Miche L Designs

Just for Jessie!!

2012-01-30T14:44:00.004-05:00

So here's the deal...We are heading to London (ON) for the Western Ontario Regional Swimming Championships this coming weekend. My 10yr old daughter Jessie (like you couldn't figure that one out!!) will be swimming in 4 events. She qualified to swim in 6 but we are keeping it to 2 events per day...200m freestyle & 200m backstroke on Saturday and the 100m free and 100m back on Sunday. She has been working really hard and is thrilled that she qualified to swim...so I decided to make her a card.

Usually when I make a card I make 3-4 of the same so that I have extras on hand...this time I made only one...JUST FOR JESSIE!I actually followed the sketch layout for this weeks challenge on Karen Giron's blog for the Sweet Sunday Sketch...I've even linked up my card!!

Jessie LOVES pinks and purples so I dug through my stash and came up with this paper from Basic Grey -June Bug and Sugar Rush...yeah, yeah, I know...really old!! I layered it on some Bazzill paper that matched and then used SU's pale plum to layer the image. The image is one of the a la modes from MFT called Dream Big...just perfect for Jessie's card!

I found some pearls that matched the colours perfectly (from the $ store I think) and added them to the top of the image and the sentiment. Both the image and the sentiment are edged in dazzling diamonds and I added some faux stitching around the edge of the patterned paper...I was too lazy to pull out my sewing machine...LOL.

I think I'll tuck the card in her swim bag where she keeps her cap and goggles...that way she is sure to find it at the beginning of the meet...keep your fingers crossed for my girl!!

Crazy weekend!!

2012-01-30T08:00:00.003-05:00

I was super busy with a Basketball tournament for Jordan in Brantford this weekend....after a crazy week with swimming and a volleyball tournament with the school which went until 9pm on Tuesday...Getting the kids up for school on Wednesday was a challenge to say the least...and they still aren't making the bus!

We also had snow which made the drive to Brantford a little slow but it wasn't too bad.

I've got another Christmas card for you today...I have made some new cards but I figure I may as well get the older ones out of the way first...I love this digital image from Sassy Cheryl...Figure 8 snowman. I went with a 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 square card for him since the image is pretty big. I coloured with copics to match the striped dp from Kaiser. The other patterned paper is Basic Grey, eskimo kisses which is a couple of seasons old... I even added some flocking around the bottom of his coat and on his hat to make them look "fluffy".

The sentiment is from an old SU set and I added the bow to the top of the oval. I used Stamping Bella's crackle dots (pickle I think...) along the top edge. I really like how he turned out...colours and everything...I liked all my Christmas cards this year...but I think he is one of my fav's!!

Thanks for stopping by...

Yay Me!!

2012-01-27T08:00:00.001-05:00

Did you see??? this is my 7th post this month...I have now posted more than double in one month than I posted ALL last year!!!

We got a dusting of snow and it actually looks pretty outside and I don't mind since it is relatively mild! So to go with the snow...another snowman Christmas card (I mentioned it was my theme this year...probably next year too!!). This image is really, really, really old from Sunshine Designs...I got it way back when I worked at a stamping store...I don't even know if you can still get it.

The paper is from MME...I used one side for the background piece and then the other side (with the red dots) to paper piece the scarf and the strip down the side. I layered with SU's riding hood red and blue bayou (retired). For the detail I added crystal effects to the buttons and some dazzling diamonds along the bottom of the image. I also sponged around the image with riding hood red ink...it looked a little plain with all the white showing. The ribbon is from SU and the glitter dots are Stamping Bella. The colouring on this card was minimal but cutting out the scarf took a bit of time!

Thanks for looking

More baby cards...

2012-01-26T08:00:00.001-05:00

Elephants and Giraffes...you already saw one Giraffe baby card so I'll show you the elephant one today and the "other giraffe" next time. I made a boy and a girl card with these as well...I didn't think to ask if they knew what the baby's gender was...

The image comes from a CTMH set that has been buried in my closet for a while...The set is called You're Great and has a bunch of animals and sentiments. It isn't meant for a baby card but I decided that the elephant would work. The colours I used are SU's so saffron and pretty in pink...the patterned paper was just in my pile and could be from anywhere. I added the sentiment (from an old SU set) and some diamond ice baubles from Stamping Bella.

For the boy card I used up some scraps and bits that were lying around. I kept the layout the same but used Stamping Bella's glitter dots instead of baubles on this one. On both cards the elephant is coloured in with copics... this was the easiest colouring job ever!!

Thanks for having a look!

Game On!!

2012-01-25T09:30:00.003-05:00

Another digital image from Mo Manning...I have tons so you'll see her name pop up a lot...I also have this image as a girl...once I find the picture I took I'll post it too...

I was trying to sort out my pictures to find the other baby ones I made by request...I did find them but I also found this one so you get to see this one today and the baby ones next time. I originally made this card for a friend of Jordan's who moved to Barbados...when I showed it to a few friends I got requests for about 10 more...it would seem that this card is perfect for any boy between the ages of 6-16...actually probably almost any age of the male species!!

If you change the hair colour to white blonde it could be Jordan...if you made it recede a little and added some curl...it would be my hubby!!LOL...shh don't tell him I mentioned the receding part.

Soooo...Ryan moved to Barbados in the middle of August...which means that is when I made the card...which also means I don't remember any of the details...I know the background paper is Basic Grey and I coloured with copics...but that is about it!! I added antique copper brads and some SU grosgrain ribbon for embellishment...it is a "boy" card so I didn't want to do too much. The sentiment is from Stamping Bella and the inside reads "I'll miss you". I've made quite a few of these using birthday sentiments... they are perfect cards for Jordan's friends!!

Thanks for taking a look

I Like This Winter Weather...

2012-01-23T10:16:00.006-05:00

It is kinda gloomy out there today...but I will take this over cold and snow any day!!! It's January and we are going to have 8-10 degrees. I have to admit that every year I dislike winter more and more...it must be an age thing 'cause it just keeps getting worse and all I want to do is hibernate until summer returns (well at least spring!!)

My kids aren't too happy about it though...so far they have only had a couple of days for sledding!!

Needless to say (not that I am complaining!!)...with this weather I didn't feel like posting a Christmas card so I opted for these instead. I made them a while ago (September I think...) a couple of people I know asked for baby cards so I came up with a few to give them options...these are from the first round. I made one for a girl and one for a boy...somewhere in my pile I have a "neutral" one for a girl or boy (greens and yellows) but I didn't take a picture of that one. The giraffe is a digital image from Mo Manning...love, love, love her images... I coloured it in with copics and for the girl card added glitter around the circle. I can't remember the paper I used, I can't remember where the sentiment is from although I think it is SU...How bad is that...goes to show you I shouldn't wait 4 months to post a card I've made!

Thanks for taking a look!

Candy Cane Kisses

2012-01-20T07:30:00.001-05:00

I mentioned in my last post that the sentiment I used was from the MFT set Candy Cane Kisses...well this card uses the image from that set.

The paper I used for the background was on clearance at Michael's...10 sheets for $1...needless to say I have a lot!! I used my sizzix dies to cut out the image...this image is small enough to use my narrow ovals which don't get much use. I coloured with copics and added some Stamping Bella baubles (diamond ice) and some riding hood red taffeta ribbon for the bow. The detail doesn't show but I edged the oval with dazzling diamonds and filled in the candy cane with crystal effects. Inside the card I used the sentiment from the set..."Sweet Holiday Wishes". Don't ask me about the striped paper I used...I can't remember where it is from..LOL

Thanks for stopping by.

Another digi...

2012-01-19T07:30:00.000-05:00

Here is another one of my digi images from Sassy Cheryl...I liked this one but when I finished it I decided that the colours weren't Christmasy(is this a word??) enough....I still used the cards but next time I think I'll stay away from the old (I mean really old) basic grey figgy pudding paper.

I ended up using more mustard, bravo burgundy and sage shadow for my layers...not really Christmas colours, but they matched the patterned paper I used. I think it is the mustard that I don't like in the combination.

The Be Merry sentiment comes from the MFT a la modes Candy Cane Kisses set. I added a few gems along the bottom of the sentiment and a satin bow at the top to balance the card.

Thanks again for taking a look!!

How Quickly we forget!!

2012-01-18T10:05:00.004-05:00

Seriously...it has been a loooooong time (almost a year!!) since I've posted on my blog...It would seem that I have forgotten everything about blogging...not that I was ever that great but at least I knew the basics. I had to re-learn everything...including how to just login so I could post! I think I have it all figured out now so hopefully I'll be able to be somewhat consistent and won't forget the basics again. The kids are keeping us super busy with too many activities on the go...Jessie swims 6x a week, Jordan has rep basketball 3x a week and rep baseball has already started too...between swim meets and basketball tournaments, we don't have single weekend for the next 6 that aren't on the road to somewhere for something.

While it may seem like I fell off the face of the earth, I didn't...and even though I haven't posted in a year, I have been making cards and taking pictures of them so that when I did get back to my blog I would have something to show!! I'm going to start with my Christmas cards...I didn't get to make as many as I would have liked, so only a select few actually got one...but the ones I did make I absolutely loved!!

My theme this year ended up being snowmen...I found some digital images that were way too cute to pass up and ended up using them (mostly). I tried to use up old Christmas papers that I have and coloured the images with copics to match the paper. The detail doesn't really show in the picture but the puddle around my "melting" snowman is filled in with Crystal effects and then sprinkled with dazzling diamonds. The image is from Sassy Cheryl and I added a couple of dots from Stamping Bella and a satin ribbon bow for the embellishments.

Thanks for taking a look...I'll be back!!

Here today....

2011-01-28T10:29:00.003-05:00

but as usual, probably not tomorrow... I have to say I am enjoying finally getting some cards made, even if it is only one or two a week(...ok, maybe every 2 weeks). A friend of mine needed a card for a birthday party her daughter was invited to...so I made this one.

I'll blame my mental state (dealing with my kids who are terrors these days) on the choice of stamp which quite appropriately has monsters!! This one is from Stamping Bella and is one of my fav's for kids birthday cards...I actually have a lot of favourites but monsters work for me these days!!

I cut out the image and layered it using one of my labels nestabilities, the celery background was embossed with the CB circles folder. I coloured in the image to sort of match my patterned paper (an MME (I think) scrap from loooooooong ago). I'm not thrilled with the colouring under the feet, it looks kinda blotchy...but I don't think a 5 year old will really care anyway!!

I added some gemstones along the side of the image ( what girl doesn't love bling) and popped up the balloon using the same patterned paper as the background. Crystal effects was added to the balloon to make it shiny and give it a little more dimension. This card was actually pretty quick and easy...I think I'll give it a try for some boy cards!!

Thanks for taking a look!!

Yet another one...

2011-01-20T11:28:00.003-05:00

When I made my get well card yesterday, I came across this stamp that I have had for ages but never inked up...there are a lot of those!! Anyway, I bought this one from Stamping Bella (it is one of Mo Manning's images...I love all of the Mo Manning stuff) 'cause it totally reminded me of my kids and the way they used to drag our cat around when they were little...come to think of it, they still do.I coloured in the image with copics and matched up my colours to go with my Basic Grey-Olivia paper. I've had the paper for a while and finally decided to use it...probably mostly 'cause it was on the top of my paper mountain. I couldn't resist making the cat look like Snuffy...our Flame Point Himalayan and the girl kinda sorta looks like Jess...except she had curls when she was little. I inked the edges of the image with a dauber and kiwi kiss ink and then outlined the oval with glitter. The gems are from Kaiser craft and I added some crystal effects to the bottle to give it dimension. Now if Mo comes up with a boy and a cat and the cat is being held (dragged I should say) upside down...it would be perfect for Jordan...Good thing Snuffy is super tolerant!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Yes, it really is me!!

2011-01-19T09:58:00.003-05:00

So, I finally made a card that I can post...I have been doing cards on an as needed basis but I keep forgetting to take a picture...I finally remembered.

I made this card for my aunt in Germany who is a little under the weather...my kids adore her and told me I "HAVE" to make a get well card for her. I used one of my Bella stamps for this one since the image is perfect for how she is feeling (she has spent most of the last week in bed!!).

I chose my paper from the mountain I have accumulated (you know, the one I keep adding to!!) this one is Daisy Bucket Designs. I then went to my colour coach and chose the other colours (so saffron and pacific point) that I liked to go with it. The image is coloured in with my copics and I added some Bella orange crackle dots along the top edge of my scallop. My selection of German sentiments is pretty slim so I did the sentiment on the printer and added it to the bottom (yes, I got it right...it means "get well").
I ran my base layer through one of my sizzix embossing folders (can't remember the name) to give it a little more dimension...I think that's it for details...

Thanks for stopping by to have a look!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANA!!!

2010-12-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the blog hop for Dana's birthday!! If you have arrived here from Cath's blog you are in the right place, If you have just happened by go back to the start at Karen's blog and check out all the amazing creations in honour of our good friend Dana.

I'm racing the clock trying to get this done 'cause it has to be up today by 8:00am...and for those of you who know me, I am the worst procrastinator in the world and always leave things to the last minute. I actually finished the card yesterday (well, this morning actually) but by the time I was done it was after midnight and the light was terrible for picture taking!!

Yes, I know my card doesn't look like a birthday card...but it truly is since the inside actually reads "for your birthday". I couldn't resist pulling out this set from MFT and using it for Dana's card...with all the snow Alberta is getting I'm sure she could have more than 3 snowmen in her front yard...LOL.

I stamped the image and coloured it in with my copics but rather than colour in the scarf I decided to paper piece it with MME's Holly Jolly. My base layer is SU's riding hood red with the Holly Jolly layered over top. The card is finished off with some pearl baubles from Stamping Bella...Now that you have made all the stops in the hop (try saying that 10 times fast!!) Please stop by Dana's blog with "warm wishes" for a fabulous day!!

Thanks for hopping!!

Another WTG

2010-11-18T09:57:00.003-05:00

I have to say I'm enjoying finally taking some time to use the stamps I've been accumulating over the last few months....and WOW...two posts in the same week, I'm almost on a roll.

I used my new "Well Read" set from MFT the only thing I haven't decided on is the sentiment to put inside. I paper pieced the couch with some old (very old) scrapbook walls paper...it was a little finicky 'cause there are a couple of teeny tiny pieces. The rest of the image is coloured with copics and then layered on a piece of amethyst paper. I added a base layer of striped olive and a piece of SU's vintage violet...retired long ago. A few pearls and a small piece of ribbon tied around the image and voila...two cards in the same week!!!

Thanks for stopping by to have a look!!

Happy Birthday Nancy!!!!

2010-11-16T08:00:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the birthday blog hop for Nancy McKinney. If you have arrived here from Melissa's blog you are in the right place...if you've just happened along you really ought to start at the beginning with Karen's and the follow the hop from the beginning...the cards are FABULOUS!!!

I put this card together for Nancy's b'day using Gifty Girl from MFT ...I just love the WTG sets...yes all of them!! I paper pieced the dress and one of the shopping bags using MME abbey road paper and added shine to the bag by filling it in with crystal effects. The rest is coloured in with copics. Once the image was finished I masked it and stamped "Happy, happy...." all across the background and added "Birthday" to the bottom. A little piece of ribbon at the side of the image and some pearls along the edge finished off the card. I swear it took me longer to remember how to post to my blog than it did to make the card...now I'm crossing my fingers and hoping I remembered right!

Thanks for stopping by to have a look, you're hopping over to Wendy's blog for the last stop in the hop...and please stop by the super talented Nancy and to wish her a great day!!

Still out in Nowhere land...

2010-06-14T10:45:00.003-04:00

I know it has been forevvvvvver since I've posted anything...and probably will be before I get a chance to do it again!! We're getting to the end of the school year so there are all kinds of field trips, Eqao testing for Jessie (finally done...phew!!) and of course swimming.

We just finished a 3 day meet in Brantford, ON...it was for the Western Region Championships. Jessie qualified to swim in 7 events for the 9 and under girls...looks like the 6+ hours in the pool paid off..she did fabulous and knocked off time on 5 out of the 7 events she swam...kay, enough bragging...
I made this card about 2 weeks ago (but I only got it in the mail yesterday...) for a friends daughter who received an academic award in her school - only one is handed out per school so it is a pretty big deal. I used one of my Mo Manning digi stamps for the image and coloured in to match the Basic Gray paper I chose...She is going in to grade 9 so this image was perfect for her age. I used one of my Bella sentiments on the front and inside I used my printer and added "you're the Best!"

Thanks for stopping by...hopefully I'll be back soon!!

A little off track...

2010-05-18T10:06:00.003-04:00

I'm a tad (okay a lot) behind on my Christmas card making...I can't remember if I was going to do one a week or a month...either way it hasn't been happening!! I finally made another set last night, using my new Stephanie Fizer "Cool Yule" stamp set. It was in the bubble bin at MFT (along with a whole bunch of others) so of course I just had to get it (and the others...LOL).

I was cleaning out and came across some Christmas papers that I picked up on clearance..I'm trying to justify keeping them by using them..otherwise they are getting donated to my school for the kids to use. Not much work on this card...most of my time was figuring out the layout. I used burgundy for my base layer and ran my artichoke piece through the BS with my snowflake folder, the sentiment is stamped in artichoke...my image was looking a little bare at the bottom (no pun intended...LOL) so I added the gem stones to finish it off.

Thanks for stopping by to look!

Another Digi...

2010-05-12T11:06:00.004-04:00

I played with another one of my Digital images from Mo Manning last night...Mo's images are just too cute to resist (did ya know you can get them in rubber from Stamping Bella...I have some on the way!!).
Jordan has another bday party to go to so I decided to use this one to make a card for the boy...the party is actually for twins so I'll need to make a girl's card too.

I printed off the image and used up some of the striped paper I have from MME - L'il Robots line. The colours in this line are just perfect for boys cards. I ran my navy background piece through the BS with one of my CB folders (don't know the name of it anymore). the striped piece is layered on Old Olive and I layered the image on Tangerine Tango. The dots at the bottom are orange crackle...they don't really show up well in the picture...and I added some tiny silver brads for hubcaps on the wheels and crystal effects to the orange lights at the front of "the car". The sentiment is CTMH stamped in Old Olive and layered on navy. This one came together super fast!!

Thanks for stopping by.

A whole new world

2010-05-11T10:44:00.003-04:00

I may be a little slow off the mark, but I make up for it..believe me!! A friend of mine introduced me to the world of digital stamps. It isn't like I didn't know they were out there, I just never really thought about them much...well now I have and I've jumped in with both feet and have a ton of them just waiting to be printed.

This is one of the first images I purchased...It is a Mo Manning image and I decided to use it to make a thank you card for Jessie's swim coach. I would have loved to find something with a girl on the blocks or at least in a suit with goggles but this is all I have found so far. I found paper at my LSS that had a swimming theme and cut out the part I wanted. I ran my base layer through the BS with my cuttlebug retro circles folder ( I decided they kinda looked like bubbles). Once I finished colouring the image I added crystal effects to the puddle at her feet..it doesn't show in the picture but it does look like she is standing in water.

Keep a lookout for me and let me know if you come across any "real" swimming images!

Thanks for having a look.

Happy Birthday Janet

2010-05-08T08:00:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the birthday blog hop for Janet!! If you've come here from Anita's blog, you are in the right place...if you just happened by, go to Karen's blog and start from the beginning!!

A few of us have put together cards to celebrate Janet Rossi's birthday...I used giftabella and coloured her in to match the papers I chose. Seeing as my papers were covered in polka dots, I ran my background piece through the big shot using one of my sizzix polka dot folders (medium I think) and added some diamond ice baubles...'cause they're round too you know! Although you can't see it...the inside is stamped with "Have a fantabulous day".

The next person on this hop is Anne so go check out what she has made for Janet...and don't forget to hop over to Janet's blog and wish her a fantabulous day!!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Getting ahead...

2010-05-07T10:09:00.004-04:00

I decided to make a start on my year end cards for all the teachers etc.. that the kids have. This one is for Jordan to give to our school librarian...he even wears glasses so it is PERFECT!!

I used up some Fancy pants paper (All Fall) and coloured the image to match the paper. I used my deckled rectangle nesties to cut out the image and the celery it is layered on. The background is Baja Breeze and I added a strip of More Mustard across the bottom. I even finished off the glasses by filling them in with crystal effects.

The sentiment comes from a Taylored Expressions (Whimsical Wishes line) set designed by Nancy. I love the quotes in this set and I figured our librarian would appreciate this one

Thanks for having a look!!

A work in progress...

2010-05-05T11:50:00.005-04:00

I made this card some time ago but I keep putting it aside. I borrowed the image from a friend...I used to have Holly Hobby and Sarah Kay in my bedroom a loooong time ago! I actually still have 2 embroidered (or maybe it is cross-stitch, or needlepoint) Holly Hobby pictures that my Mom made - my intention was to put them up in Jessie's room...I think I might be too late seeing as she has Jonas Brothers and Justin Bieber posters all over her wall...LOL!!

Anyway...this is the card...so far all I have done is colour in the image and put it on a card front with some patterened paper...I really love the apricot (it is retiring...sniff,sniff) from SU paired with the soft sky. So now I am trying to figure out what it needs to finish it off. Any suggestions??

Thanks for taking a look!!

A Productive Day...

2010-05-04T16:59:00.005-04:00

Every once in a while I have a day where I feel like I actually accomplished something...today was one of those days!! I managed to get the kids on the bus with lunches made, 3 loads of laundry, a double batch of banana bread (which will last a day and a half...LOL) and dinner. I even managed to get a card made (I did it while the banana bread was baking).

I used another stamp that hadn't seen ink and paired it up with an SU sentiment that retired some time ago. I coloured the image to match my patterned paper (yes stripes again!). The background layer is soft sky stamped with soft sky ink and "happy birthday". I layered the image on tangerine tango and added some raspberry baubles. The card was quick to make so I made a bunch...always good to have on hand with all the parties the kids go to! Instead of using the sentiment that came with the stamp, I used this one...it just seemed to go so perfectly!!

thanks for stopping by!!

Oh, Oh...

2010-04-26T21:01:00.003-04:00

we had a seriously brutal computer meltdown...good thing hubby knows what he's doing when it comes to computers so he was able to fix it...we think!!

Part of the meltdown included losing a bunch of software (not to mention windows!!) so as I go along I'm supposed to make a list of all the things I find that don't work. the first thing I found was the camera software so I could put my pics on the computer...fixed...then it was the paint shop pro that I use to re-size and add my watermark to my card image...thankfully that is now fixed too..soooo yay hubby!!!

I made this card last week for one of the bdays Jessie attended...I was quite pleased with myself 'cause I also managed to use a new (well, old but never inked) stamp. I coloured in the image to match paper I just picked up at my LSS...I just couldn't resist the stripes and it was perfect for a boy. The base layer is tangerine tango which I ran through my Big shot using the new SU sizzix folder. I added some brocade blue and layered the image on old olive...since I didn't think a boy would appreciate a bunch of baubles, dots or gems, I kept it simple with a little bit of ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by to have a look!!

Yay Me!!

2010-04-22T13:13:00.003-04:00

I made a card yesterday!! I keep meaning to sit down and start using some of the stamps that have never been inked (there are A LOT of them) but I always end up using the same ones. I've decided that my goal is to ink up at least one new (but actually old..LOL) stamp a week.

Anyway , I made this card yesterday using up some paper from crate designs and MME...I pierced around the outside of edge of paper and then coloured in the image to coordinate with the stripes in the MME paper. The ribbon is from Fancy Pants...I was thrilled when I realized it matched the present so perfectly!! I used my Sakura glaze pen on some of the dots on the present but it doesn't really stand out so I added the lime baubles across the top and bottom for some bling.

I need two bday cards for Jessie who has back to back parties on Saturday...this one doesn't really work though so I guess I'll be busy tonight.

Thanks for stopping by!

I'm back...I think

2010-04-20T06:30:00.000-04:00

Soooooo it has been about a month and a half since I last posted...as a matter of fact it has been about 53 days...what can I say...sometimes life gets in the way!!

My life is always crazy (at least it seems that way to me) but ever since we went to the Dominican...see most of you didn't even know I did that...at the beginning of March I can't seem to get back into the swing of things. As matter of fact...since we returned on the 16th (the trip was AMAZING btw) I have made a total of 3 (yes I did type 3) cards...so the good news is for the next 3 days you should see a post from me...the bad news is unless I get back on track and make some more cards..well...lets just say I can't make any promises!!

So now here is card #1...I made it for Jordan to give to a friend but now he wants to keep it...guess what HIS favourite sport is...LOL. seriously though, we are a basketball family so I decided to try and figure out a way to make a card using my Just Basketball set from SU and one of my stamps from Stamping Bella (Jackson the soccer star...who is now an ace basketball player!!) When I inked up the image I used a wipe to "de-ink" the soccer ball in the image and made it look like he was throwing a basket ball instead...Jordan gently informed me that no real basketball player would throw a ball with his hand looking like that....

Thanks for hanging around and waiting for me!!

GO CANADA!!!

2010-02-26T07:17:00.002-05:00

Did you all watch the hockey game last night to see Canada's women win the gold??!! I have to say although I definitely prefer the summer games, it has been exciting to see Canada do so well at home!

This weeks challenge for Bellariffic Fridays was a winter sport/theme (quite appropriate don't you think??).

I decided to use my snowboard a bella for this weeks challenge. I used my fav MME laundry line paper and coloured in my image with copics. I cut out my image with my CM oval cutter and layered it on paper that matched. The image was too big to do much else so I pierced around the top of the card and added some brown espresso baubles around the oval and a strip of chocolate grosgrain ribbon. My snow was looking a little plain so I decided to add some glitter scribbles to give it a little dimension.

Off to get the kids ready for school now...

Thanks for stopping by.

I Found....

2010-02-24T11:27:00.003-05:00

a new challenge blog...so much fun!! I know you're probably thinking "get with the program Miche..." It isn't a new challenge blog...it's just one that I haven't seen. I ran across while I was surfing last night and I looooved the sketch for this week so I decided to play along. I've added it to my fav's so I'll be able to find it again and play along (time permitting of course!!).

Here is the card I made for this weeks challenge at Crazy4challenges...(you should really check it out if you haven't...). I used one of my Bella's that has never been inked and decided to make a card for a friend who just found out she's having a baby. I've been trying to use up old paper to make room for new stuff (aren't I always...LOL) so I pulled out some Basic Grey- Infuse that has to be at least 3 years old. I coloured to match the paper...and discovered that I really need to get some more copics 'cause I didn't have "EXACTLY" what I was looking for. The beads I used for embellishment are just that...beads...I picked them up at Michaels a while ago and just discovered them again...don't you just love finding things you didn't know/forgot you had??!!

Thanks for looking...and don't forget to check out the other cards at the crazy 4 challenges blog.

This was fun...

2010-02-23T17:18:00.004-05:00

I love this little monster stamp from Stamping Bella...I use it all the time but I always use it for "boy" birthday cards. My daughter was in a grumpy mood this morning so I told her she was being a monster...which got me thinking about this stamp and how it might be fun to make a girl's bday card with it...so I did!!

I used my new MME paper (yes, I'm guilty of buying more paper) I love the colours in the new line but I was really good only bought one (instead of my usual 4-5) of each pattern. I decided to use my label nesties (not sure what #) since they haven't been used in a while and they fit the image perfectly. The colouring and layers were coordinated with the patterned paper...I stamped Happy Birthday across my base layer and pierced around my cutouts. I added some lime baubles along the top and bottom and coloured over the balloon with my clear glaze pen.

Off to round up the kids from tobogganing and make them eat dinner...

Thanks for having a look!!

On my way...

2010-02-18T09:31:00.002-05:00

Out the door as usual...story of my life in case you haven't realized it yet...LOL. Today I have to take the kids to the doctor...then back to school...then I pick them up again and we're off to swim practice.

Both of the kids had a swim meet this past weekend but Jordan ended up not swimming on the second day due to an ear infection...in both ears. We went to the walk-in clinic to get him some antibiotics, today is just a follow up with the family doctor - mainly 'cause I don't trust walk-in clinics...and also because I'm pretty sure both of his ear drums perforated due to the infection.

I took some time to make a quick card and this is what I ended up with...I need a bday card for my aunt in Germany so I decided to use presentabella. I was planning on using a sketch challenge but my oval was much too big for the card so I ended up changing my plans. I trimmed off the side of the oval to make it a little smaller and stamped the sentiment in the open space on the image rather than on the card base...I punched out some circles that matched my colouring (sort of) and glued them down to my base layer. The card was still looking a little plain so I decided to pierce around the punched out circles...I liked how it turned out and decided the card really didn't need anything else...not to mention the fact that the image is so big there isn't room for anything else...

So now I'm off to the doctor's office...thanks for looking!!

My Christmas card...

2010-02-16T11:30:00.003-05:00

for the monthI totally cased the card my friend Karen made the other day...hers looked so good I decided to try it too!!

I decided to use my Bella "minty coffee" and some patterned paper I have from a stack a friend gave me. I coloured to match the paper and added some glitter and glaze all over the image. I used my nesties (one of the label ones) to cut out the square and pierced around the circle in the corners. I finished it by adding some $ store gems along the inside borders of the patterned paper. This was a great fast card to make...15 minutes from start to finish...which leaves me enough time to have dinner ready for when the munchkins get home..Yay me!!

Thanks for stopping by to look!!

Happy Valentine's day...

2010-02-12T07:00:00.002-05:00

Well almost anyway...it is for the kids at school though so I was madly making little treat pouches for them to bring in for their classmates...it was a close call but I did mangage to get them all done!

I also managed to make another card for Bellariffic Fridays...the theme was anything valentines so of course I had the perfect excuse to ink up Olivia...and use my new sewing machine!!! The sewing gets a little easier (and straighter, but not much...LOL) the more you do it. I found some polkadot paper (Crate designs I think) and coloured in the image to match. the background layer is celery which I put through the BS to add some texture. I finished it off with some satin ribbon and some diamond ice baubles...I think I'll give this one to Jessie for Valentine's Day

Make sure you check out the other submissions on Bloggabella today!!

Thanks for stopping by

A new toy...

2010-02-10T13:46:00.002-05:00

I went to my local clearance outlet and bought myself a sewing machine...for $29.99!! I actually do have one, a really good one...but it comes from Germany so I have to use a transformer every time I use it...it also weighs a ton and takes up a lot of space. This one has 14 stitch functions and is actually quite small so it is just perfect for my craft space!

So of course with a new "toy" I had to play!! I made this card first just trying to get the hang of it...sewing on cardstock is VERY different than sewing with fabric!! All I did for this one was a zig-zag stitch around the edge. I just grabbed an image that went with paper I found in my pile and I played with some of my nesties to come up with the layout. I think I'll put this one aside for the next bday Jordan gets invited to.

Now I have no more time to play and have to get some work done!!

thanks for looking.

I remembered...

2010-02-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

to send in my submission for this weeks Bellariffic Fridays!! This week's challenge was a sketch...and since I do love doing sketches it was a given that I would try and do it...of course I always want to try..I'm just not often successful.

I used Charlotte for my image and used up some of my old Basic Grey Romani paper..I was also going to use some coordinating striped paper for the bottom strip but it didn't look right so I stuck with a solid colour. I ran the base layer through my BS and used a flowered embossing folder...I figured it went well with the patterned paper I used. When I was done colouring the image I ran my quickie glue pen around the edge and added some glitter (doesn't really show in the pic)...I findished it off with some lime green baubles down the side.

Don't forget to check out Em's blog to see the rest of this weeks submissions...yay, this week mine will be there too!!

Thanks for stopping by to look...

Running out the door..

2010-02-04T10:30:00.001-05:00

But before I do I have a quick post for today. I was flipping through my stamps looking for one I could use to make a book mark for Jessie...and came across this one. The set is I {heart} books from MFT and it has a really cute little "bookworm" that I will use to make the book mark...but in the mean time I put this card together.

I found some striped paper that had some bright colours in it so I decided to try it out...I don't tend to go bright so this is a switch for me. The layers are coordinated to match the paper as is the colouring in the image. I stamped the sentiment (from the same set) at the bottom of the pink carnation paper and then ran it through my BS using my dots embossing folder. The image itself is layered on a Bermuda Bay scallop oval...I just picked up the oval die set at my LSS yesterday...so of course I had to use it!!

Now I'm out the door and running around like crazy before I pick up the kids to go to swim practice...

Thanks for looking!!

Monday on Tuesday..

2010-02-02T12:19:00.002-05:00

Does that make any sense?? It does if you figure I made the card I was going to make yesterday...today, for this weeks MOJO Monday sketch challenge.

Yesterday was a PA day for the kids in our region so I had my munchkins home all day. We ran some errands...got Jordan's glasses fixed which were bent from a head bump with another kid...Bought Jordan a new hamster, his last one died a couple of weeks ago. His last one was named Oreo 'cause his colours looked just like an Oreo cookie...this one looks exactly the same but his name is Timbit. Then we came home, tidied up and went to swim practice....so you see, no time to make a card.

I used Cosmo bella (she was one of my first Bellas and I still love her!!) for my image and coloured her in with my Touch markers. I used some striped paper I had lying around for the background and coordinated it all with mellow moss and Chocolate chip from SU. My little square behind the image was looking a little bland so I ran it through my BS using my argyle embossing folder. I didn't use any other embellishments 'cause I decided it looked fine the way it was.

Thanks for stopping by!!

It's a Bella Submission

2010-01-29T09:00:00.003-05:00

or not...It has been a looooong time since I've made a card for Bellariffic Fridays!! The theme this week is birthdays and since I need one for Jessie (now I have 2!!) I figured I'd ink up my brand new (well new for me!!) Valentina stamp. I know she is meant more for valentines day but I figured she would work just as well for a birthday card. So now you want to know why not....I totally forgot to send it to Em...but at least you get to see it...LOL

I used up some of my Tinkering ink patterned paper (yes stripes again...LOL) and cut out a circle then trimmed it down. I ran my base layer through the BS using the cuttlebug swiss dots folder...it's my goto background when I don't know what to do. The sentiment is stamped with an old CTMH set that I don't use often enough...this one fit perfectly with my oval punches. I finished it off with some celery satin ribbon and some pearl baubles at the top and bottom of the card.

I'll let Jessie decide which card she wants to use..

Don't forget to check out Blogabella for all of todays submissions!!

Thanks for looking

The Bday invite

2010-01-28T10:32:00.002-05:00

I actually made another card last night but I won't post it until tomorrow...I realized though I never posted the card I made for Jordan's birthday party. His birthday is actually at the end of December but the holidays are always sooooo crazy it easier to have his party once school starts again...I know, I know it actually started weeks ago.

I used my hero arts stamp (same one I used for the birthday card I posted last week)..we actually have a cat that looks like this so Jordan thought it was great... I kept it simple (I had to make 10) and coloured the image to match my paper...nothing fancy on this one...but I have already had 6 parents tell me they thought it was super cute!!

He is having his party at the bowling alley...this will be the third year in a row...he's decided he will keep going there until he has 10 pins...if you have a party there they give the birthday child a souvenir bowling pin. This will be his 3rd pin...I have no idea why he wants them or what he is going to do with them...right now the other two just sit in his room.

So think of me Saturday afternoon...I'll be wearing "super cool" shoes and trying to coral 10 super hyper kids!!

Thanks for looking...

I took the time...

2010-01-27T13:16:00.003-05:00

to make a card today..I was feeling the pain of not stamping so I decided to take 10!! I sat down with my coffee and made this card. This week is a little chaotic for me..actually the next month is going to be chaotic so I'll take the time where I can...even if it is only 10 minutes here and there!!

I stamped one of my bella images and coloured it in with my touch markers...I used papers to coordinate with the stripes for my layers. I added some lime green baubles along the sides and stamped some little mini cupcakes in the background. I kept the layout simple so I wouldn't spend to long on the card...since I really don't have any time right now!!

Jessie is going to a birthday party this coming weekend so I may use this card...who knows I may get another one made before then...It is also Jordan's birthday party so I need to make the thank you's to put into the loot bags...of course I still have to figure out what will be going in the loot bags...to add to my chaos I am hosting an open house on Sunday (for stamping of course!!) and the kids have a swim meet on Sunday as well...not to mention swim practice on Thursday and Friday, basketball for Jordan on Saturday then his party, Piano lessons for Jessie on Saturday and then her party...and I still have to figure out my make & takes for Sunday...could I be any busier???

Thanks for stopping by..I'll be up for a breath again soon...LOL

The Plan...

2010-01-21T15:31:00.002-05:00

So this year at Christmas I came up Waaaaay short on my Christmas cards... I thought I had tons but turns out I was wrong...so I have a plan...I am going to make a Christmas card (x 5) a month for the next 12...that way I'll have at least 60 and hopefully won't run short again!

I loved this weeks Mojo sketch so I decided to use it for the layout of my first card...and yes I did make 5 of these!! I re-discovered my laundry line paper (I have piles of it) so I used it with some coordinating colours. The stamp is from my fav place and has never been inked...it worked well with the oval shape in the sketch so I decided to use it. The only thing I didn't have was a scalloped oval to layer with...it is now on my massive list of "things I need".

Thanks for looking.

1 hour...

2010-01-20T14:59:00.003-05:00

and counting 'till the kids get off the bus...I'm counting 'cause I'm hoping to get all my "chores" done before they get home (not much chance of that happening..LOL).

As soon as they are home we have to leave to bring Jordan to a bday party and I promised Jessie we would go to the mall for the duration of the party...no hardship there...I love to shop and so does she!!!

I'm taking a quick 2 minutes to post the 10 minute card I just made for the party. I used an old Hero Arts stamp from AGES ago and some scraps of paper that I had (Little yellow Bicycle). I coloured in the image to match the paper and coordinated the layers. It needed a little something so I added some blue jean glitter dots along the top and bottom of the card...it really was that quick!!

Thanks for looking!

Time for Tea

2010-01-15T11:12:00.005-05:00

Actually it was coffee...yesterday that is!! I took the time yesterday to meet with two friends...Elaine for coffee and Sareeta just to chat, it was great!! I don't often make the time for myself with all the running around I do so it was nice to visit for a change.

I inked up a stamp that has never been used...I bought it not really knowing what I would do with it...I still didn't know what I was going to do with it until it was done. It ended up being quite simple (my style if you haven't figured that out yet...LOL). I used Kaiser patterned paper (love the colours in this line!!) and layered the background with some Bermuda Bay from SU. I pierced all around the patterned pieces and added some $store gemstones for embellishment. I coloured the image to match the paper stamped the sentiment and was done.

So this card is for two "tea-riffic" people...Elaine and Sareeta!

Now I'm off to make a phone call to Bellaland...it's release day don't you know??!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Busy, busy, busy

2010-01-13T13:52:00.002-05:00

That seems to be the story of my life these days...well actually since the kids came along!!

This past weekend we spent all of Sunday at a swim meet for Jessie...Jordan had a sleep-over at my Mom's and spent the day with her...good thing too!!. We had to be up at 5:30 (that would be am!!) and were out of the house by 6:00 (and got home at 5:30pm).

The swim meet was at Brock university with warm-ups starting at 7:30. Jessie swam in 4 events (50 m backstroke, freestyle, breaststroke and the 100m backstroke) - her age category was 10 and under (she is 8 turning 9) and she did amazing!! She placed in the top 8 in 3 of her events and 9th in her freestyle...she also managed to qualify for regionals for her 50m breaststroke (she has already qualified for her 50m backstroke). Her times have placed her in the top 50 across Canada for some of her events as well as the top 50 for Ontario .Right now she is around 25th (or better) in Ontario for her age in her backstroke and breaststroke...across Canada she ranks around 35th...CAN YOU TELL I'M A PROUD MOM!!!!.

Enough babbling already...here's my card (I made it for my friend Keri who had her birthday on the 8th...yes it is late) I used a new stamp (for me anyway) that needed inking and some really (really, really..) old Basic Grey paper...it's from the Romani line. I coloured to match the paper and added some diamond ice baubles along the centre seam...that's all you get for details this post is already long enough!!LOL

We'll be off to regionals the first week of Feruary (this will include all of the clubs in south western Ontario)...I'll let you know how she does!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

The Dog ate it...

2010-01-08T09:46:00.003-05:00

No, not my homework....my CARD!!!! Seriously, I'm not kidding, a dog actually ate a card I made. My mom had asked me to make a card for her neighbour, he's turning 90 and has a great sense of humour (he was struck by lightning about 7 years ago and has an "I'm still alive" party every summer!!).

I made this card for her to give him...I printed the sentiment on my printer and stamped "A BIG Happy Birthday" on the inside. I used the same plaid paper and colours that I used on the boys birthday card posted earlier this week. I figured he'd laugh about the sentiment and of course it goes perfectly with the boys high tops stamp from Bellaland.

So I gave her the card and she dropped it someones house who was collecting the cards to give him. She put it through the mail slot in the door (as instructed) and then watched through the window as their dog came and picked it up in his mouth and took off. She called the lady later that day to make sure she got it...only to find out that the dog had just regurgitated (gross I know!!) some kind of paper. The lady then started to ask my Mom if the card was purple, or maybe red or white...The lady expressed her apologies and then proceeded to tell my mom that she was really surprised only a few people had responded to the card request..My mom suggested that maybe the dog had eaten more cards than just hers and the lightbulb came on...

So there you have it...a dog actually ate my card!! Now I have to go make it again with the promise from Mom that she will hand deliver it to her neighbour...good thing I took this picture!!

Thanks for stopping by

For Mr. Brown

2010-01-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

aka Greg my UPS guy. I totally missed my last UPS delivery before Christmas, and I always have a card (and Tim's gift card) for my delivery guy. I misjudged the delivery date on something my husband had ordered so I was too late.

Since I can no longer give him the Christmas card I made (maybe I'll save it for next year...LOL) I made him this card with a simple Happy new year...and of course the Tim's GC is inside!!

I used some Basic Grey paper I had in my stash and added layers to coordinate with the colours. I used the group hug stamp from Bellaland since I figured snowmen are winter (not necessarily Christmas) and added a small piece of ribbon tied in a knot beside the image. A few platinum dots along the edge of the olive oval and I was done. I'm expecting a delivery today so he'll find it taped to the front door.

thanks for looking!!

The CHAOS of Christmas...

2010-01-06T12:15:00.004-05:00

Is over!!!!!!! Phew, it has been one very long month (December that is). Between all my classes, Christmas shopping, special events and of course Jordan's birthday 2 days after Christmas...life has been pretty crazy!!

Other than the cards for my classes and the one post for Dana's birthday, I haven't had any time to stamp. Things are finally getting back to normal with the kids back in school and the house slowly (very slowly!!) recovering from the chaos of the holidays.

Jessie has a birthday party to go to this coming weekend so I decided to sit down and make a card using the MOJO Monday layout for this week. I used patterned paper I picked up at my favourite place and coloured the image (also from my favourite place) with copics. I stamped "happy birthday" across both the ballet blue and garden green cardstock and added some blue gemstones under the striped ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by...hopefully my posts will be a little more regular now that things aren't as hectic.

Happy Birthday Dana!!!!

2009-12-18T10:41:00.003-05:00

It is my friend Dana's birthday today and to celebrate we are having a mini blog hop for her...She is celebrating by soaking up the sun in Cuba so she'll have to wait until she's back to see what we've done.

I used Fabby from Stamping Bella for my card...and of course since Dana's favourite colour is pumpkin I had to try and use it (or something close to it) in my card. I coloured with copics and coordinated my layers with my patterned paper. My final step was to add the "Pumpkin" glitter dots across the top and at the bottom.

Thanks for stopping by...don't forget to check out these other fabulous blogs for our mini hop...and of course...HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANA!!!!!

Karen Motz - http://paperplayhouse.blogspot.com/
Janet Rossi - http://corrosivecreationsbyjanet.blogspot.com/
Wendy Bond - http://www.bondgirlbliss.typepad.com/
Nancy McKinney - http://cardworthy.blogspot.com/
Chalene Austin - http://willowandpaisley.typepad.com/
Joanne Basile - http://stampedbyhand.blogspot.com/

It's a Birthday Hop!!

2009-12-05T10:00:00.003-05:00

Welcome to the Bella Birthday Bash Blop Hop sponsored by Stamping Bella! If you just happened here you can start at the beginning HERE and see all of the wonderful talent that is out there...If you arrived here from Kerri's blog, you are in the right place.

For my card I decided to ink up my Joyful Village stamp. I've had it for a while but haven't had the time to play, so now I have!! The image is coloured with copics and I used BO BUNNY - A gift of love striped paper and some Colourmates for my background layers. The image is pretty big so I made the card a 5" x 5" square and kept the layout simple. I added some sage glitter dots around the image and added red satin ribbon tied in a bow. I love the colours in this paper...I think I need to go get more!!

Now it's time to hop over to Dee's blog to see her Bella creation. Don't forget to leave a comment everywhere you hop...there are 3 $100 Bella Bucks to be won, hidden somewhere along the way. The winners will be announced Monday December 7th on the Stamping Bella Blog

Enjoy the rest of your hop...Thanks for stopping by!!

Time to clean out!!

2009-12-03T16:41:00.004-05:00

I sat down today to make a card...I've been wanting to make one with my circle snowman from Stamping Bella...ever since my friend Elaine gave it to me (she had two by accident!!).

I knew exactly which paper I wanted to use, I saw a neat layout in Cardmakers magazine and wanted to try it...well an hour later I finally had my card. The card itself only took about 15 minutes to make...finding the Reminisce paper I KNEW I had took up the rest of the time. I ended up changing the layout 'cause it wasn't working for me. I wanted this paper in particular since it is double sided with the stripes on one side and then the circles (which I punched and layered) on the other.

So the finished card ended up totally different than what I expected but at least I found my paper..LOL. Now I am going to go organize my Mountain and remind myself what other paper I have!!

Thanks for looking!!

A Late Afternoon Post...

2009-12-02T14:47:00.005-05:00

I should so NOT be playing today!! I soooo many things on the go and haven't been home all day but I still took 20 minutes to make a card...this one is for the challenge posted on my friend Janet's challenge blog. her challenge for this week was to make a card with red and green...'tis the season you know...

I had no problem with the image...just the paper!! I borrowed this Penny Black stamp from a good friend (thanks Sareeta!!) but when it came to the layout I was stumped. I almost always use patterned paper but it just wasn't working so I went back to the basics...real red and certainly celery (I love these colours together for Christmas cards).

I embossed the background celery layer with my Big shot and added some small red dots. the sentiment is stamped in celery ink and I added a red bow to the top. This girl so deserves bling so I added some celery gems and coloured in the champagne (and bubbles) with my stardust pen. The fur on her hat is filled in with scribbles glitter 3D paint.

Now I'm off to pack for my SAS tonight...at least it is all cut!!

Thanks for looking.

Monday on Tuesday...

2009-12-01T11:03:00.004-05:00

Does that make any sense?? I'm actually talking about the card I made yesterday but didn't get a chance to post until today. My daughter was home sick so I wasn't able to go anywhere...not a bad thing 'cause I got lots done at home. I won't bore you with the details (let's face it, cleaning is boring) but I can actually walk through several rooms in the house without tripping over something and my laundry mountain is just a mole hill...not that that will last!!

I used the Mojo Monday sketch # 115 for inspiration and came up with this card. The stamp is one I've wanted to use since I got it, it is perfect for cards I need to give to people from both of my kids.

The paper is Basic Grey - Eskimo kisses and I layered the rest of the card with cardstock to match the colours in the pattern. The image is coloured with copics and stickles (candy cane) on the ornaments. I finished it off with some half pearls that I picked up at my local $ store...I was pretty excited when I found them there of all places!!

Thanks for stopping by to have a look!!

Still going great!!

2009-11-25T13:05:00.004-05:00

My week that is!! I feel like I've been running around like a crazy woman but for a change I also feel like I'm getting some things accomplished...usually I just run around and don't seem to have anything to show for it...LOL.

I had so much fun making my circle polar bear card the other day, I decided to pull out my circle reindeer too. I made a stamp a stack card this year using olive, red, and chocolate chip and I just loved the way it turned out. With those colours in mind I went to my paper mountain and lo and behold...striped paper with those colours. I embossed the bottom layer with one of my sizzix folders and added some esspresso baubles...another super quick card (so I made 8!!).

Thanks for stopping by

A Great Start...

2009-11-23T15:38:00.003-05:00

to my week!! I don't usually like Mondays... I know, typical stereotype!! But I have to say that so far my week is starting off great!! My daughter made the bus today, but I had to drive my son..no big deal since I had to do some stuff at the school anyway. I got my errands done and met a good friend for coffee...she was here getting stuff done on her car so I picked her up and we went for a coffee and a Chai tea latte for me - her treat (thanks Elaine!!).

I got home (after a few more errands) and took the time to make a card. I loved the Mojo sketch week 114 - it was so nice and simple (my kind of card) so I used it to make this one. I changed it a bit...used a circle instead of a square but the layout is the same.

I used my polar bear circle (Stamping Bella) for the image and layered on a larger scallop (nesties). The base of the card is a beautiful double sided cardstock I have from a long time ago...It is a linen textured moss colour on one side and a creamy vanilla on the other...perfect for cardmaking. The small strip of patterned paper is Basic Gray and I paired it with Riding Hood Red. I added some moss satin ribbon across the top and green glitter dots around the image.

This was fun...and really fast!!

Thanks for looking

Phew!!

2009-11-20T10:38:00.003-05:00

It has been a busy week...and still is. I have to go run a gajillion (love that word!!) errands today and the weekend will be full of running around too. At least I got my card made for the second birthday my son has tomorrow, so I can scratch that off my to do list.

I used an image I stamped (ages ago) and never got around to using. I don't actually own any of the Magnolia stamps...but my friend Pat does so she let me stamp a bunch. I kept the layout simple and just used some baubles and a bow for embellishment. I tried to keep the colours coordinated but I didn't feel like digging through piles so they aren't quite perfect.

I wasn't thinking when I stamped all the images and put them too close together...it makes it hard to use any dies around the image so I have to keep them square...otherwise I would have used my label die on this one to make it stand out a little more...oh well...live and learn!!

Off to go do my errands...thanks for stopping by.

2009-11-19T13:55:00.005-05:00

Kay, so I don't usually post twice in one day...but I just made this card for a bday party my son is going to this weekend...Get this, he has Basketball in the morning...straight to party #1 and on to party #2...then Monster Jam in Hamilton...Talk about a fun day for him...not to mention cake overload!!

I need to play with this a little more, I'm not happy with the door yet...but I don't have time now, I have to make the card for the second party. This stamp is a digital image that Nancy sent me ('cause I begged her for it when I saw the fab card she made...click here to see it). The design is her own and I'm just thrilled she was willing to send it to me. I paired it up with another image (and sentiment) designed by her from the Oh the places you'll go set I have...

Talk about having the perfect stamps for any occasion...the kids are going to see "Where the Wild Things are" for the party...imagine that...a quote from the movie...LOL. Oh did you notice...monster paper too!! I just added some googlie eyes.

Thanks for stopping by to look

I promised...

2009-11-19T07:00:00.002-05:00

I would post the other cards for my Stamp-a-Stacks...so here they are. I think my two favourites out of all of them are the two outside ones...I love the colours and the glitter all over the snowman.

I've been meaning to post these for a while but with all the other cards I've been making lately I haven't gotten around to it. As I mentioned before...all my work is done for these classes (yay me!!) which is great 'cause it means I can spend the time I would be putting into cutting...into stamping!!

I probably should have taken separate pictures (you can't tell, but Dasher is gold embossed) but every time I try to post with more than one image, my text doesn't upload properly...I'm not savvy enough to figure out why...more like I don't want to spend the time...LOL
thanks for looking.

A sketch challenge..

2009-11-18T07:00:00.001-05:00

I took a tiny bit of time to make a card using the Mojo Monday sketch #113. I love making cards using sketches...it makes life soooo easy! as soon as I saw this one I knew exactly which image to use... Gifty Tree from Stamping Bella.

I followed the sketch and used a combination of patterned paper from Heidi Grace (it's really old), Ruby Red, Old Olive and Certainly Celery. I added a tiny bit of pink using my scribbles paint on the star and some Gems under the sentiment. I totally copied the gems idea from the card Karen Giron made for Nancy's bday blog hop.

So that's it...

Thanks for stopping by.

Bummed Out!!

2009-11-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

My friend and neighbour is totally at the end of her rope right now...She has 4 boys from 9yrs to 9 months. So far 3 of her kids have had a nasty flu and right now it's the baby who is sick. Her hubby is also sick so not able to help out much.

I made her a card which I'm hoping will make her smile and I'm also going to bring by something for dinner to help out a bit...

I used Bummed out baby from Stamping Bella and coloured with copics. The paper is MME - Wild Asparagus (another one that is ages old..LOL).

I printed the sentiment and punched it out and added some espresso baubles around the image.

Hopefully everyone in her household will be better soon!!

Thanks for looking

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANCY!!

2009-11-16T07:00:00.003-05:00

It is my (incredibly talented) friend Nancy's bday today so a few of us are doing a mini hop...just for her. I decided to use one of the cupcakes (and sentiment) from the "For the love of cupcakes" set (designed by Nancy) and of course the paper from the new Basic Gray line - Nook and Pantry just happens to have a wee spot in my massive paper file.

Here is my card for Nancy...I coloured with copics and added some chunky glitter to the top...who can have a cupcake without sprinkles?? I added 3 espresso baubles and gave the cherry a little bit of shine with some crystal effects.

Now join me in wishing a fantastic day to Nancy and continue hopping to see what everyone else has made for her day!!

Karen Motz: Paper Playhouse
Dana White: Dana's House of Cards
Janet Rossi: Corrosive Creations by Janet
Wendy Bond: Bond Girl Bliss
Jodi Collins: Stamping A Latte
Donna Baker: Serenity in Stamping
Karen Giron: The Sweetest Thing
Sankari Wegman: Sankari's Sunshine Corner
Charmaine Ikach: Oodabug Alley
Laura Fredrickson : Scrappinextras

Happy Birthday Nancy!!!!

Tis the Season...

2009-11-13T09:10:00.004-05:00

For my stamp-a-stacks to start...I have 8 booked from this weekend until the second week of December. I've decided to make my life simple this year...everyone is doing the same cards. For those of you who know me...you should be very impressed...I have all 5 designs figured out AND I have already cut enough card stock for the first 3 sessions!!! No late nights for me trying to figure out what to do the night before...this is a first!!!

So here are the first 2 of 5 designs...I have to keep things relatively simple since I get a lot of first time stampers at these events. The first card is super simple...I stamped snowflakes all over the base and then layered with vellum and some torn coordinating cardstock. I added a some white ribbon and a couple of snowflakes with silver brad centres. The sentiment is stamped and punched and layered on a slightly larger oval (I pre-punched the larger ovals so there wouldn't be any confusion on which punch to use for the sentiment...live and learn..LOL). The second card used glossy cardstock and is brayered using two colours. The image is white embossed and layered on silver paper. I pulled it all together with some silver ribbon. The picture isn't the best but you can still see some of the detail...

Thanks for looking, stay tuned for the next card...

Just a fast post...

2009-11-09T12:41:00.004-05:00

Too much to do today to spend a lot of time chatting...but I did want to show the two cards I made at my monthly club meeting...I quite liked how these cards turned out...especially the one with the trees!! (I think it was everyone's fav last night!!)

For the season's greetings card we made "window sheets" with acetate and white stazon...it looks much prettier in person...The tree one used patterned paper and dimensionals to create the illusion of hills and depth...It turned out really nicely...one of my friends suggested using a snowman instead of trees...I'll have to try it!!

Most of the product is SU with the exception of some ribbon and the snow flake punches...The SU punch was too big for these cards.

Kay, gotta go now...thanks for stopping by!!

Another challenge..

2009-11-06T09:47:00.004-05:00

This one is for the challenge posted by my friend Janet on her challenge blog. I have to admit I cheated a little...the idea is one I came up with last year...but it was such a hit I decided to do it again. I gave these boxes to the teachers (along with a few other stamped goodies) and the school bus drivers for their Christmas gifts...I figure since we have all new teachers and bus drivers...why "re-invent the wheel"??

Last year's version was a little bigger but a lot of work...it also had full size cards and 11 different colours of ribbon...This year it is just an assortment of tags and 5 colours (1 meter each) of assorted ribbons. I already have 5 of these made...I only need 3 to give away but I figure it is a nice "just in case" gift to have around for last minute things. The picture isn't the greatest but it was gloomy outside when I took it...

Janet's challenge by the way...anything but a card!

Thanks for stopping by.

It's a Mojo Sketch

2009-11-05T09:44:00.004-05:00

I have been wanting to do the Mojo sketch challenges for ages...I finally found the time last night!! I used one of my MFT (Baby it's cold outside) sets for this one and of course still using up old paper..This patterned paper is another relic from my stash from Daisy Bucket Designs - Wrapped Wishes line (about 3 years old..LOL).

The base layer is DCWV olive paper and I used a celery colour to paper piece the jacket. I coloured the rest of her with copics and used my scribbles 3D glitter paint to do the tops of her boots. The snowman is covered with glitter and I added a little to the ground. The snowflake is made of 3 individual flakes (2 punched and one sizzix die) held together with a pink brad. I added 3 hot pink glitter dots (as per the sketch layout) and now I just need to figure out what sentiment I want to use inside...Not at all your typical Christmas colours but very sparkly and fun.

Thanks for stopping by to look.

Another crazy week...

2009-11-04T10:54:00.003-05:00

Well Hallowe'en is over and of course the kids had a ball...We spent the evening with friends (no one trick or treats on our street...it would take you an hour to do about 10 houses!!). Jordan went as Harry Potter..but he wouldn't let me colour his white blonde hair so it's a good thing we did the scar on his forehead to identify him. Jessie went as a ghost school girl but everyone thought she was Harry's sidekick Hermoine...so she went with it.

It has been busy for the last few days with school projects and volunteering at the school...but I finally took some time yesterday to make another Christmas card...I wasn't too sure how it would turn out...I had my doubts as I was going along but in the end I liked it so much I made 6!!

I dug deep to find Christmas paper (still trying to use what I have... and still adding to the collection...LOL!!) and pulled out some old MME and Basic Gray from years ago...I do mean years...I used the Fruitcake line from Basic Gray for my base layer, so you know it goes back at least 3 years!! I stamped the image "a scarf for 3" with Memento's Black and coloured with Copics...It doesn't show well in the picture but I used brick white on the snowmen to make them stand out a little from the rest of the white background. The scarf is paper pieced with the same Basic Gray and the other layers are MME - signature Christmas. I used the sentiment from the set and added some espresso baubles and glitter around the snowmen for embellishment...I really like how it came together!!

I guess I'm a little chatty today...just making up for the last few days!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

It's a Chi Chi Blog Hop!!

2009-10-31T11:00:00.007-04:00

Welcome to the Chichiboulie Blog Hop sponsored by Stamping Bella! If you've just happened upon my blog, you can CLICK HERE to start from the beginning at Bloggabella. If you have come here from Tiffaney's blog...you're in the right place.

The rules are simple...you have to use a Chichiboulie stamp...I won't tell you how many stamps I have from this line...I'll just say it was tough making a decision on which one to use!!

For my card I decided to use Polly Packages with my favourite Laundry Line Paper...I just love all the glitter on it! I watercoloured the image with my re-inkers and added some of Bella's liquid water colour glitter to the bag. I chose my colours and layers to match the paper...I have to say I really like Amethyst with Rose Red. I ran my rose red through my Big Shot using the CB swirls folder and added a strip of ribbon to hide the seam where the two papers meet. I layered the sentiment on the same striped paper and added 3 diamond ice baubles along the side of the image...another Christmas card done...YAY Me!!

Now how about a prize? In addition to the fabulous eye candy, we have decided to hide a prize somewhere along the hop! One pre-selected blogger will draw a random winner from the comments on her post, and the winner will receive a $25 Gift Voucher to Stamping Bella!!! The fun part is...we're not telling you who it is! So as you hop, make sure you leave comments on every post so you have a chance to win!! We will announce the winner on Friday in the Splitcoast forum. MWAH!Thanks so much for stopping by!

Now it's time to hop on over to Monika's blog and see what she has come up with

Stamped and Stuffed!

2009-10-30T12:08:00.007-04:00

I did it...I made all of the Hallwe'en treats for the kids to bring to school...of course the teachers got Lindt pumpkins in their bags!!

The picture isn't the greatest but I had to take it after all that work (The shot with all 43 really didn't turn out so you just get to see the single)...I just sat in front of the T.V. after we got home (around 9:30) and made them all in one go. It took me just under 2 hours from start to finish. I borrowed the perfect set from a friend (Thank you Sareeta!!!!) and used it to stamp orange vellum envelopes with the spiderweb and green cardstock strips with a row of spiders. I layered the green on black for the topper and added a dangling spider with "googlie eyes".

The kids love bringing things that are different from everyone else in the class and were thrilled when they saw them this morning...I wonder how many more years I'll have to do this??

Make sure you stop by tomorrow for "Chi Chi" blog hop sponsored by Stamping Bella...You could even win a prize somewhere along the way!!

Running out of Time...

2009-10-29T11:43:00.003-04:00

So this is the card that I meant to post yesterday...but I ran out of time...and now I'm running out of time again. I started this week with all kinds of plans on things I was going to do, needless to say half of them weren't even started (let alone finished) and I won't mention the half I did start..LOL.

One of the things on the list was to make the treat bags for the kids to bring in to their classes on Friday...yes that would be tomorrow and I haven't even started. I need to make a total of 43 so it isn't too bad but like I said...I haven't started...good thing Greys is on tonight so I can stamp and stuff in front of the T.V. - after the kids swim practice of course...I love Bell's time shift capability!!!

Onto the card...I'm not sure if I like this one...still thinking about it. I do love the images though in the Stephanie Fizer "I {heart} books" set. I think it is the layout I'm not sure about...but it is made now so I'm not about to change it. I added some glitter around the image, some baubles at the edges and a little bit of crystal effects on her glasses. the patterned paper is the White Out Line from we R memory keepers...I just used up some odds and ends left over from another card.

Check back tomorrow and you'll get to see what I came up with for treat bags!!

I got Mail!!

2009-10-27T13:33:00.003-04:00

No card from me today...I did make one but you'll have to wait 'til tomorrow to see it!!

I got a card in the mail today (I'm singing this as I write...LOL) It is a birthday (somewhat late) card from my friend Leslie...now I knew Leslie's card would be late...and to her credit based on the date and the footprints (yes footprints!!!) on the envelope, I would say this is a definite case of "lost in the mail". I had to do a little surgery and replace the baubles...I think the "foot" crushed them :o(

I don't care how late it is...I love getting cards in the mail...and as you can see, she did a fabulous job on this one!!!

Thank you Leslie!!!!

I think I'm back

2009-10-26T12:38:00.006-04:00

Kay, so the last few weeks have been insane for me...but I think I have things under control (well not really but I pretend I do...LOL). At least for this week, I don't have toooo much on my plate so I'm really hoping I'll get some stamping time in!!

I inked up another of my Who's that girl stamps and made this card...I had a tough time figuring out my colours and then I decided to paper piece the wall paper...mental note to self...don't paper piece images that have tons of cutting!!!! It was a little time consuming going around her feet and everything but it was worth it, it really looks like wallpaper.

I made a few of these, most of them have the sentiment "Hey, it's been a while..." I have about 10 people I could send the card to...I haven't had time to chat with anyone for a while!!

Thanks for looking...hopefully my next post will be tomorrow!!!

Did I actually say...

2009-10-21T12:51:00.004-04:00

That I was going to make a Christmas card a week???? Well that is sooooooo not happening...I don't know what I was thinking!!!

I actually do have a Christmas card this week but I made it last week so we'll just count it for both weeks kay...

I used a cube stamp I bought years ago and haven't inked in a while and watercoloured the image with my markers...this one didn't photograph well so you can't see all the details (like the glittery red berries I coloured with my stardust pen). I had the paper pre-cut from ages ago (my addiction to stripes is not a new thing LOL) too so it was simple to figure out the rest. I stamped a simple "seasons greetings" inside so it can be used for anyone!!

Off to do a million and one things now...unfortunately none of which include card making :o(

Thanks for stopping by!!

My paper addiction is justified!!!

2009-10-15T09:46:00.004-04:00

Kay, so you know you have a problem when you have paper for just about any occasion or need...well last night we had to work on my daughter's math homework which had to do with graphing. I searched the house for some graph paper for her and couldn't find any...I finally gave up and went to my huge stack of 12x12 papers to find something that might work...lo and behold I had grid paper!! I had to laugh, I seriously don't even remember buying it...I told hubby it's a darn good thing I have a paper collecting addiction!!

Life has been awfully hectic these days...I made this card about 4 days ago and haven't had time to post it. Between homework, swim practices, and cross country practice with Jessie (who came 16th (out of about 175 girls) in the All Halton 8yr girls 1000 meter yesterday!!!! Yes I'm bragging...GRIN!!) I haven't had time to sit at the computer.

I'm taking the time today before I do the mad rush of errands etc.. so here is my card...I must have been thinking of myself when I made this 'cause I haven't had time to catch up with anyone about anything!!

I love my "whose that girl" stamps so I'm trying to use them..I have 7 sets but I've only inked up a couple so my goal is to have used them all by the end of the month...hmmm wish me luck with that one!! This one was quite simple...I paper pieced the dress (you'll notice I found another use for the paper I like so much...only 7 sheets left..LOL) and coloured in the rest of the image with my copics. I used Chocolate Chip and Regal rose for my layers and added some bubblegum glitter dots to add a little sparkle.

Thanks for stopping by to look!!

I'm on a roll...

2009-10-08T11:33:00.005-04:00

Seriously, don't laugh...two days is a roll for me!!

I took some time last night to make some card gift sets...I'm thinking the teachers may be getting these for Christmas. Once I had my layout figured out they went really fast...I made all 3 sets in under an hour...each set has 6 cards with assorted sentiments inside. I probably should have taken a picture of each card before I packaged them...the plastic doesn't photograph well.

All of the cards are the same, the only thing I changed was the colour I sponged on to each flower...I coordinated to match the card stock I used. I also added some dazzling diamonds to each flower using my quickie glue pen...that doesn't show either.

I'm hoping I can go for three in a row so you just might see something tomorrow too...of course it will depend on the kiddies and how quickly I can get them into bed after swim practice...and of course...Grey's Anatomy!!!!

Thanks for looking!!

I'm Still Here...

2009-10-07T11:04:00.004-04:00

But not really...just temporarily!! I never would have thought with the kids back at school I would be busier than ever...but I am. It doesn't help that I tend to volunteer a lot of time to the school, I keep saying I won't but then I always do...LOL

I took some time the other day to make a card for a friend...she just had knee surgery and has to take it easy for some time until things are back to normal. I made her this card and used paper I picked up on clearance at one of my favourite stores...you know, my Happy Place!! I just loved the yellow with pink polka dots so I bought every piece they had...not sure what I'll do with the other 8 that are in my bin but I'm sure I'll figure it out. I love the colours I used for this card (SU's pink passion and Barely Banana) 'cause they look so cheery. Inside the card reads "Have a speedy recovery".

Personally I thought the sentiment went perfectly with the image, but I have to wonder if it is only in my mind that it works...Almost everyone I've shown the card to gives me a blank look when they see it. So I explain...you know...running shoes..."speedy" recovery...then I get the Ohhhhh I get it!!

Thanks for stopping by to look!!

Christmas is....

2009-09-30T11:05:00.004-04:00

still a ways off but I figure this year I will get an early start. I usually wait 'til the last minute to make my cards so I decided this time around that I will make a card a week, 3 of the same design (or more if I love it) starting now!! If I do this until mid November I should have all the cards that need to be mailed done...notice I am focusing on the long distance ones...those that get hand delivered aren't as urgent...at least not yet..talk to me in December...I'm sure I'll be stressing then..LOL

I used snowball fight for this card and MME laundry line paper. I watercoloured the image with SU's Rose Red, Soft Sky, and River Rock for the boots (don't you just love it when everything coordinates!!). Although it doesn't really show in the picture, I used Bella's watercolour glitter on the snowman and snowballs. The layers are Soft Sky and Rose Red with some Soft Sky ribbon and 3 gem stones under the sentiment. I'll be using this card for the people Jessie needs to give cards to...School Teacher, piano teacher, swim coach...go figure, these are all "hand delivered" not ones that need to be mailed.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Goin' to the Chapel...

2009-09-29T09:16:00.005-04:00

No, not me...I did that 13 years ago!! A friend asked me to make a wedding card for her and specifically requested a Bella.

I stamped the image and coloured my fella in with copics...then I stamped it again on sugared paper with stazon and cut out the dress for Bella. I popped it up to make it look fuller and layered it on some metallic gold paper. I ran a piece of shimmery white paper through my Big shot and layered it on gold as well. Some ribbon and string of pearl baubles in the corners and I was done.

You may have noticed I no longer post links to Stamping Bella and other stores where I buy some of my supplies...as a demonstrator for Stampin' Up! I am not allowed to link to any direct competitors...even on my own personal blog...so I won't...but if you ever have a question all you have to do is ask and I will gladly tell you!!!

Thanks for looking!!

How about a Fella...

2009-09-28T11:15:00.005-04:00

I always tend to make "girlie" cards so I never have a "guy" card around when I need it...not that I need that many but better to be prepared... I made a bunch of fellas so I would have them on hand..this one is on it's way to Germany so I even wrote the word "beer" in german...although seriously, I think a case of beer speaks for itself..no explanation needed!!

I stamped the image with Mementos black and coloured in with my copics...still trying to use up scraps I have lying around so this is an old piece from the Wild Asparagus line...I still love this paper (and although this was a scrap, I probably have 10 more sheets of the same pattern...just in case ya know...LOL).

The layers are SU's River Rock and Blue bayou (both retired) and I found some brads in my massive bin of embellishments (have I mentioned I collect those too..) that match the river rock perfectly!!

Thanks for looking!!

LULU BLOG HOP...

2009-09-26T11:00:00.001-04:00

How fun!! I've never participated in a blog hop like this before so this is a first for me...hopefully I do everything right...LOL. If you are just starting off...you're at the wrong spot...go to the beginning and start here...at Em's Blog and then just keep hopping 'til you get to the end (the next stop is posted at the bottom...so you have to read the whole thing).

For my card today I used Gertie Lulu from (of course...GRIN) Stamping Bella. I coloured the image to match the paper I chose... Memory Keepers - White Out Line. The image is layered on a slightly larger Bashful Blue and outlined with glitter. I added blue satin ribbon down the length of the card and popped a bow so it would layer over the image. Sting of pearl baubles and a quick Happy Birthday finished the card

How about a prize? In addition to the fabulous eye candy, we have decided to hide a prize somewhere along the hop! One pre-selected blogger will draw a random winner from the comments on her post, and the winner will receive a $25 Gift Voucher to Stamping Bella!!! The fun part is...we're not telling you who it is! So as you hop, make sure you leave comments on every post so you have a chance to win!! We will announce the winner on Monday in the Splitcoast forum.

MWAH!Thanks so much for stopping by! Now it's time to hop on over to http://willstampforwine.blogspot.com/

Time off for Good Behaviour...

2009-09-25T07:28:00.003-04:00

Yup, I gave myself some time off...I got a ton of stuff done yesterday (you know...house cleaning) so I decided I deserved a break...actually I took two!!

I made a card in the middle of the day...well it closer to the end of the day but my day went to 12pm last night so it was kinda the middle...LOL and my second break was to watch the season premiere of Grey's Anatomy...I LOVE that show!! The only bummer is that I missed the first 20 minutes...The kids have swim practice on Thursday nights so by the time they are in bed it is after 9:00

I'm so excited with my card today (you know..the one I made yesterday)..I used one of the new releases from Stamping Bella (did you see them all...they are fantastic!!!) I also used a set that I have had for weeks but haven't used (no time ya know...) from Taylored Expressions.

Okay, okay, enough babbling..on with the card!! I used Betty Bookworm ( one of the gajillion new releases...seriously, there are a ton!!) and paired her up with a sentiment from the "the Places you'll go" set. This set is amazing...I love Dr.Seuss and there are a bunch of quotes from his book "Oh, the Places You'll Go" as well as a few others (they're good too!!). My friend Nancy designed the set for Taylor and I think it is amazing...I just can't wait to use the other sentiments!! I coloured in the image and layered it on SU's chocolate chip, the background is pink passion and certainly celery and a piece of striped (I love my stripes) paper from Memory Keepers-Tiffany's Line. I pierced around the edge of the card and added the sentiment to the bottom. I used 6 hot pink crackle dots to finish it off.

I guess I was feeling a little chatty today....Thanks for looking!!

I WISH....

2009-09-24T12:21:00.005-04:00

I could claim credit for the beautiful card I'm showing you today...but I can't...I can claim credit for having wonderfully talented friends though!!!

This card is the one Dana made me for my Birthday (hand delivered at Bellaland)...I posted a link to the one Karen made me in my Birthday post on Sept 17th (so go check it out if you haven't)...I've been waiting for Dana to post this one but she hasn't yet so I'm doing it!!

I might have posted it sooner but in all the excitement I left my cards and couple of other things at the store. Ryan (he's such a sweetie!!) mailed them out to me...they finally arrived yesterday so I can get on with the posting!!

Thanks for looking...even though all the credit goes to Dana on this one

Time for Tea

2009-09-18T09:03:00.004-04:00

I'm meeting my good friend Jenny for tea today...Chai Tea Latte at Starbucks to be exact!!! It was Jenny's birthday on the 6th but I haven't seen her so today is the day she gets her card. We've been friends for 26 years, well we lost touch for a while but now we talk all the time!! She turned 40 this month too...I can laugh at her 'cause she's older than me... by 11 days...LOL

I couldn't post the card until today 'cause she follows my blog and I didn't want to ruin the surprise and have her see the card in advance.

I used Presentahbella for her card and did a quick colouring job with copics. Once The image was coloured I added some diamond Ice baubles to the present. The papers are all scraps from my bin (its a big bin of scraps and I'm trying to use it up!!) Inside I stamped the sentiment "A BIG Happy Birthday"...it is the big 40 after all.

So now I'm off to meet Jenny for Tea...then I'm off to continue painting the barn...trying to get it done before the end of the weekend...wish me luck!!!

Thanks for looking...Hey did you notice I posted a picture of me???

40 AND FABULOUS!!!!!

2009-09-17T14:51:00.004-04:00

YUP, today is the day I turned the big one...and so far my day has been FABULOUS!!!! I should mention though, after today I'm 29 again...ok maybe 35 is more reasonable...GRIN!!

I woke up to a house FILLED with streamers and balloons...I mean filled...they were taped to the coffee machine, the computer, my toothbrush, my cell phone...well you get the picture. My DH stayed up late last night to do all this, and of course the kids were in heaven with all the balloons they get to play with. You can't walk into any room right now with out banging against or tripping over balloons.

I also got to see my good friend Dana at my fav place...Bellaland...I got a card from her and one from my friend Karen (click here to see the FABULOUS card she made me!!!)...not to mention some Bella Bucks to spend. I'm just waiting for Leslie's card now...it's in the mail...right Leslie...LOL.

So I got home from my visit and thought I should continue painting my barn...yes I have actually started that project which was supposed to happen ohhhh about 2 months ago...and I decided since it is my Bday I would make a card instead...I only have about 1/2 an hour before I have to go get the kids so I had to make it quick...

I decided to ink up a fella (since I have a bunch and they are almost all brand new)...I coloured him in quickly with copics and layered with some scraps I found in my bin. It took all of 10 minutes...I think this post actually took longer to write...I guess it is a little long...but I'm allowed today!!!

Thanks for looking!!

Another Birthday card

2009-09-14T20:36:00.003-04:00

It feels like all I do lately is make birthday cards...which is ok 'cause it has to be the best reason to give a card!! This one is for the little girl who lives next door, she is super cute and is probably the best friend my son has...only because she tolerates his bossiness!!

I used Fabby from Stamping Bella and coloured her in to match the patterned paper (cut with the giant scallop circle for the Big Shot). I used a lilac DCWV textured paper for the background and then used my SU circle punches to make all different sizes of circles which I then glued onto the lilac background. Fabby is layered on SU's Certainly Celery and popped up.

I like the way it turned out...perfect for a 6 year old!!

Thanks for looking!!

Shopping...anytime, anywhere

2009-09-09T09:27:00.004-04:00

So, I actually did go shopping...but it was last week, I just haven't managed to sit at the computer to write about it. My cousin Vicky is in town for a couple of weeks (visiting from Germany) so of course we went on a shopping spree in the states. We came back over the border with my trunk FULL of stuff...prices here are at least half of what they are in Germany!!

I made this card ('cause of course shoes were among the many things we bought..LOL). I finally got around to using one of my MFT sets called "Window Shopping"...unfortunately my wallet can attest to the fact that I didn't just window shop...GRIN!!

Vicky needed a gift card holder so I made this for her to bring back to Germany...(that would be why you probably don't understand the word in the circle!!)

I used SU's Old Olive, More Mustard and Bashful Blue for the layers. A small scrap of Creative Imaginations paper was all I could manage to fit but the stripes in it matched the colours I chose so perfectly I had to fit it in somewhere. I water coloured the image and added some Apricot Baubles from stamping Bella for some bling. I did the sentiment on my printer and punched it out with SU's 1 1/4 circle punch.

Thanks for looking!!

This is it...

2009-08-30T14:37:00.005-04:00

So now I have the Huey Lewis song in my head...you know.."if this is it....please let me know..."

This is the last card I am making as a member of Janet's design team...of course this doesn't mean that I won't be doing any more challenge cards from the corrosive challenge blog...I just won't be a DT member.

The challenge this week is (of course) back to school...Although they will adamantly deny it, my children are soooooo ready to go back!! They have been at each others throats for the last few weeks and definitely need a break from each other. Keeping in mind that they really don't want to go back...I made this card for the last challenge.

I used Little Emmy from stamping Bella and printed the sentiment (since no one has had the wisdom to make a stamp with it...LOL). I coloured her in with copics to match the patterned paper ( a left over piece from the glitter stack) I had chosen. The background layer is SU's Almost amethyst embossed with my new Quickutz embossing folder (medium dots). I used a strip of pink carnation (CTMH) behind the image and layered the image itself on a piece of SU's Marigold Morning (retired) and popped it up. I finished the card by adding a few hero arts gemstones around the sentiment.

This is pretty much the attitude I got from Jessie when I mentioned that school starts in a week and a half....

Pop over to Janet's challenge blog and have a look at the other submissions...Use Mr. Linky to post yours and have a chance to win some blog candy.

Thanks for looking!!

Lovin' my Laundry Line...

2009-08-28T09:39:00.004-04:00

Yeah, did you really think I meant the real thing??? I know I'm always talking about doing laundry...but this time I'm talkin' paper!!!!

I played last night...yay me...Hubby had to work late and I actually got the kids in to bed at a reasonable time so instead of cleaning (which it seems like I am always doing) I stamped!!!

I made this card (actually I made 6 of them 'cause I really thought they were cute). I used Aptee'tude from Stamping Bella and some of my fav (at least right now) paper - MME laundry line. I used some textured DCWV for the background layer and added a strip of SU's river rock (retired) across the middle. I used my SU Top Note Die with the laundry line paper and then decided that it was too big so I cut it in half. I cut Aptee tude with CM oval cutter (I really need to get some scalloped ovals) and layered her on some pink DCWV paper.

The laundry line paper has glitter running through the stripes so I added more glitter (can you ever have enough glitter??) around the image and popped it up. Three cotton candy Baubles finished the card...now I just have to figure out a sentiment.

I couldn't decide which colour hair I liked better so I'm showing you both...

Thanks for looking

I did it...

2009-08-27T07:48:00.003-04:00

I made a card last night....woo hoo!!! Hope you aren't all falling off your chairs 'cause you are actually seeing a post mid-week! Seriously though, it has been one crazy summer...that being said I can't believe it is almost over.

We had tons of running around this week, Jordan is getting 6 teeth pulled on the Sept 1st so we have to get a pre-op physical done, go to the oral surgeon and to the hospital for a pre-op appointment. The oral surgeon is doing it at the hospital because of his age...so far things are going well...Jordan can't wait to have all those teeth to put under his pillow for the tooth fairy...

Last week I asked my Mom to take the kids for 1 hour just so I could have a bit of time to get a coffee and check out my local scrapbooking store...she did, and I did...I even bumped into a good friend there (Hi Sareeta!!) and of course bought tons of paper!! I love the MME laundry line paper and they are clearing it out so of course I had to buy a lot...and I really do mean a lot!!!

Anyway...on to the card...I used Charlotte Ketto for my Image and coloured her in. I used up some scraps of green that I had with SU's Blush Blossom and Almost Amethyst. I used a 1/2 circle of the laundry line paper I picked up and just kinda put the card together. I like the way it turned out but I'm not sure I like the way sentiment looks on the bottom...I may have to play with that a bit...

Thanks for looking!!

Sunday's Challenge...

2009-08-24T07:37:00.003-04:00

well it was supposed to be posted but I didn't get a chance...so here it is on Monday!!

The Corrosive Challenge for the week is "Welcome to the Jungle"...I was tempted to put the Guns n' Roses song on my blog but I don't think I could listen to that first thing in the morning...I still haven't even had my coffee but as I said I'm late posting this so I need to get it done.

This challenge was a little tough, I'm just glad I had this hero arts set with jungle creatures in it. I stamped and coloured with my copics (used 4 different shades of yellow and green to blend the colours).

I used SU's Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss and Tangerine Tango (retired) for my layers and added 3 sage glitter dots from Stamping Bella along the bottom strip. I embossed the Kiwi Kiss paper with my new Quickcutz embossing folder, I love this pattern!!! When I showed my card to Hubby, he said "crocodiles aren't jungle creatures...they're wetlands"...Thank you David Suzuki!!!LOL

check out Janet's challenge blog and play along, you could win a package of chipboard letters...I promise she won't care if you use a "wetlands" crocodile!!

Time for Coffee...

2009-08-16T11:53:00.003-04:00

So...remember last week I made a goof and almost didn't have a card ready for Janet's challenge blog...this was the card I sent her instead of a wedding/anniversary card...I had thought it was the sketch challenge...which is actually for this week.

The good news is that I actually had my card made in advance so I didn't have to worry about making one this week...good thing too, as usual we were pretty busy!! Yesterday was the best though..the kids have been bugging me to have a garage sale...not one for me, one that they would do with their own stuff. I was all for that since it would mean that they would actually get rid of some of the mountain of stuff they both have.

We set up on the neighbours lawn and Jessie even decided to have a lemonade stand. They had fun but not much traffic...not surprising since people usually come down the road going about 80 km/hr...some people did stop though and they ended up making about $42 which they split...Jordan desperately wants to buy a dirt bike so he is saving his money for that....Jessie wants to spend hers on shoes...hmmm just like her Mom after all!!!

Anyway, back to the card!! I made this last week thinking of the fun I had meeting Karen and Nancy for coffee. I used the sketch Janet came up with and javabellas from Stamping Bella. I used SU's pale plum for the base and matched it with a scrap of paper from my scrap bin. I coloured the image with copics to match the patterned paper and added 3 light lilac glitter dots to the side. The background of the plum paper is stamped with one of the coffee cup images from my gelatins set "coffee break". The sentitment is one I picked up somewhere...it just went perfectly!!

Check out Janet's challenge blog for the other design team submissions and play along...you may win some blog candy!!

OOPS!!

2009-08-09T08:51:00.003-04:00

I goofed when I sent my challenge card to Janet this week...I sent her the wrong challenge!! Thankfully she emailed me to let me know...then I had to scramble to find a card that would fit this weeks challenge which is a wedding/anniversary theme.

I can't believe I messed it up...Rob and I just celebrated our 13th anniversary and I remember when I looked at the list of challenges for the month I figured I would use whatever card I made for Rob. Welllllll, I didn't make a card...I (shhhh) bought one. The one thing I don't have in my enormously huge collection of card making supplies is "mushy" stuff...I mean seriously, 13 years is a pretty long time and I figured he deserved "mush"...well I bought him mush and then he was all upset I hadn't made him a card...I had to do some pretty fast talking to convince him that it was an honour that I had actually gone out and bought him a card...no one gets store bought cards from me...I don't think it worked.

Sooooo there I was digging through the chaos on my desk looking for a suitable card...I did find one, I had submitted a wedding card ages ago for a bellariffic challenge so I sent that one. I won't give all the details since I have before...Check out Janet's challenge blog to see all the other submissions and maybe you'll be inspired to play along....and get a head start on your anniversary card so you don't have to do any fast talking like I did...

Have a great Sunday!!

Art Camp...

2009-08-06T07:21:00.003-04:00

So Jessie is in Art Camp this week...I tried to find something for Jordan but there wasn't anything he was interested in. As much as they fight, he is a little lost without her...especially with all of our neighbours away.

The art camp is pretty cool though...Jessie is learning shading and all kinds of drawing and painting techniques...hmmm maybe I should sign up...or have her teach me..LOL.

Yesterday was AWESOME...I met my friends Karen and Nancy for coffee..I only had an hour (which became an hour and a half) it's amazing how time flies when you are with friends!! The time went by sooo quickly and all we were doing was sitting and chatting...It was FANTASTIC!!

Anyway...on to my card...I made this last week but haven't had time to post it...a friend of mine is going through a rough time so I made it for her...I showed it to my Mom and now she wants one for her friend too!

I used the funky clothesline from Stamping Bella and coloured in with copics and layered it with some scraps I had kicking around. I don't know what made me go for red and purple but it ended up looking pretty good. The sentiment is from an old SU set I have called Mini Mates. I tied some purple silk ribbon around the real red piece and added some diamond ice baubles across the top.

Thanks for looking....

Can You Believe...

2009-08-01T22:12:00.004-04:00

It's already August??? I can't...the summer is already half over and I'm not even close to getting the things done on my list...paint the barn, make a rock garden by my front steps, build a rock wall along the the length of the driveway, de-junk the kids toy room...the list goes on but I'm sure you get the picture!!

We had a great day today...didn't do anything special but everyone was outside puttering around and it was nice. We (actually it was me) caught two baby toads and then a whole bunch of crickets so they could eat...they didn't eat though so we decided to let them go...Jordan really didn't want to...he kept holding them and hugging them (well as much as you can hug a toad...LOL) but I finally convinced him they would be happier.

I managed to get my challenge card done today too...Janet's challenge for this week is colour combo one...Bermuda Bay, Ruby Red and Pumpkin Pie...I have to say I wasn't sure how this one would come together...but it did...and I'm quite pleased with the result..I also have a birthday card now for the party Jordan has next week..YAY!!!

I used Monstah Bash from Stamping Bella and of course the three colours to watercolour in the image. I had the perfect paper on hand (see there is a reason I keep collecting...) from Crate paper....it has little monsters all over it!!! There are no embellishments on this one (believe it or not) just a little bit of crystal effects on the balloon. I'm posting this early (well late Saturday actually) so that it is finally up on time for a change!!

Thanks for taking a peek!!

It's a great day...

2009-07-29T10:44:00.005-04:00

I am having a happy day today...not that I usually don't but I got great news...my friend Karen is coming to town..and hopefully we'll be able to get together for coffee!!

I'm also super excited 'cause I made a card last week that I LOOOOOVE!!!! You know how sometimes you make a card and when you're done you kinda go WOW!! well I did with this one!! I made last week and submitted it for the Bellariffic challenge...I don't have much stamping time these days...but I had to do this one 'cause the challenge was a sketch that Karen (yup, same one...) came up with. I am seriously in love with this card..the way the colours go together and of the course the layout...and I am so impressed with myself (yes, patting myself on the back here...) that I managed to blend colours for her pants and come up with a match for the Kraft paper I used.

So here are the details...I coloured with my copics (also had to blend to get that riding hood red colour). I used SU's pink pirouette, riding hood red (both retired) and Kraft for my layers. The patterned paper is Basic Grey-Bittersweet and of course Ipodabella and the sentiment from Stamping Bella. As usual I had to add some of my favourite embellishments...glitter dots (red poppy this time) from Stamping Bella as well.

Let me know what you think...you all know what I think!!! GRIN

Corrosive Challenge #22

2009-07-27T09:11:00.004-04:00

Janet's challenge this week was definitely that...A challenge!! If you go to her challenge blog and check out the picture you'll see what I mean!! So I sat down to make my card...keeping the picture in my screen for inspiration. This was soooo tough...I was never a barbie girl (you would usually find me up a tree or playing road hockey with kids on the street) but the one thing that kept jumping out at me was the "sparkly" dresses...so... you guessed it, I went for glitter.

I had a totally different card in my head than what I ended up making...not sure how it happened but all the patterned papers I pulled out that went with my lime green and purple colour scheme...they didn't get touched!! When I was finished the card I actually looked at it and thought...wow, sooooo not what I expected!! It isn't my usual type of card...which is why these challenges are so great...they inspire you to do things you might not usually do!!

So here it is...I used winobella from stamping bella and covered her dress in lavender glitter. I used a CB folder which is all circles and embossed the background black paper and then added some lime green glitter to fill in the centre of some of the circles. I won't bore you with the all the details...this post should have been up yesterday but we weren't around all weekend...

Hop over to Janets blog and check out the other submissions and maybe play along!!

The Summer that wasn't...

2009-07-22T08:59:00.003-04:00

Seriously...and according to the weather network...it still won't be as far as they can predict. The kids are going a little crazy these days..they are dying to swim but it isn't warm enough in my Mom's pool (or any outdoor pool for that matter...). We went to my sister in law's on the weekend for her birthday and they went in the pool there but by the time they came out their lips were blue. I'm desperatley trying to come up with fun things to do that don't require water..any ideas anyone???

So as I mentioned, it was my sister in law's birthday I made her a card for the occasion (of course!!). I used cosmo bella from stamping bella...she and wino bella seem to be my "goto" stamps for female bday cards...I also made a very similar card for my friend Leslie just different colours...but I forgot to mail it so I am doing it today... I swear!!

I used one of the stamps from SU's Circus Circles for the background and used SU's Appricot Appeal, Almost Amethyst and Soft Sky (retired) for my colours. The spiral clip is from the office supply store and the ribbon is fancy pants. I added some oyster baubles around the left side of my oval...alot of them 'cause it was looking a little plain.

Thanks for Looking!!

I'm late, I'm late...

2009-07-20T07:58:00.004-04:00

I feel like Alice in Wonderland lately...We had a super busy week and I was running all over the place, popping in and out of places. This weeks challenge for Janet's blog was a sketch...I managed to get it done (just in time) and sent it to Janet but I haven't even looked at my computer in the last week so I didn't get it up here. We had company last week from Germany (one of my cousins was visiting with her kids) and there were also a bunch of birthdays.

With everything going on, my stamping has been relegated to a "need to make" basis...SIGH!! It was my Mom's birthday on Saturday so I used Janet's sketch to make her card...this is how it turned out..

The sentiment was a little big for my liking (it is a birthday set from CTMH) but it was soooo perfect I had to use it...the inside reads "you're getting better!!" The patterned paper is MME - wild asparagus and I coordinated it with some SU not quite navy and a scrap of core'dinations I had. I used 6 oyster baubles in the corners as per the sketch requirement.

I actually made two other bday cards too...it is my sister in law's birthday today and my friend Leslie had hers yesterday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY LESLIE...your card is going in the mail today...'cause as everyone knows I'm always late!!)

Don't forget to check out the Corrosive Challenge blog to see the other design team submissions and give it a try for yourself!!

Free Time!!

2009-07-13T11:06:00.004-04:00

Amazing, I actually have 3 hours for the next week where the kids won't be home!! They are going to VBS with their friends so I get some time to...no not stamp...CLEAN...well maybe a little bit of stamping (GRIN!!!)

Todays card is one I made for a birthday Jordan went to on the weekend...I didn't have time to post it so you get to see it now. I mentioned before I have a limited selection of stamps suitable for boys (I'll have to fix that) so I keep going to the same one.

Tyler the Jock was perfect for this particular boy 'cause he is in to every sport out there...I coloured with copics and used the same patterned paper (Little Yellow Bicycle) I tend to use for all boys cards...The colours are nice and bright.

The layers are SU's Ballet Blue, Real Red and Wild Wasabi (retired). I used a spiral clip from the office supply store and tied a small piece of wild wasabi ribbon (retired) to it in a single knot. The glitter dots are blue jean from stamping bella and the sentiment is from my CTMH birthday set (you know, the one I never use..) 'cause it was still out on my desk :o)

The layout just kind of happened...I like how it turned out.

Thanks for looking!

It's challenge day....

2009-07-12T15:04:00.003-04:00

Both in card making and in keeping my sanity!!

At one point today I had 10 kids in my house..now I'm down to 6 but man do they make a lot of noise....and the bickering...I thought my two were bad..LOL!!!

Anyway, this week the challenge on the Corrosive Challenge Blog was anything to do with dogs...I don't have anything to do with dogs..so I don't have any dog stamps. I had to make do with "I wish I looked so good on a bikeabella" there is a little doggie in the basket.

I also have to confess I made this card a while ago (and posted it I think) but with all the birthday cards and my stamp club meeting tonight I didn't have time to come up with a new one...I'm glad I had this in my box!!

so go on over to Janet's blog and check out the cards and play along!!

hope your Sunday is quieter than mine!!

OOPS!!

2009-07-11T13:16:00.004-04:00

Well, I did have the birthday card made...I just didn't get time to post it!! This is the second card I had to make for a party Jessie went to...I actually really like the way the colour combo works...even though that wasn't the plan when I started.

I used Charlotte Ketto (one of my fav's!!) from stamping bella and coloured her in with copics. I used another scrap from my glitter stack (DCWV I think..) and added almost amethyst (SU) and a deep coral colour (core'dinations) for background layers. The sentiment comes from a CTMH set that I have (and almost never use...hmm too many birthday sentiments maybe...Nahhh!!). I added three oyster baubles for a little bling...this card was quick...10 minutes max...I think I like it better than the other one I made which definitely took longer!!

thanks for looking...boy bday card coming up next!!

Where does time go????

2009-07-09T21:49:00.004-04:00

It's already Thursday and I haven't done anything this week...well other than laundry, some gardening, took the kids to the park (several parks actually), bought a hockey net for Jordan...who has decided that he is going to have a dual career in the NHL and NBA, bought birthday presents for the assorted parties this weekend, visited a friend (who has a garden that is amazing!!) had friends over for the day today...and...got one card done.

Hmmm, after reading all that, I did do a lot...just not much stamping :o(

So here is card number one, featuring Sollytude (one of the new releases from Stamping Bella). I used a piece of scrap I had left over and some SU amethyst and so saffron. I coloured in the image to match my papers. I used dazzling diamonds (SU) on the purple heart shaped balloon and I stamped the second ballon onto some so saffron and popped it up with dimensionals. The "Birthday Wishes" on the balloon is from a Papertrey set that I love as is the "celebrate" that is stamped along the bottom of the card. The ribbon is SU's so saffron and I added some oyster baubles (a little crooked) on either side of the image.

Stay tuned...the next birthday card will go up tomorrow!!

Birthdays, Brithdays, Birthdays...

2009-07-06T08:16:00.003-04:00

In the next two weeks my kids have 6 parties to go to...Jordan had one this past weekend so I quickly made a card...really quickly...I only had about 10 minutes before we had to leave.

We were super busy last week...took the kids to Niagara Falls for a couple of days and got waterlogged in the Fallsview waterpark...we also went to see the movie UP (I'm such a sap, I cried...) and we went to the ROM to see the dead sea scroll exhibit (and the dinosaurs of course!!) If you are thinking of going...it is FANTASTIC, although the kids preferred the dinosaurs and the bat cave...LOL!!

Anyway, my point in telling you this is so you'll realize that I really didn't have time to make the b-day card sooner...and now those of you who know me...are thinking that I probably wouldn't have made it any sooner anyway...Yeah, you're probably right..GRIN!!

So I used SuperTyler from Stamping Bella for this one (my boy selections are limited!!) and since I didn't have time to participate in Bellariffic Friday I decided to use the sketch for that challenge.

The lighting was REALLY BAD when I took the picture so the card has a blueish hue...but it looked much better IRL so it's ok!!

I coloured with copics and used SU's Brocade Blue, Garden Green and Real red for my layers. The sentiment is also from stamping Bella and inside the card I stamped "Have a Super Birthday". The patterned paper is Little Yellow Bicycle - Baby Safari...and of course some dots...'cause I love dots.

Stay tuned for lots more birthday cards!!