Happy Summer Holidays!

Well, I got into my usual summer routine right away this morning - coffee on the deck in the sun with the daily crossword from the newspaper.  I won't be able to do that again until we get home from holiday - but that's fine!

Today's card is a combination of two challenges -

The sketch is from Mojo Monday and the colours are from Create with Connie and Mary - Real Red, Pumpkin Pie and Basic Grey.  I always get a little nervous when I see Real Red.   I thought of flowers when I put the three colour scraps on my table and so I tried doing the spreading ink technique.  Now that I actually look back at my technique card, I see that I should have used glossy white paper.  Ah well.

Have a fantabulous Saturday - I'm off to get some stamping business done while doing laundry and packing.  I want to have everything ready for our trip today so that I can enjoy Canada Day tomorrow.  Thanks for visiting.

Joan

Congratulations Keys

It's that time of year when lots of congratulations are in order - retirements, new postings - whatever.  I've used the Freshly Made Sketch for this creation combining an embossed piece with some DSP from Fan Fair.  I do love old keys - wish I could remember where I put the small stash of left over trinket keys that I had.  Probably in a safe place.....???

Tuesday night we had a retirement gathering for our principal.  At the last minute the organizer called me to ask if I had something that could be used as a guest book....I found the book below that I had made a year or so ago.  The "Define your Life" did not really go - so I quickly revamped things as you can see in the second photo.  Thank goodness for sticky strip - that little label is NOT coming off!

Grant and family got home safely today.  They did have to stay in the mountains an extra night due to the flooding - but everyone is home safe and sound now.  Yay!

Only one more wake up with kids....

Hope your day is full of things to look forward to!

Thanks for stopping by.

Joan

Happiness Quilt

The days of making quilts are gone for me - but it's fun putting paper ones together....Quilts was the challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  I've used the Floral Districts DSP for the flowers in the middle of each square.  The squares were mounted on white card stock before being cut with the Top Note Die and then embossed with the Fancy Fan Folder.  I'm not sure about the two random strips of ribbon - but that's where I went.  

I also finished off a  Mini Album using the Serene Silhouette set.  I used a tutorial from the 2012-13 New Catalogue Edition from Create with Connie and Mary.  I had to make a few adjustments because I didn't have everything that was used in the tutorial.

My cover is pretty much the same.  I didn't have a coiling machine so I used ribbons to join all the pages together.

I don't have the English Ivy Simple Sentiments stationary - so I used the flourish from Creative Elements on Very Vanilla card stock  for the pieces that used the stationary.

Of course, since I didn't have the stationary - I didn't have the envelopes with the fancy insides or the fancy edges.  So, I "cut" off the envelope glue off a regular Vanilla envelope using one of the Adorning Accents Edgelits.

I also chose to use the Finishing Touches Edgelit for some of the parts instead of the scallop border punch.

I like the final results.....now I just have to decide who to give it to.  I must commend this group of women who create things for the tutorials.  The steps are always straight forward and easy to follow.  And they are such an inspiration!

Hope you are finding inspiration in your life today.  Thanks for stopping by.  Only three days left of school....whooooohooooo!!!!!
Joan

Christmas Mittens

I pulled out one of my new Christmas sets for the Merry Monday Challenge this week - Chock Full of Cheer.  I love the little mittens that come with it - I used markers directly on the stamp to give the two tones on the middle mitten. The sentiment is included in this set too; as you can see below.  I've used the new "Be of Good Cheer" DSP - I love that this series has straight red and green traditional Christmas colours - this stamp set co-ordinates with the paper perfectly.

Seems a bit funny that the first post I have after changing my banner to something bright and summery  is a Christmas card.  Ah well.

I'm hoping that my son gets to come home today.  They've been camping in the mountains over the weekend and the highway has been closed due to flooding.  He's a bit concerned about getting stuck in traffic for an endless amount of time and not being near anywhere to warm up a bottle for Elliot.  So - any thoughts and prayers would be appreciated.  

Hope you experience safe travels this week.  Thanks for visiting here for a bit.

Joan

Edgy Leaves

A week or so ago I was inspired by a card created by Nance Lempinen-Leedy over at Canopy Crafts who had been inspired by a card her Mother had made.  I decided to use the "create your own edgelit" technique while doing the challenge for the New Catalogue 2012 Edition from Create with Connie and Mary.

The colours are Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, Summer Starfruit and Pool Party.  I'm pretty impressed with myself that I left all that background untouched.  I can work outside of my box every once in a while.  Of course, to make up for it I've used my share of dimensionals popping up the pieces on the sentiment.  We can't get too carried away!

Hope you find some way to work outside your own box today.  Thanks for coming by to visit.

Joan

Diggin' You on Sunday

This week on Sunday Stamps we have a colour challenge....

I didn't initially think of John Deere when I pulled out this set to use - but after a while I realized it was appropriate.  I've used an old sketch challenge from Splitcoast Stampers (SC386), however, I extended the soil beyond the edge ....just for fun.  Also, I ran the dirt through the Big Shot with the Houndstooth Embossing folder to add texture.

Give the colours a try!  When you're finished with your creation be sure to link your post back to the Sunday Stamps blog. And if you're looking for a bit of inspiration, be sure to check out what the rest of the Design Team has come up with for this week; I know you'll find inspiration there!  Looking forward to see what you come up with!

Hope you Sunday is going great.  Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

Joan

Postage En Francais

I got up with the birds this morning - my eyes popped open at 6:15 and would not stay shut no matter how hard I tried - so I got up and finished the days' challenge post before 9:00.  Which I guess indicates that it took me about 2.5 hours to create this card.

I had tried some emboss resist for the central piece - but that didn't work at all...not Artichoke enough.  I've combined Postage Due and Artistic Etchings for the centre piece.  I love the Postage Due set since I've always had a love for stamps.

The challenges incorporated in todays card are - Dynamic Duos - using River Rock and Always Artichoke.  The camera didn't pick up the River Rock very well; it looks more Crumb Cake!

The sketch is from Splitcoast for this week.

It's a gorgeous Saturday, and since my side of the garage is empty because my son borrowed the van to take the family camping - I just may clean the garage.  It's an annual job that I hate doing, but am always satisfied with when I'm finished.

Hope you get something finished satisfactorily today.  Thanks for stopping by here for a visit.

MashUp! Bag and Card

It was party time over at the Friday MashUp! this week...here are the parameters...

1. Make a project using the " Party Time " theme.
2. Or Make a project using the " Box in a Bag "
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Box in a Bag with a Party Time theme."

HERE is the tutorial for the Box in a Bag that I made - The tutorial is done by Amanda Corbet at Krafting Kreations.  It was really quick and easy to create.

I also used the sketch for the card from Stamping 411 from last week.  

Now I just have to fill the little bag with something yummy and pass it along to a friend to celebrate the end of the school year.

Hope you have something to celebrate - thanks for visiting.

Joan

Tea and Bling

I love cards that have diagonal lines, but I don't think to do them....thank you to Create with Connie and Mary - 'cause this is their sketch for today.

After looking at what the Design Team had created, my mind saw tea cups going across the one band...so out came Tea Shoppe, then I browsed through my DSP and decided on the floral piece from Twitterpated.  When I pulled out the matching colours of card stock, I happened to grab a piece of Baha Breeze that had already been embossed ...yay!  I also decided that the new edgelit was a perfect addition for a tea cup sort of card.

Now - about the bling.  I initially thought ..."I need a small strip of something dark ....Island Indigo....or....use some of the strings of rhinestones.  So that's what I went with.  

A bit over the top perhaps - but the sun is shining beautifully and I'm not teaching this morning so I'm missing track and field - oh gosh darn!!!!  Instead, I get to do something different this afternoon and watch hoop dancers for our FNMI  activity (First Nations/Meti/Inuit).  That I'm looking forward to.

So, all in all - it's 10:15am and the day is going fabulously.  

Hope yours is too - thanks for stopping by!

Joan

Double Stamped Watercolour

I stumbled on something new today - well, new for me.  I was working on two challenges - Freshly Made Sketches and colours from Stampin' Royalty....Pool Party, Island Indigo, Old Olive and More Mustard.

I selected an image from Serene Silhouettes and pulled out some watercolour paper.  I coloured the stamp using Markers and then wet the watercolour paper before I stamped the image.  I spritzed the paper with water, but I also rubbed it around with my fingers (which miraculously didn't have any ink on them!).  I didn't want water to be pooling on the paper.  I stamped the image and, of course, the colours ran - as they should with watercolour paper.  I decided to ink up the image again, use the Stamp-a-ma-jig, and re-stamp overtop of the blurry image.  

I'm sure this is nothing new - but it allowed the image to look sharper.

It's a beautiful Wednesday evening.  Hope you're enjoying the flora and fauna in your little neck of the woods.  Thanks for visiting mine.

Joan

Monochromatic Marina Christmas

WoooHooo!  Another Christmas challenge done.  Thank You, Lesley!  

I've started to remember to go to Lesley's Merry Monday Challenge - and I just may have a variety of Christmas cards produced before the season arrives.  I like to be able to give people cards that are different from the ones I do at my Christmas Stacks....this challenge will help that!!!

I've now used three of the four "Four Seasons" stamps.  This time I have the little bird down inside the scallop which is raised with dimensionals.  I used one of the Delicate Designs embossing folders for the section through the centre.

Last night I did another one of Michelle Zindorf's tutorials.  I do believe I need new gel pens!  I didn't include all the finishing touches that she used....but I'm feeling a bit better about the brayer-ing on this one.

Hope your Tuesday is moving along nicely - thanks for stopping by for a peak.
Joan

Biking with my Friend

I'm so excited.....there's a new challenge blog and I've been asked to be on the design team...I was absolutely thrilled to be invited.  The blog is Sunday Stamps and the creator is the talented Holly Endress from HollyBeary Creations.  Each week will alternate between sketch and colour challenges....which are two of my favourite challenges to do!

Here is this week's sketch challenge.  I love it 'cause you can incorporate a lot of different shapes....although I stuck with circles for today.

For my creation I've pulled out some more new toys.  I'm loving the "Finishing Touches Edgelit".  I like punches - but these edgeless are SOOOO much easier and remove the need to line up holes.  I've also used one of the doilies from the "Delicate Doilies Sizzlit".  The base of the card has been embossed with the new Argyle Folder. 

I used the marker right on the bike from "Moving Forward".  Because the sentiment was at the bottom of the stamp I didn't add one with a tag - so I added a bow instead.  Like I said - it's a sketch you can tweak in a number of ways.

Try it out and link your creation to Sunday Stamps - and see what the other members of the design team  have created for inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by - Hope you're having a great start to your week.

Joan

Monster Birthday Wishes

I finally got this stamp set put together.  I think I was dreading all the little pieces....but I sure did enjoy using it!  Sometimes I wonder what makes me gravitate towards sets each day.  

Today I've used the two challenges -

Friday Mashup 

1. Make a project using the " Paper Piecing " technique.
2. Or Make a project using " Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight &; Pool Party ".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a " Paper Piecing Project using the above colours."

I found some papers that had Pool Party and Daffodil Delight for the paper piecing and then once I had stamped the Razzleberry monster I put him through the Big Shot with the new embossing folder so he's textured.  All three of the monsters are raised with dimensionals on the "landscape" I created with sponge daubers and torn paper.  All those tiny little limbs are going to be a danger though - the little Razzleberry guy already has a broken leg.  He was attached to the paper, I turned to do something and suddenly noticed his leg was broken - It's been reattached with TomBow glue.  Maybe that's why he has such a pained look on his face waving his friends down for help!

The sketch is from Freshly Made Sketches - quick and easy to use!

Well, I hope you are having a wonderful day celebrating Father's Day.  

Thanks for Stopping by!

Joan

Feel Better Wishes

Happy Saturday!

Today's card is using a colour challenge from Create with Connie and Mary - I had the pieces started earlier this week - when the challenge came out - but haven't gotten it together until today.  June is such a busy time!

The colours are - Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler and Island Indigo.  I'm trying to play with some of my new stuff too!  I'm loving the Floral Frames Framelits.  The smudging was quite by accident, but I like how it turned out once I smudge the entire frame.

Hope you are having a wonderful Saturday.  Thanks for stopping by.

Joan

Embossed Elegant Bird

I finally pulled out this bird die to play with.  I didn't purchase it right away - but I grew attached to it seeing some of the wonderful creations that have been done - and then using at an Extravaganza.... so I've used it for the challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments to use birds in this weeks' creation.

I've incorporated the colours from the Splitcoast Colour Challenge - Baja Breeze, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler and the "dessert" was Lucky Limeade.

Finally - I've included "frilly" elements for the SUO Challenge; "Fancy Frills".

I realized when after I embossed the edge, that I don't have the matching scallop Edgelit....at least it was easy to cut out.  I know I'm going to enjoy all of the different paper piercing guides.   WoooHooo!!!!!

I had a fantastic time this afternoon at school with the grade 3-6 classes.  I created a campfire with a lamp, we sang the campfire songs that I taught them, and a mom came in to help bake some-mores for us.  What a blast.

Hope you have a great end to the your week!  Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

Joan

A Bird, A Butterfly.....and a Snowman

Today I've used the Mojo Monday sketch along with the colours from the Paper Players....Lucky Limeade, Melon Mambo and Basic Grey.  I love when I find challenges that challenge me to use things I rarely use - like Melon Mambo.  I like the colour 'cause it's so bright, but I'm not really a pink person so I tend to neglect it.

After I inked the summer image from "Four Seasons", I spritzed it with water to change it up a bit.  You can barely see the spritz marks in the photo.  I love how this set has a tiny image to go along with the scallop image for each season.

On Saturday, at our Extravaganza, I demonstrated the embossing resist technique after having coloured an image.  This is the little guy I used for my demonstration - I hadn't had anything to add him to.  But...today I remembered that Lesley Croghan - Always Playing with Paper is now hosting a Merry Monday Challenge helping us get a head start on cards for Christmas.  Yay!!!

I'm starting to count down the days with kids.....there are shockingly few!

Hope you have something fun/exciting to count down to.

Thanks for stopping by,

Joan

Embossed Robin

I have to get ready for a demonstration at our Extravaganza tomorrow.....I decided at the last minute to use the technique I learned yesterday - colouring and then embossing an image so you can sponge around it.  I'll share with you tomorrow the card I'm going to demonstrate - it's not put together yet.

For today's card, I used the Friday Mashup.....using the sketch below and including birds.

I have rarely ever used this bird - and I do like it!  It is stamped with Staz-On on the Newsprint DSP and coloured with ink and an Aquapainter.  You don't notice it in the photo - but the printing still shows through the ink.  Next, I inked the image using a VersaMark Marker and covered it with clear embossing powder.  Then I moved on to sponging extra colours onto the DSP.  

I know you could be really really careful, not emboss the image, and still sponge around it - but this way you don't have to be so careful.  And on a Friday afternoon - that's kinda helpful.

I'm excited about the Extravaganza tomorrow - as always.  Hope you had a fabulous Friday and that you have something exciting to look forward to on the weekend.

Thanks for visiting.

Joan

Ducks, Dinosaurs and Butterflies

I must say, my opinion of Summer Starfruit is beginning to change a bit.  I wasn't enamoured with it when I first saw it, but as I'm working with it, it's growing on me! 

The sketch for the duck card is from Create with Connie and Mary.  I decided I wanted to use the "Cherish Friendship" set because it's been neglected - and then I wanted to find an idea for colouring the duck.  Stampin' Connection (a website available to Stampin'Up! Demonstrators with loads of ideas and inspiration) came to the rescue and I took some inspiration from Sandy Mathis who had bleached the duck last June.  

So - I used the same Crumb Cake paper, stamped the image with Black Staz-On and then took an aqua painter dipped in bleach to colour in the duck.  Once I die cut the image with one of the Apothecary Accents Framelits, I took a sponge dauber with bleach to go around the edges and added some Cajun Craze after that.

The "gingham" piece is Very Vanilla put through the Stripes embossing folder in two directions - the embossing folder was brayered with Crumb Cake first each time.

Since I had the brayer out, I decided it was time for me to try out one of Michelle Zindorf's tutorials.  

I've cased her card pretty much exactly as she created it - except I need a WHOLE BUNCH of practice using the brayer so that I don't end up with straight lines.  

I learned two things making this card - 

1 - if you're real quick, you can add (clear) embossing powder to Classic Ink.

2 - In order to keep the dinosaurs' "true" colours while you brayer the background, you colour him with VersaMark Pen and add clear embossing powder so that he becomes a embossing resist.  Duh!!!  Fantastic idea.

Since I was on a role, I cased another of Michelle's cards.  I saw this card a couple of weeks ago, and thought it would be a good tutorial to start with.  She gives such fantastic, step by step, instructions.  The images were coloured with the AquaPainter using ink from the lid of the Ink Pad.  I think what I learned most - which I need more practise with - is the use of different colours to produce shading.  Next I'll have to create something of my own using the new things I've learned.

So - it was a productive afternoon - on top of doing 3 loads of laundry - and folding it....on the SAME day...WOW!

Hope your day has been filled with inspiration.  Thanks for stopping by!

Joan

Doily Thanks

Here I am with my morning off...challenges done, and now off to concentrate on my Newsletter.

I've used the Mojo Monday Sketch for today's card as well as the colours from over at Hand Stamped Sentiments - Daffodil Delight, Sahara Sand, Basic Grey and Basic Black or another Neutral.  I'm not sure why the colours spoke doilies to me - but there ya go.

ALL the pearls on - but now I'm glad I put them on every scallop instead of every other one.

Well - it's a busy day - so this is short and sweet.

Hope you get everything you want to accomplish crossed off your list today

Thanks for visiting

Joan

Sign up in June for just $125 and get extra goodies!!!

During  June new demonstrators not only get to choose the products for their fully customized Starter Kit (you choose $155 of WHATEVER YOU WANT), they'll also get products from the brand-new Patio Party Suite for FREE - the Make a Cake Set, Patio Party Designer Series Paper, and the Patio Party Digital Collection DVD!  That's nearly $60 work of FREE products 

Don't Hesitate - Join Now!  E-mail me and I'll give you all the details.  You can join for your own personal crafting, as a hobby, to make a little money and order with friends, or to have your own home based business.  You could become the active demonstrator in your area.

Popsicle Enjoyment

 I could have used a couple of yummy popsicles today - it was beautiful outside!  That's one thing that summer brings more of - the ice cream treats.  We went to a family owned ice cream spot last night with the family - they're only open through the spring/summer months.  Makes it an extra special treat!!!

Anyway - today's sketch is from Stamping 411 and the Summer theme is from The Paper Players.  I love the bright colours in the Floral District DSP.  For the Daffodil Delight section, I used the White Craft Pad with the Fancy Fan Letterpress Plate.  I can't wait to get my new Fancy Fan embossing folder!!!!

For the popsicles, I used our coloured embossing powder.

This past Saturday I had my Open House and Retirement Sale.....here is the Make and Take that the ladies did.

 This weekend was extra special because I got to visit with Elliot Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I love him to pieces!!!

Hope there is someone in your life, young or "old", who you love to pieces.  

Thanks for taking time to stop by - 

Joan