Blossoms, Blossoms, Blossoms

This afternoon has been full of blossoms, live and paper.  I bought some bedding plants before coming home from school, and have spent the afternoon using Betsy's Blossoms in my stamp room.  Ya know, when I got this set I never anticipated using it as much as I have already.  Now, that may just be because it's one of the few new ones that I own.  Just wait until June 1 hits!!!!!!

The sketch for today is yesterday's Mojo Monday sketch and the "theme" is "Bright Summer Days"  from the SUO Challenge blog.

I've been bopping, while stamping, to the music from the SMASH soundtrack.  I wonder if the neighbours will mind if I continue to blast the music while I putter in the garden.  Hmmmm, never know until ya try.

Hope you're having a wonderful be-bopping day.  Thanks for stopping by.

Joan

Masculine Mojo

I created two cards for the Monday Mojo sketch this week.  Monday I was still in Calgary so I created a card on MDS that I'll use for a Thank You (that card is shown below).  Tuesday after school, I created a masculine version of the sketch to go along with the challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments.

As you can see, I have already used something from this weeks available MDS downloads.....I'm going to enjoy the Soft Blooms!!!

I was happy to come home to an apple tree full of blossoms!!!!!  I just love the apples from our tree - no idea what kind they are - just good to eat!  It's been raining all day, and that's been nice too.  Can't go out to play in the garden, so I can stay inside playing with paper this afternoon.

Hope your day has been good - thanks for dropping by!

Joan

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

Vintage Elements

Today's card has the colour combination featured on Create with Connie and Mary...Poppy Parade, So Saffron and Basic Grey.  I must say, I'm not really going to miss Poppy Parade when it leaves the palate at the end of May - I find it a funny sort of shade.  But, it does work well with the Saffron and Grey, so Thank You, Connie & Mary, for getting me to work outside my box!  The sketch for today is from Mojo Monday.

Remember there are only three days left of Sale-a-bration!  Visit my on-line store to place your orders before the end of day on Saturday, March 31.  And, if you've been humming and hawing about getting the Starter Kit, you can't miss this fanastic Sale-a-bration deal!  Pop me an e-mail and I'll help you with it.

It is a beautiful day here today, and I get to babysit Elliot while Grandpa helps Mom and Dad move into their new place.  Exciting!

I hope warm weather and the blessings of family move you through today.  Thanks for visiting!
Joan

Lucky Peach Pool

There's only a limited time before this paper and stamp set are gone for good.  Sale-a-bration ends March 31 and these two items could be selected for FREE with your $60 purchase.  Check out my on-line store and get yours for FREE.

For this card I've used the colours set out last week by Create with Connie and Mary, ( Peach Parfait, Lucky Limeade and Pool Party) and the sketch is from yesterday's Mojo Monday Sketch.

I'm off this afternoon to stamp with a bunch of teachers in their art room - fun, fun, fun!!!  Hope your day holds some fun for you too!

Thanks for dropping in for a visit....Joan

Smooch Painting

This morning I tried painting with the Smooch Spritz.  Again - I'm using the suggestions from the January Stampin' Success.  I sprayed some of the Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz into an empty brad container and for this first card I used water-colour paper, and an aqua painter to apply the spritz to the image.  I love how it makes the flower shimmer.  And - just to keep with the theme, I spritzed one of the crocheted flowers - it's very subtle, but you can see the glimmer on the thread (in person).

I've used the Mojo Monday sketch for this card (however, I left the card rectangular instead of square or round.  I also used the challenge from SUO Challenges to use a favourite item from the Occasions Mini.  I must say I am enjoying this Smooch Spritz and I love the pleated satin ribbon.  I have discovered, however, that if you are wanting an image to straddle the ribbon, you need to stack two dimensionals together so that the image remains flat, and not bent over the ribbon.

Here is a second card, using the same two challenges, but for the image, I used regular Whisper White card stock and a blender pen to "paint" on the Smooch Spritz.  The card also includes another new favourite - I think these little buttons are adorable - I love the designs!

On the weekend I used the Lace Ribbon Border Punch to help create this background design with the Blushing Bride Spritz.  For the Chocolate Covered Strawberries I coloured the chocolate with marker and then added Crystal Effects to gloss it up.  The tops of the strawberries have the new Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details.  The strawberries have been raised up with dimensionals - but the stem is on the little white base.

I'm still doing some experimenting with this spritz. Fun, Fun, Fun.  

Done for the day though - hoping my hubby and I can go out to dinner for my birthday this evening.  Hope you have something wonderful planned for your evening - or sometime this week.

Thanks for stopping by -

Joan

Mojo Happiness

 I actually started this Mojo MONDAY card on Tuesday and finally got around to finishing it on Thursday - life just sometimes gets in the way of creating.  However, a lot got done in those two days - Tuesday was spent shopping with my daughter and Wednesday began with cleaning and ended up being a major purge of "stuff" - so that was a day very well spent!  So, today I have vowed to work in my stamp room most of the day....we'll see how that goes.

So - The sketch for the card above is from Mojo Monday - I changed that layering a wee big because the doily was initially showing under the ribbon - I guess it wouldn't have mattered once I put the flower on.

The colours are from Hand Stamped Sentiments - a yummy vanilla cupcake with "Pool Party" icing and a silver candy bead on top.  I used the pen from the "Rue Des Fleurs" set in the Occasions Mini; inking the florish with silver ink and the pen with black.

I'm getting ready for an Occasions Mini Open House on Saturday and since life has been busy, I've turned to casing some cards using the new sets.  Below are two that I cased from Sharon Field at Created by You.  I've changed colours, images or imbellishments somewhat - I like how she took the centre thread out of the quilted ribbon to use it on the tag below and I also like how she just highlighted parts of the umbrella.

That's it for now - I'm off to my room - looking forward to a great day!  Hope yours is full of productivity too.  Thanks for visiting - Joan

Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy

I'm not sure how happy these fellows are about the temperatures right now - but they're happy about coming out to play today.

I've used the Mojo Monday sketch today - turned on it's side and the colours are from Our Creative Corner....light pink, light blue, red and white.

I attached the small strip of Pretty in Pink to the end of a Bashful Blue piece and then put it through the Big Shot with the Snow Burst Embossing Folder.  The "seam" of the two pieces of cardstock is covered with a piece of Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon.

Silver Glimmer Paper was used for the small strip above the snowmen and for the large and small scallops highlighting the snowflake.  I added Dazzling Details to the snowmen's hats and a bit of Crystal Effects to their buttons.

Well, let me tell ya - our Christmas Concert should be spectacular on Wednesday if today's 1st run through was any indication.  I'm so glad we can do it again tomorrow before it's "for real".  I know you don't want a perfect practice before a performance - but seriously!  I'm really not worried though - I know everything will be wonderful in the end!

Hope the beginning of your week has been good - thanks for taking the time to stop by for a visit.
Joan

Holly Snowmen

Well I had fun with these little guys this afternoon!  I used the colours from this weeks' Paper Players  - River Rock, Always Artichoke and Riding Hood Red.  The sketch is the Mojo Monday Sketch.  I must say that I love this combination of colours and I can see me doing this sketch again. 

I put the Always Artichoke mat through the Big Shot with the Striped Embossing folder going in two directions.  After I cut out the holly leaves using the Stocking Accents die, I folded them and slipped them through the crimper.  The holly berries are raised on dimensionals and have Crystal Effects added to make them glisten, and I added Dazzling Details to each of the snowmen's hats that have pompoms.

I cutting away to get ready for two nights of Christmas Stacks this weekend and another trade fair.  I'm glad I have Allison to help out.  I'm "paying" her with a hair appointment tomorrow. Works for me!

Hope things are working out your way too.  Thanks for stopping by for a visit.
Joan

Gem of a Friend

Mojo Monday - WoooHooo!  Very cool sketch today.  I pulled out my Beau Chateau DSP and decided to go with a totally Marina Mist card - not hard for me to do really - it's my favorite blue right now.  I guess I really only used one piece of the DSP, and coordinated with stamping from Vintage Vogue. 

I tried out the new Peekaboo Frames Bigz Die for the Big Shot.  I love the idea of being able to make little windows easily for cards, scrapbook pages and crafts.

I remember when the Big Shot came out I thought- "I just can't see myself using this enough to buy one"  Wow, I'm glad I broke down, got one with the Convention Special - I have used it sooooo much.  And now, Stampin' Up! is giving one for FREE to whoever purchases the Starter Kit in October.  Fabulous!

If you're interested in paying for your hobby or paying some bills AND getting a FREE Big Shot and a discount for your stamping or crafting , just contact me and I can help that happen for you.

I hope you've had a wonderful day -  Thanks for stopping by for a visit.
Joan

Leafy Smiles

 

Today's card uses the sketch from over at Mojo Monday.  I finally used the Gently Falling set in the manner to which is was created - two step stamping.  I do love two step stamping!!!!

I used the wreath from the Warmest of Wishes hostess set - the centre is punched out and the layer of circles have been raised above the wreath using two layers of dimensionals....because, of course, the wreath has been attached with dimensionals.

I AM SOOOOOO EXCITED - because the book I have poured my heart into for the past number of months finally arrived today from Stampin' Up!  Oh my word it's fabulous.  It's a book I created for my husband for our 25th anniversary using My Digital Studio.
The cover is below - perhaps I'll share some of the other pages along the way.

Coffee anyone?

Got my challenge done early today - then I can do some business stuff after school today.  The colours for this card are: Sahara Sand, Pool Party and Basic Black - the combo from over at Create with Connie and Mary this week.  I'm sorry that I kept painting the Pool Party re-inker onto the coffee pot - it has deepened the colour considerably and looks more aqua.  Well, I guess that's a pool sort of colour too.  The sketch is from this weeks' Mojo Monday.

It wasn't the look I was going for - but that scallop circle - punched from watercolor paper, looks like a used coffee filter.  :)


Well, I'm ready for another cup of coffee myself.  Hope your day goes well.  I'm looking forward to school this afternoon because I have more than 40 little munchkins who are interested in joining an elementary choir.  I've never done a school one before, and I expect I'll lose a few - but I'm excited to get them going! 
Thanks for stopping by - Joan

Mojo Die Cuts

Happy Monday!  Truly my last week of summer for 2011 - gotta make it good!

I think I may be getting a wee bit of a handle on this "watercolour" technique - I used the glimmer paper for this flower, embossed the image on, used my aquapainter to "paint" water on the paper instead of misting it, and then dropped the re-inker on with the aquapainter....and let it go where it wanted.  I'll have to try it with one of the "Fifth Avenue" flowers to see if I've finally got the knack.  I have stacked three of these flowers on top of one another - can't really see that in the photo.

I used pieces from the Playful Polka Dots Simply Scrappin' Kit  to complete this sketch from Mojo Monday - different borders was the highlight of the day - so I used the ones from the kit as well as the scalloped circle and leaves.

Today I'm spending little snippets of time sorting my husband's music from his Men's Chorus - I gathered 3 bags and one box of music - Sheesh!  He hates organizing and I love sorting - so it all works out.  We're going to a music reading tonight with a couple of other choir members to see what's new.  Just one more thing that gets started up again in the fall.

Hope you're having a wonderful day.  Thanks for dropping by.  Joan

Snowman in August...

I've been waiting to get my hands on this snowman set - and today was the day.  I've used the Mojo Monday Sketch - except I flipped it so that I could have the little birds rolling along the bottom.

I've used a new "Snow Burst" Embossing Folder from the upcoming Holiday Mini.  I'll purchase ANY embossing folder I think - I just love when the paper has texture!  While looking at the card just now, I've realized that I neglected to put the rhinestone into the centre of the snowflake which Snowman is holding - so you'll have to use your imagination!  I will be adding it for sure!

And now - I want to give a HUMUNGOUS THANK YOU to Lesley Croghan from Always Playing with Paper!  She offered to help me with creating a new SU banner for my blog - and then she surprised me with the design you see above - and I LOVE it!!!!  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you - Lesley!!!!!!

I accomplished an awful lot today - ya know when you start one job and it sort of migrates into an additional job.....today I cleaned the linen cupboard, the back entryway and took labels off old wine bottles.  (My husband should be bottling some time before the school year starts again)  I had to go pick up the quilts that were at the cleaners because nights are getting a bit cooler this week - if you keep the windows open.

Tomorrow - who knows what's in store!  But I'm ready for anything, and I'm sure some crafting will be included!  Hope you're able to include some crafting in your day - and thanks for stopping by for a visit.

Full of Mojo B's

Today's Mojo Monday Sketch works perfectly with this week's Our Creative Corner challenge of "All the B's".....use Black, Bling, Buttons and Bow - I guess I've also included Brads (even though it includes the bling) and blossoms.

WICKED was FANTASTIC last night.  I woke up with some of the songs still swimming around in my head - that's not unusual though.  Today - I've already crossed two things off my To-Do list and will work on a few more as I continue to work on crafting stuff.  I'm trying to get ready for a SU garage sale and keep getting side tracked. (That's not unusual either!)

I hope you have a day full of achievements and not too many detours!
Thanks for stopping by for a visit!
Joan

Mojo Cycling

Well, I really must say that I am not totally happy with the way this turned out. I like the Mojo Sketch this week - I just think I missed the boat (ummm - cycle). I've also utilized the "Clean and Simple" challenge at Splitcoast today, which was to scrunch, or fold ribbon. I chose to use the crochet trim because I was using watercolor paper.

I think I'm stressing too much over my concert - things are not going as planned and so my creative energies are aimed at my kids - but I'll keep trying. I'm actually happy with a scrapbook page I created to offer as a class early next month - so all is well I guess!

Are you in the States - are your kids done school this week????? I remember visiting my Mom in Toronto - after being in school in Chicago - and my step-sister & brother were still in school for the first bit of my visit. Now I'm teaching until the end of June. Love it - but the kids were finished after spring break!

Enough ranting - thanks for stopping by for a visit!
Joan

Mojo full of Butterflies

The last number of posts I've had, have been scheduled while I was away in Edmonton to stay with my husband while he attended meetings for the Alberta Teacher's Association. It was a nice little holiday - not far from home!!!! The two of us were also able to attend a "Parent's Barbeque & Party" held by my son and his housemates. They had awesome food, and most of the parents and siblings of the 6 housemates got to meet. It was a very nice evening - a perfect way to end the weekend. So - I came home and went right to my stamping room to see what challenges were at hand and found myself using mostly butterflies....

I tried my hand again with the Faux Mother of Pearl again - using a butterfly die. I've ordered some white Shimmer Paint - so I can't wait to see what this technique will look like with that. I am pleased with the butterflies although I forgot to use glossy paper - it's just regular Whisper White cardstock.
The challenge for this card was a Sympathy card for Raise the Bar. I've also used the Frayed Ribbon technique from Stamping 411's How-To Wednesday. The frayed ribbon made for a different body on the butterfly.

I used a leftover background piece on my Mojo Monday Sketch card - I had embossed the Baroque Motif in white and put it through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Embossing folder. It didn't end up working for the card I was working on back then, so I kept it on my desk to remember to use it. I didn't realize, until it was together, that the leaves in the Baroque background and the leaves on the butterfly match. I must say I think there is something missing on the card, but I'm not sure what. Any ideas!

Well, we're in to a short week now - and the long haul until the end of the school year. I'm hoping to remain sane until my spring concert is over! Now that the leaves and blossoms are out I know it will add to my sanity!
Hope things are blooming for you - and thanks for taking the time to stop by for a visit. Joan

Sailing Mojo

Well you certainly could sail a ship across the prairies right now - that wind is howling again...hopefully it will die down as the week goes on.
Today's sketch is from the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge. When I look back at the sketch I see that I have "mislayered" the section on the right. It was just getting to a point where I wanted to get the ruddy thing together. I had to redo the base of the card having had some issues with the eyelets I was attaching!!!! (They didn't make the final cut!)

Oh well, the ship has sailed - and it's on to another challenge for tomorrow. I'm doing a watercolour class Tuesday night - so I'm hoping to get a card in before then. Everything is set up, so as long as the challenges don't stump me - everything should be good.

I have to have some sort of release, I'm working up to my spring concert in two weeks and I really don't feel as ready as I would like - But - I have faith in all my kids 'cause they ROCK, and I know I'll get what I want in the end. And yes, that sounds like I'm a control freak - and at concert time....I am!

Thanks for stopping by for a visit - have a wonderful day.
Joan

Mojo Friends...

I was so excited at school today, because a dear friend of mine, who had been on a short trip to Europe, had returned. I was so glad to see her! Tonight, I'm going to another friends house for a home party - so today is all about friendship!!!

This first card follows today's Mojo Monday Sketch. I found this sketch very easy to do - I think it's a keeper for sure. I do so love working with this wide Striped Grosgrain ribbon - it's so soft and pliable - I just "wrapped" the legs of the vintage brad around the ribbon and through a hole in the base.
The colours are from last weeks' Splitcoast Colour Challenge - Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler and Black. I've had the scraps on my table all week - finally put them together.

Stamp Set - Vintage Vogue Paper - Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler Ink - Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler Accessories - Scallop Trim Punch, Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Modern Label Punch, Vintage Brads, Regals Brads, Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Glimmer Basics Brads, Snips, Dimensionals,


Again - another Extravaganza card - yes, I'm almost done sharing them! We did a lot of stamping that day - it was awesome!!!!! Watercolour paper was used for the flowers, bird and greeting. We also covered the bird with Illuminate Top Coat Smooch - so the bird glimmers nicely.

I hope today has been full of relationships that bring you happiness....friends are so important.
Thanks for stopping by - Joan

Mojo Extravaganza

Oh I do love my cup(s) of coffee in the morning - and I don't use this stamp set nearly enough!!! I've used the sketch from Mojo Monday and enjoyed creating the different layers with Elegant Soiree and the Elegant Lines Embossing folder!!!

Stamp Set - Morning Cup Paper - Night of Navy, Very Vanilla, Elegant Soiree Ink - Night of Navy, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede Accessories - Scallop Punch, 1 3/4 circle punch, Scallop Oval punch, Oval punch, Basic Pearls, Hemp Twine, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Sponge Dauber, Dimensionals

Here is another Extravaganza Watercolour Card. For this particular technique we coloured directly on the stamp with markers, spritzed it with water and then stamped on Whisper White Paper. The fun thing about this technique is that you're never sure what you're going to end up with, and no two images will ever be the same.

Stamp Set - Inspired by Nature Paper - Whisper White, Chocolate Chip Ink - Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Old Olive.

If you're Canadian I hope that you had a chance to get out and vote today. I'm heading out the door to do just that with my daughter, then we're going for dinner and off to Tamye's house for Marguerita Monday - I can't wait to show you one of the cards that I know we're making. WooooHooo!!!!
Hope your Monday was marvelous. Thanks for Stopping by - Joan