Gearing up for a Birthday Card Camp

Here are two of the cards I've created for my Birthday card camp at the end of this month. I really love the "Nature's Nest" set and look forward to using it more and colouring the images. They are just so wonderfully drawn.

I also like the "Animal Stories". Although when I showed this card to my husband he wondered about the "snake" on it. I told him it was a giraffe....but agreed that it did at least look like Ogopogo - who lives in Okanagan Lake in British Columbia - where he comes from! I must use the full image on my next card!

Tomorrow is Friday - Yipee!! Hope your week went well; Thanks for stopping by.

Trio for You

Well, today was a day for triples! I created this card using three challenges...

First, I used the Sketch Challenge from Splitcoast, shown at the top.

Second, I used this week's colours from over at "Colour Throwdown" - Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip and Dusty Durango.

The third challenge is from "Stamp Something" which honored the "new" year by using something new for our card. I received a cuttlebug embossing folder from a Divine Secret Sister a while ago and hadn't used it yet - so....this was a great opportunity.

The week is almost over and I'm gearing up for a Stampin' Extravaganza on Saturday from my Team in Edmonton. I can't wait - 48 different projects - WOW.
Hope you're having a wonderful day! Thanks for stopping by -

Bermuda Celery Hunter

I finally got around to opening up my package of Pendant Notes - Took a little while for me to figure out what I wanted to do, but I'm please with the result and think I'll use it as one of my cards for next month's technique workshop. I used sticky strip along the top to adhere the microbeads (haven't used them in ages) and although you can't see it in the photo, I used Crystal Effects on the flower to add microbeads to the centre.

This week's colour challenge on Splitcoast is behind the name of today's post. It sounded cute.....hunting for celery. Anyway - I like these
colours together - Bermuda Bay, Certainly Celery and Handsome Hunter. The "dessert" of the challenge was to add a bit of pink to the card without using cardstock. I did include the cardstock, but added the pink brad for the flower centre. This card also follows a sketch challenge from a couple of weeks ago.

School has only been in session for two days, but I have still managed to create and post cards, do my Wii-fit routine (and play with the darling daughter), and enjoy my school classes. Bring it on 2010 - we're on a roll.

Hope you too are having a great week -

Patchwork and Simplicity

Wow, I was able to hit two challenges yesterday after school....

The first was the technique challenge which was to use the Patchwork Paper technique. I had spotted it on someone's work a little while ago and wanted to give it a try. I'm glad I was able to wait and find out yesterday morning that it was a challenge!!!! I think I'm going to use this for my February technique workshop. I used the Rich Razzleberry Paper - which I'm going to have to corder more of because I've used it so much!

The second card is for the Clean and Simple Challenge which was to create a Valentines Card. This gave me the opportunity to use my new "I {Heart} Hearts" stamp from the New Mini - which goes into effect TODAY!!!! Woo Hoo!!!

I had fun creating this card because I haven't done the masking technique in a long time. Also I combined a whole whack of glitter colours together for the border. I stamped the "friends" heart on white paper and then punched it out with the heart punch. This created a nice white border around the edge which I covered with Tombow Glue and then added my mixture of Rose Pink Cosmo glitter, Silver Galaxy Glitter, Pink Supernova glitter AND Dazzling Diamonds. I was "introduced" to mixing glitter colours at the last SU Regional that was held in Edmonton. Something soooooo simple - but rarely considered. It's good to be reminded about things from time to time.

I hope you're having a wonderful day - It was great to see all the kids at school yesterday. A few looked very tired, but for the most part I think everyone was ready to get back into the swing of things.
Thanks for stopping by! -

Natural Birthday

Good Monday Morning -
I am planning on having a Birthday Card Camp at the end of the month and this is one of the projects. I love how the images from "Nature's Nest" turn out. The etching is so wonderful. I am not the best colourer - but I look forward to working with these images more.
The base of the card is Mellow Moss with a layer of So Saffron which has been distressed along the edges - although it doesn't show up much in the photo. I had thought of using the new Satin Ribbon (from the new All Occasions Catalogue), but decided that a strip of black paper would work better for the card camp. The ribbon is wonderful though - so I'll be using it soon. I sponged Ballet Blue ink around the edges of the Top Note and decided the Curly Label Punch matches pretty well.

Well, this will be posted as I'm getting ready for school. I'm looking forward to music classes that don't centre around a Christmas concert! The kids were fantastic though - I'm always in awe of what they can do. I hope you are having a wonderful day.

Thanks for dropping by

From Snow to Spring

Today's Featured Stamper of SCS was Ann from ardodd - what a wonderful gallery she has - check it out! I selected the pumpkin card to case because the beautiful black "lace" caught my eye. I decided to use my Lattice die again - which made me think of a garden trellis and got me using "Garden from the Heart" for the first time. It's one of the great new sets in the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalogue.
I'm also using this card for the Clean and Simple challenge over at Our Creative Corner.

Although I would love to be in my garden - we have only started the year - and that means
January snow.....which is also good. I cased this layout from someone's blog and I am extremely sorry to say that I don't remember who it was. I just loved the "hill" of snow and the different sized letters. I'm hoping to use this layout for a scrapbook class later this month.

So, school starts again tomorrow and I'm hoping I'll be able to stay in my stamping room in the afternoons.....I'm feeling very optimistic! Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday -

Music by Design

I can hardly believe I'm awake - I was putzing around on the computer .....this morning.... and thought I check to see if, by chance, the Inspiration Challenge had been posted yet (it was 3:00am). Low and behold - it was and what a fun website - Design Spirit Studio. When I spotted the music clock I knew it was the one I'd use for the challenge and decided that I had to start right away. I created the card and then went to bed while the glitter dried. I decided to try the Van Gogh technique from last weeks Technique challenge - I think I need a bit more practice on that one. The colours are a lot more vibrant in person - but I had fun making it. Now I think I'll get a cup of coffee and do some of my puzzle before taking down the Christmas decorations.

Hope you are having a wonderful day - thanks for stopping by -

Happy New Year!
Today's Limited Supply Challenge was to use the words from today's greeting. Happy - make the card in 15 minutes. Use something New that you received over the holiday, and have the card pertain to a Yearly event.

I used the sketch challenge from a couple of weeks ago and the Kaleidoscope DSP that I'm falling in love with. My New item is the Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die - I love these little butterflies! I must say though, that the card took a wee bit longer than 15 minutes to make...but I'm still happy!

One of the reasons I love the Kaleidoscope paper is that it's so bold and bright. It fits perfectly with the day outside - Too bad it's too cold for butterflies - the sun is shining, the sky is blue and the snow is glistening - what a wonderful way to start the New Year.

Hope you're having a great day - JOAN

I incorporated yesterday's sketch challenge while creating these cards which go along with the Ways to Use it Challenge today.

The first card is for a very dear friend of mine who let me borrow her sewing machine in a pinch when mine decided to go on strike.

The second is truely for the challenges....the Ways to Use it Challenge was titled "It's About Time"...I decided that although I appreciate some of the technology that we have these days, I enjoy the artistry and personality of tools from days gone by.

I hope that you are all enjoying the last day of the year and that the New Year will bring you all you strive for.

Happy New Year - Joan

It's been a while, but I've decided I need/want to get back into doing some challenges. I found school overwhelming this fall, but now I think I should be able to find a groove that includes stamping, workshops and work.

I started with this week's colour challenge....Barely Banana, Basic Gray and Dusty Durango. I used a sliver of designer paper because I loved the swirl of gray that it had.

It's the last day of 2009 - hard to believe.... I hope you have a safe and Happy New Year!

Thanks for visiting - Joan

Gearing up to get busy in the New Year. Here are some projects that I'll be doing at a workshop on January 5th. I've revamped the apricot one so that it was a little more exciting that my original plan.....glitter does do wonders.



I love the new butterfly set for the Big Shot....I'm sorry that I was in a bit of hurry to put the cover in the plastic - some of the glitter smudged so the butterflies have fat little bodies.

And for the clean and simple....I love this medallion stamp!

I'm hoping everyone had a very Merry Christmas and that you are looking toward a wonderful New Year.

Thanks for dropping by - Joan
Note the address change to j-jcreations.blogspot.com

Clean & Simple Christmas

Here are two of a few cards I made this weekend using the "Christmas Jingle" Simply Scrappin' Kit. I don't have them all done yet..hopefully after school today.

I used the gold elastic cord to act as "hangers" on the bulb trio. For the REALLY clean and simple one I added a bit of Dazzling Diamonds in the centres of each of the little snowflakes. I'm finding this kit a bit harder to make cards with...but it will come.

Hope you're having a great day - we're getting into the fall weather here.
Thanks for stopping by - JOAN

Gift/Party Boxes

During the summer I worked on putting together some of the little gift boxes which were created by BJ Peters from Stampin'Up! There was a photo of these cute little boxes on the demonstrator website and I thought I'd give them a try. I changed the pumpkin a bit by adding the vine and leaves across the front. I'm also using a different box base than was used in the originals because it was the only one I had.

Everything is made with the Big Shot dies and SU punches. There are a few more designs which I'd like to make and some others I'll share later.

Hope all is well your way - thanks for dropping by.
JOAN

Early Christmas

Here is a trio of cards from the 24 I made using one of last year's Christmas Simply Stampin' kits from SU!. I really am getting used to using brown as a Christmas colour - although I am a die hard red and green girl!

I like these kits because it's so quick and easy to whip up a set of cards - and you can keep them simple or spruce them up with embellishments you have on hand.

I'm hoping to delve into this years Christmas Kit this weekend.
Have a wonderful day. Thanks for stopping by. JOAN

Razzlebird

Here is my card for this weeks Colour Challenge and Sketch Challenge from Splitcoast. The colours were Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry and Basic Black. I liked the combo!

My pieces for the sketch are a bit smaller than they "should" be. I took apart three clear rhinestones to attached to the circles in the corner....love how they caught the flash from the camera!

I didn't have a lot of luck with black ink on this bird image - a hostess set - Wings of Friendship. Instead, I did it with versamark and black embossing. You can't see in the photo, but I've also spritzed some black around the bird.

Hope you're having a razzleberry type of day. Thanks for stopping by - JOAN

Inspired Rose

This past Saturday's inspiration challenge on Splitcoast was from LAMA (Latin America in the Modern Age) I went into the kitchen section and selected the glass that is shown because it made me think of the medallion stamp that we have. I used Rose Red cardstock and embossed the medallion in white.

It is incredibly warm here today - it was suppose to get up to 33*C and I'm sure we're pretty close. Fantastic "fall" day!

Hope things are warm, sunny and happy in your neck of the woods. Thanks for dropping by. JOAN

Clean and Simple

I really think I'm going to enjoy the Monday "Clean and Simple" challenges on Splitcoast. That area is a challenge for me....so it all works out. This week's challenge was a sketch. It took a lot of courage to keep the card base plain and without a first layer.
I stamped the two little pumpkins onto Only Orange and then "whited out" the stars and band with white gel pen.

I'm going to have to find people to send all these Halloween cards to.

Thanks for dropping by - hope you're having a great day! JOAN

Boo

I've had the Crystal Effects drying on this....for a very long time. I made the pumpkins last week - took a while to put together.

I really like some of the Halloween paper we have right now. I don't go for the skulls, but some of the reverse sides are vintage scarey. I embossed the house onto Old Olive with black (not sure why it looks uneven, but it adds to the effect). I put a glue dot on top of my brads and then dipped them in purple SU! glitter. The pumpkins, as mentioned before, are covered with Crystal Effects. Everything has been raised with dimensionals.

My daughter got fabric on the weekend for her Halloween costume....I haven't sewn in so long, I hope I remember how!!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend - the weather was wonderful in Banff while I was there. Now back to the grind of another week. Enjoy. JOAN

Late Grad...

I guess since I was busy with grad I didn't getting around to posting a picture of our princess. It was a wonderful time and we are so proud of her. I was surprised to find that one of our local scrapbook stores had die cuts of various High School from the area. I got two so I could use it when I do my sons....which has already passed!

I actually think I need something else on the blue page, but I'm not sure what.....I'm NOT cutting out anymore grad hats! (Cute though they may be.)

I'm in Banff this weekend with my husband. Hope you're having a good one! JOAN

Summer Work

There was one day this summer when I was very productive with my son's scrapbook.... four pages in one afternoon. Unheard of for a newby like me! I was using up old Simply Scrappin' Kits and I've promised my self not to purchase anything new until they're all used up. So.....I better get back to work on them soon. I have his to do and then his sisters!

Thanks for dropping by - Have a wonderful day!
JOAN

Early Halloween...

This is from Saturday's Inspiration Challenge - the Halloween clothing for kids on the CWD website are too cute. I picked this pair of pants just because they have all the cool Halloween Colours. The designer paper didn't turn out too well in the photo - but the colours are vibrant. I embossed the tree and the greeting with black embossing powder. The green and orange pumpkins that are on the second layer of paper are "popped" out using Crystal Effects. I haven't used that in quite a while.

I have a second Halloween card to share....but I have to let the Crystal Effects dry.
Have a wonderful day - JOAN

Challenges...

I haven't done a challenge in a VERY long time.....I'm happy to see a new challenge on Mondays on Splitcoast - "Clean and Simple". I have a lot of difficulty with that so will be happy to see all the wonderful creations people have. I am thinking of this as clean and simple...the extra criteria for this particular challenge was to use dimensionals - which are holding up each of the shells.
I've also used the colours for Tuesday's Colour Challenge...Whisper White, Soft Suede and Pretty in Pink.

Have a wonderful day and thanks for dropping by - Thank you also for all the "welcome backs"! They're appreciated! JOAN

Cased Ornaments

It's never too early to begin making Christmas Cards. I cased this idea from Tamye Dunbar at our last team meetings. I loved the simplicity of it and the glitter!

I used the Delightful Decorations set with the matching punch as well as Baroque Motifs for the background. Elastic Cord was used so the ornament swings freely. This design is so quick and easy and looks great in all seasonal colours.

Hope you are having a wonderful day - JOAN

Fall is on the way....

Fall may be on it's way, but the weather is still beautiful here - I'm able to walk to school this year and I'm enjoying it.....including the fact that I get to walk with my husband!

I guess I used the colours from the "Autumn Meadows" designer paper as an inspiration for this card. I love the colours together - Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, More Mustard and Taken with Teal.
I stamped and embossed the Autumn Splendor leaves onto regular white cardstock and then used the sponge daubers to fill in the empty spaces. The "Wandering Words" were stamped onto velum and then attached under the strip of designer paper - attached with the corduroy buttons.

Hope you have a wonderful day - Thanks for dropping by - JOAN

Been Too Long.....

I can't believe I went the entire summer without posting to the blog - Wow! Can't say it was that busy - school start up has been hectic and now I'm trying to get back into the stamping world. I'm teaching a variety of things this year so it may be tough to get the stamping in there- but I'm going to try!

I love, love, love this black and white paper (Night and Day Specialty) from the Occasions Mini. I have a reputation for making black and white cards with - just a touch of teal.

I'll be making this card at an upcoming workshop.
More projects to come! - Promise!

Thanks for dropping by - Joan