*Hello From Regina*

Good morning everyone... bright and sunny morning here in Regina.  The boyz and I hopped in the car yesterday morning and got here in time to relax for a bit before supper.  Mom is looking good and feeling pretty well.  We enjoyed a good feast of fish at Joey's Only, and Matthew proved to me that he really does eat shrimp now by ordering (and eating) the chicken and shrimp combo.  He was out with his Grandma for his birthday last week (Bruce's Mom) and she had him try a shrimp and he ate like 4 or 5!  This is the kid who doesn't want to ever try anything new.

After dinner settled the kids and I went to Milky Way with my sister and her husband and one of their kids.  Milky Way is only the best ice cream place in the world....  it's a little shack that is only open seasonally.  My parents actually met there many many moons ago (like more than 50 years ago).  They have Nestle brand hard ice cream, but the real treat for me is the special blend the dairy makes for their soft ice cream.... which I then get dipped in chocolate and "sprinkle dinkles" (yes that is really what they call them).  I LOVE IT!!!  I can promise it won't be our only visit over the week we are here!

Plans for today include dropping Mom's taxes off to be done by someone who gets paid to do it, and a trip to the grocery store to stock the shelves and fridge.  Mom doesn't eat a lot these days so there isn't a lot in the house for the rest of us.

My other sister and oldest niece arrive from Ontario tomorrow morning and Bruce will be here sometime tomorrow afternoon.  Full house!

I created this card on Friday night with the CalGals.  It was Allison's turn to challenge the group and she brought the Fall To Layout from Clean and Simple for us to play with.  This is my first time doing a FTL challenge.  Even though I love the clean and simple form, I've never really played with their sketches.  Don't ask me why.  I don't know!  I might have to try one again!

Now, unfortunately my piece of paper with all the information for this card is sitting on my desk in Calgary... so I'm gonna be guessing on any cards I post over the next few days...

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Bazzill Bling; PaperTreyInk white
*Images:  Amuse
*Ink:  Versamark Tuxedo Black
*Tools:  Martha Stewart border punch
*Embellishments:  Doodlebug brad; Prima flower
*Challenges:  FTL84


I will definitely have to play with these fall to layouts again....  I almost want to redo this card.  The base is only 4.25" X 4.25" and I think it's too crowded for what I've done to it.

Enjoy your Wednesday!

*Beautiful Sunday*

Good morning all...  going to be a beautiful (albeit kinda windy) day today....  temperatures up in the teens (in Celcius) which means I will have my sandals on!  I love days I can wear sandals!

I had a great time with the CalGals on Friday night.  We missed Shannon and Dianne but Tracy, Allison, Merlie and I had a good time together.  I managed to get three cards done on Friday night!  Go me!

After I played with the challenge Allison provided (which I will share in a few days), I played with the current sketch over at Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge.  I haven't done one of Mercy's sketches in a while so it was fun to play.

This card uses a colour combination that I fell in love with after getting a card from a stamping friend of mine named Irene.  Hers used a gorgeous patterned paper, but I didn't have that... so I had to make my own.  I really like this card....

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum
*Images:  PaperTreyInk Beautiful Blooms; Lizzie Anne Designs Say It In Script
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Pale Blum, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive
*Embelllishments:  Stampin' Up! grosgrain ribbon (I didn't have Old Olive so I coloured the white ribbon with an Old Olive marker
*Challenges:  MTSC66


We've had a good weekend... Bruce and I ran some errands yesterday, had dinner with friends last night and then went to another friends' house to watch the UFC Fight (well, the guys watch the event, the girls chat and some of us watch the main event).  Today we are off to a birthday celebration for Bruce's two younger brothers (they are twins).  Matthew has a "jam session" with his band at 3:30 and tonight Bruce and I have bowling.  I also need to fit some laundry in today and tomorrow so that the kids and I are ready to hit the road on Tuesday morning to go see Mom in Regina.

And that, is what's news in my world.

Enjoy your Sunday!

*Three Reasons*

I love it when I can accomplish lots with one act....  like making one card and having it fulfill three different challenges!

That's what I did with the card I am sharing with you today....  I made it for two reasons and then had a third drop into my lap this morning.

I made the card yesterday following the current MojoMonday sketch and also as a card to share with a YahooGroup I am on called CreativeCuttleBuggers to celebrate the first anniversary of the group.  And then this morning I saw the Everything Old is New Again Challenge on Allison's Blog (see the sidebar) and realized this card fit for that challenge too!  I have used other stamps in this set from PaperTreyInk, but not this one!  Whew!

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PaperTreyInk White; Stampin' Up! Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze
*Patterend Paper:  Basic Grey
*Images:  PaperTreyInk Mega Mixed Messages
*Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools:  Big Shot; D'vine Swirl and Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folders; Nestabilities; Spellbinders Fancy Tags
*Embellishments:  Stampin' Up! grosgrain ribbon
*Challenges:  Mojo131; EONAC10


I really like this card... am very pleased with how it turned out.  I hope you like it too!

I am looking forward to some of the CalGals coming over tonight... Shannon and Dianne aren't able to make it, but Merlie, Tracy and Allison will be here to play for a few hours.  I sure hope I manage to get some creative stuff done!

I am also hoping to be a little creative this afternoon....  gotta tidy up the craft space first!

*Almost Spring Break, Sort Of*

Today is Matthew's last day of school before Spring Break, thanks to Parent Teacher Interviews....  Alex still has to go until Friday (poor kid).  Hopefully I can trust Alex to get himself up and out the door tomorrow and Friday so that I can stay in bed ;-)

So it's almost Spring Break, sort of.

The kids and I will have a few days here in Calgary during Spring Break before we pack up and drive to Regina for a week to spend some time with my Mom.

This is another card I did to catch up on MojoMonday sketches ... Mojo126

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  PaperTreyInk white, Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Coredinations

*Images:  Verve; PaperTreyInk Mega Mixed Messages

*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics

*Tools:  Big Shot; Sizzix dots embossing folder; Cuttlebug Border Frills embossing folder; Nestabilities; Stampin' Up! scallop border punch; sanding block

*Embellishments:  ribbon from unknown; Frosted Lace Stickles

*Challenges:  Mojo126


I am outta here.... I decided on Monday to try to get back into a routine of going to the gym (amazing how easy you can get out of the habit but how hard it is to make it a habit again).  I am up and dressed for the gym so there's no point in not going ;-)

Enjoy your day!

*Really Quick*

Just a quickie from me today as I am going to try very hard to stay off the computer for most of the day to give my stupid arm some rest.  I read most of yesterday and my arm feels better this morning than it did yesterday.

So today I will share with you my cards for Mojo130 and Tracy's Christmas Card Challenge (see the link to her blog in my side bar under Calgals)

And a close up...

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Bashful Blue; PaperTreyInk White
*Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up!
*Images:  Stampabilities
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities; Snowflakes Cuttlebug embossing folder; Stampin' Up! Scallop Border punch
*Embellishments:  ribbon from unknown; Baby Blue Stickles
*Challenges:  Mojo130; TCC#3

*Happy Spring!*

Welcome Spring!  We have missed you!  I am hopeful that Mother Nature will follow the dates on the calendar and will treat all of us to a wonderful spring.  I am looking forward to banning socks to the drawer and wearing only sandals and flip flops.

I am not naive...  I am sure that we will have at least one more snow storm before the nice weather sticks around...

But I can hope and dream, can't I?

This was one of the Mojo sketches I had a hard time with.  I had no idea what I wanted to do with it.  I actually considered skipping it completely.  But I'm a little obsessive compulsive or something and decided I couldn't skip it.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry
*Patterned Paper:  Imaginisce
*Images:  PaperTreyInk Mega Mixed Messages
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities (Labels 1)
*Embellishments:  Stampin' Up! ribbon
*Challenges:  Mojo125


Since the dusting of snow we got yesterday melted and all is dry on my back deck, I will be able to take a photo of the cards I made for the current Mojo challenge this afternoon... and I'll be back tomorrow to share with you!

Enjoy the first day of spring!

*A Pop of Colour*

Two teenagers.... how on earth did that happen?

Yup, I'm dwelling!

It's what I do.

Silly, I know...

But did I tell you that my baby is a teenager now??!

Imagine how my Mom feels that her baby is going to be 40 this summer!

I know... it's just a number!  I don't feel 40.  I don't feel old enough to have two teenagers.  40 isn't old

Well, maybe a little old

LOL

Anyway.....

This is another catch up card for the MojoMonday sketches I missed in January and February.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry
*Images:  Lizzie Anne Say It In Script
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Rich Razzleberry; Memento Tuxedo Black
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder
*Embellishments:  Michael's Bridal Flowers; Kaiser Pearls
*Challenges:  Mojo124


I love this colour combination!  I love how the colours work together...  and I love that the main focus of the card is white with the pops of colour.

Sometimes I have a hard time playing with the Mojo Sketches, but in the end, I always have fun playing with them.  Some of them just take a little more time to tweak!  Sometimes I wish I had more stamps to fit the different sizes and shapes of the sketches I'm playing with....

When you think about how long I've been stamping, I have a surprisingly few stamps.  I've never been one to hold on to stamps I never use... we maybe a bit now....  I'd rather sell the stuff I never use to buy new stuff LOL!

Like last Friday...  I finally had a bite on the Cricut Expression and cartridges I was trying to sell on Kijjiji...  it took a few weeks but someone was interested in paying the full price I was asking!  I wasn't using it... might as well go to a happy home where it will be used and loved.... and I have money in my pocket to buy new stuff for me!

Anyway... I've been procrastinating for days.  I want to craft but have done nothing!!  I think it's time to play with this week's Mojo sketch as well as Tracy's Christmas Challenge (see Tracy's blog, listed on the right with the CalGals)

*My Baby is a Teenager!*

I knew this day was coming... but I'm still not sure how it happened.  Today, my baby, turns 13!

Yes, I am the Mom to two teenagers now....

This is the oldest photo of Matthew that I have on my computer....  It was taken in the summer of 2002...  what a cutie pie he was with that blonde blonde hair and blue eyes.

And this is a photo of him this last fall, on his first day of grade 7...

He's now about an inch shorter than me... and just as skinny as he is in this photo.

Amazing how fast they grow up

I love you, Matthew... Happy 13th Birthday!

*Into A Routine*

It's quiet in my house this morning.  No one else home but the animals and me.

Bruce has been self-employed for the last several years and had been very lucky to have a few big long term contracts over that time.  His last long-term contract ended on October 31st and while he had a few smaller contracts to keep him a little busy, he hasn't worked full time since then.

Until today.

Bruce was offered a job with Enmax a few weeks ago, which he accepted.  He is the Server Infrastructure Manager...  This is his first managerial position.... and it meant a suit had to be purchased.  He looked very dapper heading off to work this morning!

And this means that I will be back to a regular routine for me now.  It always felt like the weekend when Bruce was here so I think I accomplished less with my days.  My plan is to work out a few times a week and craft a little more.  It also means a little more work for me...  his drive to work no longer takes him close to the orthodontist office and then past Alex's school so I'll be doing most (if not all) of the orthodontist runs).  But that's OK... I was doing them before.  I just got used to not doing them LOL!

Enough about my life... you're here to see a card!

This is another card I created in catching up with the MojoMonday sketches that I missed with my 3 weeks with my Mom.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Certainly Celery, Almost Amethyst; Staples White
*Images:  Lizzie Anne Designs Say It In Script
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Markers in Almost Amethyst, Barely Banana; VersaFine Onyx Black
*Embellishments:  Stampin' Up! ribbon; Michael's Bridal flowers; Kaiser Pearls
*Challenges:  Mojo123


A very simple, quick and easy card.  And the perfect colours for spring!

*Is Spring Coming?"

The weather here in Calgary has been absolutely beautiful the last few days... and it's only getting better!  I think I may have to pull out the flip flops for Monday and Tuesday!

Tomorrow will either feel warmer or colder than it really is as I'll be outside working a bottle drive from 9:30am until mid to late afternoon.  At least it will be sunny and not below freezing.  And hey, it's an excuse to have a hotdog for lunch LOL!

I'm sharing with you today, one of the cards I made Wednesday night while the guys were at TaeKwon Do.  I really enjoy an empty house when I'm crafting.  Not sure why.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery; Staples white
*Patterned Paper:  Creative Imaginations
*Tools:  Big Shot; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder
*Embellishments:  Prima Flowers; Stampin' Up! grosgrain ribbon; Doodlebug glittered brad
*Challenges:  Mojo129


I like how the card came together... I started with the sketch, decided on what patterned paper to use and then the card came together pretty easily.  Nice and spring-like!  Perfect for the weather we've been having!

*Home Again Home Again*

Milo and I made it home safe and sound yesterday afternoon.  The drive home seemed to go by faster and to be easier than the drive to Mom's house (usually it's the other way around).  I was pretty worried about the drive home as usually Bruce and I take turns driving on the way home as we both start feeling tired.  But I didn't feel at all tired until I was home and unpacked.

I went to Regina with a suitcase, dog food, and a computer and came home with four boxes of wood mounted stamps, a cookie jar and a dresser in addition to the stuff I took with me.  Talk about a full SUV!

I spent the first part of this morning working hard....  loaded Bruce's stuff into the new dressed, unloaded and moved Matthew's dresser into the hallway, moved Bruce's old dresser into Matthew's room and filled it, found someone to donate the dresser from Matthew's room to, sorted our personal tax stuff (waiting for a form from when I was working last year), gone through the mail and filed stuff, made a few phone calls, picked up the now exposed dog droppings (thanks to melting snow), run the dishwasher, and done a load of laundry.... busy busy busy.

I think I will spend some time for the rest of the morning doing some card making and catching up on TV and then will make an appointment to get my nails done before taking Matthew to drums and picking up groceries while he is there.

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

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PaperTreyInk white; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up!
*Images:  Stampin' Up! Warmest Regards; Studio G
*Ink:  Tuxedo Black Memento; Onyx Black VersaFine; Copic
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities
*Embellishments:  Stampin' Up! Ribbon
*Challenges:  Mojo122


I decided last week before I left for Moms to try to get caught up with the MojoMonday sketches I missed while I was away in January.  I didn't get them all done but I only have two left from that period to do (plus the one from this week).  I had fun playing with the shades of blue on this card.

OK... enough chit chat... time to try to play!  Wish me luck!

*The Handsome Mens Club*

A friend shared this with me and now I am sharing it with you...  9 minutes and 25 seconds, but worth it.... And lots of eye candy for the ladies!

*Hi From Mom's House*

Happy Saturday everyone...  I'm still in Saskatchewan visiting with Mom.  Yesterday I played chauffeur and took her to an appointment in the morning, and then to get her hair done and then off to get a pedicure.  She had a good day of pampering.  She says she was this close to falling asleep in the pedicure chair!  A day of pampering is always a good thing!

Apparently I missed out on the first "drinks on the deck" of the season yesterday.... the weather in Calgary has been lovely the last few days and the gals all had the day off from work and other stuff.... so they spent a few hours in the sun with drinks.  I laughed since the snow here in Regina is still thigh deep in the yard!  Deck?  What deck?

It was so fun to get a small stash of cards made last week....  I was thrilled to come up with some of my own ideas and it was fun to get back to some of the challenges as well.  I had missed a whole month of Mojo challenges!

I started to catch up on the Mojo Challenges, doing the one that is current first.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Pink Coredinations; Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip; PaperTreyInk White
*Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey Sultry
*Images:  Verve Floral Whimsy
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip
*Tools:  Big Shot; Daisies Cuttlebug folder; Nestabilities
*Embellishments:  Kaiser Pearls; Chocolate Satin Ribbon
*Challenges:  Mojo128


I haven't used Basic Grey paper in a long time...  it was good to pull it out and play with it, even if it was just a little bit.

Today Mom and I are hosting lunch... her brother and his wife and another sister are coming over to visit.  Nothing fancy... egg salad sandwiches, home made dill pickles and a big pitcher of iced tea.  Wonder if I should have picked up something for dessert.....

Enjoy your day!

*More Ribbon Bitties*

Good morning from sunny and chilly Regina...  the dog and I hopped in the car yesterday and drove 7 hours to spend a week with my Mom.  She is doing quite well right now... she's lost some weight but she's got an awesome attitude and is facing each day with a smile.  She amazes me, really.

So Milo and I are here for a week to visit and spend some time with Mom.  She was thrilled to see the dog and he can't get enough Nana Snuggles LOL!

I decided to create another card for the Everything Old is New Again Challenge from last Friday when the Gals were over to stamp on Friday night.  I had a vision in my head and at first I didn't like how it was turning out... but in the end, I decided I liked it.  Without the sentiment stamp (which is where I declared I didn't like it) it wasn't "done"....

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PaperTreyInk White
*Images:  PaperTreyInk Signature Greetings
*Ink:  Spring Pansy VersaMagic
*Embellishments:  American Craft Ribbons
*Challenges:  EONAC7


I simple tied a knot in each scrap of ribbon and then attached them to the card with glue dots.  Simple.  Would be a great card for a little girl!