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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

*What A Week!*

I apologize for not having been here in a while with a card for you...  I was busy busy on Sunday with all of the Easter dinner work (which I truly enjoy doing, even if I'm completely tired afterwards).  I managed to find some time to spend on the back patio in the sun on Sunday (and a bit on Monday) as we had some nicer weather and lots of sun.

Monday my life got a little chaotic with the delivery of a new furnace, water heater, water softener, air filtration system and dishwasher.  This meant that on Sunday afternoon Bruce worked hard to move stuff out of the way on the storage side of the basement to the creative side of the basement leaving me little to no room for crafting.

Tuesday was installation day plus I had work that had to be done so Bruce took over my desk in the basement with his laptop and an extra monitor and worked from home while the installers were here for 11 hours working on getting all of this stuff in and functional.

And now it's Wednesday and I have my space back... but I have a bunch of work I need to get done so creativity will have to wait.

I created this card a few weeks ago for one of the Less Is More challenges.  I have totally missed the deadline but that's OK... the challenge was to use a touch of red...
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White
*Images: Inkadinkadoo Ornate Flourishes; PTI Signature Greetings
*Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black
*Embellishments: Christmas Red Stickles; Stampin' Up! Real Red grosgrain
*Challenges:  Less Is More #9



I only have two more cards in my stash to share with you.... I sure hope I find some creative time and some creative energy soon!
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Saturday, April 23, 2011

*Spring Time Colours*

Happy Easter weekend everyone... I hope that you are able to spend some time enjoying the company of family and friends.  We had a quiet day around the house yesterday topped off with a yummy feast of Chinese Food for dinner.  Tomorrow I am hosting the big turkey dinner.... there will be 8 adults and one 21 month old around our table.  I always like to have a full table for holiday meals... it's a big meal to cook so I might as feed lots of people.

Of course, that means a lot of work for me tomorrow morning getting two pies baked and prepping the turkey, stuffing and veggies...

My secret is that I won't be cleaning up after dinner after doing all the food preparation.

I am a little sad this year as this is the first Easter in several years that my sister and niece haven't joined us.  Last year we were all in Regina since Easter weekend was the same weekend as Mom's birthday and the several years before that, we celebrated here.  I'm sure there will be few tears on Sunday, having our first Easter without Mom as well.

I decided to play with some spring colours with my card for the current FallToLayout over at the Clean and Simple blog (check them out in my sidebar and play along with the sketch for this week!!!)...  it's about time it started to feel like spring in Calgary!
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Soft Sky, Old Olive

*Images: PTI Mega Mixed Messages; Inkadinkadoo Dot Flourishes; My Sentiments Exactly Little Birdie
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Old Olive, So Saffron, Soft Sky
*Embellishments: Stampin' Up! Pink Pirouette twill
*Challenges:  FTL137; ColourQ#81

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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

*Diamonds and Buttons*

I am totally in love with the card I am going to be sharing with you today... so much so that it hasn't hit my filing system for created cards.... it's still sitting on my desk smiling at me.

I have to give credit where credit is due....  I was inspired by a card created by Jeanne.  Please go have  look at her wonderful creations on her blog.
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Bazzill Bling
*Pattern Paper: Imaginisce
*Images: PTI Signature Greetings
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Stampin' Up! 1 1/4" square punch
*Embellishments: unknown buttons
*Challenges: Playing in Paradise #11



The challenge over at the Scrapbookers Paradise blog was to use buttons as your focus on the card....  when I saw Jeanne's card I knew it would be perfect for this challenge!

Enjoy the rest of your day!
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Monday, April 18, 2011

*Using Some Ribbon*

Way back when I was working at the scrapbook store, I would often buy things as they were put into inventory at the store... like these mini rolls of ribbon by American Crafts.  I discovered that those rolls of ribbon fit perfectly into some storage containers I had bought for the boyz for school years ago so I put the rolls in there and popped them in the a drawer in my craft space...

Where they were forgotten about for large chunks of time.

Fast forward to a week or two ago when I saw a photo tutorial on how to make flowers out of ribbon (click HERE to see for yourself)

I decided to pull out some of that ribbon and play.  I made one flower out of this ribbon and then tried another with a sheer ribbon.

And then on the weekend I took a look at the Use It Tuesday blog and lo and behold, the challenge is to use that ribbon you've been holding on to forever!

So I chose two more colours of a similar style of ribbon by American Crafts and put those three ribbon flowers on a card....
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Images: Stampabilities
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Embellishments: American Crafts ribbon; unknown ribbon; Pebbles Candy Dots
*Challenges:  Use It Tuesday #5



I like that each flower turns out differently... just as in nature, my flowers aren't perfect!

Go look at the tutorial that Deanna put together and give them a try!  I used a satin finish ribbon for mine (and a thin ribbon) and am looking forward to playing with some different types and widths of ribbon.
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Sunday, April 17, 2011

*I Miss My Flipflops*

Well, I did manage to find a little creativity last night while Matthew was out.... I created three more cards last night, for a total of 4 yesterday.  I'd say that's a recent record for me.  I've been sitting at my craft table for an hour now and haven't managed to get myself off the computer.  I wonder if I'll get anything other than laundry and snow shoveling accomplished today....

Yes, I said snow shoveling.... we got another 3-4 inches last night.  We've had a lot of snow this year and many of the towns and cities at lower elevations and along rivers are dealing with a severe threat of flooding.  We have had a lot more snow this winter (and into spring) than we usually get.

I don't know about you, but I'm done with snow.  Yes, where I live, we can expect to get snow in April.... but we've never had snow on the ground for this many months in a row.

All I'm asking is for weather that is flipflop friendly!!!  Is that too much to ask??!!

Anyway.... here's the card I created last night for the current MojoMonday sketch using the current ColourQ challenge....
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White:  Stampin' Up! Kraft, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Cherry Cobbler
*Images: Hampton Art
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Kiwi Kiss; Memento Tuxedo Black

*Tools: Big Shot;  Spellbinders Bloom die; Martha Stewart border punch
*Embellishments: twine from The Twinery; Stampin' Up! ribbon; unknown button
*Challenges:  Mojo186; ColourQ#80



I was really perplexed with this sketch until I chose my colours and started playing with it.... and you know what?  I really like it!

Enjoy your day!
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Saturday, April 16, 2011

*Looking For My Mojo*

Happy Weekend everyone....  I finally have some time this weekend to create.  The last week was a little busy with work and life and as much as I wanted to create, when I had the time I didn't have the Mojo.

Bruce and Alex took off to Regina yesterday for a TaeKwon Do Tournament and I figured I'd have lots of time to play... which I do, of course... but again, my Mojo isn't playing along!

I did create this card this afternoon, but it wasn't an easy process... I struggled with each step.  I even turned off all distractions and that didn't help.

I am hoping to play some more this afternoon and this evening... maybe even tomorrow.

Please send some creative vibes my way!!

But like I said, I did create this card this afternoon for the latest Fall To Layout over at the Clean and Simple blog.  I hope you'll click over to the blog (the link is in the right sidebar) and play along!  It's a great quick and easy sketch this week.... at least if the creative juices are flowing!
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Pattern Paper: Cosmo Cricket
*Images: PTI Mega Mixed Messages
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 4
*Embellishments: unknown button; twine from The Twinery
*Challenges:  FTL136

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Wednesday, April 13, 2011

*What Do You Mean He's 16??*

How on earth did I get old enough to have a 16 year old in the house??!!  Yup, my first born is 16 today.  So crazy.

In some ways, it all seems like it's gone by SO fast....

And in other ways, like when you think of all we've done and all we've accomplished (and all he's done and all he's accomplished) it feels like forever.

Happy 16th Birthday, Alex.  You are an awesome young man... kind, caring, funny, smart, musical... and of course, loving.  I am proud to be your Mom.

We did the birthday celebrating last night as Matthew is testing for his red belt in Taekwon Do tonight and it starts at 6pm.  Alex chose to go to The Keg and we had an uncle, grampa and a couple of family friends join us for a very delicious dinner.

Anyway.... on to the card....
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip
*Pattern Paper: Basic Grey
*Images: Little Paper Shop; AMuse
*Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics
*Tools: Stampin' Up! scallop edge punch
*Embellishments: Michael's Bridal flower; Kaiser Pearl; Twinery twine
*Challenges:  Mojo184

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Monday, April 11, 2011

*The Kid Is Home*

It was great to see Alex get off the plane yesterday morning.  I didn't miss him as much as I thought I would and he obviously didn't miss us much since he didn't bother to call or text in the six days he was away.  But honestly, I'm glad he didn't contact us a bunch while he was away.... I know now that I have raised an independent kid who can be on his own for a while without issue.  I'd probably be worried if he was one of those kids who had to call us every night or something.

He talked and talked about all they saw and all they did and it sounds like it was a great trip.  I hope that there will be another band trip in 2 years... we will have to see since his band director is retiring in June.

The kid being home means that my camera is home.  He had a tough time with the camera... a lot of out of focus pictures... I discovered this morning that somehow he managed to set it to "manual" which is what caused him problems.

I created my Clean and Simple card for this week on Friday while the CalGals were here... it was the only card I ended up creating.

And sadly, I don't really like it...
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Pear Pizzazz
*Images: unknown sentiment
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Embellishments: Prima flowers; unknown button; Twinery twine
*Challenges:  FTL135



I just didn't know what to do with this sketch... maybe you could create a card using the sketch (the link is in my sidebar) and show me what you did to inspire me to try again!
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Saturday, April 09, 2011

*Many Thanks*

Ahhhh, Saturday... the only day this week without an alarm clock for me.  Tomorrow morning we have to be at the airport at 9:30 to pick Alex up after his trip with the school band.  I can't wait to hear about all the things they did and saw.  Sadly, Alex is a pretty quiet kid so getting information might be a little difficult LOL

I created this card a while back... had this great idea in my head.... and once again, had trouble executing it.  It's not a horrible card, but it's not what I had in my head.  I always find that disappointing....
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White
*Images: AMuse
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black; Copic Spica
*Tools: Big Shot; Sizzix Daisies #2 die



Very clean and simple.... maybe too clean and simple.  I really want a few flower die... this one just isn't doing it for me anymore.....
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Friday, April 08, 2011

*Sunny Friday*

Happy Friday everyone....

I'm not wanting to jinx it, but the sun is shining and the temperatures are warming up a little... still not quite ready to give up my socks and shoes for my flip flops, but I think it's getting closer!  I am hoping that we don't get any more of that S*** stuff this spring!

Ya right.

LOL

This is another card I created following those card sketches for the magazine subscription.  I really love how it turned out.  I've had these mini rolls of ribbon by American Crafts since I was working at the scrapbook store... it was a good way to use some of it!
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White
*Embellishments: American Crafts ribbon; Prima flowers; Doodlebug brad



That's quite the short and sweet ingredient list, eh??!!

I hope you enjoy your day!
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Wednesday, April 06, 2011

*It's Good and It's Bad*

Our oldest son, Alex (he'll be 16 next week), left on Monday morning for a trip with his high school band to Montreal and Ottawa.  Since they were going to be doing a lot of sightseeing, I thought he might like to take my little point and shoot camera with him.

He thought it was a good idea too.

I think it's great that he's (hopefully) taking some photos to share with us when he gets home....

But it means I don't have a camera at home for taking photos of anything I create.  I have two cards that are done and ready for photographing, one that has already missed a challenge deadline and the other that might make it if I get my act together when Alex comes home on Sunday morning.

The good news is that I did have a few cards saved up to share, ones that are more than a month old.... so while it's bad I can't take photos of any of my new creations, it's good that I will finally get to clear some of these older cards off my "to post" list :-)
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, Marina Mist
*Images:  AMuse
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Big Shot;  Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder; Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 14



I don't have a clue where I got the colour combination idea from... probably an old challenge from somewhere.  The layout is one of the ones from the card sketch magazine design team call.  The card looks OK but looked so much  more amazing in my head!

Thanks for coming by!
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Tuesday, April 05, 2011

*Happy Birthday, Mom*

It's a sad day in my house.... today, April 5th, would have been my Mom's 72nd birthday.  Instead, it is 7 months and one day since her death.

I have cried more in the last few days, missing her with each breath, than I have in a few months.  It's so strange to me that this is the first time in all of my life that I won't be talking to my Mom today.

Anyway.... I created this card several weeks ago when I found the sketches for the Paper Crafts Connection design call for their new card sketches magazine.  I decided to not submit my cards for publication.  Some of them I really liked and I should have submitted them....  but alas...

This is one of the ones I really liked....
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Peach Parfait, So Saffron, Pear Pizazz
*Images: Stampin' Up! Pocket Silhouettes; unknown sentiment
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Stampin' Up! square punches

Mom, you were always more than just my Mom... we were always a friend to me....  we miss you so much, and love you more than you ever could have known.  I am so happy you are no longer in pain and no longer scared of what was to come.  I hate that for you to be pain free, I had to lose my Mom.
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Sunday, April 03, 2011

*Mother Nature Is Cruel*

Our weekend started mid-afternoon on Friday when we hopped in the car and drove approximately 3 hours away to Sparwood BC (in the Crowsnest Pass) as the kids were both competing in a TaeKwon Do tournament on Saturday down there.  The drive was pretty good but we were watching the sky as all of Southern Alberta was under a winter storm warning.

The snow started between dinner and bedtime, and by the time we got up at 7am on Saturday it looked like someone had put whipped cream on top of everything.  It was a heavy wet snow as we were right around the freezing mark.

We got to the tournament (only a few blocks from the hotel) where our school did very well including Matthew who won 3rd in his division (which included boys his age but a full belt higher than he is) and Alex who won 1st place in his division.

It snowed for part of the day and we weren't sure what to do about heading home....  but we decided to convoy with two other families and off we went.  Roads were mostly just wet for the first half of the trip, then we found some drifting in one lane or the other...  driving was the worst once we hit the highway in Calgary as the roads were busier and the roads were wet and there was a lot of splashing and glare.  But we made it home, safe and sound.


We had about 6-8 inches of snow on our patio table when we got home yesterday....  it was clear of snow when we left here on Friday afternoon.

Mother Nature owes us one wonderful summer!

Anyway... right before went away on Friday, I put together this card for the current sketch over at the Clean and Simple blog.  I hope you'll find some time to play with this great layout this week....
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Pacific Point
*Images: Impress
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Corner Chomper; Big Shot; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder
*Embellishments: assorted button
*Challenges:  FTL134

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Friday, April 01, 2011

*Busy Week*

I am so sorry to not have posted more this week... this morning was the first chance I've had to create all week. I did a lot of running around and working this last week and when I had some downtime, there was no desire at all to create.

This week has been Spring Break for my boys which has meant no alarm clocks for anyone but Bruce (poor guy).  This morning I managed to get out of bed at 8am (instead of after 9 like it's been all week) and was down in my craft space just a bit after 9.  In between some blog surfing, a phone call and watching "Ellen", I created this card for you to see....
Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Kraft, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery, Early Espresso
*Images: A Muse
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Early Espresso
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Blossom Nestabilities; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder
*Embellishments: Doodlebug sugared brad
*Challenges:  Less Is More #8; ColourQ#78



I had a lot of fun creating those big bulky flowers last week that I decided to make another one this week... it's smaller and only 3 layers, but since it's cardstock instead of patterned paper, it's just about as thick and bulky as the five layers of patterned paper.

I'm off to create a little more... but first I think I need some breakfast!

Enjoy your day!
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