Happy Birthday, Mum!

This is the card I made for my Mum's birthday.  My Mum is such a kindred spirit, she's more than my Mother, she's my best friend.  I love you very much, Mum!  Here's to many, many more happy birthdays!

Thanks for stopping by! :)
 

Congratulations, Deric and Amanda!

Our friends, Deric and Amanda recently tied the knot down in Mexico, hence the starfish and shells on the card.  Unfortunately we couldn't make it to the wedding but this is the card we gave them with their wedding gift.  The ribbon on the brides dress represented the colour of bridesmaids dresses.

Here's a picture of the happy couple on the beach in Mexico.

I had to include this picture of Amanda standing in a window, just because I love it so much!  What an awesome backdrop to such a stunning bride.

The inside of the card has a wavy pocket where I tucked in the gift of money...again I forgot to take the picture before I signed the inside of the card.  Oops!

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)
 

TSC39: Colour and Sketch Challenge

It's challenge time again over at The Stampsmith Challenge blog! This month, we have a colour/sketch to inspire your creation. Use Cream/Red/Brown and flip the sketch like I did, if you like.  Just use you imagination!  :)

I used the photostamp, Family Tea by The Stampsmith.  It's sold as a single and is an adorable image.  It would be great in a scrapbook page, too...hey, I might just stick this whole card front on a page!

I hope you decide to play

Cheers!
 

TSC33: Anything Goes Challenge

It's challenge time again over at The Stampsmith Challenge and we've made it super simple for you this time since you choose the theme! That's right, Anything Goes! The only thing we ask, in order to be eligible for the prize draw, is that you use at least one stamp by The Stampsmith in your project. Just have fun with it! :)

I chose to create a wall hanging for my project, although you're more than welcome to simply make a card, as well. I just had a craving for altering something!  lol   :)   My wall hanging is mounted onto a wood block that has a hollowed out area in the back for hanging.  I've always liked this image by The Stampsmith.   She looks like she's is deep thought about the past...treasured moments perhaps? 

I hope you decide to play along in the fun.  I look forward to seeing what you all come up with!

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)
 

Kiss Me You Fool!

I promised you another Valentine card, so here you are! Nothing says romance like this famous on screen couple! Both the main image and the sentiment used on my card come from the Kiss Me You Fool stamp set by The Stampsmith.

I've added a gorgeous Hero Arts doily to the top left corner and embossed it in ivory. To embellish the card, I added some chocolate pearls and lace add a elegant touch. I distressed the main image, with some tea dye distress ink and although it has a bit of a green look to it in the picture, I assure you they aren't green! lol :)

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

TSC27: Love and Lace

I had a lot of fun creating this piece for TSC27: Love and Lace over at The Stampsmith Challenge. I used The Little Conductor stamp by The Stampsmith for my main focal image and added lots of lace from both embossed stamps and real lace.

This month's challenge is being sponsored by The Cutting Garden. It's one of our local crafty stores and happens to be owned by a great friend of mine. The store has just relocated to a new location and it's fabulous! In celebration of sponsoring the challenge, I'll be teaching a card class at The Cutting Garden this month along with three others on the design team! That's right four of us will be there to join in on the fun and show you all how to make four beautiful cards! Check out their calendar for more information and pics of all the cards we'll be doing that day. Hope to see you there on Feb. 11th! :)

Here's a close up The Little Conductor. Isn't he just too cute for anything?
I plan to use this piece in a shadow box that I'm putting together as a memento of my late grandmother. I plan to add some old pictures and some of her own crocheted pieces that were handed down to me. I'll share my finished piece when it's all put together.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Kids Birthday Cards

My girls have had a lot of birthday parties to attend lately, so I thought I'd share a couple of the cards that they gave their little friends. This top one was for my oldest (10 year old) to give to her friend. They have a little band at school where they sing at lunch and recess. The call themselves 'The Pop Rocks'. Cute, eh? Anyway, I kept this card simple, and just blinged it up to finish it off.

This one was coloured by youngest (8 year old) and designed by her, too. She made this for her little friend for their spa/fashion party. She even decided to add all the bling on her dress, I think she did a great job! That's Mommy's girl! :)

I have another DT sample project to show you for the newest challenge over at The Stampsmith Challenge, so soon so stay tuned on Feb 1st! Until then, it's not too late to join the current one! This month, the theme is 'Tags' and you have until the end of January to submit your project. So, what are you waiting for? ...come on over and join us for a chance to win a full sheet of rubber from The Stampsmith!

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Reach for the Stars

I have some Lana Turner eye candy to share with you tonight. Lana was a definite star and I love this image of her. She looks as though she's looking to the stars, so I opted to pair this image with the sentiment, 'Reach for the Stars.' I made this card for a friend who just graduated and she's starting her life in the real world. So, Sarah, reach for the stars, the sky's the limit.

A little tip: I really love this lace, but it was a cream colour, so I simply used a sponge and applied black ink to make it the colour I wanted. Ta-da, black lace to match my project!

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Here's to you, friend!

I saw the photo album below recently and I knew I had to buy it for my friend, Kim. She loves purple and since she's moving away, I thought she might like to fill it with photos from her time living here. I'm sure gonna miss her! The caption inside the card reads, "Here's to you, friend!" The vintage image I used is a photostamp by The Stampsmith, called Coffee Gal.

As you can see, my card above was inspired by this photo album to give to her as a set. It's hard to tell in the photo, but the album is covered in a beautiful silk material with silver, velvet flowers over it. This is also a two album set. The second album is entirely silver silk...hence the ribbon holding the two of them together.
Here's a close up of the handmade flower, made by moi, and it gives you a better look at the silver embossed flowers that I stamped on the corners of the patterned paper.
I kinda laughed when I was about to make this card, since I was trying to think of a stamp that I might have that would look similar to the flowers on the album. I decided to put away some crafty goodies first that I bought the weekend before and when I was, I came across this single stamp that I purchased and forgot all about. I couldn't believe it, it was nearly an exact match! It must have been destiny for me to buy it! lol :)

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Birthday Tri-Fold Shutter

Wow, I can't believe it's been a month since I've anything on here! Life just kinda happened, I guess, plus I'm in the middle of my two week vacation from work and before hand I was pretty busy during the days getting everything from work all done so I could actually leave for vacation and not feel guilty! lol :)

So far, we're having a great vacation. We spent 6 days up in New Brunswick visiting Jim's Dad and enjoyed lots of gorgeous weather on the Miramichi River. We've been back for a jam packed weekend and tomorrow  we're going camping for a few days and off to a water park after that. By then, I should need a little mini vacation from my vacation! lol :)

Anyway, enough of my babble...I know you're here to see the card, so here goes. I was asked my one of my co-workers for a card like the one that my friend, Yvonne, made me for my birthday last year. You can see that card here.  You can also find a template for this style of card here.

Well, I just realized that it's 1:22 AM, so it's time this girl goes to bed!!   I'll try not to let it go too long before I pop back again...until then,

Thanks for stoppin' by!  :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Swallowtail Butterfly (Anita's), Branch - Natural Beauty (SU), Happy Birthday - A Greeting for All Seasons (SU)
Cardstock: Mauve (Creative Memories), Eggplant (CRS)
Patterned Paper: Airy Fairy P365 Dreams (KaiserCraft)
Ink: VersaFine (Tsukineko)
Tools: Scoring Board (Martha Stewart), Embossing Buddy (SU), Embossing Tray, Antique Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Scissors, 3/16" Glue Dots

Emboss Resist & Bookmark

I finally got my other card done that I started on Friday night with my crafty friends. For this card, we did an emboss resist with this gorgeous peacock image.   I sponged on some butterscotch first, then added some Wild Plum, Stream and Citrus.  

Here's a view of the inside of the card.  It has a perforated bookmark that can be removed by the recipient.  You can find a tutorial for the detachable bookmark card on Split Coast here.

Here's a close up of the bookmark.  To get this effect, I inked up a reverse stamp - Garden Silhouette with the green (citrus), then the turquoise (stream).  I stamped it onto a piece of white cardstock.   Then, I misted water directly onto the stamp and re-stamped it onto another piece of white cardstock without adding any more ink.  I think it gives a such a pretty water coloured effect to the image.  So different from the one stamped without the water.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Smile (Studio G), Garden Silhouette (Hero Arts), Peacock (Hero Arts)
Cardstock: Flat White (Staples), Ivory (Staples), Turquoise (Recollections), Lime Green (Bazzill)
Template: Detachable Bookmark (Designed on the Silhouette)
Ink: Memento - Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Adirondack - Butterscotch, Wild Plum, Stream and Citrus (Ranger)
Tools: VersaMark (Tsukineko), Heat Tool, Pink Pearls Embossing Powder (Stampendous), Sponge, Eyelet Setter, Double Loops Punch (Martha Stewart)
Embellishments: White, Green and Orange Prima Flower, Lime Green Brad, Teal and Green 1/8" Satin Ribbon

Shining On, in Sweet Pea Style

We're having our monthly meeting tonight for our group of stamping gals and the theme for this month's swap was to use a Sweet Pea Stamps stamp on your card as the main focal image. I chose to use the Haiti Relief stamp, "Shining On."  She's so beautiful and the proceeds from this stamp went to help those affected in the Haitian earthquake this year.

I know you can't see the circle doily stamp very well, as I covered most of it up with the prima flowers, but it's up in the top left corner.  I sponged on some fired red brick distress ink, then stamped the doily over top using whisper white craft ink.  This doily is so beautiful, I'm going to have fun playing with it in the future where you can see it more.  :)

I took a Copic marker class the other night, and I think my colouring is actually getting better.   I'm having fun with it anyway!  Now, I just need to invest in some more markers...perhaps I'll treat myself for my birthday next month!  :)  Most of my markers are Touch markers that are like the Copic markers.  These are alcohol based, as well, and colour like a dream with no streaking.  They have the same square body and double-ended tips.  All that, at a fraction of the cost, nice for a bargain shopper, like myself!  lol   :)

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Haiti Relief Stamp, "Shining On" (Sweet Pea Stamps), Circle Doily (Hero Arts)
Cardstock: River Rock (SU), Ivory (Staples)
Patterned Paper: Christine Adolph (Creative Imaginations)
Ink: Fired Brick - Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Ranger), Memento - Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Whisper White craft ink (SU)
Touch Markers: 0 - Colorless Blender, 12 - Coral, 14 - Vermillion, 18 - Peach, 29 - Bareley Beige, 31 - Dark Yellow, 32 - Deep Yellow, 36 - Cream, 42 - Bronze Green, 43 - Deep Olive Green, 95 - Burnt Sienna, 98 - Chestnut Brown, 136 -Blush, 175 - Lime Green (ShinHan Art International)
Tools: Cuttlebug, Labels Four Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Sponge (SU), 1/8" Dimensional Squares (EK Success)
Embellishments: Lace (Dollarama), White Prima Flowers

Happy Birthday, Louise!

I think I'm pretty safe posting this card...I made this birthday card for my friend, Louise, but I don't think she's on her computer often checking out blogs.  Apparently, she's not addicted like the rest of us!  Anyway, I don't think she'll see it before I give it to her tomorrow.  lol  :)

I had a lot of fun distressing all the elements on this card.  I made the Happy Birthday frame by using a grunge oval frame digi stamp that I got from The Graphics Fairy.  It was originally designed as a blog header, but I re-sized it in PhotoShop and inserted the text using a couple of different fonts for a nice little framed sentiment.   The elegant cupcake is from a logo from Icing on The Cake.  I know I'm probably not supposed to use this, but I'm not selling this card, it's just a gift, so there's no profit being made from this beautiful logo.

I'm working on a project tonight, so I should be able to share that with you soon.  Stay tuned...

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Circle Doily (Hero Arts), Flourish - C95182 (Magenta)
Digi Stamps: Grunge Oval Frame (graphicsfairy.blogspot.com), Elegant Flourished Cupcake (realcupcakes.com)  
Cardstock: Dark Chocolate Linen (CRS), Goldenrod Linen (CRS), Ivory (Staples)  
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Tea Dye, Walnut Stain & Shabby Shutters (Ranger)
Tools: Edge Distressor (CTMH), Sponge (SU), 1/8" Dimensional Squares (EK Success), Double-sided Tape (Sookwang), Scanner/Printer (Brother)  
Embellishments: Lace (Dollarama), Antique Copper Pearls (Dollarama)

Finally a card to share!

I finally created something again today! I'm still not quite feeling up to par yet, but I had a card to make for tonight.   A bunch of my girlfriends came over to my place tonight for our monthly crafty night and I had to get my swap card done...I finished it just in the nick of time! Nothing like leaving it until the last minute!  lol  :)

Our swap theme this month was to use a digi image of our choice and one new item in our stash. I used two digi images and the bubbles and bling are new.  The bubbles are a new embellishment for me to use and were quite a bit of fun to play with.  I think they give a neat look and I may just have to buy some more of those!  My background was made using a new stamp (Stripes Pattern by Hero Arts) that I received in the mail yesterday from my friend, Yvonne.   Thanks so much for the goodies, Yvonne!  I love them!  I was attempting to make the background look like decoratively painted walls.  You know, when they mask off the walls and paint different vertical sections.

I had a great time tonight with the girls.  So nice to have everyone over for a bit of crafty fun.  The yummy treats are always a nice bonus, too!  lol  :)   Thanks again, so much, to Catherine, Louise and Deborah for bringing the treats.  I didn't quite finish my project from tonight, but I'll likely finish it tomorrow, plus I have a few cards from friends to share with you.  So, stay tuned for those, too.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Stripes Pattern (Hero Arts)
Digi Stamps: Bubble Bath (Sassy Studio Designs), What's in a Bath (Create with TLC)
Cardstock: Soft Sky (SU), Blue Bayou (SU), Flat White (Staples)
Ink: Soft Sky (SU)
Touch Markers: 0 - Colorless Blender, 18 - Peach, 29 - Bareley Beige, 36 - Cream, 136 - Blush, 143 - Mint Blue
Tools: 1/8"" Dimensional Squares (EK Success), Quilling Tweezers
Embellishments: Aqua Ribbon (Michaels), Bubbles & Bling Stickers (Momenta)

Birthday Card from Nancy

I received some 'Happy Mail" today from Nancy Elrick. Nancy is the List Mom for a Yahoo group that I belong to called, Canadian Stamp Talk. She's a super nice person with a heart of gold and does fabulous work - go check out her blog and peek at some crafty eye candy!

Thanks so much for the birthday wishes and for thinking of me, Nancy! I love this sketch, I saw it on the Mojo Monday site for Week 90 and I've been meaning to try it myself...just haven't got around to it yet. Maybe today's the day! lol :)

Gotta go get the kiddies from school, then I'm gonna try to get in some crafty time. Plus, I have a ton of things to post here. Stay tuned...

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Floral Embossed Thank You

We're having another snow day today. The roads were just too messy after our snow, then, freezing rain that we got last night, so they cancelled school for us, along with most of Nova Scotia, I believe. So, the girls and I have been passing the day away with board games, crafty cardmaking time and Drag-o-Sang Chinese tea party time. Drag-o-Sang tea, you say? What's that? Is it a new type of tea I should try? Well, no, that would just be the word of the day that my five year old daughter has made up! She says that it's tea that dragons like to drink, but it's good for us, too! Funny, eh? I thought it was cute! :)

This is the card that I made during our crafty time while trying to keep the girls out of my good supplies! I I decided to pull out my embossing gear as they're always amazed to watch the powder work it's magic, plus I don't seem to heat emboss very often, so it's high time I play with it, I guess! lol :)

Ok, gotta go get supper ready and find out if tonight's school dance is a go, or not. The kids sure are gonna be disappointed if it's cancelled, too. It's so cute to see all the little kids dancing. I kinda hope it still a go, too. :)

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Bold Carnations - See d's (Inque Boutique), Thank You - Clear Design Messages (Hero Arts)
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette (SU), Wild Wasabi (SU), White (Staples), Lime Green (off a recycled envelop)
Ink: VersaMark
Tools: Scallop Border Punch (SU), White Embossing Powder (Stampendous), Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy (SU), Embossing Tray, Paint Brush

Serendipity Thanks

Today, I thought I'd challenge myself to a Serendipity design. I'm not sure why I do it to myself...since I find it a bit stressing to get all the measurements right and then to get it aligned properly on the card, but I love how they turn out.

Well, no rambling for this post. I have a ton of stuff to do this afternoon before I head to work tonight...that should have been done already today while I was crafting. Ah well, what do ya do! It's my therapy time! lol :)

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: CardArt Thank You (Hero Arts)
Cardstock: Blue Bayou (SU), Goldenrod Linen (CRS), White Flat (Staples)
Patterned Paper: Soft Blue Swirls (Creative Memories) ...I don't know the real name, it was from a RAK
Ink: Blue Bayou (SU)
Embellishments: Clear Bling

Best Wishes Brenda and Tim

My childhood friend, Brenda, is getting married next Saturday and this is the card that I made for their special day. Their wedding colours are red, white and black so I thought I would make a card that incorporated those colours. I'm really looking forward to celebrating with them and it should be a great time. Tim is in the Navy and Brenda became an RCMP Constable a few years ago, so their should be quite a few people in uniform there, as well. I'm so proud of her and her accomplishments and I'm so happy that she found a great guy to spend the rest of her life with. I wish them all the best for a wonderful day and a happy life together.

Well, I'm enjoying a day off today, but I have house work that's calling me, so I better get on to that.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)



Supplies:
Stamps: Silhouette Couple 94965-O (Inkadinkado), Ornate Flourish 96129 - J (Inkadinkado), Textured Best Wishes (Hero Arts)
Cardstock: Jet Black Linen, Flat White, China Red Linen (CRS)
Ink: Onyx Black Archival (VersaFine)
Tools: Cuttlebug, Birds and Swirls Embossing Folder, 1/8" Dimensional Squares (EK Success)
Embellishments: Black Grosgrain Ribbon (Michaels)

Hello Friend

We got to meet up with my friend from Ontario last night and had a great night at the Natal Day Fireworks - it was one of the best fireworks displays I think I've seen yet! Lots of big ones, pretty colours and some different ones I've never seen before. A great time overall. The kids were pretty sleepy on the way home and fell asleep in the car, hurray for me, just had to scoop them and put them in bed. lol :)

My friend came over to our house this morning and all the kids had a great time playing, just like the old days when they used to play together all the time. It's hard to believe that it's been two years since they've seen each other, (before we moved back home to Nova Scotia from Ontario) they act like they been together all along. They played wonderfully and we got to chat and hang out and relax.The kids were still a bit wound up after left left a couple of hours ago, so I decided try to settle them down and have some crafty time with them. This is the card that I made while they made their cards. This is some patterned paper that I bought at Wal-Mart a few days ago and I think it's so pretty. I'm still amazed at the deal that I got. The whole slab of 36 double-sided sheets was only $9.97 - as apposed to it being nearly 3 times that price at Michaels! A screamin' deal, for sure! lol :)

Here's the K & Company paper slab that I got and I also for the Autumn Leaves - Stampology stamps pictured here for only $3.97!

Such great deals! It's been a little while since I've ventured into the crafty section of Wal-Mart, but they carry so much more than they used to. They have a ton of Martha Stewart products now, Cuttlebug folders and lots of new stamps and patterned paper! It's nice to see as I've been rather unimpressed with the whole attitude that Michaels has had lately with their coupons. Is it just me, or does everyone else just wish they'd make up their mind already! lol :) I've been boycotting them lately, although I'm sure I'll likely break down and venture in again sometime in the future...

Well, enough ranting...gotta go reheat supper and then get the kiddies off to bed since last night was a very late night. I'll be back later tonight with something else to show you.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)



Supplies:
Stamps: Bird on Branch (Inkadinkado), 'Hello Friend' - Sparkle Clear Love That (Hero Arts), Two Scoops/Swirlie (Basic Grey)
Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Groovy Guava (SU), Cream (Staples)
Ink: Cameo Coral, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa (SU)
Patterned Paper: Classic K - McKenna (K & Company)
Tools: Double-sided adhesive
Embellishments: Dots, Dashes and Swirls Ribbon (Michaels)

Embossed Thinking of You

Wow, I can't believe that this is card/project# 101 that I've made since Jan 1st! I started a new system this year of numbering all my cards and altered projects. I've found that it's an interesting way to keep track of how many things I've made. So, I guess at this rate, I should have made about 200 by Xmas, but then I guess I need to figure Xmas cards into there, as well...but we won't get started on that topic right now! I had a whole plan to do about 6 Xmas cards each month starting at the first of the year and then by November I'd be all done and ready to send them out...Yup, you guessed it, I haven't even started on them yet! Oh well, it was a good thought anyway! lol :)

I don't know if you can tell in the picture, sorry it's kinda blurry, but the floral background is actually patterned paper that comes pre-embossed. It's really pretty in real life and I got some in several different styles. I've never seen this patterned paper before, and I found it on sale at DeSerres the other day, marked way down. So, that's a bonus! I love a sale! lol :)

Jim and I have been super busy the past couple of days re-organizing our storage rooms in our basement. Lots of work, but it's almost all done now and looks soooo much better. I'm a self-confessed pack-rat and have a bad habit of piling stuff when I don't want to deal with it! Sound familiar? lol :) Anyway, now we just need to buy some good quality paint so we can re-paint the floor and it'll look a look better. Hopefully that'll get done soon...

Well, I think I'll call it a day and go get some rest before my little ones decide that it's time to start a new day!

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)



Supplies:
Stamps: Petite Messages (Hero Arts)
Cardstock: China Red Linen (CRS), Jet Black Linen (CRS), Flat White (CRS)
Patterned Paper: Aurora Flora Flowers - Sticko Style Letter Press (EK Success)
Ink: Ruby Red and Basic Black (SU)
Embellishments: Antique Copper Brads (Making Memories), Epoxy Butterfly (Horizon Group USA)