Just wish that the white ink popped a little more on my cardstock.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Coredinations; Stampin' Up! Whisper White and Basic Black
*Images: Hampton Art
*Ink: White Brilliance; Black Memories
*Tools: Swiss Dots embossing folder; Nestabilities; Big Shot; Stampin' Up! scallop border punch; sanding block
*Embellishments: ribbon from Michaels' Stickles on tips of starbursts

*I Was A Crafting Fool Yesterday*

I had a great time in my creative space yesterday... I got myself totally caught up with the Mojo100 sketches!! Woo hoo! I even managed to make one of the sketches fit the requirements for Tracy's Christmas challenge!

And today I will try to craft, but my time will be occupied by sweet Miss Hailey. Shannon is off at the Pantry helping Sherry with the Copic Marker classes and I get the pleasure of sharing the day with 5 week old Hailey! So far, all she's done is sleep (she's been here for an hour) but I am guessing that will end in the next hour or so when she demands some food! It's so strange to have a baby in our house again!

I'm not thrilled with how this card turned out... it looked better in my head than it turned out on paper. It's not awful, just not quite how I pictured it. This card is my interpretation of MojoFriday or Mojo100#5

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Certainly Celery
*Patterned Paper: Sonburn Designs
*Images: Stampin' Up! Pocket Silhouettes, Best Yet
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue
*Embellishments: satin ribbon
*Tools: Nestabilities; Big Shot

I wasn't sure I'd get the post finished before Miss Hailey woke up.... but I did... I love staring at a sleeping baby....

*Trying to Catch Up*

I haven't been real good about playing every day with the Mojo Monday sketches... this one sketch a day for a week is hard for me to keep up with! I want to create every day, but more often than not I sit down in my crafting space and get side tracked by my computer or I just stare at my supplies not knowing where to begin.

I honestly believe that looking at blogs and websites and seeing all the wonderful cards out there has quieted my own mojo... the more I look at work by, others, the less I do of my own. And more often than not, I am using ideas from others and not coming up with things on my own (like sketches or colour combinations). I think it's not good for me... but I love looking at what others are doing!

Anyway, I did find some time to create today... I have done two of the sketches so far today and have two more to do to be caught up. I might try to pull off another one before I head upstairs to make dinner. This card is for MojoSarah (or Mojo100#4)

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede
*Images: Impress
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Soft Suede; Copic marker
*Tools: Big Shot; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Embossing Folder; Nestabilities; Stampin' Up! oval punches
*Embellishments: Stampin' Up! ribbon; Michael's Bridal flower (coloured with Copic); Kaiser Pearl

*More Mojo This Week*

Well, the kids and I did make the trek to Cross Iron Mills yesterday just before lunch. Traffic wasn't bad at all, crowds were no worse than any other mall would be on a Saturday afternoon. It's a nice enough mall, but I didn't think it was "all that". It's very close to my house so I know I will shop there regularly, but there are also other malls I will head to just as often. I know that there are others who think it's "da bomb"... maybe when I have more time and no boys with me, I'll spend some more time there.

I'm not quite keeping up with the week of MojoMonday sketches, but I'm still playing along with the Mojo Turns 100 Sketches. I am now 2 behind. But I hope to find a little time today to play with at least one of the sketches. I created this one (MojoTeresa or Mojo100#3) in the time between the mall and hair cuts for the kids yesterday afternoon.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Not Quite Navy; PaperTrey Ink White
*Patterned Paper: Upsy Daisy
*Images: Amuse
*Ink: Memento Black; Copic Markers
*Tools: Marvy paper cutter with the scallop blade

So strange that there are no embellishments on this card!!!

*Marias Mojo*

Happy Wednesday everyone... big news in Calgary today as the first enclosed mall in more than 20 years opened it's doors this morning. This mall, Cross Iron Mills, is about 3 minutes north of the Calgary city limits, a mere 12 minutes or so from my house. There are a handful of stores that are new to Canada in this mall (like Bed, Bath and Beyond) and from what I've read about it, it will truly be a "destination" in the months to come as the entertainment section opens it's doors in about a year.

No, I did not brave the crowds to check it out today... I think I'll maybe go next week or the week the kids go back to school.... let the major crowds die down a bit (I hope).

I did manage to do a bit of creating despite my migraine yesterday. The nausea and headache (although lessened) lasted until bedtime... I went to bed early and thankfully I woke up feeling almost 100% this morning. I couldn't have handled another day like yesterday.

Todays card uses Mojo100#2 or MojoMaria. I had the card done but just wasn't feeling it. With the help of my BFF Denise who came over this morning to have me help her with a project, I changed it up a bit and am feeling better about the card. I can only blame my original creation on the migraine ;-)

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Certainly Celery
*Pattern Paper: Best Creation
*Image: Inky Antics
*Ink: VersaFine black
*Tools: Stampin' Up! large corner rounder, slot and scallop edge punches
*Embellishments: Stampin' Up! Celery grosgrain ribbon; white gel pen

*A Plug For A Friend*

My kids and I started taking Taekwon Do three years ago. I really wanted my kids to do it but Matthew wasn't keen so I said I'd do it if he did. Turned out, I started to enjoy it. A year later, Bruce joined us as well. I gave up my training this past winter due to chronic back pain but hope to take it up again, some day. Up until this past spring, I actually held the highest level of belt in our family! Cool!

Anyway, we have become good friends with our TKD Instructors and would like to help them as they expand their business. With a few small changes in how the school is run, Mr. Arden is now able to accept more students. All beginners (regardless of age) will train on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7-8pm... all senior members (regardless of age) will train on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 8-9pm

If you or your children (or the whole family!) are interested in Taekwon Do in NW Calgary, please give Ardens TKD a look... prices are reasonable, class is hard work but fun.... TKD is a great way to get fit, learn discipline, learn self-defence, have fun!

For more information, please check out the Ardens TKD website!

Cheers

*Mojo Turns 100*

The gals over at the MojoMonday blog are celebrating sketch #100! Instead of a sketch on Monday only, they are treating us to a different sketch each day this week. So I figured I'd better be on the ball and get my hands dirty yesterday so that I wasn't trying to play catch up all week!

I had fun with this sketch (Mojo100)... and loved that I found a use for this paper I bought months ago but never did anything with!

Items Used:
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, So Saffron, Always Artichoke
*Patterned Paper: The Paper Loft
*Images: Lizzie Anne Designs Say It In Script, flower from Verve
*Ink: Stampin' Up! So Saffron Marker; Always Artichoke ink; Versafine Black; Sakura Stardust gel pen
*Embellishments; Stampin' Up! Burgundy grosgrain ribbon; Kaiser pearl
*Tools: Big Shot; Nestabilities

I am going to try to play this afternoon but I've been nursing a killer migraine today... it started about a half hour after I got out of bed with all sorts of fun stuff happening around the peripheral of my left eye... about a half hour later the headache hit. Thankfully I had a massage appointment booked for noon. I told my massage therapist (who I LOVE) and she was wonderful... darker room, quieter music, no chit chat, a cool cloth over my eyes.... I still have a headache but the sharp shooting pains and nausea are gone.... blech.

*Thank You Ardelle*

A big thank you to Ardelle for my second Canadian Card Exchange card for August.... this is truly a beauty!!

*I'll Admit To Being Slightly Embarassed*

But I *love* Hannah Montana.... click HERE for your chance to win a copy of the DVD. While you're there, check out some of the other things Stephanie has to offer.... and then go read her other blog... she's an amazing writer. I bought her book and really enjoyed it. I really like her sense of humour!

*Another Monday*

Happy Monday everyone... we enjoyed a quiet weekend at home after deciding that the weather didn't look wonderful for camping. I'm sure we would have had a great time with our friends, however chilly wet weather doesn't sound like camping weather to me. I am not ashamed to admit that I am a fair weather camper. Bruce did a little putzing around in the basement with the computer we have set up as a server, we watched a few movies.... quiet. It was nice.

Hard to believe there are only 10 days until school starts again! Summer flies by so fast, especially when the weather has been so wacky. This is probably the first time I've not felt the desire to get back to a routine and get the kids out of the house again. I've enjoyed this summer with the kids and the quiet and the lack of running.

This is another card that I created back in June at the Summer Scraptacular. I just love this paper by Upsy Daisy.

Items Used:
*cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White and Basic Black
*patterned paper: Upsy Daisy
*images: Inkadinkadoo Fancy That
*ink: VersaFine black; Copic Spica
*tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Blossom dies

*I Did A Little Crafting*

Happy Thursday everyone... another cool and wet day in Calgary today... and the forecast looks bleak for a few days at least. Our plans have been to join friends camping this weekend, but I will admit to being a fair weather camper and I'm not keen on going... But I think Bruce still wants to go. I have no idea what we'll be doing... either way, we'll make the best of our decision and enjoy one of the last weekends of summer vacation!

I created this card this afternoon for the current MojoMonday sketch (Mojo99). I can't wait to see what the Mojo girls come up with for Mojo100!!

I'm not thrilled with the card, but it's not too bad... I knew what papers I wanted to use, but perhaps they weren't the right choice. I might have to play with this sketch again and maybe use some texture instead of so many patterns.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Bashful Blue
*Patterned Paper: Upsy Daisy
*Images: Stampin' Up! Best Yet
*Ink: VersaFine black; Stampin' Up! Bashful Blue
*Embellishments: ribbon from Carolees Creations
*Tools: Stampin' Up! 1 1/4" square and 1 1/4" circle punches

*A Card In My Mail*

I had a card in my mailbox yesterday... one of my August CCE (Canadian Card Exchange) cards. A big thank you to Fran N for this great sunflower card.... I photographed it sort of open so you could see how neat it is... it fold flat (and looks like a complete flower) for mailing. Very cool!

*Quiet Day for Me*

I'm enjoying a quiet day today... Bruce is off to work and Matthew and Alex are off at Grama's house (they spent the night last night). I set an alarm and ignored it for a half hour and got up around 8:30. I've been a little busy since I got up... I tackled the mountain of junk in the basement from our purging a few weekends ago and I took apart things so that the pieces could go into the recycling bin instead of the garbage. I now have a few things to be given to the Goodwill and a small pile of junk to go in the garbage. I'm not even sure I need a dump run... I might be able to do it in a few weeks of garbage pick up (although I might go to the dump today just to get it over with). I feel better knowing that the pile is smaller.... I realized I just don't do well with chaos, especially in my creative space!

I'm not sure what I will do with my day today. I won't be sitting outside reading as it's a grey day with a touch of rain. Maybe craft, maybe brew some tea and read, maybe hit the dump.... maybe go back to bed for a nap LOL!

This is another card that I created at the Summer Scraptacular back in June. Pretty quick and easy, really...

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Coredinations; Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black
*Patterned Paper: Black River
*Images: Stampin' Up! For A Friend
*Ink: Memento Black
*Embellishments: Making Memories flower brad

*We Have SUN!*

Yes, it is true.... the sun has made another appearance in Calgary... first time since Sunday! It was a long cold and wet week!! What a weird summer we've all had... It's not hot yet, but at least I have windows open and my slippers are *not* on my feet!

As planned yesterday, I did get off the computer after my blog post and created my card for the current MojoMonday sketch.

Since the card needed ribbon, I chose my colours based on what ribbons I had on hand. I didn't know what colours to use so I turned to Splitcoast Stampers and checked out some of the more recent colour challenges and used one of them.

This card combines Mojo98 and SCS Color Challenge #224

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Summer Sun, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point; PaperTrey Ink white
*Images: Amuse
*Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, B14 Copic Marker
*Tools: Big Shot; D'Vine Swirl Cuttlebug Embossing Folder; Spellbinders Labels 3 and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities
*Embellishments: Stampin' Up! Tangerine Tango ribbon

*Still Cold and Wet*

Yup, still nasty here in Calgary... but the end is in sight. The rain should end today and the temperatures should be closer to average on the weekend. You can bet I'll be outside again on the weekend... maybe not floating down the Bow River, but in the back yard with a good book.

Unfortunately, Bruce and I flaked on finishing the basement yesterday. There isn't really a lot left to sort through... just a few boxes. And then it's organizing what is left. And then a big trip to the dump. We have filled 3 of the big roll-away curbside recycling bins! It's convenient that two families are out of town this week and we've had access to their empty recycling bins. We have to take one back to it's owners house tonight and put all three out for pick up tomorrow. I'll be glad when it's all done... wish there was a basement clean up fairy! LOL!

Despite the crappy weather and not working on the basement, I have not crafted at all this week... my plan is to get busy on the MojoMonday sketch once my blog post is done.

So... let's talk about the card so I can get busy, eh?!

This is another of the cards I created at the Summer Scraptacular put on by MondayNightClass.ca back in June. And I sent it to Allison for her birthday in July.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede
*Images: Penny Black
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Soft Suede
*Tools: Spellbinders Flower Creations die; Big Shot
*Embellishments: aged copper brads

*Rain Rain Rain*

That is what is in our forecast for the rest of the week... rain rain rain and crappy temperatures! Sunday it was a beautiful 30*C and today we're looking at a high of 13*C. This is just not right!! We had a few days of summer weather at least...and I hope we are lucky enough to get some more before we're staring at the shorter days of fall!

We started the job of organizing our basement yesterday ... what else are you gonna do on a cold and rainy holiday Monday??!! I have shelf space! There was $70 in bottle and can recycling... and 7 bags of old clothes that we dropped off at a donation bin. I got rid of paint and carpet remnants from when the house was built in 1996! There is a huge pile of stuff that needs to go to the dump and we've filled two huge recycling bins and have more that could go if we had the space (I think I will be heading to the community bin to dump the rest instead of trying to get it into our weekly curbside pick up... that could take a few weeks!). There is still work to be done, but it feels good to have done what we have done.... Bruce is off tomorrow and the weather is still supposed to suck... maybe we'll finish it tomorrow? Do a dump run at the end of the day? Wouldn't that be awesome!

But you didn't come here to hear about the dump my basement has become... you came here to see a card... so a card you will get!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Staples brand white; Stampin Up! Basic Black; Bazzill Bling
*Patterned Paper: Black River Designs
*Image: Stampendous
*Ink: Memento Black; Copic Markers
*Embellishments: bling

*Long Weekend*

Good evening everyone... I enjoyed a day to myself today... Bruce and the boyz met his Mom and her husband at 9 this morning to drive out to do a short and easy hike at Grotto Canyon. Yes, I was invited to go along but the promise of a handful of hours to myself was too enticing. So I stayed home and enjoyed some quiet time. I ran a few errands, watched a movie, read, sat in the sun.... I didn't touch my computer or venture into my craft space.

It was a nice half day.

It's a long weekend here in Alberta and the weather has been fantastic so far. The temperature has dropped drastically in the last hour as a cold front moves in... we were hoping to see a good thunderstorm here at our house but it appears to have missed us. Oh well... the cooler temperature at least means the house is cooling off and we'll be able to sleep tonight.

This is one of the cards I created while at the Summer Scraptacular back in June. It was my first day with the new Stampin' Up! In Colors for this year.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Crushed Currie
*Images: Stampendous Birthday Blossoms
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Melon Mambo; Memento Black; Copic Spica markes
*Tools: Big Shot; Swiss Dots and Spots and Dots Cuttlebug Embossing folders; EK Success border punch

And that's the story on this card....

Enjoy your weekend!