Celebrate (Celebrate,Celebrate…)

Good morning!  I’m coming to you live this morning as I really wanted to post this card into the Passion for Papertrey challenge: Let’s Celebrate.  This card has been floating around the studio in various spots for a couple of months as I’ve not wanted to sell it or give it away.  I know I can just make another one, but I rarely make 2 of the same cards anymore unless it’s a gift set or for Christmas.  So at least I’m sharing it now…maybe it will find its way to a special friend soon :)  No time to waste today…running the weekend errands and then some quick stamping before hauling our goodies into the garage for the BIG SALE tomorrow.  I’ve built up a small craft following at this sale and see many repeat visitors who know about my paper and card sale :)  Wish me luck!

 

what’s in it?

stamps: pti big favourite

ink: su rose red, bermuda, kiwi, summer sun, pumpkin

paper: pti white, mme

Hello & Thanks (and a secret crush!)

Good morning!  Did you just stop by because of my titillating post title?!  How’s that to put a little sugar in your coffee!  I shared earlier that I was getting a lot of happy mail lately in the form of bubble envelopes from the States.  Two days ago, my sweet and lovely package from Michelle Wooderson of Mish Mash arrived. 

I hate to tease you with something so pretty and then tell you they are sold out already :(  I’ve been caught too late before with some of Michelle’s card kits so I made sure I picked these up ASAP (yep, I bought TWO!).  This is where my secret crush comes in.  It’s with Michelle! ACK!  It started when she was still with Papertrey Ink and has just grown since following her blog (and store!).  She is a vintage guru and I just love all her little treasures :)  I’m a little sad that my crush came AFTER I met her at Stamp-a-faire 2011.  Perhaps that’s lucky for her! Teehee! LOL

Enter my bestie, Lynn…how’s that for a lead in?  This card will be on its way to her soon and even though she’ll see it early on my blog, she’ll act like she’s seeing it for the first time when it arrives :)  She’s good to me that way :)  I had to post this early as I took the colours from this week’s ColourQ challenge AND am also entering it in the Passion for Papertrey challenge,  “Let’s Get All Touchy Feely.” The texture I’ve added is the lush and soft seam binding and rough and bumpy corrugated cardboard.   I have to laugh because I think Lynn is wearing the colourQ colours in this photo!  LOL

Thanks for letting me confess!  Have a great Saturday!  Who is YOUR secret crafting crush?

 

what’s in it?

stamps: pti mini blooms

ink: versafine onyx, su going gray

paper: pti kraft, mme memorable, bobunny prairie chic

accessories: bits from Michelle’s Pink Flower kit, corrugated cardboard, staples, pti tag die, button, Verve seam binding, Mr Huey white spray

50 Shades of Grey (Lucky in Love)

How’s that for a Monday morning blog post title?  Shall we spice things up a bit?  Well, that fun group of UK gals over on A Passion for Papertrey sure are with their new challenge…50 Shades of Grey.  Now, I did read all 3 books last summer, but really, I only enjoyed the first quarter of the first book.  Then it just got too outrageously silly.  Most of the book was email correspondence and the writing left much to be desired.  So why did I read all 3 books?  It’s like a car accident, you just have to look!  AND I was hoping it would get better. Nope.  Sorry, does that spoil it for you?  Read it if you have the time and make up your own mind.  I WILL say, though, the first quarter of the first book did inspire me to make our 5th Anniversary weekend last July very passionate {insert sizzle sound here!}.  LOL

On a different note, here’s what my desk looked like yesterday…I was all ready to watch the Canadian Men’s Curling Bronze Final game when I discovered TSN was only showing it online! ACKKKKKKK!! What? Are you kidding me?  NOT show a Bronze Title game on t.v.?  After sending them a strongly worded email, I set up my laptop on my desk so I could stamp and watch at the same time.  Desperate times call for desperate measures! LOL

Thanks for stopping by and listening to me ramble…have YOU read 50 Shades?  Let me know your take on it, good or bad.  Have a lovely Monday :)

 

what’s in it?

stamps: PTI Luck of the Irish Stamp Set

ink: versafine onyx

paper: pti soft stone, white

accessories: pti banner die and button, twinery bakers twine, gems, Cuttlebug papaya embossing folder, pink paislee artisan chipboard hearts

May Your Christmas be Blessed

Good morning!  Ah, an extra hour of lounging this morning!  I love it!  My peeps over at A Passion for Papertrey have a super fun and motivating challenge this week: ink up the sets we had to have, but haven’t used yet.   I went straight to my Christmas sets and yep, sure enough, there it was…a brand spankin’ new Christmas set from last year that was supposed to be used for my official cards.  I remember, however, that I got distracted by the Wonderful Words: Holiday dies and the rest is history.  So last night, for the first time, I inked up Star of Wonder, one of Dawn’s beautiful sets.  To help get the mojo going, I CASEd one of Dawn’s gorgeous cards from last October found HERE on her blog (scroll down to the third card).  That’s all from me!  I’m off later today to my first Christmas Craft Sale :)  Hope your Sunday is lovely :)  Thanks for stopping by!

 

what’s in it?

stamps: PTI Star of Wonder

ink: versafine onyx, su razzleberry

paper: pti white, lavender moon, kraft, sweet symphony dp, echo park season’s greetings dp

accessories: pti tag, limitless layers, photo finishers die, doily die, rustic twine, May Arts ribbon, Michaels jingle bells, stitching, corner rounder

(Take Note) You are Gorgeous

To see my CASE Study Blog Hop card, click HERE

Hey Peeps!  Just sneaking in with a fun little card I whipped up this morning…hmm, maybe “whipped” is the wrong word as it probably took me about an hour to make…LOTS of die cuts and stamping on this one {wink!}. I wanted a little bit of freedom with my new stamps so I decided to play along with my fav, fabby British trio over on A Passion for Papertrey.  Anything goes this time ‘round…just what I was looking for…my own sketch, my own colours, my own elements!  AND FINALLY I’ve inked up Rosie Posie! ACK!  I’ve been side tracked with Pretty Peonies and Sweet Life! LOL  Now, I’m not sayin’ anything, but there is a sneaky pre sneak peek of something delightful coming up soon on my card {wink, wink}.  Can you spot it?  Thanks for stopping by!  Enjoy this fabulous weekend!

 

what’s in it?

stamps: pti fabulous frames, newsprint, rosie posie, verve sneak peek ;)

ink: versafine onyx, pti raspberry fizz, su pumpkin, kiwi, rust, going gray

paper: pti white, soft stone, raspberry fizz

accessories: pti fabulous frames, scallop border, rosie posie, limitless layers dies, gems

Feel Better Soon!

Good morning!  Well, all the stars seem to be aligned for me this week as I’m hitting 3 challenges in one with this card!  Seriously, I was only trying to combine this month’s Waltzingmouse Stamps Blog Hop  (felt or cozy fabrics) with their sketch challenge this week.  But then I noticed I have a lot of circles going on here, so I'm also entering this card in the A Passion for Papertrey’s Super Circles challenge :) ACK!  Can you believe it!  I’m sure there are a gazillion other challenges that this could fit, but these are a few of my favourites :)  Have a lovely day…only 2 more days until the weekend :)

 

what’s in it?

stamps: wms frame it

ink: versafine onyx

paper: pti white, soft stone, amy tangerine dp

accessories: pti felt, button, notched flower, leaves and banner dies, baker’s twine

oh happy day!

Good morning! And oh, what a happy day it is! It’s Saturday, my lazy morning day :)  I had a chance to play a bit in the studio this week after all my DT duties (and I use the word “duties” lightly as it’s really “recreation!”) were complete.  I had seen this gorgeous layout months ago and just had to CASE Maile Belles card HERE at least once!  I just loved the layout and elements.  Broke out the bunch of washi tape I got last month and had so much fun putting this together!  In no time flat no less!  That’s when you know you’ve got a great sketch :)  Aimes (whom I loving call, Duchess) and her gals have a fun Wood challenge going over on A Passion for Papertrey.  WOOD IS GOOD I always say, so I had to play.  I have these sweet little wood banners from My Mind’s Eye and knew this was the time to use one more!  Wishing you a Happy Day!

p.s. Did you catch the new Verve Release?  You still have time to comment and win (until Monday at 6:00 pm MST).  Check out the Verve Blog for all the Hop details! And then click on the banner below to shop and save!

 

what’s in it?

paper: pti rustic cream, dotty biscotti dp

accessories: washi tape, paper doily, MME wood banner, baker’s twine, pti love lives here die and ribbon

The Key to Every Dream

Good morning!!  Those fabulous ladies over on A Passion for Papertrey have the most fabulous challenge happening this week.  Be inspired by a book!!  I love challenges like this!  Oh, but which one to pick?  When I have to make a choice like this, I always go with The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.  I read it over 15 years ago and forget most of the story except for one excerpt…

When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person realize his dream.

This has really stuck with me throughout the years.  I even have it as the opening quote in my wedding scrapbook.  So what did I desire?  To be a good mother, to create my own happiness and to find someone who would love me deeply and want to spend the rest of his life with me.  Things have always happened later rather than sooner with me…but I have come to appreciate that things worth having are worthy of patience and even a little pain.  Having said that, be careful what you wish for!! Be specific because you just might get it!! LOL  I knew I had to find the perfect stamp to convey this feeling and I think I’ve found it in this sentiment from PTI’s Daydreamer set.  What are your heart’s desires?  Food for thought on a Sunday morning, eh?  Thanks so much for spending a few moments here…I really appreciate it :) Hugs!

what’s in it?

stamps: pti daydreamer

ink: versafine onyx

paper: pti soft stone, aquamist, lilybee memorandum dp

accessories: su ribbon and felt leaves, pti flower and fillable frame dies, button, twine, stitching

 

My Love for You…

Good evening everyone!!  Just popping in with a very special Christmas card I’ve been working on today in between house tours, shopping, baking and card writing :)  It was only a few days ago when I realized I hadn’t made Tony’s card yet!  Yikes!!  I knew I wanted to get into my Verve binders and pick out a “love” sentiment…not a usual choice for a Christmas card, but one definitely for the love of my life on his Christmas card.  The sentiment is from the Love Deepens set and the sweet little “xoxo” is from Love Notes.   This card is also for the fun challenge over on A Passion for Papertrey :)  The “challenge (ahem, cough, cough) is to add GREEN to your card.  We are laughing here because this is one of Aimes’ favourite colours AND because it’s not too difficult for this St. Patrick’s Day baby to do the same :)  Another busy day tomorrow…my son comes home for 5 days and we’ve got lots planned…he’ll be helping me in the studio and with the technical setups of all the new remotes :)  LOL  I hope to sneak a little more inky time in this week too :)  Hope all your preparations are going well :)  So glad you stopped by!!  Christmas hugs,

 

what’s in it?

stamps: Love Deepens, Love Notes (Verve)

paper: kraft, rustic cream, springmoss (PTI), Season’s Greetings (Echo Park)

ink: onyx (Versafine)

accessories: tree, poinsettia, tab dies (PTI), buttons, twine, felt (PTI), brads (Making Memories), star gem ($ store)

Happy Birthday, Brian

Good afternoon, everyone!!  Tomorrow is my bonus son’s 29th birthday.  We are joining him and his girlfriend for dinner so I wanted to make a card to mark the occasion.  I also wanted to participate in this week’s A Passion for Papertrey Goin’ Geometric challenge.  But again, I thought I had lots of time to post this, then found out that the deadline is tonight…so I’ll have to post this now, a little early for Brian’s birthday.  I don’t think he follows my blog, so I’m pretty sure I’m safe showing this before the birthday dinner…lol ;)  Brian is a very easy going, happy, hard working young man.  He and his dad get along famously and are so cute together.  He was the best man at our wedding.   Here they are a couple of Christmases ago…you can see where Brian gets his good looks from!! LOL

 

and they can never stay “normal” for long…teehee

 

We had a very productive day at the house yesterday…I even learned how to tie rebar!!  Tony let me use a rebar tying tool that reminded me of my little eyelet setting hammer :)  LOL  Today we picked out all the bathroom towel bars :)  Counters and wood floors start tomorrow!!  Hopefully I’ll have some new picture updates soon.  Thanks so much for stopping by!! Hugs!

what’s in it?

stamps: pti big birthday wishes (inside of card)

ink: versafine onyx

paper: pti rustic cream, summer sunrise, autumn abundance and fall prints and patterns dps. su sahara sand, espresso

accessories: su circle punches, pti limitless layers and big numbers dies, tim holtz embossing folder, pti twine, buttons

Happy Thanksgiving

Good afternoon!  It’s a beautiful sunny day and so I was out enjoying it this morning (and doing a bit of a shopping run! ;) but found a few moments after getting home to participate in this super fun tag challenge over on A Passion for Papertrey.  I was hoping to post it later in the week, but I just checked the deadline and it’s tomorrow morning!!  YIKES! So here it is now.  Almost everything on this card is something new!!  I have a nice pile of new things, but everything seems to be getting neglected if it’s not right in my face!  So I made a point of going through that pile and picking out some fun stamps, dies and paper to make this Thanksgiving Day card.  As you know, Canada celebrates Thanksgiving in October and our long weekend is coming up next week :)  Yahoo!  Come back tomorrow for a fun Blog Hop :)  Thanks for visiting :)

 

what’s in it?

stamps: pti modern wood mats, autumn acorns

ink: versafine onyx, su mustard, rust, close to cocoa, creamy caramel, choc chip

paper: pti linen, cream, su espresso, pti dp

accessories: pti tag, mat1, acorn dies, gems, stitching, pti ribbon

It’s the Little Things and some house pix!

Good evening!!  Well, it’s my bedtime, but I was determined to make a card tonight and then I thought, why wait to post?  Since I didn’t have a post ready for this morning, let’s have one tonight :)  The new challenge over on A Passion for Papertrey is to CASE one of the PTI Design Team members!!!  I could not NOT participate in this super fun challenge…which really, is a pleasure more than a challenge :D  It’s no surprise I’m sure that I’m CASEing the fabulous Dawn McVey.  Everything she makes is golden IMHO. I thumbed through my “Dawn File” and came to this fun little card. 

I just love the colours she uses and how she layers die cuts.  I used some of my new PTI goodies including a sentiment from Dawn’s Gratitude Journal.  Whew, am I tired!!  But before I drift off, let me leave you with a few new house photos…first up is the front door trim that just went in.  To the left, you can see the den doors and new trim as well.

When you enter the house through the garage (heated garage with automatic openers!! Finally!! What a treat!), there is a small mudroom to the left.  The door at the end is the powder room and the 2 doors in the mudroom will be an extra pantry and a place for cleaning products and vacuum hoses (central vac too!).

This is a shot down the hall upstairs.  This is the door to the second bedroom.  The laundry room is to the right. The trim was all laid out, now it’s on the walls :)

Thanks so much for visiting :)  I’m tired, but it’s a good tired, means I’ve been productive :)  Sweet dreams,

what’s in it?

stamps: pti gratitude journal, newsprint background

ink: versafine onyx, su wisteria, basic gray

paper: pti rustic cream, kraft, berry sorbet, su wisteria

accessories: pti dies, baker’s twine, gems, button, twine, staple

Head for the Border!!

Hey everyone!!  Are you ready for another fun challenge over on A Passion for Papertrey?  It’s my last hurrah as their June Featured Stamper so head on over to check out the new “Head for the Border” challenge.  I have to giggle at the title as I AM heading for the border in 3 weeks :)  Yup, on my way to the PTI Stamp-a-faire (don’t hate me!! LOL).  For more deets on my card, check it out over on A Passion for Papertrey…AND don’t forget, you have 6 more days to make a card for my Wild Card Colour Challenge…it’s open to stampers worldwide!!  Wahooo!!   Hugs all round :)

what’s in it?

stamps: pti say it with style, verve love notes

ink: versafine onyx, pti tea dye duo

paper: pti kraft, rustic cream, berry sorbet, aquamist, cosmo cricket odd ‘n ends

accessories: labels 18 nestabilities, pti ribbon, button, twine, pti banner border die, ek success large scallop border punch, stitching

Papertrey June Blog Hop and Birthday Wishes!!

Good morning!!  It’s the 25th of June and we are celebrating a few things on today’s post.  It’s Papertrey Ink’s monthly Blog Hop as well as the incomparable Dawn McVey’s birthday!!  Yahoo!! Happy Birthday, Dawn!!  The inspiration this month is this picture…

I was totally inspired by the colours…I picked up this gorgeous deep coral grosgrain/silk ribbon last week and it is just delicious!!  This really is Dawn’s birthday card too………because……I am one of the lucky 200 who get to go to PTI’s Stamp-a-faire next month!!  I get to meet Dawn herself and personally hand deliver this card (with a little treat from Canada).  ACK!!  My second card is also inspired by the colours and is my way of celebrating going to this event with my dear blog buddy, Lynn :)  She is playing hostess, tour guide, shopping buddy and chauffeur when I arrive in OH!!  Thanks, Lynn!!  Will YOU be there?  Can’t wait to meet you!!  Have a great day and I’ll see you on the HOP and in OH next month :)

p.s. Want to win a PTI gift certificate?  Check out my Wild Card Colour Challenge over on  A Passion for Papertrey!!  The WaCCCky has gone global!!

what’s in them?

{wishing you a happy birthday}

stamps: pti mat stack 1 collection, mat stack 2 collection

ink: versamark, versafine onyx, su choc chip

paper: pti rustic cream, kraft, aquamist, crate paper dp,

accessories: may arts ribbon, pti mat stack, banner, blossom dies, pti felt, gems, stitching, su scallop punch

 

{congrats!}

stamps: pti just the ticket and newsprint background, verve to the moon

ink: versafine onyx, su choc chip, sahara sand

paper: pti rustic cream, kraft, raspberry fizz, dotti biscotti dp, MME dp

accessories: pti tag, just the ticket, love lives here dies, pti ribbon, button and twine,

Happy {Belated} Birthday, Aimes!!

Hi everyone!!  Here I thought things would calm down a bit once reports were done, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.  Maybe once school is out next week :)  Today’s card is a little belated birthday wish for my dear blog buddy, Aimes.  Her lovely birthday was yesterday and by the sounds of it, she was having LOTS O’ FUN!!  I had to make this loopy flower again!!  They are really so very easy and fun to make….instant gratification!!  Did you see the Wild Card Colour Challenge I have going on over at A Passion for Papertrey?  Check it out…it’s open to participants worldwide!  Have a wonderful Wednesday!! I see a Friday right around the corner :)

 

what’s in it?

stamps: verve happy birthday plain jane

paper: pti white, su turquoise, razzleberry, my minds eye dp

ink: versafine onyx

accessories: scalloped circle and rectangle nestabilities, pti leaf dies, pti felt, buttons and twine, cuttlebug ef

Celebrate

Good morning, everyone!! Hmmm, not like me to start a Monday with “Celebrate.” It’s even a staff meeting day, but one of the last ones this year and the second to last Monday before we break for the summer. So let’s celebrate!! Today’s card is the next installment of the WaCCCky!! Number 26, if you can believe it! I’ve also turned it into a full blown challenge over on A Passion for Papertrey blog. Join us for the next 2 weeks and you could win a PTI gift certificate!! Check it all out HERE!! Wow, Monday has never been so fun!! Hope yours has started out fabulous too :)

what’s in it?

stamps: pti button boutique, mat stack 1 collection

paper: pti hibiscus burst, fine linen, berry sorbet, rustic cream, sweet treats dp

ink: versafine onyx, su sahara sand

accessories: button boutique, doily details, fillable frames 4 dies, pti buttons, su linen thread, gems, ribbon, stitching