*Found an Image*

I stamped and coloured this image *years* ago... literally, years ago... and never did anything with it.  I was bored and felt like creating and decided it was finally time to make something with this image.  I was tempted to just throw it out, but I liked how my colouring turned out, so I started to play.  A few Nestabilities and a couple of those old Michael's flowers that I coloured up and voila!

*Christmas Cards 2015 #33*

And unless I have some spare time, this is my last Christmas card for 2015....  I just love love love stamping for Christmas!


I really like how this card turned out....  a Cuttlebug embossing folder, a scrap of patterned paper, Labels 8 by Spellbinders, some glitter paper and two Impression Obsession snowflakes.  I love the look of the two corners rounded.

Thanks to everyone who shares on their blogs and to those who then share those cards on Pinterest.  I'm not sure where I would have been this year when trying to make my cards!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

*Christmas Cards 2015 #29*

Another card with the Stampin' Up! Festival of Trees and the punch.  I used a scrap of patterned paper that I've had forever and some more of that silver glitter paper.

*Christmas Cards 2015 #14*

I'm not in love with either of these... they're OK but not my favourites.

I saw the idea for the patterned paper on the corner on Pinterest somewhere but couldn't find it again when I went to make the card, so I had no idea how to finish it off.  It took me a while to come up with this.

I love this snowman image... he's just so freakin' jolly! I added some Washi Tape to make the white cardstock a little more interesting.

*Red and White Snowflakes*

I saw a card on Pinterest the other day that had red and white snowflakes....  I was in love with it as soon as I saw it.... so I had to make my own...

I used patterned papers for the Spellbinders snowflakes and added a glittered brad in the centre of each.  Quick and easy to put together.

*Strips of Paper*

Another quick and easy card that's a great way to use up strips of patterned paper....  I used left overs from a paper pad I have.... I love paper pads as the papers all go together.  I really like that many of the paper companies have done 6X6 pads... the 12X12 pads often have patterns that are too large for cards.

I've been making a lot of white based cards lately....  hmmmmm

*FTL#185*

I'm not really sure about this card.... I feel like it needs some texture or something... perhaps I should have put the elements on the left side through my Big Shot with an embossing folder or something.... and maybe I should have made the card base pink and the flower orange or something.  The flowers are kind of lost on the card...

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, So Saffron
*Images: Hero Arts Sending Smiles
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black; Copic
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities
*Embellishments: Michael's Bridal flowers; Kaiser Pearls
*Challenges:  FTL185; ColourQ#131


I hope you'll be able to find some time to playing along with the sketch at the Clean and Simple Cards blog....

*Fall To Layout 183*

I played for a bit on Sunday which felt great. The mojo was flowing and I had fun... It's been a long time since I had fun creating....

This is my take on the sketch Natasha posted last Friday over at the Clean and Simple Stamping blog...

*Fall To Layout #180*

Happy Sunday everyone... it is bright and sunny here in Calgary with the promise of warm weather.  We had a bit of snow last night that is melting as we speak.

I simply can not believe that it is already March.  I have created so little so far this year and blogged even less.  I find I am on my computer a lot less now that I work in front of one for 9 hours a day.

And the whole Mojo thing is just depressing to me.  When I have the time to create I have no mojo or desire to create.

And you know what's sad?  I don't know that I miss it all that much.  I think when I start to really miss it, I will make the time to create.... and the mojo will flow.

For today, here's my take on the latest sketch at the Clean and Simple Stamping blog.  You really should click on the link on the left side-bar and check out Natasha's sketches... the come together quickly and easily....

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Pattern Paper: Imaginisce
*Images: PTI Mega Mixed Messages; Penny Black
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black; Copic Spica
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities
*Challenges:  Fall To Layout 180

*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.

*FTL 172*

Happy Hump Day everyone....  the weather has turned to average temperatures here in Calgary.  A week ago we had a record for daytime high for the date and now we're looking at it getting worse over the next few days.  I sure hope we don't see record colds!!

Life is busy but good.... I am really missing my creative time.  My plan had been to play on Sunday but I woke up with a migraine, complete with nausea, and ended up doing absolutely nothing all day.  Big sad face.

I really like the sketch for this week over at the Clean and Simple blog (see the link my sidebar).... Some of the gals on the design team have made it simple, others have made it less simple.  Very versatile!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizazz, Chocolate Chip
*Images: Hero Arts
*Ink: Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities; Big Shot
*Embellishments: Michael's Bridal flower (coloured with Wisteria Wonder); Kaiser Pearls
*Challenges:  FTL172; ColourQ105

*Another Monday*

You know, I never really appreciated my weekends until I started working full time again....  and now it feels like weekends absolutely fly by!

We were supposed to go to Bruce's company Christmas party on Friday night but we bailed on it... Bruce had been home sick since Wednesday and we didn't think it was a good idea to show up to a party on Friday night.  I was a little disappointed but was content with a night in front of the TV with the family and a cozy blanket.

Saturday was a busy day around here... I made candycane bark and spudnuts.  Spudnuts are an old fashioned yeast donut that contains mashed potatoes as an added starch.  They took about 6 hours from making the dough, to rising, to rolling and cutting, to rising again, to frying.  A long process but totally worth it!  It was a little tough as it was the first time I was making them without my Mom.  I was worried I'd screw them up as I've only ever been the assistant LOL!

Saturday night we were off to a friends' house for their annual Christmas party.  Lots of food, lots of friends and lots of fun!

Sunday night was our bowling league where we had a potluck dinner while we bowled.  Always a fun time!

And here it is, Monday again.... sigh.  But, there are only 40 hours this week, between me and 10 days off!

I'm not in love with the card I'm about to show you... it's OK... but not my best...

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake, Real Red
*Pattern Paper: My Mind's Eye
*Images: Inkadinkadoo Snowflake
*Ink: VersaMagic Aspen Mist
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities (circles and Labels 4)
*Embellishments: Doodlebug Sugared Brad

*Fall To Layout #169*

Just a fly by from me today....  just long enough to share my take on the current sketch over at the Clean and Simple Stamping blog....  I sure hope you will find some time to play along with us this week!

I abosolutely LOVE this scroll work tree die by MemoryBox....  I needed to add a couple of cardstock shims to get it to cut perfectly but other than that, it makes beautiful cuts!  The excess pieces popped out so easily!  I have found out from some friends who have used these dies before that I could have run it through my Big Shot with SookWang (Scor Tape) on the back of the cardstock... instead I tried gluing with this card... not easy!  Next time I will put the tape on the card and then cut!

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PTI White; silver shimmer; Stampin' Up! Garden Green
*Pattern Paper: Imaginisce
*Images: Penny Black Winter Wonders
*Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities; MemoryBox die
*Embellishments: Sakura Stardust gel pen
*Challenges:  FTL169

*Fall To Layout #168*

It's funny how much more I appreciate the weekend now that I'm working out of the house full time!  It's so nice to leave work at 12:30 on Friday and have some time to myself.... and then know that there is no alarm clock in the morning!!

It's time for another sketch over at the Clean and Simple Stamping blog....  I had a bit of trouble with this one.... I like it, but it's not one of my favourites.  I'm sure some of the other gals have done a better job with it!  I was working with limited supplies while I was at the retreat in Ontario with my sister in October

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Tempting Turquoise
*Pattern Paper: My Mind's Eye
*Images: Penny Black Winter Wonder
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Tempting Turquoise
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities
*Embellishments: unknown ribbon
*Challenges:  FTL#168

*Playing in Paradise #42*

It's my turn to challenge you all for the Playing in Paradise Challenge... and I decided it would be fun to play with a round card!!!

I had fun with this one.... a fun die from Spellbinders and a great idea for a sentiment that helps keep my card upright when it's standing!!!

Items Used:

*Cardstock: PTI White; Bazzill Blin
*Images: Kaiser Craft Christmas Sentiments
*Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools:  Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities; Perfect Layers Tools
*Challenges:  SBPC#42

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

*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

*Use It Tuesday #19*

Welcome to another challenge with the Use It Tuesday Design Team!!!  This time around, we're being challenged to use a theme of "cooking" in our creation.

My first thought was to decorate a recipe card with a favourite recipe on it, but it wasn't going to be easy to incorporate goodies from my stash in to my creation... so instead, I grabbed a cupcake stamp I haven't used in forever and created a card....

Items Used: 

*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Pear Pizzazz
*Patterned Paper:  Upsy Daisy

*Images:  Hero Arts Cupcakes

*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics
*Tools:  Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities; Perfect Layers Tool
*Embellishments: unknown ribbon; Kaiser Pearls; Frosted Lace Stickles
*Challenges:  UseItTuesday#19

I've had the Bazzill Bling cardstock in my stash for a long time.... and Only Orange and Lovely Lilac hardly ever see the light of day....  I also don't do a lot of heat embossing and the brads aren't in colours I grab for very often....  yup, lots of stuff from my stash used in this card!

I hope you'll take some time to play along with us!

*Playing in Paradise #40

It's the first Friday of November... and I'm slowly giving up my flip flops.  I can't wear them to work so I might as well make the break.  My new job starts on Monday morning and I am both excited and nervous about it!  It will be a big transition for me and for the family.  I haven't worked full time outside the home since before Alex was born in the spring of 1995.  The kids are older now and perfectly capable of chipping in and helping out.... let's just hope they agree LOL!

This week, for the Playing in Paradise Challenge, Merlie has asked us to make an easel card.... I love easel cards!  There are lots of directions out there.... just Google Search it.....  I used the directions found HERE

Items Used:

*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Pattern Paper:  Jillibean Soup
*Images:  Stampendous; Hero Arts Sending Smiles
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics
*Tools:  Spellbinders Nestabilities; Martha Stewart border punch
*Challenges:  SBPC#40

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

*Playing in Paradise #36*

It's time for another Playing in Paradise challenge over at the Scrapbookers Paradise Blog... and it's time for another of Allison's sketches!  

As soon as I saw the sketch, I knew I wanted to play with some Christmas papers and images....

Items Used: 

*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Real Red

*Pattern Paper:  unknown

*Images:  Impression Obsession
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics

*Tools:  Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities

*Embellishments:  grosgrain ribbon; Stickles

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

*Angie
*Kasia

*Merlie

*Tracy

*World Card Making Day Canadian Blog Hop*

Welcome to the next stop in the World Card Making Day Canadian Blog Hop!!!  If you got here without starting at the beginning of the hop, please head on over to Tara's Blog to see the start of the hop.....  and then, when you're done with this hop, head on over to visit Nicole as she's the start of the other ring of Canadians doing the blog hop today!

We all got together on Facebook a few weeks ago and decided it would be great to have an All Canadian Blog Hop for World Card Making Day....  and to make it more fun, we were all challenged to try to use at least one thing from a Canadian manufacturer.  I managed to find not only a stamp by a Canadian company, but all some paper!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: PTI White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Pattern Paper: Upsy Daisy
*Images: Stamping Bella
*Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics; white gel pen
*Tools: Big Shot; Spellbinders Nestabilities
*Challenges:  SSS75

Now that you're done with my blog, 

head on over to visit KIMBERLY 

as she's the next participant in the hop!