*#1000!*

WOW!  Can you believe it?  This is post #1000 on my blog!

I know I can't believe it!

Be sure to read to the end, after the card and all it's information....  you may be rewarded if you do!

I created this card when catching up with the MojoMonday sketches again... and made it back at the beginning of the month when the CalGals gathered at Dianne's house to play

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Bashful Blue, Basic Black; PaperTreyInk White
*Patterned Paper:  Upsy Daisy Designs
*Images:  Stampin' Up! Well Scripted
*Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities; Corner Chomper
*Embellishments:  unknown white satin ribbon
*Challenges:  Mojo132


It's not spectacular, but it works.

So, now....  on to the really good stuff....  to celebrate 1000 posts by me (many cards, some just chit chat), I am offering up some blog candy.  Please leave a comment on this post letting me know what your favourite card that I've posted is and I'll enter your name in a draw to win a $25 (US) gift certificate to PaperTreyInk!

I will be closing the contest on Friday, May 7th... giving you one full week to get your entry in!

Please pass the word along that I'm giving away a prize!  I'd love to have lots of entries in the draw!

*Mother Nature.... Grrrrrr*

Well, Mother Nature has got her seasons mixed up again!

It's the end of April if I'm not mistaken... and the weather forecast for Calgary is not pretty.  The forecast calls for 25mm of rain today, changing to snow later today (although the rain is mixed with flakes right now) and up to 15cm of snow by tomorrow afternoon!

Yes, we need the moisture...  but not in the form of snow!

Sigh...

I think there will be socks on my feet again in the very near future.

I knew it was possible... it happens most years... but I still hate it!

I created this card, thinking I wanted to create something quick and easy... and this was quick and easy.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PaperTreyInk White; Stampin' Up! Cranberry Crisp
*Patterned Paper:  Magenta
*Images:  Verve; Impress Rubberstamps
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copic markers
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities Labels 9
*Embellishments:  Kaiser Rhinestone

I haven't been crafting in several days...  and I'm not sure I miss it.  I moved my laptop to the family room on Sunday and didn't move it back down to my crafty space until this morning.  I have been crocheting up a storm the last few days.... I love to crochet!

I am hoping to make some cards today...  I wasted the first hour down here pricing the items I am selling at the paper crafting garage sale I'm hosting on May 8th.  There are six of us selling some of our stuff... if you're nearby please email me for the address!

*Stamp Out Breast Cancer*

Happy Monday everyone... I am here to give you all a heads up on a great event happening in Vancouver on May 15th and 16th.  This is the second year of this event run by Raya Latham of Impressed Paper Arts and I'm sure it's going to be wonderful!

I only wish I could have been more involved in the event this year.

Please check out their website to find out more information...  there are some big stamping names including Cathie Allan and Julie Ebersole involved in this great fundraising event!

*Hey Mother Nature*

I think Mother Nature is just plain ole mean!  Last week we were in the 20*C range, but this week it's been chilly again!  In fact, there were a few snowflakes falling yesterday!

But I am still in my flip flops... and will be unless there is snow on the ground.

I want spring to come and stay.... and pave the way for summer!

But, the funny thing is.... I'm sharing Christmas cards with you today!

I played the other day with Tracy's Christmas Card Challenge (find the link to her blog under CalGals in my sidebar) as well as the current MojoMonday Challenge.  Tracy's challenge was to use patterned paper as the focal point of the card as well as two different embellishments.

Here are the five finished cards....

And a close up of one of them...

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PaperTreyInk White; Bazzill Bling; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Patterned Paper:  Stamp It Australia
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities Labels 9; Stampin' Up! border punch
*Embellishments:  unknown brad; unknown ribbon
*Challenges:  Tracy's Christmas Card Challenge; Mojo135


I'm not sure I'm in love with the cards... but they aren't too bad!

Enjoy the weekend!

*Some Beautiful Weather*

WOW!!  We've had some beautiful sunny and warm weather here in Calgary the last few days!  Talk about totally enjoyable!  It's so hard to believe that it's only the end of April!  We have one more nice day forecast for tomorrow and then it turns cold and wet for a few days....  cold sucks, but wet is good... we need things to start greening up naturally!

I'm hoping to get a bit of creating done today... I am slowly running out of things to share with you all again!!!  It's been tough the last few days... I want to create but with news from my Mom's nurse that the symptoms she is showing right now are a sign that the disease is progressing and things are closer than we want them to be, my creative brain is overwhelmed by my emotional brain.

This is the card I made before I went off to see Mom for Easter... and I gave it to Mom for her birthday...  I got the idea from my friend Irene (I wish she had a blog!)

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Rose Red
*Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up!
*Images:  PaperTreyInk Signature Greetings (on the inside that you can't see); Impress Rubberstamps
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Rose Red, Bashful Blue; VersaFine Onyx Black
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities
*Embellishments:  Michael's Bridal Flowers; Kaiser Pearls


This card opens by pulling the left and right sides away from each other... it's SO cool!  I will definitely make more cards like this.

*More Challenges*

Happy Saturday everyone!  A beautiful day in store for Calgary...  I've already been out with the husband and the dog for a walk at the off-leash dog park.  I enjoy the walk there and the fact that I can walk without holding the leash.  And Milo loves being able to run!

The card I am sharing today is for two different challenges...  Tuesday Morning Sketches and Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge.  The sketch was from Mercy's challenge and the TMS challenge was to use flowers, pastels and ribbon.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Brocade Blue
*Pattern Paper:  Memory Box
*Images:  Inkadinkadoo Dot Flourishes; TPC Studio Playful Expressions
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Certainly Celery, Pretty In Pink
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities
*Embellishments:  Michael's Bridal Flowers (coloured with Pretty in Pink ink); Kaiser Pearls; Stampin' Up! sheer ribbon
*Challenges:  Tuesday Morning Sketches #41; MTSC #69


I am very pleased with this card....  the only thing I don't like is the white ribbon... but I didn't have sheer cream ribbon.  It would have been better without the ribbon but I needed the ribbon for the one challenge.

Tonight our house will be filled with 15 year old boys, all here to celebrate Alex's birthday.  None of the friends host a traditional birthday party anymore...  it's just them "hanging", I provide pizza, pop, chips and cake.... and there's no presents.  I think that's a great idea!  Bruce and I will hang out in the basement watching some of our shows from this past week... and perhaps I'll get a bit of crafting in then too.

Enjoy your Saturday!

*A Quick Post*

Hey all... surprisingly enough, I'm not in much of a chatty mood this morning.  I could go on and on but honestly, I think I'm here to make you smile not bring you down...

So instead of chit chat, just a card for you to enjoy...

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PaperTreyInk White; Stampin' Up! Kraft, Melon Mambo
*Images:  PaperTreyInk Signaure Greetings
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Melon Mambo
*Tools:  Big Shot; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder; Stampin' Up! border punch
*Embellishments:  Michael's Bridal Flowers (coloured with Melon Mambo ink); Kaiser Pearl
*Challenge:  Mojo134


I wasn't sure about this sketch when I saw it, but I can't not do a MojoMonday Sketch!

Thanks for popping by...

*Come Shop In My Living Room!!*

I am once again hosting a Paper Crafting Garage Sale... this is our fourth time! Come see items from several different sellers (there are 7 of us, all with different items to sell, all with different styles!)... we will be selling items for you to use in your favourite paper crafting projects... stamps, inks, papers, ribbons, tools, embellishments, storage... So far we have 6 different sellers. DATE: Saturday May 8th TIME: 1-4pm PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A CASH ONLY SALE!! Please email me for information as to where my living room is....   And also bring some friends along with you when you come to shop!!!

*Windy Wednesday*

WOW!  Is that wind howling today!!  Apparently I need to thank the wind as I think it blew some really bad weather away from us.  About 20 minutes east of Calgary you'll find about 17" of heavy white snow on the ground.  Here in Calgary we have a light dusting in the grass, but nothing much.  There had been talk several days ago that we'd be hit with that storm system... so glad it missed us!

I hope it missed Alex up at Band Camp....  he's north and west of the city so I'm pretty sure they're experiencing pretty much the same weather as we have.

Was so strange to not have Alex around to celebrate his birthday yesterday... feels like such a non-event.  We will give him his presents tonight, Saturday he is having some friends over to "hang", and next week we will do a big family dinner at our favourite Mexican place.

Anyway... on to a card I created a few weeks ago...

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PaperTreyInk White
*Ink:  Copics (to colour the flowers)
*Tools:  Big Shot; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder; Nestabilities
*Embellishments:  Michael's Bridal Flowers; unknown ribbon; Kaiser Pearls
*Challenges:  Mojo127


I had so much find with the white on white card I made that I thought I would do another... but then I saw this ribbon in my stash and had to add the pop of colour.

And really, a quick and easy card!

*Clean and Simple*

Happy Monday everyone....  surprisingly it wasn't as difficult to get out of bed this morning as it usually is on a Monday morning.  I'm not a fan of Mondays or of mornings.

We had a quiet, low key weekend.  It was nice to not be running about all weekend.  I had a great time with the CalGals on Friday night and loved the tour of Dianne's new house.  Her craft attic is a great space despite the sloped and dangerously low ceiling!  Poor Allison clocked herself so hard she was still suffering from a headache and sore neck on Saturday!

I only created one card on Friday night, but managed to make two on my own on Friday afternoon....one of which was using the sketch for the current Fall To Layout at Clean and Simple...

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White
*Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey Sultry
*Images:  PaperTreyInk Beautiful Blooms, Signature Greeting
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Kiwi Kiss, Regal Rose, Rose Red
*Tools:  EK Success border punch
*Embellishments:  chocolate brown satin ribbon
*Challengs:  CAS FTL85

*I've Been Creating!*

I started creating late yesterday afternoon, right before our power went out for about 20 minutes.  I work in the basement and while there was still light coming through the basement window across the room, there wasn't enough light to finish the card.  So I had to leave it until this morning.

I not only finished that card this morning but I made another one as well!

And I have another sketch I want to work on this afternoon.

And tonight is CalGals... but at Dianne's house (see the link on the right to find her blog).  We get to go play in her new craft attic.  I have no idea what I am going to pack to play with tonight.  Some people seem to have such an easy time packing to craft away from home... I wish some of it would rub off on me.

Making it even more difficult is that there is not a real stair case to get to the craft attic...  it's attic stairs/ladder.  Yikes!  I am hoping to pack light!

Anyway... here is the card I started yesterday... created for the current Mojo sketch...

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink; PaperTreyInk White
*Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey Sultry
*Images:  Stampendous
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copic Markers
*Tools:  Big Shot; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder; Nestabilities
*Embellishments:  Kaiser Pearls
*Challenges:  Mojo133


I'm pleased with how the card turned out...  and am glad to finally use some of the Sultry paper I bought in a 6X6 pad months and months and months ago (like more than a year!).

Happy Friday!

*Apparently I Took A Break*

I am so sorry for disappearing!!  While in Regina I was busy helping out Mom, spending time with my family and watching Lost.  I started watching Season 1 online a while back, have been watching Season 2 on DVD and am now part way through Season 3.  What a crazy show!  I think it's called "Lost" because it causes the viewers to be completely LOST!

At any rate, my apologies for not posting more while I was away!

I'm sharing with you a card I did for a Mingle on the CreativeCuttlebuggers YahooGroup I am on.  In March, the challenge was to do an all white card.  I have seen many all white cards and have always wanted to try one of these white on white cards so I signed up for the mingle to force me to finally do it...

And I'm so glad I did!

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PaperTreyInk White
*Tools:  Big Shot; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folder; Spellbinders Tulip Pendant


So few items used!  The hardest part of this card was trying to get a good photo of it.  I took a little time, tried a few spots in the yard, and settled on this one shot despite the shadow in the corner.

To add some dimension, I used foam tape on the top two layers.

Who knew white on white could have so much going for it?

I will definitely try it again!

*Hello From Regina*

Good morning everyone... bright and sunny morning here in Regina.  The boyz and I hopped in the car yesterday morning and got here in time to relax for a bit before supper.  Mom is looking good and feeling pretty well.  We enjoyed a good feast of fish at Joey's Only, and Matthew proved to me that he really does eat shrimp now by ordering (and eating) the chicken and shrimp combo.  He was out with his Grandma for his birthday last week (Bruce's Mom) and she had him try a shrimp and he ate like 4 or 5!  This is the kid who doesn't want to ever try anything new.

After dinner settled the kids and I went to Milky Way with my sister and her husband and one of their kids.  Milky Way is only the best ice cream place in the world....  it's a little shack that is only open seasonally.  My parents actually met there many many moons ago (like more than 50 years ago).  They have Nestle brand hard ice cream, but the real treat for me is the special blend the dairy makes for their soft ice cream.... which I then get dipped in chocolate and "sprinkle dinkles" (yes that is really what they call them).  I LOVE IT!!!  I can promise it won't be our only visit over the week we are here!

Plans for today include dropping Mom's taxes off to be done by someone who gets paid to do it, and a trip to the grocery store to stock the shelves and fridge.  Mom doesn't eat a lot these days so there isn't a lot in the house for the rest of us.

My other sister and oldest niece arrive from Ontario tomorrow morning and Bruce will be here sometime tomorrow afternoon.  Full house!

I created this card on Friday night with the CalGals.  It was Allison's turn to challenge the group and she brought the Fall To Layout from Clean and Simple for us to play with.  This is my first time doing a FTL challenge.  Even though I love the clean and simple form, I've never really played with their sketches.  Don't ask me why.  I don't know!  I might have to try one again!

Now, unfortunately my piece of paper with all the information for this card is sitting on my desk in Calgary... so I'm gonna be guessing on any cards I post over the next few days...

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Bazzill Bling; PaperTreyInk white
*Images:  Amuse
*Ink:  Versamark Tuxedo Black
*Tools:  Martha Stewart border punch
*Embellishments:  Doodlebug brad; Prima flower
*Challenges:  FTL84


I will definitely have to play with these fall to layouts again....  I almost want to redo this card.  The base is only 4.25" X 4.25" and I think it's too crowded for what I've done to it.

Enjoy your Wednesday!

*Beautiful Sunday*

Good morning all...  going to be a beautiful (albeit kinda windy) day today....  temperatures up in the teens (in Celcius) which means I will have my sandals on!  I love days I can wear sandals!

I had a great time with the CalGals on Friday night.  We missed Shannon and Dianne but Tracy, Allison, Merlie and I had a good time together.  I managed to get three cards done on Friday night!  Go me!

After I played with the challenge Allison provided (which I will share in a few days), I played with the current sketch over at Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge.  I haven't done one of Mercy's sketches in a while so it was fun to play.

This card uses a colour combination that I fell in love with after getting a card from a stamping friend of mine named Irene.  Hers used a gorgeous patterned paper, but I didn't have that... so I had to make my own.  I really like this card....

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum
*Images:  PaperTreyInk Beautiful Blooms; Lizzie Anne Designs Say It In Script
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Pale Blum, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive
*Embelllishments:  Stampin' Up! grosgrain ribbon (I didn't have Old Olive so I coloured the white ribbon with an Old Olive marker
*Challenges:  MTSC66


We've had a good weekend... Bruce and I ran some errands yesterday, had dinner with friends last night and then went to another friends' house to watch the UFC Fight (well, the guys watch the event, the girls chat and some of us watch the main event).  Today we are off to a birthday celebration for Bruce's two younger brothers (they are twins).  Matthew has a "jam session" with his band at 3:30 and tonight Bruce and I have bowling.  I also need to fit some laundry in today and tomorrow so that the kids and I are ready to hit the road on Tuesday morning to go see Mom in Regina.

And that, is what's news in my world.

Enjoy your Sunday!

*Three Reasons*

I love it when I can accomplish lots with one act....  like making one card and having it fulfill three different challenges!

That's what I did with the card I am sharing with you today....  I made it for two reasons and then had a third drop into my lap this morning.

I made the card yesterday following the current MojoMonday sketch and also as a card to share with a YahooGroup I am on called CreativeCuttleBuggers to celebrate the first anniversary of the group.  And then this morning I saw the Everything Old is New Again Challenge on Allison's Blog (see the sidebar) and realized this card fit for that challenge too!  I have used other stamps in this set from PaperTreyInk, but not this one!  Whew!

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  PaperTreyInk White; Stampin' Up! Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze
*Patterend Paper:  Basic Grey
*Images:  PaperTreyInk Mega Mixed Messages
*Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black
*Tools:  Big Shot; D'vine Swirl and Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Folders; Nestabilities; Spellbinders Fancy Tags
*Embellishments:  Stampin' Up! grosgrain ribbon
*Challenges:  Mojo131; EONAC10


I really like this card... am very pleased with how it turned out.  I hope you like it too!

I am looking forward to some of the CalGals coming over tonight... Shannon and Dianne aren't able to make it, but Merlie, Tracy and Allison will be here to play for a few hours.  I sure hope I manage to get some creative stuff done!

I am also hoping to be a little creative this afternoon....  gotta tidy up the craft space first!

*Almost Spring Break, Sort Of*

Today is Matthew's last day of school before Spring Break, thanks to Parent Teacher Interviews....  Alex still has to go until Friday (poor kid).  Hopefully I can trust Alex to get himself up and out the door tomorrow and Friday so that I can stay in bed ;-)

So it's almost Spring Break, sort of.

The kids and I will have a few days here in Calgary during Spring Break before we pack up and drive to Regina for a week to spend some time with my Mom.

This is another card I did to catch up on MojoMonday sketches ... Mojo126

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  PaperTreyInk white, Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Coredinations

*Images:  Verve; PaperTreyInk Mega Mixed Messages

*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics

*Tools:  Big Shot; Sizzix dots embossing folder; Cuttlebug Border Frills embossing folder; Nestabilities; Stampin' Up! scallop border punch; sanding block

*Embellishments:  ribbon from unknown; Frosted Lace Stickles

*Challenges:  Mojo126


I am outta here.... I decided on Monday to try to get back into a routine of going to the gym (amazing how easy you can get out of the habit but how hard it is to make it a habit again).  I am up and dressed for the gym so there's no point in not going ;-)

Enjoy your day!

*Really Quick*

Just a quickie from me today as I am going to try very hard to stay off the computer for most of the day to give my stupid arm some rest.  I read most of yesterday and my arm feels better this morning than it did yesterday.

So today I will share with you my cards for Mojo130 and Tracy's Christmas Card Challenge (see the link to her blog in my side bar under Calgals)

And a close up...

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Bashful Blue; PaperTreyInk White
*Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up!
*Images:  Stampabilities
*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities; Snowflakes Cuttlebug embossing folder; Stampin' Up! Scallop Border punch
*Embellishments:  ribbon from unknown; Baby Blue Stickles
*Challenges:  Mojo130; TCC#3

*Happy Spring!*

Welcome Spring!  We have missed you!  I am hopeful that Mother Nature will follow the dates on the calendar and will treat all of us to a wonderful spring.  I am looking forward to banning socks to the drawer and wearing only sandals and flip flops.

I am not naive...  I am sure that we will have at least one more snow storm before the nice weather sticks around...

But I can hope and dream, can't I?

This was one of the Mojo sketches I had a hard time with.  I had no idea what I wanted to do with it.  I actually considered skipping it completely.  But I'm a little obsessive compulsive or something and decided I couldn't skip it.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry
*Patterned Paper:  Imaginisce
*Images:  PaperTreyInk Mega Mixed Messages
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities (Labels 1)
*Embellishments:  Stampin' Up! ribbon
*Challenges:  Mojo125


Since the dusting of snow we got yesterday melted and all is dry on my back deck, I will be able to take a photo of the cards I made for the current Mojo challenge this afternoon... and I'll be back tomorrow to share with you!

Enjoy the first day of spring!

*A Pop of Colour*

Two teenagers.... how on earth did that happen?

Yup, I'm dwelling!

It's what I do.

Silly, I know...

But did I tell you that my baby is a teenager now??!

Imagine how my Mom feels that her baby is going to be 40 this summer!

I know... it's just a number!  I don't feel 40.  I don't feel old enough to have two teenagers.  40 isn't old

Well, maybe a little old

LOL

Anyway.....

This is another catch up card for the MojoMonday sketches I missed in January and February.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry
*Images:  Lizzie Anne Say It In Script
*Ink:  Stampin' Up! Rich Razzleberry; Memento Tuxedo Black
*Tools:  Big Shot; Nestabilities; Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder
*Embellishments:  Michael's Bridal Flowers; Kaiser Pearls
*Challenges:  Mojo124


I love this colour combination!  I love how the colours work together...  and I love that the main focus of the card is white with the pops of colour.

Sometimes I have a hard time playing with the Mojo Sketches, but in the end, I always have fun playing with them.  Some of them just take a little more time to tweak!  Sometimes I wish I had more stamps to fit the different sizes and shapes of the sketches I'm playing with....

When you think about how long I've been stamping, I have a surprisingly few stamps.  I've never been one to hold on to stamps I never use... we maybe a bit now....  I'd rather sell the stuff I never use to buy new stuff LOL!

Like last Friday...  I finally had a bite on the Cricut Expression and cartridges I was trying to sell on Kijjiji...  it took a few weeks but someone was interested in paying the full price I was asking!  I wasn't using it... might as well go to a happy home where it will be used and loved.... and I have money in my pocket to buy new stuff for me!

Anyway... I've been procrastinating for days.  I want to craft but have done nothing!!  I think it's time to play with this week's Mojo sketch as well as Tracy's Christmas Challenge (see Tracy's blog, listed on the right with the CalGals)

*My Baby is a Teenager!*

I knew this day was coming... but I'm still not sure how it happened.  Today, my baby, turns 13!

Yes, I am the Mom to two teenagers now....

This is the oldest photo of Matthew that I have on my computer....  It was taken in the summer of 2002...  what a cutie pie he was with that blonde blonde hair and blue eyes.

And this is a photo of him this last fall, on his first day of grade 7...

He's now about an inch shorter than me... and just as skinny as he is in this photo.

Amazing how fast they grow up

I love you, Matthew... Happy 13th Birthday!