Accordion 'Friends' Album

This is the accordion album that I promised to show you that Louise did with us on Tuesday night at our Girls' Crafty Night Out at Deborah's place. I love this little album. I didn't have time to finish my album, so I finished it today. Just in time, tomorrow is my Mum's birthday and I'm going to give this to her along with her gift. She's a scrapbooker, so I think she'll like this. I know it says friends on the front, but my Mum really is my best friend. :)

On the inside, I had made each of the little floral half squares into a pocket, by leaving each of the longest layers without any adhesive. However, my dilemma was that after I made all these little pockets I didn't know what to put in them so that it would still allow you to be able to fold the album back to it's smallest state as shown above. So, I simply decided to add several little sentiments to the inside along with some flourishes, flowers and of course a couple of butterflies, too! :)

The album has a series of mountain folds which allows it to fold up to the pocket size square above, then it unfolds to be three times wider and 2 times higher. Here are some different views of the album.

Half opened

Fully opened

Close up of the middle Love sentiment

Close up of the Live Laugh Love Sentiment and the Metal LOVE embellishment
Close up of the Family and Time Well Spent sentiment

Close up of the Delight in Life sentiment
Close up of the Always sentiment
View of the back

Wow, that was a lot of pictures...sorry about that, just trying to give you a view of all the elements.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps:Flourish - 96129J (Inkadinkado), Live Laugh Love (Daisy Bucket designs), Delight in Life (SU), 'always' - Small Script (SU), Butterfly, Time Well Spent and Family (Studio G), Love sentiment - Treasure the Moments - CL156 (Hero Arts)
Cardstock: Chocolate Brown, Cream
Ink: Vintage Sepia (VersaFine), Vintage Photo (Tim Holtz Distress Ink)
Patterned Paper: Classic K McKenna (K & Company)
Tools: Sponge (SU), Small Flower Punch, Cuttlebug, Large Flower Die Cut (Cuttlebug), Square Frame, Tag Punch (SU), Terrifically Tacky Tape (Provocraft)
Embellishments: 1/4" Chocolate Brown Grosgrain Ribbon (Fabricville), 1/8" Leaf Green Satin Ribbon (Michaels), LOVE Metal Antique Finish Letters (Dollarama), Antique Copper Swirl & Brads -Hodge Podge Hardware (SU), Paper Flowers (Dollarstore)

Curly locks

I was bored this afternoon so I decided to curl my hair for fun since it's finally getting longer and it's actually long enough to curl! I've had short hair for about 7 years now so it's been about that long since I've used a curling iron. Anyway, just thought I'd share an updated pic of me just for fun. :)

The mirror in the background is one that I tole painted way back in 1995...before I discovered my current obsession/hobby of cardmaking and paper crafts! lol :)

Hope everyone is having a crafty day. I'll be back soon with something else to show you.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

A great crafty night

We had so much fun last night at our Girls' Crafty Night out at Deborah's. We made three projects, Val did an altered tin with us along with a matching altered journal. I love altering things so these were right up my alley! Thanks for the great projects, Val! :)

Don't look too closely at the sentiment on my journal below, I rather botched it up. :( When I stamped this beautiful sentiment by Quietfire Designs, I stamped it at the card table that I was sitting at and the table wasn't solid, so I didn't get a clear impression with my stamp. *sigh* I attempted to give it a highlighted look with a white gel pen, but I covered up too much of the dark ink, so then I had to use my black gel pen to re-write the sentiment. Yup, I rather ruined it! Perhaps I'll just borrow the stamp in the future and stamp it out again onto another piece of cardstock and layer it over top of my botched one.

Louise did a gorgeous accordion album with us. I'm still working on it, so I'll post it later. Thanks so much for doing such a fun project with us, Louise! :)

We also did our draw for our Spring swap cards. I drew Kim's name and I received this beautiful card below that she made with a very cool Nova Scotia inspired stamp of Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. It's about 45 minutes from where I live. These three churches are famous for the area. If you check out the link above, it'll take you to a tourism site for Mahone Bay where you can clearly see the three churches in their scrolling banner. I'm using the picture from Kim's blog. I wish you could see the way this card shimmers in real life - it's absolutely delicious eye candy! :)

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Spring Card Swap

I couldn't sleep last night so I got to thinking about another Spring-themed card idea that I could use for my swap card for tonight and this is what I came up with. I'm happier with this card, but I'll take both cards with me and whoever gets my name can choose which card they would like to have.

For the dragonfly, I used the rock n' roll technique with Wild Wasabi first, then Blue Bayou to give a more chameleon look to the wings. I cut out all the bugs with my scissors and used dimensional squares to lift them all up off the layered squares and rectangles that were also all popped up.

I thought it'd be cute to use vellum for the wings to make them look more like bee wings. Here's an angle view to show you.I'l be back tomorrow with our projects from tongiht's crafty session. Stay tuned...

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Sentiments 1 (Impression Obsession), Patterned Bugs (Inkadinkado)
Cardstock: Goldenrod Linen (CRS), Jet Black Linen (CRS), Flat White (CRS), China Red Linen (CRS), Teal (Bazzill), Wild Wasabi (SU), Vellum Cardstock (SU)
Ink: Jet Black (StazOn), Wild Wasabi (SU), Onyx Black (VersaFine), Real Red (SU), Blue Bayou (SU)
Tools: Corner Rounder (SU), 1/8" Dimensional Squares (EK Success), Scissors
Embellishments: Green Rhinestones (KaiserCraft)

CPS104 Sketch Challenge

This is the card that I made for our card swap for our girls' stampin' night out tonight. Wow, that was a mouthful, wasn't it? lol :) I used sketch CPS104 from (Card Positioning Systems), sponsored this time around by PaperTrey Ink. I didn't actually enter the contest, though, as I felt it was cheating. I used the sketch, but I also CASE'd two ideas from a sample card that I loved by Jeanne Streiff. I loved the swirling butterflies that she made in her scalloped circle and I also liked the stitching, so I used that, too, although mine is faux stitching. I did paper pierce the whole card, though which was a little time consuming. Oh, I also added Dew Drops instead of her bling. So, as you can see, it wouldn't be fair to enter. I cheated way too much! lol :) Her card is much nicer than mine, but thanks for the inspiration, though, Jeanne!

This is the sketch (CPS104).
Anyway, I thought this would be a good card to make for our "Spring' themed card swap. I hope it looks springy enough. I'm looking forward to seeing what cards all the other ladies came up with. Our only rules were that it had to be spring-like colours. I think these would be classified as spring-like colours...I hope so anyway! lol :) I realize the base layer of the card, as well as the other base layers look almost black, but they're actually plum.

OK, so I'm off for a fun night of stampin'. I'll post our projects tomorrow. Until then...

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Enjoy (Daisy Bucket Designs), 'Butterfly' - Amy Butler Lotus (K&Company)
Cardstock: Flat White (CRS), Goldenrod Linen (CRS), Plum (Bazzill)
Ink: Eggplant Envy (SU), White Gel Pen (Signo)
Patterned Paper: Art Blanchè - Raspberry Swirl Circle (EK Success)
Tools: Corner Rounder Punch (SU), 1 1/4" & 1 1/2" Circle Punches, Classic Scallop Nestabilities (Spellbinders), 1/8" Dimensional Squares (EK Success)
Embellishments: Plum Dew Drops, Plum and Pink Ribbon (Michaels)

Mojo75 Sketch Challenge

This is my interpretation of the current Mojo Monday sketch for Week 75. As soon as I saw this sketch this morning, I knew right away that I wanted to try it. Julee really has the nicest sketches to play with, doesn't she? :) I decided to go with an elegant version using a repetition of just three colours. I love turquoise and black and white together.

Here's the sketch that I followed:

Here's a angle view to show you the way the butterfly wings curl when you watercolour on the vellum cardstock. Isn't she purdy? lol :)I've got another card to show you, but I have to wait until tomorrow night, since it's a swap card for a group of stamping friends that I'm meeting with Tuesday night. I'll schedule it to post when our group starts.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:

Stamps: Butterfly (Daisy Bucket Designs), Flourish - C95.182.N (Magenta), 'Thank You' - Amy Butler Lotus (K&Company)
Cardstock: Turquoise (Bazzill), Jet Black Linen (CRS), Flat White (CRS), Vellum Cardstock (SU)

Ink: Tempting Turqoise (SU), Onyx Black (VersaFine), Jet Black (StazOn)

Tools: Scallop Border Punch (SU), 1 1/4" & 1 1/2" Circle Punches, 1/8" Dimensional Squares (EK Success), Scissors

Embellishments: Black Jumbo Brads (Dollarama)

Happy Birthday Little Lady

This is a birthday card that I made for the daughter of a very good friend of mine. Her daughter is turning 2 years old on Tuesday and I thought she'd like the bright colours in this card...and who doesn't like ladybugs? By the way, the eyes don't look nearly that psychotic in person, it's just the flash against the clear gems that's making them them look all crazy! lol :)

Here's a close up of the A Muse sentiment, Happy Birthday Little Lady. I love it!
This is a close up of the ribbon fed through the slots. I CASE'd this card sketch from Amy Rysavy, from a card she did for PTI. I loved her card, but mostly the way that she fed the ribbon through her card and I knew I wanted to try it. I think it gives a neat look to the card.

Well, I think I've had all I can take today of being up and moving around. Gotta retire back to my comfy bed to relax for the evening with my pain meds...or as a friend of mine put it, "better living through chemistry!" You're funny, Deborah! I seriously laughed out loud when I read that! :)

Jim's been away this afternoon on a Search and Rescue exercise flight, but he should be home soon...let's hope he brings supper with him! :) I'll try to have something else to show you tomorrow.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Little Lady (A Muse Artstamps)
Cardstock: China Red Linen (CRS), Flat White (CRS), Jet Black Linen (CRS), Soft Sky (SU)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Patterned Paper: So Saffron (K&Company)
Tools: Cuttlebug, Ladybug die, Slot Punch (SU), Scissors
Embellishments: 1/4" Black and White Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (Michaels), Clear Bling (Staples)

New Butterfly Banner

I've been wanting a new look lately for my blog using a different banner. So this afternoon, my sweet hubby, Jim played around with PhotoShop and made me this beautiful butterfly blog banner. Isn't it pretty? I just love it! Thanks, Jim! :)

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

A sweet card by Alexandria

I just had to share this card that my 7 year old sweetie gave her Daddy and me this morning. :) She got into my crafty leftovers stash and made this tri-fold card, but I got the biggest kick out of the dangling Hershey Chocolate Kisses that she added to the front flap of the card! How cute is that?! lol :) Apparently, the red chocolates are for Jim and the pink ones are for me. I think it's too to take apart, though!

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Mojo74 Sketch Challenge

So, I've been going through some serious crafty withdrawal! Being confined to upstairs...away from my crafty area for the whole week! I couldn't wait to get back downstairs to play again and tonight was the night to take the plunge. I had to make it a short session as my back is still bothering me a lot, but thankfully the pain meds are helping a lot. :)

I decided to use one of Julee's Mojo Monday sketch challenges, this is the current one from week 74. I stamped the background layers with alternating clear stamps and the blue strips that are at the top and bottom of the main image are actually patterned paper although it's hard to see in the picture. If you click on the picture, you can probably see it more clearly.

Well, it's time to call it a night, for now. I'm gonna try to get in a little more crafty time again tomorrow. Stay tuned...

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Amy Butler - Lotus Clear Stamps (K&Company)
Cardstock: Soft Sky (SU), Jet Black Linen (CRS), Flat White (CRS)
Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine)
Patterned Paper: Blue Raspberry Collage - Fresh Print (Déjà Views)
Tools: 1/8" Dimensional Squares (EK Success), 1 1/4" & 1 1/2" Circle Punches (Creative Memories)
Embellishments: 1/4" Black Grosgrain Ribbon (Michaels)

Are you kidding me?

Well, unfortunately I don't have anything new to show you...since I can't get downstairs to my crafty area. We finally all got over our GI infections and we were all in the clear to carry on life as normal. Then, I was picking up the girls from school on Monday afternoon and I slipped on the ice and wrenched my back. I could still get around, just a bit sore. But, then I took the girls to Sparks that night and on our way out to the car on our way home I slipped on another patch of ice and completely threw my back out this time. Man, this sucks! Does someone upstairs have something against me? You know, it's pretty sad when you have to get your daughter to help you put on your own socks 'cause you can't bend over! Lately, I seem to be a walking hazard...I think Jim better take out some more life insurance on me! lol :)



So, needless to say, it was a pretty boring day today while Jim was at work and the kids were at school. All I could do was watch TV in bed. My desktop computer is downstairs in the rec room and I forgot to get Jim to even bring me the cordless phone into the bedroom so I couldn't even talk on the phone! lol :) Anyway, I have the laptop upstairs in bed with me now, so at least I can do a bit of blurfing tonight.


I hope to be able to make something new to show you in the next couple of days, until then...


Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Friend Treat Purse

I saw this cute idea over on Kitty Franken's blog for a little Valentine Treat Purse and I thought I'd give one a try. This is the first time I've ever used my scalloped circle Nestabilites to make a decorative edge. You simply feed your cardstock through the Nestie leaving 1/2 of the nestie on top to actually cut and the other 1/2 is left underneath the cardstock, so it doesn't cut anything. Does that make sense? Kit shows the tutorial on her blog, so you can take a peek there if you're like me and need pictures to go by instead! lol :)

Here's a close up of the front of the treat purse.

I decided to fill the inside with candy covered easter eggs...yes, apparently Easter is coming a wee but early this year. I just liked the colour of these and they're so yummy that I thought they'd work great as a little treat.

A close up of the ribbon this time, you know me, I just had to show off the sweet little butterflies in the ribbon! lol :)

Jim got home last night and we've all been having a relaxing day today. We had a nice Valentine's Day, and best of all, we're all feeling much better around here, finally! I don't have to go back to work until next Thursday, so that'll give a good chance to fully get better.

I gave the girls their little Smartie Gift Boxes this morning and they loved them. I'd like to find out where I could buy those little empty containers that cake decorating sprinkles come in. If anyone happens to know, could you let me know, I'd like to have some on hand for future projects. Thanks so much! :)

These are what the containers look like again. They're about 3/4" in diameter and 2 3/4" tall.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Friends (Queen Kat Designs), A2055 - Dragonfly (Impression Obsession), A2056 - Butterfly
Cardstock: Purely Pomegranate (SU), Pink Pirouette (SU), Soft Sky (SU), Flat White (CRS)
Ink: Purely Pomegranate (SU), Soft Sky (SU)
Tools: Terrifically Tacky Tape (Provocraft), Score Blade, Cuttlebug, Classic Circle and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Mini Glue Dots (SU), Ziploc Snack Baggie

Love Bug Valentine

I almost forgot to post this card...oops! I made three copies of this card a couple of weeks ago for my daughters to give to their homeroom teachers for Valentine's Day. I wanted to make a cute looking card, that looked like something that the girls would have made.

The girls are super excited about the Valentine's Day party tomorrow, but I'm still not sure if I'll be sending them tomorrow or not. As disappointed as they may be, we might just have to pop over to give them their cards and gather more homework to do over the weekend. I just don't think they're quite up for a full day of school yet. Plus, I'd like to give it a little while longer to make sure that were not passing on any germs. I guess we'll see how th enight goes and then play it by ear in the morning. They've been keeping up well with their schoolwork during the times that they've been feeling ok, so I don't think they've become too far behind. Well, as far behind as they can get in grades primary and grade 1! It's not like they're missing Calculus or Physics or something! lol :)

On a happy note, Jim gets home from sea tomorrow. The girls are so excited and I'll be glad to see him again, and even more happy to be able to get some rest and some extra help around the house again! Welcome home, dear... here's your list! Just kidding! lol :)

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Love Bug (Michaels)
Cardstock: China Cred Linen (CRS), Jet Black Linen (CRS), Flat White (CRS)
Tools: Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug, Scallop Border Punch (SU), Black Gel Pen - (Signo), Red Sparkler Gel Pen (Merangue)
Embellishments: Black and White Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (Dollarama)

Valentine's Candy Gift Boxes

I made two of these cute little Smarties chocolate gift boxes for my girls as a special little gift to give to them on Saturday for Valentine's Day. I really hope they like these..I'm sure they will, hey anything that involves chocolate is a pretty safe bet, right? lol :) I saw these Valentine Smarties recently and knew they were just what I've been looking for to use with a set of little plastic containers that I saved from a set of cake sprinkles decorations. No, I don't throw anything out! Ya just never know when it could be transformed into something else! lol :)

This is what the little candy containers look like when they're filled with the alternating pink and red Smarties. I know it's hard to see them in the pictures of them already in the gift box. They're about 3/4" in diameter and 2 3/4" tall.
I cut out a window at the bottom of the box to showcase the Smarties. I don't know if you can see it, but I also made a little holder strip using a series of score folds that I attached inside to hold the Smarties in place and standing straight up.

Here's an angle shot to show you the dimension of the gift box. I used basically the same template as the one I used a while back for the Gable Box, but I adjusted the measurements so that it would only be an inch deep and I also made it bit taller. This one measures 1" deep x 7 1/2" tall.

School was cancelled here again today after the freezing rain that we got last night that made such a mess of the roads. It's warmed up a bit now, so I guess later on I'll head out to chip away at the driveway in a bit. I'm still not feeling very well, but I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Natalia, on the other hand isn't doing well at all. I thought they were both getting over this dreadful big, but it's hit her worse than ever. I stopped counting last night after being up with her 9 times. Not a good night, at all. :( Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day...I'm off to rest now.

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Soft Swirls (SU), Be My Valentine - Sentiments 1 (Impression Obsession)
Cardstock: Blush Weave (CRS), China Red Linen (CRS), Flat White (Staples)
Ink: Black Onyx (VersaFine), Pink Passion (SU)
Tools: Double Slot Punch (SU), Corner Rounder (SU), Classic Circle and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), 1" Circle Punch (Creative Memories), Circle Custom Cutting System (Creative Memories), Craft Knife, Ruler Guide
Embellishments: Valentine Smarties (Nestle), Empty Candy Sprinkle Containers, Pink and Fushia Striped Ribbon

Be Mine, Valentine

Isn't this butterfly stamp gorgeous? You know me, I had to have it! :) Just some quick stampin' therapy time tonight amongst the GI infection madness that has taken over my house. I was just about to send the kids back to school tomorrow after being off school for 8 school days now from being sick. I'm just starting to feel better tonight, just exhausted, but now my youngest daughter has developed this nasty bug. You're kidding me, right? It's been such a long 2 weeks...I just need this bug to go away. Hoping that my daughter only has a mild case of it, but the way my other daughter and I were both affected, I'm not holding my breath. :(

Off to bed to get some rest and await the fun tonight...

Thanks for stoppin' by! :)

Supplies:
Stamps: Flutterby (Queen Kat Designs), Sentiments 1 (Impression Obsession), Wild Vines (Technique Tuesday)
Cardstock: White Linen (CRS), Jet Black Linen (CRS), Purely Pomegranate (SU), Vellum Cardstock (SU)
Ink: Black Onyx (VersaFine), Jet Black (StazOn), Purely Pomegranate (SU)
Patterned Paper: Funky Vintage - Ruby Ornate Floral (Making Memories)
Tools: Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug, Classic and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Sponge (SU), 1/8" Dimensional Squares (EK Success), Scissors, AquaPainter (SU)
Embellishments: 1/4" Wine Satin Ribbon (Fabricville)