*Patterned Paper Angles*

I decided to play with some more patterned paper when Bonnie was here to play a few weeks ago...  I don't think that the blue button really "goes" with the birthday card, but it was as close as I could get... and I knew that the card needed *something*

For the smile card, I used a MFT die and cut it out of black paper three times to give it some dimension.  For the birthday card I just stamped the sentiment and added some iridescent sequins.

*Patterned Squares*

It's a chilly Sunday here in Calgary....  and I think that, other than going to our bowling league tonight, I am staying home.  I've been on the go all week with shopping and work and concerts and craft fairs and a Christmas party...  I'm enjoying some down time!

We went to my work Christmas party last night.... and I had a great time.  The people I work with are a lot of fun and we ended up laughing the night away!  We were a small group (16 in total with staff and significant others) and everyone got along well.  I feel so lucky to have the job I have!

The card was created using up some scraps in my Christmas paper bin.  I added Stickles to the button but I'm not sure I love that part.....

*#200*

It's an exciting week at the Clean and Simple Stamping Blog as Natasha has hit the 200 sketch mark!!!  I hope you will find some time to play along with us for this milestone!!

I almost skipped doing this weeks' sketch as my first few ideas just weren't going to fly.  I'm so glad I stuck with it because I like the card I created.

I'm thrilled that I finally had a chance to try out one of the washi tapes I bought a few months ago...  what's what the polka dot layer is.  I also made use of my Perfect Layers Tools to create at great 1/16" border around everything.

*Fall To Layout #190*

Happy Saturday everyone....  it's been a great week weather-wise in Calgary.... nothing like last Saturday where it snowed and the flakes were the size of cotton balls!!  I can see my peonies poking through the ground... my stargazer lilies as well.  I love spring!

I really like the card I created using the sketch for this week at the Clean and Simple Stamping blog.  The colours are a little bright for me (Pumpkin Pie, Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, Black and White) but I still like how it turned out.

I hope you'll be able to find some time to play along with us this week!  Check out the link on the left sidebar to see the sketch and to see what others have be inspired to do!

*Thinking of You*

I decided to have some fun playing with some buttons .... and came up with this.... I love how simple it is.

*Fall To Layout #178*

I have had a great weekend... and it's even better because today is a holiday in Calgary!  My sister arrived on Thursday afternoon and we spent the weekend at Crop-A-Ganza in Red Deer.  We had a great time with Shannon and Deanna, Kate and Lee-Anne (our tablemates)... it was great to meet Melanie face to face after knowing her online for years.  It was also great to spend time with Christy, Michelle, Brittany, Cathie, Allison, Susan...  it was a great event and I do recommend that you jump at the chance to go next year (you are doing it again, right???)

I was lucky enough to win a big door prize of Tim Holtz stuff as well as an honourable mention for a fun card I created.  I will share that card once I fix it.... my main card layer didn't hold up as well as I had hoped LOL!

Today I am here to share with you my take on the Clean and Simple Stamping sketch for this week....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Early Espressor, Blushing Bride
*Images: Hero Arts Essential Messages
*Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa
*Tools: Perfect Layers Tool
*Embellishments: assorted buttons; unknown ribbon
*Challenges:  FTL178

*FTL 177*

Good afternoon all... I got off work at 1:15 today so I could head to the airport to pick up my sister.  We had a quick (and late) lunch and then came home where I decided I should start packing for our weekend getaway.  I am happy to report that I am packed and ready to go tomorrow afternoon.  I find it SO hard to craft away from home.  But I am looking forward to the weekend with Heather and some of my crafty friends!

I created this card a couple of weeks ago and had planned to use it as a Valentine for my hubby.... but kinda forgot all about it.  I've never made a Valentine card other than when I was a little kid.

Maybe I'll use it next year LOL

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Bazzill Bling
*Images: Stampin' Up! Wonderful Words
*Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black; black marker
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities
*Embellishments: unknon buttons
*Challenges: FTL177


This was a fun sketch from Natasha at the Clean and Simple Stamping blog....  I know there's not a lot of time, but I hope you can play along with this sketch too.

*FTL176*

Happy Hump Day friends!!!  I enjoyed a short day at work today as I had to leave early to come pick up Matthew and take him to the orthodontist.  He has finally lost his last baby tooth and in June we will be back at the orthodontist to start the consultation process.  I'm thinking he'll have braces by July.  I don't think he's thrilled by that but I am looking forward to seeing his beautiful smile!

It's crazy how little time I spend creating and blogging any more... I'm so sorry I'm not around more... I hope you enjoy your visits when there's something to see!

I am sharing my take on the current sketch over at the Clean and Simple Stamping blog...  I love these sketches because they are so quick and easy... and I really love the clean look.

I used the sketch to create a long and skinny card (fits in a business envelope) ... I just love these buttons!

*FTL175*

For those of you paying attention, you will notice a few things:
(a) I haven't posted in a while
(b) I didn't play along with the Fall To Layout last week.

I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry.

I will admit that I am spending a lot less time on my computer now that I'm spending 8+ hours a day on my computer at work.  And when I am home, I am not in my crafty space.  I like to spend some time with my husband, watching TV.  Not to mention the lack of Mojo.  When I do want to create, it's like my Mojo takes a vacation.

I did manage to create a couple of cards this weekend.... and Friday night a couple of friends are coming over to play so I hope to create that night too.

And then there's Crop-A-Ganza coming up in a few weeks... my sister and I are going together and will be spending the weekend in Red Deer AB taking a couple of classes and playing with some friends of mine.  If you're interested in going there are still a few crop spots left and I understand they have opened the classes up to the public (so if you're in the area you can just pop in to take one of the great classes).  If you sign up for a class, please let them know that I sent ya!

I really love the sketch for this week at the Clean and Simple Stamping blog....  I sure hope you can find some time to play along with us this week....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White
*Pattern Paper: Stampin' Up!
*Images: Amuse
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Perfect Layers Tools; Big Shot; PTI dies
*Embellishments: assorted buttons; black marker
*Challenges:  FTL175

*Playing in Paradise #49*

I am here to share with you, my final post as a Playing in Paradise Challenge Team Member....  I have stepped down from this team as my creative time is extremely limited.  I found that being on 3 teams, the only things I was creating anymore were for challenges.  I am hopeful that I will be able to carve out a little time to create for me instead of creating for design team commitments.

This week, Kasia has a Tic Tac Toe challenge for us.... you need to choose any three items in a row to use in your creation.

I chose Text, Button and Ribbon....

Items Used

*Cardstock: PTI White; Basic Black
*Images:  Hero Arts Sending Smiles
*Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools:  Perfect Layers
*Embellishments:  American Crafts ribbon; assorted buttons

I invite you join us in playing this week... simply add your card to the links at the bottom of the challenge post HERE before midnight on Thursday for your chance to win a prize from Scrapbookers Paradise as well as a chance to play along with the Design Team in a future challenge.

Take a few minutes to check out what the rest of the Design Team has been up to...

*Allison

*Kasia
*Laurel

*Merlie

*Nina

*Playing in Paradise #46*

Welcome to another Playing in Paradise Challenge!  It's Merlie's turn to host the challenge and she's asked us to create a something using buttons!   You all know how much I don't like buttons, right ???  LOL!!!

I borrowed the idea for my card from Miss Merlie herself... she made one similar to this last year... before my button addiction began...

Items Used

*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Bazzill Bling
*Embellishments:  assorted buttons; unknown ribbon

*Tools:  Perfect Layers; black marker

I invite you join us in playing this week... simply add your card to the links at the bottom of the challenge post HERE before midnight on Thursday for your chance to win a prize from Scrapbookers Paradise as well as a chance to play along with the Design Team in a future challenge.

Take a few minutes to check out what the rest of the Design Team has been up to...

*Allison

*Kasia
*Laurel

*Merlie

*Tracy

*Happy December!*

It's December 1st.... amazing!  I am off to the big Christmas craft fair tonight with a couple of friends (Festival of Crafts) and I hope to do a little more Christmas shopping while there.  I managed to do a bunch of my Christmas shopping last Friday afternoon.... have I mentioned how much I love having Friday afternoons off???    I have a few things I still want to get and then some stocking stuffers and I'm done!

Then it's time to write Christmas cards and wrap presents.  I think we will decorate the tree tomorrow night.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PTI White
*Pattern Paper: My Mind's Eye; Echo Park
*Images: Kaiser Craft Christmas Sentiments
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Real Red
*Tools: Corner Chomper
*Embellishments: assorted buttons

*Happy Holidays*

Good afternoon all....  another Christmas card to share with you....  I truly love the simplicity of this card... wondering if I should have used green buttons instead though

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Garden Green
*Images: Penny Black Winter Wonders
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Garden Green; Versafine Onyx Black
*Embellishments: assorted buttons; Frosted Lace Stickles; Sakura Stardust glitter pen

*Sweet Stop Colour Q*

I cheated.... I spent some time on the weekend scheduling a few posts for the week....  I have a good reason, really....

Monday marked my first day back at work.... I accepted a full time job about a month ago and Monday was my first day.  I am writing this on Friday so I have no idea how the day went, but I'm going to go with "good" LOL! This is my first full time job outside the house in more than 16 years....  I'm excited and scared.... and am hopeful that life will sort itself out!

I created this card a while back using a ColourQ palette and a Sweet Stop Sketch challenge.... you can tell since there are flowers in the background LOL!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Soft Suede, Island Indigo, Bermuda Bay
*Images: Hampton Art
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities; crafts Too Daisy Delight embossing folder
*Embellishments: Michael's Bridal flower; assorted buttons; Twinery twine; Kaiser pearl
*Challenges:  SSS#122; ColourQ98

*Playing in Paradise #39*

Happy Friday everyone!!!    Friday means another challenge over at the Scrapbooker Paradise blog... and this week Tracy challenged us to create a masculine card....  definitely not easy for me.... I don't even make cards for my husband LOL!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip
*Pattern Paper:  My Mind's Eye
*Images:  Hero Arts Essential Messages
*Ink:  Versamark
*Tools:  heat tool
*Embellishments: clear embossing powder; unknown button; Twinery twine
*Challenges:  SBPC#39

I invite you join us in playing this week... simply add your card to the links at the bottom of the challenge post HERE before midnight on Thursday for your chance to win a prize from Scrapbookers Paradise as well as a chance to play along with the Design Team in a future challenge.

Take a few minutes to check out what the rest of the Design Team has been up to...

*Allison

*Angie
*Kasia

*Merlie

*Tracy

*Fall to Layout #161*

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my Canadian friends.  We typically try to do our big  meal on the weekend but instead I am going to be cooking it today.  We have 5 others joining us for dinner tonight for turkey and all the fixins!  I love the way the house smells when it's all cooking... and I love that we get the leftovers!

I am feeling rather blue today....  I had thought that this year would be easier, but I am missing my parents so much today.  There is such a hole in my heart.  I am thankful that I miss them so much because it means they meant a lot to me... I am just so sad that they are gone from my life.  I miss seeing them, hearing them, being held by them.  I truly find it difficult to feel thankful when I feel like this....  but I am thankful for a happy and healthy family, a wonderful husband, great friends, a supportive and loving extending family, a roof over our heads and food on our plates.

I love the card that I created for this week's sketch over at the Clean and Simple stamping blog... I hope you'll find a little time to play along with us this week!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Old Olive, Melon Mambo
*Images: PTI Mega Mixed Messages
*Ink: Stampin' Up! chocolate chip
*Tools: Stampin' Up! circle punches; Big Shot; Tim Holtz die
*Embellishments: unknown button; unknown brads; Prima flowers; satin ribbon
*Challenges:  FTL161

*Fall To Layout #159*

I have had a busy but fun weekend, working at The Great Canadian Scrapbook Carnival here in Calgary... I was working at the MondayNightClass booth and got to visit with a lot of great paper crafters over the two day event.  I am happy to be sitting with my feet up today before a busy week of work and running around... and then another weekend of The Great Canadian Scrapbook Carnival in Edmonton!

If you live in the Edmonton area, check out the Canadian Scrapbooker Website for more information about this great event....  it's not only a crop for registered attendees but there's a great vendor mall that will be set up for your shopping pleasure!  And it's open to the public!

I made a few changes to the card I am sharing with you today before I was ready to show it to you....  I'm not totally happy with the card but I like it better than what I had before....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Pear Pizazz, Pretty in Pink
*Images: Hero Arts Sending Smiles
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Embellishments: unknown buttons; Stampin' Up! grosgrain
*Challenges:  FTL159

*Combining Challenges*

I'm finding myself lost for the second week in a row....   somehow I managed to miss Monday both weeks!  That means today feels like a Tuesday... but look at that!  It's Wednesday!

That's a good thing!

I had some fun playing with a ColourQ colour combination and a Sweet Stop Sketch...  turned out OK I think...

Items Used: *Cardstock:  PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Pool Party
*Images: Inkadinkadoo Fancy That; Impress
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Tangerine Tango; Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities
*Embellishments: unknown buttons; unknown ribbon
*Challenges:  ColourQ#97; SSS120

*Fall To Layout #155*

This week, the Clean and Simple blog is playing along with the folks at ColourQ to celebrate their 100th Colour Combination.... the ColourQ challenge will be posted on Tuesday.... but if you want to play along a little early, I suggest you take a look at the CAS sketch (link in my sidebar) and have a peek at the 99 previous challenges over at the Colour! blog....

Items Used: 
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi
*Images: A Muse
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Big Shot; My Favorite Things open scallop die
*Embellishments: assorted buttons
*Challenges:  FTL155; ColourQ#46

*Playing In Paradise #30*

It's time for another Playing in Paradise challenge over at the Scrapbookers Paradise Blog... 

This week it's another one of Allison's wonderful sketches.... she creates them to be made as scrapbook pages or cards....  

I had fun with this one!

Items Used: 

*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Wild Wasabi

*Images:  Outlines; Stampin' Up! Occasional Quotes

*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics

*Tools:  Spellbinders Nestabilities

*Embellishments:  Prima Flowers; assorted buttons

I invite you join us in playing this week... simply add your card to the links at the bottom of the challenge post before midnight on Thursday for your chance to win a prize from Scrapbookers Paradise as well as a chance to play along with the Design Team in a future challenge.

Take a few minutes to check out what the rest of the Design Team has been up to...

*Allison C

*Allison F

*Angie

*Dana

*Merlie

*Tracy