*I Can Dream, Can't I*

I'm going to share a card with spring colours and flowers today....  Just because it's still just barely above freezing and dreary here in Calgary doesn't mean a girl can't dream of the day that the sun shines, the weather warms up, and the flowers thrive.

My flowers that I purchased last week survived the blast of bad weather thanks to the protection of the patio table and a blanket.  I am hoping that the ground will dry a bit over the next couple days as the temperature warms up and I will plant them later in the week.

I truly hope that this was the last blast of really truly crappy weather until later in the fall.

I need warm weather.  I need sunshine.  I need to have my windows open to enjoy the fresh air.

So I will dream of flowers and spring for a few more days.... while you take a look at this card I created.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PaperTrey Ink White; Stampin' Up! Almost Amethyst, Certainly Celery, Rose Red
*Images:  Rhona Farrer Swirls; PaperTrey Ink Beautiful Blooms
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Certainly Celery, Rose Red
*Challenges:  SC279


Quick, clean and simple!

*Finally, A Card*

Again, I apologize for posting so infrequently...  there's just so much going on in my world, and only this one last card for me to share with you.

Now that I am home for a few weeks, I hope that the Mojo Gods will bless me with some creativity and that my schedule will allow me some good creative time.  I could have created tonight with the kids off at TaeKwon Do and the hubby with them, but I'm busy doing laundry, catching up on Google Reader and watching some of the TV I didn't watch on my computer while in Regina.  Maybe tomorrow... after a good nights' sleep in my own bed!

I really love how this card turned out...  I used one of the sketch challenges from Splitcoast as my starting point.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black
*Images:  TPC Studio Playful Expressions
*Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black (set with my heat tool)
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folder; Border Frills Cuttlebug Folder
*Challenges:  SC263


I love the simplicity of the black and white in this card....

*Another Birthday Card*

I typically don't make a lot of occasion specific cards... I like to keep them "open" so that I can use them for absolutely anything.  Otherwise they tend to just sit there for a while not getting used.

But, the Crazy4Challenges blog has had a challenge for the last week for birthday cards, so most of the cards I've made this week have been birthday cards.

Now to get back into the habit of sending birthday cards to people!!  I've been terrible about it in the last year or so.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PaperTreyInk; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Images:  Stampabilities; Imaginisce
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Rocket Red Brilliance; Copic Markers
*Tools:  Corner Chomper
*Embellishments:  American Crafts Ribbon; unknown brad; Stickles
*Challenges:  SC262; C4C19


Yup, two challenges again....  last weeks' Splitcoast Sketch Challenge and the Crazy4Challenges challenge.

And I used my Copics again!  I'm trying!!!

My favourite part of this card?  I love how the Stickles look on the bath bubbles.... gives an iridescent sheen that's just perfect!

*Only One More Sleep*

Tomorrow the last of my Holiday Company heads home... it's been wonderful having the people I love around.  I will definitely be sad to see Heather walking through the security check point at the airport.

Sniff sniff sniff

This is another card I created the other day while Heather and I were crafting and watching movies.  We've tried to craft again, but really, neither of us is getting much accomplished.  It took me an entire movie to create a card yesterday.

This card uses three challenges...  the current Splitcoast Sketch Challenge, a Splitcoast Colour Challenge from a few weeks ago, and the current Crazy for Challenges challenge (to use Polka Dots)

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Rich Razzleberry and Barely Banana
*Images:  Unity
*Ink:  Memento black; Stampin' Up! Markers
*Tools:  Big Shot; Sizzix embossing folder; Nestabilities
*Challenges:  Splitcoast CC248; Splitcoast SC261; C4C18

*Ouch!!*

I was a busy girl this morning... by 8am I was baking as I wanted to get the last of it done today.  I got the butter tarts made and in the oven and then started on the poppycock (caramel corn).  I got everything ready and was pouring the homemade caramel over the popcorn and started stirring.... and some of the caramel got on my right index finger and stuck.... and I got an instant blister.

It's making typing a little difficult.  I'm trying to avoid using that finger.

I think I will live...

LOL

But hey, once that timer goes off, my part of the Christmas baking is done!!  Mom will come next week and she'll help me make poppyseed roll (I've never made it before).  Heather is brining stuff too.

I'm off to the eye doctor in a while to have some sort of dilation test done on my eyes.  I don't even remember why this test was recommended.  All I know is that I was told not to drive so I have no idea what I'll be able to do this afternoon....  computer?  read?  tv?  craft?

I plan on doing a few challenge cards before I head off, just in case I can't craft any more later.  If I can, though, I hope to craft this afternoon.

This card follows the sketch for the Splitcoast Stampers Sketch Challenge from last week.  Once I decided what I wanted to use for paper and images, the card came together rather quickly.

Items Used
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Garden Green; PaperTreyInk White
*Patterned Paper:  Imaginisce
*Images:  Great Impressions
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics
*Embellishments:  grosgrain ribbon
*Challenges:  SC258

*Been Busy!*

As promised, I'm back for a second post today.

I've been busy.... I went to the gym, came home and got cleaned up, have made 4 dozen whipped shortbread cookies, 1 dozen more cinnamon buns, wrapped a bunch of presents, run out to do a few errands, fed Shannon's cat...

But I promised to come back and share another card with you, so here I am!

I wasn't sure I was going to do the Splitcoast Sketch Challenge that was posted last Wednesday, but I finally decided to just sit and play with it the other day.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red; PaperTreyInk white
*Images:  The Angel Company Little Penguins
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics
*Tools:  We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper (yup, I got a new toy!)
*Embellishments:  Stampin' Up! Black Brads
*Challenges:  SC257

*How Do You Know?*

This morning, Matthew complained of a sore throat.  Not seeing anything alarming, I sent him to school.

And hour later, he phones to tell me that his throat is really sore.  I ask if there's anything else wrong, he says "no" so I tell him to stick it out until lunch.

About 90 minutes later (and before lunch) the school secretary calls to tell me that Matthew really isn't feeling well so Bruce went to pick him up from school.

He's complaining of a sore throat, more like the jaw area inside his mouth, but we see nothing.  No fever, no cough, no sniffles... just his claim of a sore throat/jaw.

This is one of those times I hate being a parent.  I hate that he is home, on the couch and I have no idea if there's something actually wrong or if he's just got a little sore throat that will be fine in a few hours.  Am I being "played" by my 12 year old?

He's not usually one to want to stay home if he's not sick.... so I have to assume that something isn't right... I just have no clue what that is.

Being a Mom is hard work!

I had fun playing with the Splitcoast Sketch Challenge this past weekend.  I knew what I wanted to do almost as soon as I saw the sketch...  I envisioned the Cuttlebugged snowflakes and a snowman on the front.  Not thrilled with the colouring or the colours of the snowman, but otherwise I love this card.

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  PaperTreyInk White; Stampin' Up! Bashful Blue
*Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up! (retired)
*Images:  Hero Arts
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics
*Tools:  Big Shot; Snowflakes Cuttlebug folder
*Embellishments:  Kaiser bling
*Challenges:  SC254

*A Break In The Week*

I am really looking forward to Wednesday morning... there will be no alarm clocks in our house tomorrow....  It's Remembrance Day in Canada and in Alberta, it's observed as a holiday (not all provinces give all people the day off.... when I lived in Toronto Ontario, I still had to work and kids still went to school on November 11th.)

I will be taking a moment of silence at 11:11 am on the 11th Day of the 11th Month to remember those who fought and those who sacrificed their lives to give me the life I am priveleged enough to lead.

I went to bed a little earlier than usual last night...  by 7pm I probably could have crawled into bed, but instead it was 10pm.  And then the tickle in my throat started.  I sat straight up in bed around 11ish, out of a deep sleep, panicked that we'd missed the alarm again... guess I was dreaming.  I went back to sleep and was awakened again by the actual alarm clock at the right time.

Unfortunately, the tickle in my throat is still there and I have a bit of a cough... which is tough after I worked my abs for the first time in months at the gym on Monday.

Anyway....  enough chit chat....  on to the creative stuff!

I made this card on Friday (I think).  I love love love this Stampendous image... so much that when I saw a sample at a local store (Paper Pastimes) many years ago, I actually offered to buy the only one that was in the store....  the one in the classroom!  Thankfully the owner (Carole) was awesome and agreed.  I love this snow faerie!

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Staples White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Bashful Blue, Silver
*Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up! (retired)
*Images:  Stampendous
*Ink:  Encore Ultimate Metallic Blue
*Tools:  Heat Tool and Ranger Blue Pearl Embossing Powder; Big Shot; Snowflakes Cuttlebug folder
*Challenges:  Splitcoast Stampers SC253

*Snow Snow Snow*

Sigh.... it snowed more overnight... and this time you can't see my grass through the blanket of snow... and there's snow that has stuck to the road and sidewalks. Blech.

No school for the kiddos today so thankfully there were no bus issues for Alex. I do have to venture out in the slippery conditions after lunch to take Alex to the orthodontist. So glad I didn't book the appointment for early this morning. I think I should probably go up and get out of my jammies and make myself presentable for the day... and then I can do some crafting while catching up on chick TV before and after that ortho appointment!

We enjoyed two Thanksgiving dinners this weekend. I made turkey and all the fixin's on Sunday for my Father In Law and one of Bruce's brothers. Yesterday we gathered at my Mother In Law's house for turkey and ham and 15 people! Both dinners were awesome. I was so happy to see ham last night as I am not a big fan of turkey... at least not the first time around. I do love a good toasted turkey sandwich though (which will be dinner tonight and probably tomorrow night too!).

I created this card (which follows the Splitcoast Stampers Sketch SC242) months and months ago and it's been pushed further and further back down the list of cards to post thanks to the challenges I've been doing.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Close to Cocoa; Coredinations pink
*Patterned Paper: Imaginisce
*Image: Imaginisce
*Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black; Copic Spica

OK... I am off to make myself beautiful (I could be gone a while LOL) and then to find two kids to get outside and shovel that white mess!

Enjoy your day!

*Quiet Weekend*

WOW, what a quiet weekend around here. I didn't do a darn thing that was productive yesterday other than make peanut butter cookies with Matthew after dinner. I didn't craft, I didn't read, I didn't start the laundry... I didn't even leave the house. Why on earth did I bother to get dressed?? LOL!

Again, I felt like crafting... but I sat down at my craft table and did nothing. I just couldn't get in the right mood to put ink to paper. Sad, eh?

I don't know what all today holds, but I do know I will be leaving the house to go to bowling tonight. I'm having a lot of fun being back in a league (it's been 20 years!). I am doing better each week, but of course am no where near where I was 20 years ago. Thanks to all of us improving with each game and our "ringer" Trevor (who consistently bowls 200 or more -- this is 5-pin FYI), our team was in second place after week 2! Woot woot!

I've also been craving apple pie so I might do that today too. And I have the laundry started.

See... I've already accomplished more today than I did yesterday LOL!

On another note... today is Miikka's anniversary! We brought her home a year ago today. She didn't turn into the cuddly cat we had hoped for.... instead she is mischievious and aloof... a true cat. But we still love her...

I finally remembered about the High Hopes stamps I had ordered with the CalGals ... out of sight out of mind in my world. I might have to go back and order some more soon as back in the spring I refused to buy winter stamps! And there were several that I thought were adorable.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black
*Patterned Paper: Upsy Daisy
*Images: High Hopes
*Ink: Memento Black; Copic Spica
*Tools: Big Shot; Nestabilities

I created this card following a SplitcoastStampers Sketch -- SC240

The weather is a lot cooler here in Calgary than it was a week ago... but I refuse to bring out long pants and shoes.... you'll find me in capris, flip flops and a sweater LOL!

I really have to go shopping for some shoes or I'll end up going shopping in the snow with my flip flops on!

*It's Quiet*

For the first time in 10 days, I am alone in the house. It seems so quiet.

Heather left yesterday afternoon. I was a good girl. While my voice broke a bit, I didn't cry at the airport.

I was a little more choked up as I left the airport, but still I did not cry.

About an hour after I dropped her off at the airport, I decided to call her house and leave her a message... and then I cried.

And as I typed that... I had tears in my eyes.

I love my family... and I hate that I don't get to see them more often.

I am hopeful that they will all arrive at my doorstep to celebrate Christmas with us this year.

So, I am spending a quiet day at home... the house is clean, the sun is shining... Life will pick up once Matthew is home from school as he has drums at 3:30... and I'll run to the grocery store while he is there. And tonight Alex has Drivers Ed lesson 4 of 6... that class ends next Thursday night.

But for now, I will enjoy the quiet... even though I'm missing Heather!

The card I am sharing today follows the layout for the Splitcoast Stampers Sketch Challenge #239 (SC239).

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Core'dination; Stampin' Up! Basic Black and Whisper White
*Patterned Paper: BoBunny
*Image: Unity
*Ink: VersaMagic Tea Leaves
*Embellishments: Pebbles Candy Dots

Thanks for coming by to visit!

*Been Busy Crafting!*

So far, I've made 6 cards this weekend. I should be making another now, but am having trouble with the Mojo. Heather (that's my sister, btw) gave me about 10 cards that she wanted to see what I could do with the idea. Some we like mine better, some we like the original better. I'll be sharing these cards later on... they'll go into the regular rotation of cards I've created. Not like the sketch challenges on the MojoMonday blog as I like to try to be current with those.

Today is the perfect crafting day as it's chilly and rainy. Got the laundry going and the TV was on for a while.... should maybe turn on some tunes instead as they will distract me less LOL

I created this card at the beginning of August to send to my friend Laurie for her birthday. I've known Laurie for many years thanks to the online stamping group I moderate. She doesn't stamp or make cards much anymore (if at all) but we still keep track of each other.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry
*Images: Stampin' Up! Warmest Regards
*Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black; Copic markers (to colour the flowers)
*Embellishments: Michael's Bridal flowers; ribbon from stash; Kaiser Pearls
*Other Info: Splitcoast Stampers Sketch Challenge SC238

*One Last Post From Regina*

Here we are, our last full day in Regina. We will be hopping in the car on Tuesday morning to make the 8 hour drive home. As good as vacation is, it's always nice to get home... back to your routine. For me, I am most looking forward to getting back to my king sized bed... sleeping on a double when you're used to a king is tough! That king is going to feel like total luxury on Tuesday night!!

Again, I have no details on this card as the notes are at home in my stamp room. I guess I should have thought ahead, eh?

I can tell you that the patterned papers are by Magenta... it's actually one paper and I used each side of it. I know I followed a sketch challenge for this one.... hold one while I go look to see if I can find where it's from...

Did you miss me??? I found it.... I had a card saved as a favourite from Tobi's blog... this card was her week at doing the sketch challenge over at Splitcoast! This is SC225

I used one of my labels sets of Nestabilities in my Big shot and added a sentiment stamped in red ink by A*Muse. I added some black dots around the white label layer.

Thanks for popping by to visit!! Keep good thoughts for safe travels for us tomorrow!

*I Promise, The Last of This Series*

I'm so sorry for the third in a row using the same colour combination. I had them in order of how I made them but I guess I could have moved them around a little bit.

Again, a card I created two months ago. Such a long time ago... surprised I remember anything about it LOL!

I used Memory Box papers with some Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla cardstock and Bazzill Bling cardstock in pink and green. I added some of those beautiful bridal flowers from Michaels and added some Candy Dots to the centres of the flowers. The layout was taken from Sketch Challene 217 on Splitcoast Stampers. I made the card as a tall card, but like how it looks as a wide card instead.

I have created again today... am almost done the last of a little something and then I'll share the cards I've made over the last few days. I just know that there is someone out there who reads my blog who will be surprised!

Our beautiful weather didn't show up today... "they" were calling for +22*C (that's about 72F) but the sun never broke through the clouds. While it's still not cold out (it's 15*C), it's not 22*! And tomorrow's forecast says rain changing to snow!! No no no no no!!!

I've decided that on these beautiful days I will walk the dog in the mornings... get some exercise. It helps that some of my girlfriends and their dogs are interested in doing it so we get exercise and chat time. On the crappy days, I will head to the gym instead. I've spent 5 days making better choices for myself, focussing on myself again... and I hope to see a small drop on the scale on Thursday morning!

Enjoy the rest of your day!

*I'm Out Of Bed and Off The Couch*

Yup, it's true... I got up with the alarm this morning and went to work. It's the first time I've spent more than 60 minutes outside the house since Saturday. I had a tough time concentrating at work and am feeling pretty bagged right now, but I am glad I was back at it today.

Exciting day at work... the Spellbinders order arrived at The Scrapbook Pantry including Nestabilities!!! There isn't a lot of stock, but there's some great dies! I picked up the last shape I needed in the Classic size.... the rectangles. Been a good 10 days for Nestabilities for me as the circles and squares I ordered a month or more ago arrived too! I also came home with some beautiful patterned papers with some great sparkle in them by Best Creations. Beautiful!

I created this card back when Mom was visiting using the Splitcoast Sketch Challenge #81. I needed to play a little with the Adirondak inks and the Blending Medium before a class I was teaching so I decided after I was done with the one technique to play with Polished Stone again. I did a few different quarter sheets and then put them aside. I decided that some of the Peel-Off Stickers would be perfect on top of these beautiful colours so off I went! I coloured over the leaves with a green marker.

What a quick and easy card to put together!

Items Used:
*Cardstock: White Glossy; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Whisper White; Orchid Opulence
*Images: Stampin' Up A Beautiful Thing
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Orchid Opulence; Adirondak Wild Plum and Stream; gold reinker; Staedtler green marker
*Embellishments: Magenta Peel-Off Stickers

*Happy Monday*

Another Monday... the last of February. How has that happened? A week from now we're already into March, a week after that we will have already changed the clocks ahead an hour, and we'll be that much closer to spring!

Doesn't it seem like Christmas was just a few weeks ago???

I am, however, looking forward to the sun being high enough in the sky for me to be able to take my photos in the bright window in the kitchen again...

I've been suffering from a headache on and off (mostly on) since the drive home from the tournament on Saturday evening. It really makes it difficult to get through the day to day. But I did. I even managed to go get groceries after work. Go me!

I created this card from some images I stamped up a few months ago while playing with the Cal-Gals. I think the image is Shannon's and it's a Stampendous Fluffles image. I used sketch challenge #143 from Splitcoast Stampers as an inspiration.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Bashful Blue; Classic Crest white
*Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up!
*Images: Stampendous
*Ink: Palette Black
*Tools: Cuttlebug and the Nestability Scallop Square dies; coloured pencils, odourless mineral spirits and a blending stump
*Embellishments: Crystal Stickles

*Where Did My Weekend Go?*

Here it is, 4pm on Sunday afternoon and I have no idea how we got here! My weekend has totally flown by! I don't honestly feel like I had much of a weekend... running around, not a lot of relaxing. Like a weekday only the kids and husband were in the way! LOL!

I created this card earlier this week while cleaning out my stash of patterned paper scraps. I just love this black and white patterned paper by Luxe. The other side is the same design but it's more black where this one is more white.

This card is a variation of Sketch Challenge #105 over at Splitcoast Stampers.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black
*Patterned Paper: Luxe
*Images: Imaginisce
*Ink: Palette Black; Stampin' Up! Markers in Real Red, Garden Green, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie
*Embellishments: Robin's Nest Dew Drops
*Tools: Coluzzle

"Peek a Boo"

So sorry for not posting yesterday. I was out of the house by 8:30am and got home again around 3:30.... took Alex to his new Jr. High where we thought he'd be getting his timetable but instead we got to pay his fees have his photos taken for the yearbook and ID Card. Then it was off to run a few errands, pick up Matthew from his sleepover, stop by my friends house to drop off her keys and we managed to sit and chat for an hour before deciding to head off to a late lunch together. Then a few groceries and home. Busy busy as school approaches!

Another card today using SCS Colour Challenge #127. I like this one better than the one I posted on the weekend. I did have to add some of my Stardust gel pen to the swirl and flowers though... they just weren't popping at me.

As you can tell from the photo, the small oval punched out with the word "kind" is mounted on the inside of the card... just something to add a little difference.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Sahara Sand, Blue Bayou, Chocolate Chip
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Blue Bayou, Chocolate Chip
*Images: Stampin' Up! Baroque Motifs
*Tools: Stampin' Up! large and small oval punches, Sakura Stardust clear gel pen

*Colour Changing Primas*

The end of the weekend already.... time sure flies!

I managed to spend a good chunk of my day yesterday down in my stamp space. I made only three cards, but I had a lot of fun. I started playing with my Prismacolor Professional Quality Coloured Pencils, Odorless Paint Thinner and blending stumps. A card takes a lot longer to make when you are building up colour this way. My pencil crayon cards will come up in a few days.

Today, let me tell you how easy it is to make your Prima Flowers whatever colour you want! Simply use some water, some dye based re-inker and a container. I put the Primas in a container, spritzed them with some water and added a few drops of re-inker... swirled the flowers around in it and then let them dry. The flowers on this card started out as a very pale yellow and I changed them using Rose Red ink.

I now need more pale coloured Primas so I can change their colours to suit my cards!

This card used the sketch from Challenge #129 at Splitcoast.

Items Used:
*Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Rose Red, Regal Rose
*Images: Stampin' Up! All Holidays
*Ink: Stampin' Up! Rose Red
*Tools: Marvy Giga Scallop Circle and Mega Circle Punches, White Gel Pen
*Embellishments: Prima Flowers, Bling

*Sketch Challenge #128*

Another sunny morning here... calling for cool temperatures and thundershowers for most of the day though. Sigh... just give me a month worth of no rain during the days and lots and lots of sunshine!

Had a good weekend.... got some stamping done, some tidying done, some reading done, some shopping done.... and more or less just took it easy. I like weekend like that! This coming weekend I'll spend getting the kids and I ready to fly off to visit Mom for 10 days. Sad to be leaving Bruce and the dog at home, but glad to be going to spend some time with Mom!

The card I'm showing you today is another that I made for the order of thank you cards that I finished off last week. For this one, I used the Sketch Challenge #128 over at Splitcoast Stampers. I thought it would be more difficult than it was to create the triangular pieces.

I am totally loving the papers in the the Stampin' Up! Palette o' Prints sampler that was available in May. I have two pads with a third on the way thanks to Peggy and a blog candy win! I can't wait to see all of the colours that will be available in these patterns in the new Stampin' Up! Catalogue (which should be in my hot little hands sometime this week!).

Items Used: (all items Stampin' Up!)
*Cardstock: Whisper White, So Saffron
*Patterned Paper: Certainly Celery Palette o' Prints
*Ink: So Saffron and Certainly Celery
*Embellishments: Silver Brads