Graduation Mashup!

I guess we're heading into that time of year - now that I don't have kids in high school I tend to forget about graduation.  Although, at my time of life, I know a number of people who have gone back for Master Degrees and so I decided to create this Friday Mash Up! for a more mature graduate.... the challenge...

1. Make a project for "Graduation".
2. Or Make a project using " Text or Definition Stamps and/or Paper".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a " Graduation project with Text or Definition stamps/papers".

I guess I was sort of inspired by the photo that went along with the challenge too...

The sketch for the card comes from Just Add Ink this week.

I love the little grad hats!   I hope that if you have a graduate in your life this year, that it is a happy, exciting time for everyone.  Thanks for stopping for a visit.

Joan

Owl Hello

Finally pulled these little birds out....both the stamps and the punch.  I haven't used the punch in quite a while.

Today's sketch is from The Paper Players and the colours - Not Quite Navy, Peach Parfait and Sahara Sand are from Create with Connie and Mary.  Not many birds fluttering around outside today - what with the rain falling.  I'm glad for it though, cleans up the grass and such - temperatures are a bit low, but so far it's still rain!

Hope things are getting cleaned up where you are.

Don't forget to stop by my on-line store to take advantage of the discounted items from the retired accessories list.  Items on the retired list are "while supplies last" - so don't miss out!

Thanks for stopping by!  Joan

Inspired by Spring

It's a bit drizzly today - so hopefully we will get blossoms soon.  Hand Stamped Sentiments is looking for Spring inspired projects this week.   When I arrived in Vancouver last Thursday afternoon, I loved seeing all the trees in blossom - a smile came to my face when I saw a row of trees with pink blossoms covering the branches as well as a blanket of pink below, on the ground.  It was a beautiful scene.  Our day will come in Alberta - we just need patience.

The sketch for today's card comes from Freshly Made Sketches.  I moved the arc of embellishments to the upper section of the circle so that they didn't interfere with the branch that I "pulled" off the circle.

Off to cut paper for my tea party on Sunday.  I'm excited because my daughter has offered to bake goodies for the event.  The house is going to be filled with warm smells on Saturday!  I'm just hoping for some self control!

Hope spring has blossomed where you are - thanks for visiting.
Joan

Shipload of Thanks

Happy Tuesday everyone - Here's my Friday Mashup! Creation....  The mashup for the past week was...

1. Make a project using the "Sketch".
2. Or Make a project using the "Ghosting (aka VersaMark Resist) Technique".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project using the "Sketch & the Ghosting Technique".

I hadn't done the Ghosting Technique for a while.  I did it two different ways though - the ships have clear embossing powder over top of the versa mark because I sometimes find the white doesn't stay white.  The Earth does not have any embossing powder added.  Both turned out okay.

I kept the sketch pretty true to form - I adjusted it for a more masculine theme by omitting a "ribbon" at the top of the tag and added the globe for the extra embellishment.  Those little holes at the top are not part of the original sketch and they were SUPPOSE to be brads.  I decided they were too close together so I left them as "Paper Piercing".

I'm off to take a nap - a bit late for one, but I'm weary.  I came home exhausted after an awesome weekend of music - and I caught a cold while I was at it.  So resting is the plan.

Hope you are well in your part of the world - thanks for stopping by for a visit.
Joan

Fresh Adventure

A very quick post for a very quick card - I've been on the run all day and creating a card for the Freshly Made Sketches challenge was the last thing before I head to bed.  This was an easy sketch to work with and I haven't used this set enough - Helen Keller was one of my first heroines as a young girl.

I've weeded out all the retiring sets from my cupboard, so I'm trying to focus on the ones that I haven't used much that are staying around for a while longer.  Like I've said before, I need to become a more savvy stamp purchaser.  I'm taking a "savvy" class at convention - so that will probably help me.

WoooHooo!  I can't wait for convention.  I haven't been for two years.  But right now, it's off to bed.  I'm flying to Vancouver tomorrow afternoon to attend a National Orff Conference.  I'm really looking forward to it.  I'm bringing along my laptop - so I'm hoping that MAYBE I can do some of the upcoming challenges using My Digital Studio.  We'll see how that pans out.

Ta ta for now - hope you have some awesome - and daring - adventures on your horizon!  Thanks for stopping here for a bit.
Joan

Circling Butterflies

After not quite knowing what to do for this challenge, I'm happy with how it turned out - despite it being a bit ....different.

The technique today at Hand Stamped Sentiments was to use the Black Magic Technique.  I haven't done that for awhile - so long in fact, that I had to use my watercolour pencil crayons because I've taken all the regular pencil crayons to school.  I really must bring them back, I guess!

I took the sketch from Splitcoaststampers sketch challenge #380.  I wasn't sure that the circles would work with the little background I created, but I think it all pulls together okay.  I love this Creative Elements stamp set, and am glad it is remaining in the catalogue.  I enjoy colouring in that little background - although it's a bit harder with gel pen than marker.

You don't realize how hard it was for me to not put this whole thing through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder - I held off and I'm glad - but that means there were no dimensionals used.  That is an absolute rarity with me.

Anyway - my daughter and I are heading to the the "Park" for a treat of Marble Slab and then we're going to take in "The Hunger Games" - seems a bit odd after Marble Slab!!!!!  Here's to an enjoyable evening.

Hope you have some enjoyment in your day!  Thanks for stopping by!  Joan

Don't forget the  Retired List is out

Click HERE to get to my website to shop

Bright Blossom Thank You

Oh I just love when the rhinestones on my cards pick up the flash from the camera....

I started working on this Mojo Monday sketch this morning and finished it before getting down to taxes!  Now the taxes are done, the card is posted, and it's time to go find something mindless to do.  I'll pick up the pace again tomorrow.

Hope your Monday was marvellous!  Thanks for visiting!
Joan

Watercolour Thoughts

Well, after traveling a total of three hours yesterday in varying degrees of snow and rain - it was nice to sit around and do practically nothing today!  I had a great time stamping with the ladies - but I was a bit warn out after driving.

Today's Paper Players challenge was to use watercolour - I used the AquaPainter with markers on Watercolour paper for the image.  

The colours are courtesy of Create with Connie and Mary - Concord Crush, Marina Mist and Certainly Celery.

Finally - the sketch is from Stamping 411 - I've changed it a bit because of the size of the image.

We had a nice visit with Elliot and his parents this evening - and now my daughter and husband are hunkered down watching the Canucks play.  I do believe I'll go waste a bit of time with a computer game before I head to bed.

Hope you've had a wonderful weekend - thanks for visiting.

Joan

Going, Going...Gone!

 

It's here!  Time to say goodbye to a whole bunch of stamp sets, only to say hello to a new look for our Idea Book and Catalogue - coming JUNE 1.  There are a higher number of retiring sets this year to make way for this new Catalogue program...so don't miss your chance to purchase a favorite you've been eyeing!

HERE is the link to the retired list at my on-line store.

Hundreds of sets are retiring, so now is your last chance to get them before they're gone.

Dino Mashup

I seriously need to acquire more stamps that are good for kids!  I love these little guys - but I feel the need for more options!  Anyway.....

Today's Friday Mashup! was fun!!!!  Though there was a difficult element to it - for me.  Here's the challenge parameters...

1. Make a project using "Your Favorite Muppet Color Combo".
2. Or Make a project " for kids".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a " Project for a Kid using your Favorite Muppet Colors"

The difficult thing for me was deciding who my favourite Muppet was - and whether I was going to go with Sesame Street characters or Muppet Show Characters.  After much self debate,  I went with Animal.

He's in the band, the drummer, crazy and has wild hair.....So I picked Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight and Melon Mambo  as my colour combo.  Pretty wild, but I like the result.  Guess I could have added sun glasses to the dinos - just to help them look that much cooler!

The sketch for the card is f rom Stamping 411.  Instead of ribbon or flowers in the left corner, I just stacked some circles.  Gotta love those dimensionals!

I had fun stamping with a group of women this evening.  Tomorrow I have a bit of a road trip, but am looking forward to it.  These ladies will be making a whole day of crafting; so it should be fun!

Hope you got good times included in your weekend.  Thanks for stopping here for a visit.

Joan

Butterfly Congrats

Busy, busy, busy - I've missed a couple of days posting - sorry.  I got my paper work in line to start my taxes and then we had family visiting too - so I've got butterflies for today.

The sketch for today's card comes from Freshly Made Sketches and the colours - Peach Parfait, Blushing Bride and Concord Crush - are from Stampin' Royalty and the congratulatory theme is for SUO Challenges.

Now I'm off to get ready for a couple of workshops this weekend.  Looking forward to Sunday too when the Retiring Stamp list comes out!  WooooHoooo!

Hope all is exciting it your part of the world.

Thanks for stopping by,

Joan

Cherish Mojo

The Paper Players have this awesome colour combo this week - Certainly Celery, Not Quite Navy and Pool Party - LOVE IT!  I was even able to use up some pieces that had already been embossed and set aside from other projects - yippee!!!

The sketch is the Mojo Monday Sketch - quick and easy!

The other project I have for you today, is the card I created yesterday for my daughter's 21st birthday - which is today.  I guess it can go along with the Friday MashUp! too - the fancy fold...but not for anything on the tic tac toe board.

We created a card with this design at our last Extravaganza.  It was one that Tamye got as a swap....I knew when I saw it's unique-ness that I wanted to use it for Allison's card.

For the white section, I used Heat and Stick powder, for the first time in ages, to make the glitter adhere to the stamped image and coloured in the sections with Wisteria Wonder. For the bottom section, I used Irridescent Ice to create the sparkle. The little sections are coloured in with a Versa Mark Pen.  And....because I had the lid of that pen off and on a number of times yesterday, I realized - for the first time- that the Versa Mark Pen has two different ends.  Just like our other markers.  It's so exciting to learn something new!  Duh!!!!!

The card is standard, except for the little accordion fold section on the front which is tied together with ribbon.

That section folds out for 6 available panels.

I coloured the stamp with the two different markers and huffed before stamping.

Two Way Glue and Dazzling Diamonds added the bling to the crown.

For the dress, I added some Crystal Effects to the dress, and then added the glitter on top of it.

I still have a couple containers of this Liquid Applique - I wish we still carried it!  It can be so much fun.  The cherries on top of each cup cake are done with the Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Detail.

It's been a beautiful day here!  Baby Elliot is coming over for a visit again this evening!  WooHoo!

Hope you have something to look forward to too!

Thanks for stopping by

Joan

Joy Fold MashUp!

What a fun Friday MashUp! this was this week!  We had to work from a Tic Tac Toe board and use a Fancy Fold...

1. Make a project using " a Special Fold".
2. Or Make a project using the " Tic Tac Toe Board".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a " Special Fold card using Tic Tac Toe"

I got so excited about doing the Joy Fold, that I almost forgot about using the Tic Tac Toe Board..I'd already decided on the paper...which wasn't bright and I knew I wasn't going to use a baby theme.....so I went with Pearls, Ribbon and Buttons.  

I hope that you are having a very Blessed Easter!

Thank you for taking time to visit.

Joan

ROAR

I do love these little dinosaurs!  They got to play in the grass today, while we all played in the snow.

I've used the colours from The Color Throwdown - Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise, Pear Pizzazz and I used Cajun Craze instead of Dusty Durango;  The sketch is from Create with Connie and Mary.  The Pterodactyl is flying in the place of a ribbon or such.   And I created some grass rather than using ribbon across the bottom.

Everyone got to and from work today relatively safely.  My husband ended up in the ditch, but was out in 20 minutes and didn't end up being late for his meeting in the city.  Truth be told, I asked for the deployment of my two Car Angels this morning - so I knew all would be well!!!!

Hope all is well on your home front as we go into the Easter Weekend.  Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings, Joan

Tangerine Lime Garden

Aha - I got a challenge in before heading to the city - challenge done and posted!  I'm on a roll!

The sketch for this card comes from this weeks' Freshly Made Sketches.  I changed it up a bit....where the leaves are overlapping the white there was a long thin piece - paper, ribbon....whatever....so I incorporated the leaves coming from the lower layer.

The colours are based on the picture inspiration from over at Stampin' Royalty.  Bold, bright, sun shiny flowers.  Full of the promise of spring - even though we are under a winter storm warning for tonight.  It was a beautiful sunny morning, but the clouds are starting to gather.  The nice thing about this time of year is that snow can't really stick around that long.

So, I'm off to the city.  Hope your are having your own sunny shiny day - thanks for the visit!

Joan

A Digital Day

 

I didn't get a chance to do a challenge this afternoon...I was busy making phone calls and getting ready for some ladies this evening.  So, as a way of winding down for the night I blasted off these two digital pages.  The above picture was taken two weeks ago.  Elliot was so interested watching his dad play piano, and then Grant took his hand and started making him play.  I have bigger plans for this photo believe me!

These were taken one afternoon and I'm so pleased with how they turned out....there are a bunch more - but this runs a pretty good range of expressions.

Tomorrow I have our Team Meeting - Our fearless leader, Tamye Dunbar, won't be with us - so three of us are taking over her job.   I will try to get a challenge done before I head into the city.

Hope your April is off to a great start.  I'm pretty happy with my life right now!  Thanks for stopping by for a visit.
Joan

Tie Dyed Pig

I guess this may be a bit of a left over from last night .....we went to see Blue Man Group, and they are notorious for splashing/drumming paint around - so maybe this little guy was right in the thick of it!

The sketch comes from Mojo Monday and the theme is The Paper Players first for a month full of Humour.

More than anything, this paper makes me smile.  I just love the bright colours!

I'm "patiently" waiting for my daughter to arrive home from Mexico.  Her flight was delayed twice and then cancelled yesterday and delayed once today.  Once they took off though, they ended up landing in Las Vegas.  She's in the air again now, and I know she will be so, so happy to be home.  I've already got her bed turned down for her in case that's the first place she wants to go.

She is arriving home to better weather today though, so that's a plus.  Hope your day is going well.  Thanks for dropping by.
Joan