*Mojo Monday #508*

It has been a LONG time since I last played with a sketch from Julee Tilman's Mojo Monday... and while this is one of her sketches, it is far from being the most current one.  I was challenged to use this sketch on one of my online groups and I had a lot of fun making the card somewhat clean and simple.  It's not minimalist, by any means.... but while there are a lot of layers, there is not a lot else going on.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Cover Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Daffodil Delight, Costal Cabana, Poppy Parade, Granny Apple Green

*Dies:  Spellbinders; Pretty Pink Posh Congrats Script

*Best Wishes*

I loved the Eastern Medallion die set and Eastern Beauty stamp set from Stampin' Up! when I saw them and I *had* to have them..... and honestly, they have sat in my stash doing nothing for a couple of years now.  I've never put the effort in to figuring them out.  Sad, eh?

I'm glad I finally grabbed them and played a little bit....

If you zoom in on the photo, you'll see that I started with an embossed grid on the front white panel... I simply scored my cardstock with my Scor-Pal to get the look.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Images:  Avery Elle So Kind
*Ink: Versafine Clair Nocturne; Catherine Pooler Lime Rickey
*Dies:  Stampin' Up! Eastern Medallion
*Tools:  Scor Pal; Gemini Jr; Life Changing Blender Brushes; Perfect Layers

*Mojo 206*

I've been busy over the last few days helping to get things together for MondayNightClass for the Great Canadian Scrapbook Carnival happening in Calgary this weekend and Edmonton next weekend.  I haven't been to this event before but I have heard great things about it.  Canadian Scrapbooker likes to have fun!

I am taking a small break from kitting class packages... bending over the table for 1.5 hours has made my back just a little sore.

I created this card a few weeks ago, playing with an old MojoMonday sketch...

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip, Lucky Limeade
*Pattern Paper: MME Lime Twist
*Images: Hero Arts Lauderdale Floral
*Ink: Versamagic
*Tools: heat tool; white embossing powder; Copics; Big Shot; D'vine Swirl and Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folders
*Embellishments: dark brown satin ribbon
*Challenges:  Mojo206

I absolutely LOVE this Hero Arts flower stamped on white and embossed in white and coloured.  Just love it!

*Mojo 202*

Our streak of hot weather has ended and we are going to be either around seasonal or just below for at least the next 5 days.... sure feels chilly after the heat of the last week or so!  I was enjoying the sunshine and warmth.  Today it is overcast and cool.  Blech.

We had a good weekend.... got a little crafting done, spent time with friends, slept in, got back to our Sunday evening bowling league... yup, a good weekend.

Since the weather is icky, I am really hoping to get a little creative today... so far I've procrastinated it LOL.  What's up with that?  Fear of no mojo I'm thinking...

Speaking of Mojo, here's a card using an old MojoMonday sketch....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Certainly Celery
*Images: Hero Arts Lauderdale Floral
*Ink: Versamagic ink; Copics
*Tools: heat tool; Big Shot; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder
*Embellishments: white embossing powder; black marker; unknown ribbon
*Challenges:  Mojo202


I'm not in love with this card, but I like it enough LOL

*All By Myself*

For the first time since June, I am alone in my house.... and I'm enjoying the quiet!  Of course, my day started with a bunch of errands and running around, but I'm enjoying the rest of my day to myself.

I love how this card turned out.... totally not my usual colours but I think they work well.... I hope you like it too!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Early Espresso, Island Indigo; Pool Party
*Pattern Paper: Cosmo Cricket
*Images: Hampton Art *Ink: Stampin' Up! Soft Suede
*Embellishments: assorted buttons; unknown grosgrain; Frosted Lace Stickles
*Challenges:  Mojo201; ColourQ#95

*Back In The Groove*

I am going to try VERY hard over the next few weeks to get back in the habit of blogging more often than just my design team posts.  I have cards to share, just never think to come and blog them.

I want to share with you.... I really do....  just sometimes blogging gets pushed to the side for a variety of reasons. It's not like I don't have the time, because I do.... I think that not blogging much last year with Mom being ill has transferred to me not blogging much this year either.  I should change that!

I created this card a while back following a Mojo Monday sketch and using some colours from a ColourQ challenge.

Items Used: *Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Grey, Bordering Blue, Cajun Craze, Bravo Burgundy
*Images: PTI Signature Greetings
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Bravo Burgundy
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities beaded circles; Stampin' Up! scallop border punch
*Embellishments: Prima flowers; Kaiser Pearls;
*Challenges:  Mojo195; ColourQ#89

*These Colours Scream Summer!*

Happy Saturday everyone... I hope you are going to be doing something you enjoy this weekend!!!  We spent this morning cleaning the house and now we have the entire weekend to relax and enjoy.  We have friends coming over to sit on the deck this evening.... sure hope it doesn't rain LOL!

I found some time this week to play with the current challenges over at MojoMonday and ColourQ.  And I'm even posting them in time for the deadlines!  Go me!

Items Used: *Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry
*Images: Stampin' Up! Occasional Quotes
*Ink:   Stampin' Up! Rich Razzleberry
*Tools: EK Success border punch; PTI flower dies
*Embellishments: Stampin' Up! Green Galore grosgrain ribbon
*Challenges:  Mojo200; ColourQ94


I am in love with this card.... love the layout, love the colours.... so pleased with how it turned out... and as I said in the title, these colours together just scream SUMMER to me!

*I'm So Sorry!!*

I am so sorry that I haven't been around more in the last few weeks.  I have had a lot going on in my world and in my mind and honestly, creating and blogging have been furthest from my mind.  I am working hard to get ahead on some of my Design Team challenges and will be able to create for me after a few more challenges get done.

Thankfully, I have a few minutes right now and a card that I can post!  Yay!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi, Tempting Turquoise
*Images: Stampin' Up! Best Yet
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Early Espresso
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder; EK Success border punch
*Embellishments: Early Espresso satin ribbon
*Challenges:   Mojo187; ColourQ#45

*Hello From Toronto*

Happy Sunday everyone!  I packed my bags and hopped on a plane yesterday and am in Toronto visiting my sister Heather.  My niece is graduating from college this coming week so I came out to see them and to attend Rachael's graduation.

After my flight landed yesterday, Heather and I went to Panera for a delicious lunch of baked potato soup in a bread bowl.  We then went off to the mall where I was on a quest to buy blush.  I got blush at her favourite store (Caryl Baker) and managed to get a mini-facial and make up application as well LOL!  We then had to hightail it to the house and change our clothes as I was Heather's date to her bowling banquet last night.  We ate a little, drank a little and danced a little.

We're not sure what our plans are for today... we're not being too ambitious yet as we're both still in our jammies!

I am having internet connection issues (it comes and goes... waiting to be able to talk to my hubby about it) so I hope to be able to get this to post....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Kraft, Cherry Cobbler
*Images: Stampin' Up! Best Yet
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Early Espresso
*Tools: Corner Chomper; Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities
*Embellishments: Stampin' Up! Vanilla grosgrain
*Challenges:  Mojo194; ColourQ#88

*Remember Moments*

This has been a crazy busy week.... and when I've had time to create I've managed to waste my time with blog surfing and TV.  My mind just hasn't been feeling creative over the last few days.

But I *need* to get busy as I am running out cards to share!!!!

It feels so strange to be alone in my craft room on a Friday night... but Bruce is doing his thing on his computer, Matthew is doing his thing and Alex is out of town to compete at a TaeKwon Do tournament.

I sure hope I can get some cards created rather than just thinking about it!

I created this card earlier this week... in fact, I think it was Monday... I remember because I was shocked that I was actually playing with the MojoMonday sketch on the Monday it was posted!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Almost Amethyst
*Pattern Paper: Stampin' Up!
*Images: TPC Studio Playful Expressions; Heartfelt Creations Posy Patch
*Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black; Certainly Celery marker
*Tools: Big Shot; Heartfelt Creations Posy Patch die
*Embellishments: Stampin' Up! grosgrain ribbon; Kasier rhinestone
*Challenges:  Mojo193

*Happy Graduation*

And so it begins....

In our group of friends, we have kids that range in age from grade 1 to grade 12... we have kids currently in grade 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 6 and 1....  so we have 5 years in a row with graduation ceremonies!

This past week was the graduation ceremony for our friends daughter.  Last night was her graduation banquet and party and we were all invited over for a drink to see Tat in her beautiful gown before they left.

I decided to take her a little gift of some cupcakes from Crave and of course, had to take her a card.  I have nothing in the "graduation" genre of stamps so I used a computer generated graphic and took a saying I found on the internet and created the sentiment for the front of the card as well.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Early Espresso, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight, Real Red
*Images: computer generated
*Tools: Big Shot; D'Vine Swirl Cuttlebug embossing folder; Spellbinders Nestabilities
*Embellishments: Stampin' Up! grosgrain ribbon
*Challenges:  Mojo192; ColourQ#86; CFC4


This card meets the requirements for three challenges... I used the Mojo Sketch with the ColourQ colours and is a graduation card for CAS-ual Friday.

And I'm just making it in time for some of the deadlines LOL!

*A Little Drab*

A beautiful sunny day in Calgary today.... the rains will start tomorrow apparently.  I think we should probably get a little yard work done today.... weeds pulled, figure out what survived the winter....  I haven't bought my flowers for the beds yet so we won't be planting this weekend.  Maybe next weekend.

After this card, I am out of cards to share with you.... and I won't be crafting today (well, maybe a little bit) and I'm heading up to Edmonton for the day tomorrow to visit my Uncle who's in the hospital.  Maybe there will be some crafting on Monday?  Definitely will be if it's raining LOL!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip, Peach Parfait, Basic Grey, Sahara Sand
*Images: PTI Mega Mixed Messages; unknown flower
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Peach Parfait
*Tools: Big Shot; D'vine Swirl embossing folder; Spellbinders Nestabilities
*Embellishments: Dew Drops; Stampin' Up! ribbon
*Challenges:  Mojo191; ColourQ#85


I'm not sure about the colours of this card... I had a really tough time with the ColourQ challenge this week...  it's not bad, just kind of bland.  Maybe I needed more orange to make things pop!


Enjoy your weekend!

*Beautiful Weekend*

It is sooooo nice to see a weather forecast that shows average or above average temperatures for an entire week!  I haven't had socks and shoes on in many many days... and I love wearing capris and flip flops!

Thanks for figuring it out Mother Nature... please keep up the good work!


I created this card earlier this week for a couple of challenges....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, Kraft
*Images: Stampin' Up! Occasional Quotes
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Old Olive
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities; D'Vine Swirl Cuttlebug embossing folder
*Embellishments: assorted buttons; twine from The Twinery
*Challenges:  Mojo190; ColourQ#84

*Bright Thanks*

I am really tired today.  I had hoped to spend the day creating as I have this card plus one more to share with you in my stash, but honestly, I am so tired it seems like too much work to even turn on the light above my desk.  I haven't been sleeping well with this darn cold and last night was no different... toss and turn and then wide awake more than an hour before my alarm.

Gah.

I wasn't too sure about these colours when I started creating this card... it's totally not me "me" but I do like how it turned out...

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Tangerine Tango, Peach Parfait, Tempting Turquoise
*Images: PTI Signature Greetings; Amuse
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities; Stampin' Up! scallop border punch
*Embellishments: unknown gems; Stampin' Up! Daffodil Delight ribbon; Michael's Bridal flowers
*Challenges:  Mojo188; ColourQ#83; Less Is More #13


Three challenges, one card... go me LOL!

*I've Got A Secret*

Yup, I'm keeping something from you!  I have a secret that I will be able to share on Friday....  I'm a little excited about it!

Secrets are hard to keep sometimes.... but I figure I only have another day to keep my mouth shut....  I can do it LOL!!!

I'm rather pleased with how this card turned out, using a ColourQ challenge and a Mojo Monday sketch....  it took me a long time to put it together though....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Always Artichoke
*Images: Lizzie Anne Designs Floral Frenzy; Whippersnapper; Amuse
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Baja Breeze; Kiwi Kiss, Pear Pizzazz; Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities, Labels 6; Stampin' Up! scallop border punch
*Embellishments: assorted buttons; twine from The Twinery
*Challenges:  Mojo189; ColourQ#82

*I Survived!!*

Yup, I'm being dramatic...

Today I had my first ever root canal... and let me tell you, as my appointment time drew closer, I got more and more worked up about it.  When I was sitting in the chair my hands were shaking like crazy and I was honestly worried that I might pass out.

But the Endodontist made sure he froze everything up really well and I didn't feel a thing!  The freezing is coming out now and there is an ache in my jaw, but it's not any worse (at least not yet) than the pain I was feeling from the tooth before the root canal.

I am a BIG BABY when it comes to the dentist... so if I got through it, you could do it too!  I am truly surprised at how un-terrible it was!

I wished I had booked the appointment differently but I obviously wasn't thinking when I booked it... today marks the 5th anniversary of the day my Dad passed away.  I truly can't believe how quickly 5 years have passed.  I miss Dad every single day...

Anyway... on to the business at hand... sharing a card I really don't like LOL!

Excited to see it???

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Perfect Plum, Pear Pizzazz, Baja Breeze
*Images: Stampin' Up! Pocket Silhouettes
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Pear Pizzazz, Perfect Plum
*Tools: Big Shot; D'Vine Swirl Cuttlebug folder; Nellie's die; Stampin' Up! circle punch, Word Window punch
*Embellishments: Stampin' Up! ribbon; Creative Imagines brad
*Challenges:  Mojo185


I'm just not thrilled with this card.... the colours had potential but I didn't showcase them well.

If you're wondering, I created the green scallop border by cutting out circles with my circle punch  and layering them on the back of the white layer and trimming off the excess on the sides.  It's one way of making different sized scalloped borders.

Enjoy your evening!

*I Disappeared Again*

I am so sorry for not posting since Wednesday.  I spent a lot of Thursday and Friday working so that I could update the work website on Saturday morning.  Friday night I went out with my friend Shannon (link to her blog in the sidebar under CalGals) to a Spring Craft Show and then out for some dinner afterwards.  Saturday I woke up with a nasty headache but managed to get my work done and then have a rest.  Saturday night we were out to watch the UFC fight at a friends' house.

Yesterday, would you believe I didn't come down to my creative space at all???  I checked Facebook and my email on my iPhone.  I ran a few errands in the early afternoon, read in the sun on the back deck in the afternoon, and watched TV with my hubby after dinner.

Today I have managed to make a couple of cards that I will take outside into the beautiful sunshine to photograph.  Maybe, just maybe, spring is here!

I created this card a few weeks ago...

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White;  Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Old Olive
*Images: Heartfelt Creations
*Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics; Stampin' Up! Baja Breeze on the ribbon
*Tools: Big Shot;  D'Vine Swirl Cuttlebug folder; Spellbinders Nestabilities; Bow Easy
*Embellishments: Stampin' Up! white grosgrain ribbon (coloured with Baja breeze ink)
*Challenges:  Mojo182; ColourQ#79


I am trying to decide now if I want to keep crafting, go out to read, or have a nap.... I'm getting a cold (my throat is very sore) and I just feel kinda crappy... not to mention the pain my tooth is in right now... root canal is at noon on Wednesday!

Enjoy your day!

*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!

*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

*To You From Me*

Happy Saturday my friends... we're having a good day so far....  I slept in, had a very lazy morning, we went to the mall for lunch in the food court and for Matthew to spend a little of his birthday money.  Then we came home and I've spent the last few hours doing some work.

Bruce is going out tonight so it's just the kids and I.... I have no clue what we're going to do about dinner (and it's already after 4!) but my plan for this evening is either to watch and movie while I craft, or just watch a movie.  Or maybe both LOL!

I figured that by getting some of the work I have to do out of the way, that I would feel more free to actually play and relax.  I hope it works.  I have a feeling I will spend more time working instead... to plow through the work that I have here at the house that needs to be done for later in the week.  Who knows what will really happen.

At any rate, I won't have nothing to do tonight LOL!

I created this card yesterday to fulfill the needs of two different challenges.  The more I look at it, I wish I had added a purple layer behind the green to make it pop a little more....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Bashful Blue, Concord Crush, Kiwi Kiss
*Images: Stampin' Up! Friendship Blooms, Best Yet
*Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics
*Tools: Big Shot; D'vine Swirl Cuttlebug embossing folder; Spellbinders Lacey Circles
*Embellishments: twine from The Twinery
*Challenges:  Mojo183; ColourQ77


Yup, I really should have added some purple behind the green layers....  at least the Cuttlebugged one.

Enjoy your Saturday!