The Plans I Have for You

Hi everyone!!!  Today's card is for the fifth and final Viva La Verve June sketch.  After you complete all 5 sketches for the month, you post them on the Champions Thread for a chance to win the next Verve release.  I was lucky to win it back in February and since then, my Verve luck has run out...not that I'm complaining...I have been very lucky over the past year and a half with winning.  I chose the second inspiration photo...hola!!! Those colours and flowers just make me smile.  I tried to mimic the look with my papers and blossom dies.  The sentiment I'm using today is one close to my heart.  When I've gone through difficult times, I tried to think that God had bigger plans for me and that they just hadn't happened yet.  I've had one prayer answered this week.  I've been trying to transfer from my present school to another one closer to the place where the dh and I have a lot that we'll build on next year.  Well, I got the call Friday and I'm transferring!!! I move my classroom this week so it's a mad fury to collect boxes!!  Though I will miss the kids and my colleagues there, I know I need a new challenge in my career....a new outlook, a chance to work with others and meet new people.  And it won't hurt that I'm a 5 minute drive away to the new house once it's built :)  What prayers have been answered for you?  or are you still waiting (sometimes I've needed to pray for more patience!!! LOL).  Have a wonderful Sunday....

What's in it?

Stamps: Verve Jeremiah 29:11
Ink: versafine onyx
Paper: PTI white, sweet blush; SU kiwi kiss, ruby red, bermuda bay, pumpkin pie, dcwv dp; basicgrey dp
Accessories: ribbon, pti blossom dies; oval nestabilities; su textured ef; gemstones

I Hear Your House...

Good sunny afternoon!!  It is a gorgeous sunny and warm afternoon here in Beautiful British Columbia and I've been having a bit of fun playing in the studio with my favourite baby card sentiment and the Embellish Colour Challenge.  This is my all time favourite baby sentiment.  I came across it years ago but can't remember where...AND I've never seen it on a stamp before....have you?  Anyways, I've never shown one of my cards using it on my blog...saving it for a special challenge/occassion.  So I thought I would unveil it for the Embellish Baby challenge :)  Because I don't have a stamp of it, the sentiment has been printed out in Certainly Celery (gotta love the RBG values for SU colours!).  I also love doing a quilted background panel for baby cards...so cozy :)  I had fun digging through my green button jar for the perfect one :)  I thought this light new leaf green was a perfect match to certainly celery :)  ACK!!! Those baby feet are too cute!!!!  My favourite part of a baby....sweet little kissable toes!!!  I hope you are having sunshine where you are...if not, I'm sending some your way :D  Thanks for visiting :D

What's in it?
stamps: su cuddles and tickles
ink: printer; su certainly celery
paper: pti cream, su apricot appeal, certainly celery, su designer papers
accessories: pti twine, ribbon, buttons; fiskars apron lace punch, stitching; computer sentiment (microsoft word)

Papertrey Ink June Blog Hop

Good afternoon!!  It's the Papertrey Blog hop so hang on for a fun ride!!!  It's all about COLOUR today :)  I have 3 projects again, so let's get started.....first up is me playing with some bold, bright colours....I just love  Orange, Hawaiian Shores, and Raspberry Fizz!!  I was so excited to finally get my first fillable frame die and stamps...SO fun to stamp with :)

Next up is a colour combo that Nicole has used in the past and is one of my all time favourites...kraft, spring moss, aquamist, and white....oh, I love how white looks embossed here.  This card is inspired by a card either Nicole or Dawn made (I think last year).  I've put my own spin on it with the giga guide line stamp and the new matte die.  I just love putting buttons on either side of it :)

Okay....now for something really fun!!! LOL  I call it the "WILDCARD"  Colour Combination Challenge (aka... the WaCCCky!!)  I was wondering what would happen if I put ALL the Papertrey Ink colours in a hat and drew out 4!!!!  EEEKKKK!!!!  Some craziness could happen.....and, yes, I was totally honest about it....there were no "do overs."  Here's the master list before cutting and drawing....

And the winners, please.....drumroll.................................................

Lavender Moon, Plum Pudding, Spring Rain,

Enchanted Evening....

No joke, these are what I drew....mmmmm, not too crazy, but I had to use them to be honest to my Wildcard challenge.  I added white, kraft and black as they were neutrals.  The button is actually an enchanted evening colour, although it looks purple/black to me....but that's what happens on an enchanted evening and the lights are down low....LOL  I hope you enjoyed a few of my favourite colour combos....I have so many more, but it's a hop, not a 4 day hike!!! LOL  Can't wait to see what other luscious combinations come up :)  Thanks for stopping by :)

What's in them?
{Happy Birthday}
stamps: pti fillable frames #4
ink: SU burmuda bay
paper: pti white, raspberry fizz dp; su pumpkin pie
accessories: fillable fram #4 die, buttons, twine, pti ribbon


{Enjoy the Moment}
stamps: pti mega mixed messages, turning a new leaf, giga guidelines
ink: versafine onyx, su kiwi kiss
paper: pti kraft, white, aquamist, spring moss
accessories: pti white embossing powder; matte #2, pti ribbon & springmoss buttons; grandpa's vintage button, circle nestabilities, twine


{Wishing you}
stamps: pti birthday basics
ink: versafine onyx
paper: pti white, kraft, bittybox basics, bitty dot basics, dotty biscotti
accessories: button, floss, apron lace punch, stitching, satin ribbon, pti blossom dies

Wishing You Sunny Days

It's release week over at Verve Stamps so I thought it was appropriate to wish everyone sunny days!!!  Today's post includes 2 of the 5 cards I made for the week long challenge of making 5 cards and posting them over at Splitcoast for the chance to win some new Verve.  These 2 sketches are very similar and are perfect to show off more of this yummy October Afternoon paper :)

My new cuttlebug Seeing Spots embossing folder came in the mail yesterday....I love it!!!  A bigger version of Swiss Dots!! LOL  Here's a close up to show off those fun polka dots :)  Have a lovely Thursday!!!! TGIF tomorrow :)

What's in them?

{wishing you sunny days}
stamps: verve let it shine
ink: versafine onyx
paper: pti cream, kraft, bitty dots dp; su burmuda bay, cosmo cricket dp, october afternoon dp
accessories: stitching, fiskars punch, prima flowers, pti ribbon and button, twine


{a speedy recovery}
stamps: verve wishing you
ink: su choc chip
paper: pti kraft, cream, su mustard; october afternoon dp
accessories: cuttlebug ef, stitching, pti ribbon and buttons, rectangle nestabilities, su border punch

A Day Wrapped in Happiness

Good morning!!! The countdown is really on now...only one more week of work :)  Today's card is for the Waltzing Mouse sketch challenge this week.  I have my new nestabilities labels and am waiting for their new release to order more of the Spellbinders friendly stamps.  I love purple and yellow together :)  Nothing too special or different on this one...just lots of stitching and some lemon seam binding ribbon :)  Yummo!!  Have a great day and thanks for stopping by :)

What's in it?
Stamps: PTI birthday basics
Ink: Versafine onyx; SU perfect plum
Paper: PTI kraft, plum pudding, white, guidelines dp, bitty dot basics dp
Accessories: stitching, oval nestabilities, button, floss, seam binding ribbon (Etsy)

Something Old, Something New....

Good morning!! I was hoping to keep this post as short as possible, but as I was uploading all the pictures, I thought there is no way I possibly can.  EEKK!!  So grab a coffee...LOL  or read really, really fast!!  Or just look at the pictures!!!  Today's card is for this week's Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge.  The movie is Father of the Bride with Steve Martin and the requirement is to use "something blue."  Well, that got me going...LOL  You see I was only married 3 years ago (this July 7th) and waited until I was 41 to get married for the first time.  So many things meant a lot to me :)  I followed the tradition of "something old"....that was me, the bride!!! LOL  "Something new" was my dress..."something borrowed" was my maternal grandmother's blue kerchief...I never knew her as she died before I was born, but I have her name Irene (pronounced E-rain in French) as my middle name.  Finally, "something blue" was the blue hydrangeas in my bouquet.  In the upcoming photo...you can see the hydrangeas a bit.  This card will be for Tony for our anniversary next month :)  Inside, I printed out the 3 answers our priest said to say when he asked the questions during the vows.  We had to laugh because all he said was..."Don't worry about anything...if I ask you a question, just say, 'I have...I will...I do.' "  Later, I will add to these statements with sweet little sentiments for Tony...  okay, here are some more pictures....

My gorgeous flowers... we had a wedding planner to do the flowers and decorations....I gave her a bunch of bouquet photos and a list of my favourite flowers and then said, "Go for it."  Blue hydrangeas were at the top of the list.

This is a picture of my dresser the night before the wedding...all my accessories are ready, including my grandmother's blue handkerchief...I carried it in my bouquet.

A picture of my dad...he's in his mid 70s here, walking his youngest daughter down the aisle.  We joked that he was an expert at this as he had done it 4 other times with my sisters :D LOL  Since the movie is Father of the Bride, I thought I should include a few pictures of my dad :)  Below is dad giving me a kiss before he "gives me away" to Tony.

Whew!!! How did I do?  A little long, but I was so inspired to make this card....I tried to recreate the blue hydrangeas while trying to keep the card somewhat masculine for Tony :)  I'm really into making photo cards for an extra special touch.  Thanks for staying with me and have a fantastic day :D

What's in it?
Stamps: PTI signature greetings
Ink: Black Stazon, SU ballet blue
Paper: PTI kraft, white, SU ballet blue,vellum; cosmo cricket dp
Accessories: PTI woodgrain embossing plate, twine, crystal brad, ek small flower punch; gemstones; Maya Arts chartreuse wide ribbon, stitching

A Tale of Two Cards

Good morning!!  This is my second post today...so if you haven't seen my birthday card for Aimes, scroll down :)  There's fun over at Kristina's blog this week...another crazy, wild and wonderful colour challenge.  One of the strategies I use when juggling so many colours is to pair the colours up....for example, pumpkin pie and ruby red are similar so they would go together...and the blues would go together as well.  Then I look around at the ribbon I could use and embellishments.  Now, having said all that, it's not a fail safe formula...but it has helped me tame some of these difficult, never-would-have-put-these-together colour combinations :)  I wasn't quite satisfied with this first card (below) so I made a second card (above).  I like both for different reasons...so here they are :)  Okay, today is the LAST staff meeting of the year!!! I think it will be my favourite one :D  Have a wonderful day and thanks for visiting :)

What's in them?
{happy birthday}
stamps: pti giga guide lines; birthday basics
ink: su pumpkin pie, ruby red
paper: pti white, autumn abundance dp; su so saffron
accessories: pti scallop die, Michaels ribbon, button, twine,


{you are so sweet}
stamps: pti say it with style; hero arts ledger
ink: su ballent blue, pumpkin pie, ruby red
paper: SU pumpkin pie, white, kaisercraft dp
accessories: stitching, ek success binding edge, paper clip; buttons, twine, pti ribbon, corner chomper, ms butterfly punch, gemstones

Happy Birthday 2 U, Aimes!!

Good morning!!! Today is my sweet blog buddy's birthday!!!  She was born on the longest day of the year...the first day of summer!!!  I see this as another reason why we were drawn together...I love the summer and am a sunlight seeker :D  This is the card I sent her a few weeks ago...hoping it would reach her in time and it did :D  So Happy Birthday, Aimes!!!!  I hope you are celebrating it right :D  Hugs,



What's in it?
Stamps: SU admit it
Ink: versafine onyx
Paper: PTI white and raspberry fizz dp; SU bermuda bay, glitter cardstock
Accessories: stitching, su scallop and ticket corner punches; pti buttons, Michaels ribbon, heart nestabilities; gemstone

I {heart} Dad

Good morning!!! Happy Father's Day!!  Today's card is the one I will give my dad tonight at our family dinner.  I made a very similar card for the Embellish Blog Hop last month which eventually was for a colleague's husband.  I loved the layout so much that I wanted to make my own :D  I scanned an old (old,old) black and white photo of myself when I was about 2 or 3 sitting on my dad's back, then printed it out onto cream cardstock.  We are probably playing "horsie" as my dad loves horses.  It was taken in the same house where my dad still lives.  :)  I know he will love it and will probably bring a tear to his eye :)  Mission accomplished for Father's Day!!  I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday :)

What's in it?
Stamps: SU old world map
Ink: SU choc chip
Paper: PTI kraft, cream; SU dp
Accessories: computer, twine, button, basicgrey letters

Happy Birthday!

Good afternoon!!! Well, blogland seems very quiet these past few days...has anyone else noticed that?  Eek!!  It must mean summer is here and everyone is out enjoying the gorgeous weather that finally has come back to town :)  I've been a happy little stamper in the studio today...chores and workouts are done and now it's play time :)  Today's card is for the fourth Viva La Verve sketch this month.  Now, you are probably asking yourself...uh, why all the blue?  Well, I was inspired by the teddy bear's diaper!!! LOL  I was first thinking I would go all pink, cream and yellow shabby chic...but the blue really caught my eye and as I was flipping through my new October Afternoon paper, I found this lovely piece!!!! OMGoodness, I had to use it!!  I did fit the pink, cream and yellow in, though :)  A simple card, but that paper says it all :)  Okay, I'm off to Starbucks with my dh...I hope you have a lovely afternoon...come back tomorrow because I'm posting my Father's Day card and it's really sweet :D  Thanks for stopping by :)

What's in it?
stamps: verve plain jane
ink: versafine onyx
paper: pti kraft, cream, sweet blush, hawaiian shores; october afternoon thrift shop dp
accessories: stitcing, square nestabilities, pti buttons and ribbon

Happy Birthday

Good evening!!  We are enjoying a lovely, sunny evening.  Today's card uses another fabulous Mercy sketch.  Before I went to bed last night, I was thinking about hawaiian shores and summer sunrise...mmmm, how summery they would look together :)  I also wanted to play some more with my blossom dies and stamp set.  Simple and elegant :)  The felt flower is more of a teal colour, but apparently my editing program only likes one kind of teal...the hawaiian shore....it can't handle two different shades of it :(  Tomorrow is Friday!!! Yippee!!! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful Friday :)

What's in it?
Stamps: PTI birthday basics, beautiful blooms 2, polkadot basics 2
Ink: versamark, SU more mustard, versafine onyx
Paper: PTI white, hawaiian shore, summer sunrise
Accessories: fiskars apron lace punch, PTI button, twine, PTI blossom dies, felt

Merci Beaucoup!!

Good morning!!! Or should I say Bonjour?!!  Today's card is for this week's Curtain Call Colour Challenge :)  The colour slate was just too irresistible ...a challenge for sure with all those neutrals and 2 pops of colour.  Sahara sand makes me think of my ledger stamp as that's the ink I've been using to create faux ledger paper (without raiding my dh's ledger book!! LOL).  LOVE durango (or terracotta) and razzleberry :)  My friend, Melisa, made this card with Verve's Thankful Hearts and inspired me to use several of the stamps in that set.  Some paper tearing, subtle dry embossing, a bit of bling and this card came together rather quickly :)  Yay, it's hump day :)  and 2 weeks to go!!!  Have a wonderful day and thanks for spending a few minutes with me today :D

What's in it?
Stamps: Verve Thankful Hearts; PTI Inside and Out Thankyou; Hero Arts ledger
Ink: SU sahara sand, basic grey, baroque burgundy
Paper: PTI white, SU basic grey
Accessories: cuttlebug ef, ek success binding edge; PTI buttons and ribbon, $store button; twine; gemstones,

Comfort, Strength and Peace

Good morning!  Today's card is for the second Waltzing Mouse sketch challenge.  I am waiting until the next release to put my BIG order in :)  I love Claire's Spellbinder friendly stamps that match up with the Labels dies :)  Oh, here's some more of that gorgeous seam binding ribbon :)

The colours were inspired by this A Creative Mint photo...a little pop of red twine just like that single red button, so sweet :)  I needed some more sympathy cards...I have run out after taking my cards into work to sell to my colleagues.  I'm replenishing baby cards too :)  Okay....two more weeks to go!!  Have a lovely day :)

What's in it?

Stamps: Verve Forever in our Hearts
Ink: versafine onyx
Paper: PTI kraft, cream, ocean tide; SU ballet blue, October afternoon dp
Accessories: oval nestabilities, SU scallop border & boho flowers punches, Grandpa's vintage buttons, twine, stitching, seam binding ribbon,