Blog Post Labels

I have a question for anyone out there that might know the answer. I've only just started adding labels to my posts...not sure why I start it two years ago, anyway, I didn't.

My question is, if I go through a bunch of posts now and add the labels to them will that send out a whole whack of emails to my subscribed readers or do they only get the one email from the original post that I made? Same with Google Reader, will it add a ton of new posts in their Reader if they subscribe to my blog that way? Does that make sense? lol :)

I'm just trying to make it easier for anyone looking at my blog so that they might be able to navigate around a bit better to look at things that are of interest to them.

Thanks in advance for the help! :)

Hugs,

'All New' Mingle Creation

Well, I think this was one of the hardest cards I ever had to make. I don't think had to make are the words I was looking for, but I did have some huge challenges with this one. Our local group of stamping friends decided, OK, Val came up with the idea, to do a Mingle between us that had the following guidelines:

The challenge is to make a card with ENTIRELY new supplies that you already own but have never used before...

~new paper

~new stamps

~new embellishments

~new ribbon

~new bling

... whatever you use, must be in your stash already but you must not have ever used it before :)

Wow, now there's a challenge!!! I'd come up with an idea and think OK, this is the stamp that I'm going to use, but then I couldn't find anything else that would go with it that I hadn't used already that would follow the theme. Finally, I saw this stamp that I got not too long ago and remembered a paper pack that my Mum gave me from one of her scrapbooking excursions, then I spied this ribbon that I had and bang, an idea was born! lol :)

Here's a close up of the flowers, I even used ink that I've had for ages, but have never used before! I guess I really got into the challenge! lol :) I curled the edges up a bit to give them more dimension, but I know they won't stay curled after this card goes through the mail...

My card is going to my friend, Louise. Louise, I have to apologize for the brightness of this card! I honestly had full intentions of going with something with more 'earthtones' but alas a bright card it is! Hope you like it anyway! :)

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Hibiscus - B-54 (Queen Kat Designs)
Ink: Turquoise - Little Inker Pigment Ink (Hero Arts)
Cardstock: Flat White (Staples)
Patterned Paper: Tiki (Creative Memories)
Tools: Custom Made Designer Label, 1 1/4" & 1 1/2" Circle Punches (Creative Memories), 1/8" Dimensional Squares (EK Success), Corner Rounder (SU), Black Gel Pen (Signo) - for hand writing the 'Aloha'
Embellishments: Hawaiian Floral Satin Ribbon (Michaels), Green Brads (Making Memories)...I sure that I've used these colour brads before, but I couldn't help it, nothing else matched that I had in my stock! lol :)

Butterfly Flower

Wow, the posts are just flowing in now, aren't they? lol :)

I'm working from home again today and I'm taking a little break from my data entry to post the card that I made last night. This is the beautiful butterfly flower stamp that I was telling you about last week that my friend, Kim gave me. Isn't it cool how two butterflies together make up one petal? What a neat idea. Thanks again so much, Kim! I love it! :)

Here's a angle view to show you some dimension.

A close-up of the butterfly flower stamped on Vellum cardstock.

Well, that's all for now. I'll be back soon! Stay tuned...

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Buterfly Flower - 99315 LL (Inkadinkado), Butterfly Wishes (Impression Obsession)
Cardstock: Purely Pomegranate (SU), Pink Pirouette (SU), Vellum Cardstock (SU), Jet Black Linen (CRS), White Linen (CRS)
Ink: Purely Pomegranate (SU), Jet Black (StazOn), Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Patterned Paper: The Goods - Tiara (American Crafts)
Tools: Classic and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Circle Custom Cutting System (Creative Memories), AquaPainter (SU), 1/8" Dimensional Squares (EK Success), Thumbtack (to pierce holes for brads)
Embellishments: Jumbo Black Brads (Dollarama)

Mingle card from Deborah

I had a happy mail day yesterday, I received this beautiful handmade/digi-card from Deborah March. Our group of stampin' friends decided it might be fun to do a mingle (like a card swap, but you only send one card to one person on the list and someone else sends a card to you.) The idea behind the mingle was to make a card using only new supplies that you own (not to go out and buy anything), but have never used before. Ie. paper, stamps, embellishments, etc. Deborah decided to try her hand with some digi products and did a great job. Thanks so much for the beautiful card, Deborah! Hope you're enjoying your visit with family, and look forward to getting together with you soon! :)


She also added the extra dimension of the butterfly with some stickles. So pretty! Sorry that the pics still aren't the best. I tried taking several pics, but the glossy cardstock is giving me some problems. I know, I need to take a photography course! lol :)

I'll post my creation soon that I made for this mingle. I just to need to find out if Louise received my card yet before I post it and ruin the surprise. :)

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

What I do...

Yippee, I finally got in some stampin' therapy time tonight! Unfortunately, I can't share my card with you as my camera isn't co-operating with me! lol :) I'll have to wait until tomorrow to get some natural light and hopefully that will fix the problem.

I was asked a question by Karlene as to what I do outside the home. Along with being a wife and mother of two young girls (5 and 7 years), I work part time for a major chain grocery store as a cashier and also at the customer service counter. That's usually a few nights a week and the odd Saturday. But, I've also just returned to work with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Halifax. This is the third year that I've worked with them during their largest annual fundraising campaign, Bowl for Kids Sake Event. This fundraiser brings in roughly $250,000 and it's my job to deal with the mounds of pledge sheets that come with an event that large. I'm a Team Leader and along with a staff of 7 others, it takes us about 2 months to get all the data put into their system, send out receipts for donations made or send out invoices for unpaid pledges, run reports, etc, etc. I work with such a great group of people and this is such a wonderful company that does so much to help children that I'm proud to be a part of it. It makes for long weeks when I'm working both jobs plus taking care of my family while trying to maintain the house, too, but it's worth it. It gives me a good feeling to know that I'm a part of it.

So, that's why my posts will be a little sparse for the next little while. I know you'll all understand. If my camera co-operates in the morning, I'll have a couple of new cards to show you. One will be from some happy mail that I received today, but alas it was made on glossy cardstock and again my photography skills just didn't do it justice, so I'm gonna fool around with some camera settings again tomorrow. So, stay tuned I have more eye candy to follow...

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Beaded Butterfly Clip Decoration

Yes, I'm still alive...I've just been very busy with work and we headed to New Brunswick for a few days to visit Jim's folks up in the land of snow for March Break. We had a good trip and it was a nice break from the 60+ hour weeks that I've been working lately, along with taking care of the kids. That's why I haven't had the chance for any crafty play. When I am home, I'm generally too tired to do much of anything but relax and watch tv. Oh well, just another couple of months and my 2nd contract job will be done and life will get back to normal.

I'm planning to get in some crafty time after I get some work done from home today. We're having another storm today. We got about 20 cms of snow last night and we're supposed to get that much again today, as far as I know. It's still snowing out now and it sucks really, 'cause the ground just got clear of snow and ice and here we are again! Anyway, I have to put in at least 5 hours on my computer before earn crafty time, though! lol :)

For now, I just wanted to share a pic of a pretty beaded butterfly decoration that my youngest daughter bought for me for Xmas. I keep meaning to post it 'cause I think it's so darn pretty, but I keep forgetting to. I wasn't sure where to put it and she just clipped it on this picture frame on my nightstand by my bed and I love it there. It makes me smile every time I see it. :)

Here's a close up of the butterfly's wing and body so you can see the sparkly beads a bit better. It really is very pretty as it shimmers so much in real life. I love it! :) The whole butterfly is about 8" x 8".
Thanks for all the requests from everyone asking if I'm ok...since it's been a couple weeks since I've posted anything. You're all so funny. You just have to be patient a little while longer, I'll be back soon with some more eye candy for you. I've got some new stamps to show you, so I'll play with those and make a card.

Ok, I've gotta shut this down and jump on to my work server and get some work done. Expect a card from me later on tonight. :)

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Butterfly Thank You from Kim

I got the most wonderful surprise today at work. My friend, Catherine dropped off this gorgeous card to me along with a fabulous butterfly flower stamp by Inkadinkado. She was delivering them for my friend, Kim, who's under the weather right now and not able to get out of the house. Thank-you so much for the card, Kim! I absolutely love it! I saw it on your blog and I loved it, now I can proudly display it in my crafty area! It's so pretty! :) I copied this picture off Kim's blog. I hope you're feeling better really soon, Kim! We need to get together again soon to stamp! :)

Well, my girls are at a playdate right now so I'm going to go and make supper in peace. Then, after I get them off to bed I'll just be relaxing at home for the evening. It's gonna be a super long day tomorrow so I'll need that bit of stampin' therapy time tonight! I'll see if I can make a card with my beautiful new flower stamp and I'll have to it done to show you all a bit later. It's such a neat stamp. Stay tuned for the card...

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Mojo77

I've got another quick post to share with you. This card is for a friend of my daughters' for her birthday party that they'll be attending this weekend. I decided to use Julee's current Mojo Monday Sketch for this card. Sorry the picture is so bad...I'm too tired to fool with the camera tonight! lol :)

Here's the sketch that I followed.
Well, it's time to call it a night. I'm gonna try to get in some crafty time again tomorrow night. Stay tuned...

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Little Lady (A Muse Artstamps)
Cardstock: Jet Black Linen & China Red Linen (CRS)
Patterned Paper: Wild Saffron (K&Company)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Tools: Cuttlebug, Ladybug Diecut (Cuttlebug), Classic Circle & Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)
Embellishments: Jumbo Black Brads (Dollarama)

Cherry Blossom Window

This is going to be a quick post, I've been busy with work and my Mum is here visiting and to help watch the kids while I'm at work. I made this card for a friend of mine who's birthday is coming up, I couldn't decide on the sentiment for the inside, so I opted for a Happy Birthday greeting on the inside of the card instead.

Here's a angle shot to show you the layers to the window to showcase the cherry blossom branch. I popped up the base base and I adhered the stamped piece of cs to the base. Then, I popped up the top square with scalloped window.

I'll be back soon with something else to show you. Stay tuned...

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Embrace Life (SU)
Cardstock: Purely Pomegranate (SU), Wild Wasibi (SU), Ivory (Staples)
Patterned Paper: Perhaps - Julia-per-739 (Basic Grey), Perhaps - Red Riding Hood-per-746 (Basic Grey)
Ink: Pink Pirouette (SU), Wild Wasabi (SU), Jet Black (StazOn)
Tools: Cuttlebug, Classic and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), 1/8" Dimensional Squares (EK Success)
Embellishments: Gradient Red Ribbon (Michaels)

Mojo76

I finally got a chance to do a card for Julee's Mojo Monday sketch challenge for this week. As soon as I saw the sketch, I knew I wanted to use it for a card for a new little arrival of one of the Mom's at my daughters school. She's a fabulous Mom, she has a little girl in my daughter's class and this new little 'sweet pea' makes baby #5 for them, all under age 7. I'm envious that they've chosen to have that many children, but sometimes I wonder how they deal with that many... I often feel overwhelmed with only 2! I guess it's all about being organized and having lots of love to spread around.

Here's the sketch that I followed
Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Sweet Pea (Paper Salon), Baby Bundle (Paper Inspirations), Dot Border - Clear Design Messages (Hero Arts)
Cardstock: Flat White (Staples), Pink Pirouette (SU), Wild Wasabi (SU)
Patterned Paper: Brooke Narr Stripe (Making Memories), Brooke Paisley (Making Memories)
Ink: Pink Pirouette (SU), Onyx Black (VersaFine), Jet Black (StazOn), Blush Touch Marker (ShinHan Art Int'l Inc)
Tools: 1/8" Dimensional Squares (EK Success)
Embellishments: Pale Pink with White Polka Dots Sheer Ribbon (Michaels)

Blog Candy Alert

Just a quick note before I get settled into my crafty area for the morning. Erika over at Ink Cut and Fold is offering up a delicious sampling of blog candy to celebrate 10K hits on her blog. Congrats, Erika! :) Erika's very creative and does beautiful work, you know I'm a sucker for butterflies, I think this is one of my favourite cards by her. Stop on over for a peek and enter for a chance to win some new stampin' goodies! :)

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Oh glorious Sun!

Oh Happy Day, the freezing rain and snow has stopped and the sun is shining out. What a glorious day! I wish my crafty area had a window looking outside, but alas it's in my basement rec room, and there's no natural light in there. :( Oh well, I'll get out later, it's supposed to be nice all day. For now I have a few cards to make to get in the mail.

I'll be back later to show you what I've created. Stay tuned...

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Reptile Show - Leap Frog

Natalia (5 years old): "Mom, Look at them, are they playing leap frog?"
Me: "Why, yes...yes, they are!"

LOL :) Yeah, I'm not ready for that talk yet! We went to a reptile show over at Exhibition Park in Halifax on Saturday held by Ray's Reptile Farm from Ottawa, Ontario. The girls were super excited as they got to see all sorts of things like Iguanas, Crocodiles, Pythons, Boa Constrictors, Anacondas, Owls, lots of Tortoises, etc. Yes, my little princesses love reptiles and they even had to touch them all...as I constantly pushed hand sanitizer on them, that I keep in my purse at all times! I've heard that reptiles are carriers of salmonella. I'm not sure if that's true, but I didn't want to risk them getting sick. I'm assuming there's some truth to it, as they also had two tables with several bottles of hand sanitizer on them and signs everywhere telling you to wash your hands after touching the reptiles. Anyway, just thought I'd share this funny picture with you! :)

So, we had a lot of freezing rain last night, so school is cancelled AGAIN today! I think that makes 9 school cancellations so far this winter. Seems like a lot. Anyway, that means I'm home with the kids, which would be a nice break from routine, but it's on the day that I'm supposed to start a new contract position. Oh well, thankfully they're fine with me starting tomorrow instead.

I probably won't get in much crafty time today, seems hard when the kids are around, cause they want to get into everything! It's much easier to do after they go to bed for the night. Instead, I think I'll clean their closets, I job that I despise, but nonetheless has to be done! Their way of thinking for cleaning their room is to throw everything in their closets or under the bed...out of sight, out of mind, I guess! We cleaned under their beds a few days ago, but, seeing as I can hardly close their closet doors, I think it's time to make the plunge in there! lol :)

I'll be back tonight with a creation. I'll probably try the new Mojo Monday sketch challenge for this week. It's a nice sketch. Stay tuned...

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Poppy Flower Birthday Wishes

It's taken me a few days off and on to finish this card. I've worked at a little bit at a time whenever I could steal a few minutes...even while sitting in the waiting room while Jim was in with the Orthopedist picking up his new insoles! He came out to find me cutting out vellum flowers and thought I'd totally lost it! Oh well, I'll probably never see any of those people ever again, so I wasn't concerned! lol :)

I really love the look of red and black together and I thought I try something different this time with these beautiful flowers from SU. First, I heat embossed them with black EP, then watercoloured them with the red. They remind me of poppies. I think they look soooo pretty! :)

Here's an angle view of the flowers and dragonfly to show you the dimension and how the petals and wings curl a bit.
Here's a close up of the dragonfly as it's kind of hard to see in the other shots.
Wow, it feels like it's about 9 PM at night and it's only 3:30 PM...we all had to get up early this morning to take Jim to the dockyard for a 24 hour Duty watch. We didn't have to leave the house until 7 AM, but I didn't sleep very well last night, just a lot of tossing and turning for some reason. Jim leaves tomorrow morning for another two weeks at Sea, so we'll be flying solo for a short time. Hopefully, this time we can just relax a bit, though. Not all be sick like his last trip away.

On a happy note, I start a new job again tomorrow. It's a contract position for a few months to help out Big Brothers, Big Sisters with their annual fundraiser 'Bowl for Kids Sake Event.' This will be my third year that I've worked with them for this project and I really enjoy it. It's such a great group of people to work with and such a worthy cause that I'm proud to be a part of it!

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Dragonfly - 03102G (Magenta), Flowers - Embrace Life (SU), 'Birthday Wishes' - Amy Butler Lotus (K&Company)
Cardstock: Jet Black Linen, China Red Linen, Flat White (CRS)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine), Carmine (Red) Touch Marker (ShinHan Art Int'l Inc)
Patterned Paper: Aloha (Creative Memories)
Tools: AquaPainter (SU), 1/8" Dimensional Squares (EK Success), ScissorsThumb Tack (to punch hole for brads in vellum), Midnight Black Opaque Embossing Powder (Stampendous), Embossing Tray), Oval Custom Cutting System (Creative Memories), Corner Rounder (with guard taken off to make scalloped border), Sponge (SU), Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder
Embellishments: Black & White Sheer Polka Dot Ribbon (Michaels), Silver Brads (Making Memories)