Crazy4Challenges 169 - Valentine

Just loved this sketch over at Crazy4Challenges 169 this week....loved it so much that I got out of bed at 7am on Saturday and this card was done by 8am.  Yep...it was that quick!  Love it when a card comes together like that.  I can definitely see this sketch popping up again soon.

I used some scraps from the Bo Bunny Double Dot paper that I had sitting on my craft desk, which contributed to the ease of this card.   The heart is MFT Die-namics Layered heart.  I adore the fact that it fits together so nicely, cause sometimes hearts don't nest just right, know what I mean?

Last night we played Monopoly with the kids, except it was that one with the credit card machine instead of the actual paper money.  Can't say I was overly thrilled with it.  I like having all that cash in my hand, and knowing that my kids have to count out their dollars is they want to buy something.  Regardless, it was fun to sit down with the girls and just play a game, completely unplugged.  What is your favorite board game to play with your kids?

Stamps:  MFT Lovey Dovey Sentiments
Paper:  MFT Sweet Tooth, Razzleberry, CMTH Ocean, Bo Bunny Double Dot

Ink: CTMH Ocean, Black

Accessories: MFT Die-namics Layered Heart, Misc. Ribbon from my stash.

Bright & Cheery Birthday

Oh my gosh, the mojo is on high over here at my house!  It has been a pretty big week for me, so many changes going on and all of them positive.  Mainly, I changed my name back to my maiden name...Wood.  You'll notice that I redesigned my watermark to reflect this.  The last week has been super cold (I'm talking in the -35 Celcius range) and so we've all been hanging out inside trying to keep warm. 

Friday night was no exception, and the kids cuddled up with blankets on the couch to watch a movie while I hung out in the craft room.  This cute birthday card for my cousin's daughter, who will be 4 this week, is the result.  I used this week's MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #107 and practically all the products I used are MFT too!  I even remembered to upload it to the Splitcoast Gallery! 

With things being so blah, I figured that a bright & cheery card was definitely needed.  And, while I was in the craft room I managed to make 3 more cards that night, and one on Saturday morning.  I am officially done all but one of my Valentine's Cards and on to Easter Cards.  I've got posts scheduled for almost 10 days! 

Gosh it feels good to be ahead of schedule!

Stamps:  MFT A la modes Big Birthday Wishes, More Essential Sentiments (inside)

Paper:  MFT Sour Apple, Razzleberry, Sweet Tooth, CTMH Ocean, Echo Park Summer Days, Bo Bunny Double Dot
Ink:  Memento Black, Copics:  E57, E59, E00, BG02, BG05, RV23, RV25
Accessories:  MFT Die-namics:  Upsy Daisy, Mini Double Dot Border, By the Numbers, Sentiment Strips, Spellbinders Ovals, Scalloped Ovals,

Another Gift Card

This is the card that I gave my parents for Christmas.  My Mom got a nice new fluffy blanket and some slippers.  My Dad is a hard-care Starbucks fan, so he got a gift card...which fit nicely on the front of their Christmas card.  Here's that grey/blue colour combo again.  I just love it for guy cards and this Bo Bunny paper was just sitting there waiting to be used!

Stamps: MFT Seasonal Sentiments

Papers: Bo Bunny Powder Mountain, MFT Steel Grey, Nightshift Blue, Bazzill Grey

Ink:  CTMH Outdoor Denim

Accessories:  MFT Die-namics:  Loopy Border, Gift Card Pocket - Horizontal, Snowflake Doily, Small Scalloped Border



My First Valentine of 2013

Oh my gosh, it's so hard to believe that its 2013 and I'm making Valentine's cards already!  Ya know, I really love the idea of Valentine's Day, but the ex and I never, ever celebrated it.  I'm not really sure why we didn't.  I vaguely remember a conversation 18 years ago when we met about how it was a commercialized holiday blah blah blah...so I guess it has something to do with that conversation.  Funny how we do things because its what we've always done, huh?

Anyway, I like the idea of setting aside some time to let the person you're with know that they are special to you, but in a private kinda way if that makes sense.  I don't buy into the whole idea that you have to go out to dinner, or hire a sitter and sneak away somewhere.  I think I'd be happy with an acknowledgement that I'm special to someone...just because I'm me.  Maybe a nice quiet dinner after the kids are in bed.  Nothing fancy.  No flowers or chocolates necessary, a hug will do. 

However, if you have a special someone who requires gifts...lol...I made a card with a gift card holder built right in.  I really do love my Gift Card Pocket - Horizontal Die-namic.  I've used it on a few cards you'll see coming up.  I especially love that the gift card becomes a part of the card.  Wouldn't you love to get a spa gift card in here...or maybe a home made "coupon" from your sweetie.  The possibilities are endless really. 

What really makes me happy about this card is that I was able to use some paper that I had leftover from last year, and I used an MS punch that hasn't seen daylight in a long time.  The stamp set is the new Lovey Dovey Sentiments from MFT Stamps.

So tell me...do you like Valentine's Day or not?

Stamps:  MFT Lovey Dovey Sentiments

Paper:  Black, Sweet Tooth, Bazzill White, Bo Bunny A Gift of Love (really old paper, lol)

Ink: Versamark Black, MFT Wild Cherry

Accessories:  MFT Dienamic - Gift Card Pocket - Horizontal, Spellbinders Hearts, MS Hearts Border Punch, Dollar Store Red Jewels

MFT Guest Designer Sketch

Hey everyone!  I cannot tell you how often I make a card based on a sketch but I never manage to get pictures taken and posted in time to actually enter my card.  Well....this time I did it!  This past year I have just fallen in love with MFT Stamps and Dienamics.  I cannot get enough of them, and I use them on just about every card I make these days. For this card, I used the Guest Designer Sketch for January as inspiration for my Dad's Birthday Card.  The colours are MFT Steel Grey, Sweet Tooth and CTMH Heavenly Blue and I just love them with the Bo Bunny Powder Mountain Papers.  You'll be seeing more of this combo in the coming weeks.

This was the first time that I was able to use the Fancy Flourish Die with success...because I now how the Metal Adapter Plate for my Cuttlebug.  What a difference a little piece of metal can make!   It was also the first time that I used my Beautiful Bows Dienamics.  

On the inside of my card, I re-stamped the image along with a fun birthday sentiment.  I don't always finish the inside of my cards, but this one just called for it and I'm so glad that I did. 

We're having a family dinner for my Dad's Birthday today (Sunday) and then there are only two days left until my parents are off again travelling in their RV.   It's been a nice visit, but I know they want to get back to where the weather is warm and the sun is shining.  I don't blame them.  :-)

The kids are back to school tomorrow as well, so its back to the routine.  I've really, really enjoyed these last two weeks off with my kids.  I learn so much from them every day. 

Stamps:  A la modes Big Birthday Wishes, MFT More Essential Sentiments, Happy Thoughts
Papers: MFT Steel Grey, Sweet Tooth, CTMH Heavenly Blue, Bo Bunny Powder Mountain
Ink: Memento Black, Copic Markers
Accessories:  MFT Dienamics:  Photo Corners, Fancy Flourish, Beautiful Bows, Fish Tail Flags, Kaisercraft Rhinestones.

A little mor Christmas

Even though the season is technically over, I didn't show you all the cards I made so I've got a bit of catching up to do.  This one I threw together because everyone kept talking about Washi Tape and how wonderful it is.  Ya know what?  I totally agree, it is super fun stuff to work with.

This card was quick and easy to throw together, and tape eliminated the need for layers of paper.  I love the simplicity of this one...it's definitely something I could make a few of for the stash for next year.

Stamps:  MFT Stitched Stockings
Paper: MFT Hot Fudge, Jellybean Green, Natural

Ink: MFT Colorbox Wild Cherry, CTMH Black, Garden Green

Accessories:  Queen & Co stick on jewels, MFT Dies:  Stocking Trio, Oval Open Scallop Doily, Spellbinders Oval

What a Joyous Season!

Oh my gosh, I do not like the cold.  How I ended up living where I do...oh geez.  It's definitely winter, and though I can generally stay snug in a warm building...it seems that the less furniture you have in a house, the colder it feels.  Yikes!  Alright, enough complaining.

Here are some cards that I was able to make copies of.  The design is not mine...although it's not a complicated one.  I saw something very similar, but with a snowflake, on Pinterest.  I am definitely going to use this layout again.

The paper is scraps I had from an old Basic Grey Pack, and the ribbon is the first time I used my new MFT Ribbon.  I cannot say this enough....I LOVE MFT RIBBON!!!!!!.  Oh, yes I do!

My apologies for the horrible picture...that paper really is white.  Now that my scrap room is cleaned out, I am going to be able to set up an area just for taking pictures...and that means having a light source for picture taking!  :)

We're off to the dentist today, the Munchkin had a tooth abscess that we discovered last week and she's been on antibiotics for 9 days now.  It still hurts to open her jaw and the bump has only gone down a little, so I do believe they are going to pull the tooth out today.  Good thing its a baby tooth and its a little bit loose already. 

I finally got everything that I want to sell out of the scrap room and onto a table in my living room.  If you weren't on my email list, this is your notice....I have lots of stamps and stuff for sale. Stamps for sale includes CC Designs, Riley Moose, Lili of the Valley, Spesch Designs, Close To My Heart, Stampin' Up, The Rubber Cafe, Our Craft Lounge, Whiff of Joy, Elizabeth Bell and more.  I am also selling lots of my Spellbinders, 3 - 8x8 Albums, 1 - 12x12 Indian Corn Blue Album, 2 CTMH Calendars and 2 3-ring binder CTMH albums.  If you're interested in having a look at anything, shoot me an email and we can arrange for you to come over if you're local.  Whatever remains tonight, I will be putting up on a For Sale page here on my blog...but, it's a pretty big bunch of stuff so its going to take some time to get it all up here. 

Thanks to everyone who has purchased items so far.  Have a great day everyone!

Dreams

Holy Snow!  Here in little ol' Thunder Bay it was +7 Celsius when we went into the house at 8pm and this morning we woke up to 8cm of snow.  Boo hoo!  I am not ready for winter yet.

So, to avoid the inevitable, I am showing you cards today that are not for Christmas.  I made these two using a sketch I am sure likely came from MFT...but I can't find it.  If I do, I will change my blog to reflect that.

I flipped the sketch at this point...the tag just felt too long. 

These are some bright and cheery cards.  Definitely going to hang onto these for someone special. 

It's chilly here...and we didn't do the grocery shopping yesterday, so tonight while the Rock Star is at Scholars, Munchkin and I will get some groceries and then we're headed home to snuggle on the couch and watch a movie...all toasty warm in front of the fireplace.  ;-) 

Have a great weekend.

Oh Christmas Tree

So, today starts the Christmas card posts.  There has been so much going on lately, that Christmas is really starting to sneak up on me.  Normally I'd have all my shopping done by now, and this year I haven't even started.  But you know what...I'm not gonna sweat it. I'm going to enjoy seeing my friends and family and snuggle my kids lots and drink hot chocolate and eat lots of good food.  :)

If given more time, then this card would be one that I could easily replicate...but gluing those little squares on the back of the tree pieces was driving me bonkers!  LOL.  So, this is a one and only card.  And I'm sure that it is the result of a sketch I found somewhere, but I made it so long ago that I have no idea.  (yet another reason to blog right after you make a card, lol)

Did I tell you that I got to learn to colour from Suzanne Dean?  Yep, THAT Suzanne Dean.  I have been wanting to attend one of her courses for just over 2 years...it really was a dream come true.  She's such a great lady, and a fabulous teacher and an all around inspiration.  Add to that a whole weekend of just hanging with my two bestest friends and it was a fabulous weekend.  Definitely need to plan more of those!

A Year of ME

What a Summer!  Not at all what I thought it would look like, but I have learned so much that I really wouldn't change a thing because then I wouldn't be where I am today.  I have had to do some real soul searching lately, some "what do I really want" thinking. Really focus on me, because if I am not happy then no one around me is happy. 

I've made some pretty big decisions in 2012, some had exactly the results I expected and wanted, while others were completely not at all what I expected and so I had to scramble.  In retrospect, I definitely wear rose coloured glasses sometimes.  I need to take more time to make decisions.  I need to be confident enough in myself to say, "I'm not sure" or "can we wait?" and then be confident enough that whatever the consequences of saying this are, that I will be able to stand tall and be proud that I made that decision.

I have decided that in order to be a better parent and a better partner, I need to do some improvement/work on myself.  So, I'm going to spend the next year really working on myself.  So, you might be asking...

What does A Year of ME look like?

1.  Cook at Home more often - for my health, for the health of my children and for my pocketbook!

2.  Exercise - for my health and sanity!

3.  Simplify - I have accumulated a lot of "stuff" over the years, a lot of it for varying reasons.  In an effort to simplify my life, I will be going thru my house, room by room and simplifying...purging items that are no longer needed, giving away things we don't use and are holding onto for all the wrong reasons.

4.  Organize - What we do keep needs to be kept in an orderly fashion.  My girls are a direct reflection of my undiagnosed ADD ways.  Piles everywhere, lots of items left for "later" and lots of running around on our way out the door because someone has always forgotten something.  I have some great ideas that I want to implement to help us stay organized and on task throughout the day.

5.  Learn How to do something new every month - this one should be easy.  I am a single Mom in a 3 bedroom house with lots of plans...oh the things I want/need to learn.  :)

6.  Take time for me - this one is a little harder to define and measure.  This could mean having alone time to craft, time to read a book or take a walk, or setting aside time to start writing again. 

7.  Make a dent in the debt - don't we all have this goal?  Now that I'm on my own, I want to keep my finances under control and am becoming much more aware of where every penny is going.  Long term goal is debt elimination within 5 years, which is attainable, but will require many sacrifices.  Short term goal would be to eliminate the debt by 25% over one year.

8.  Keep track of my progress - again this should be fairly easy.  At the end of each month I'll report back here to let you all know how I'm doing.

So...sharing this with all of you is pretty scary.  I know I'm going to lose some followers because this isn't "just a craft" blog.  But, I'm hoping that those who stick around are those who are able to relate to what I'm doing.  Perhaps you've been here before or you know someone in a similar situation.  All comments and suggestions are welcome.  Encouragement is encouraged!  :) 

I will definitely still be posting crafty stuff.  In fact, I have 3 cards sitting on my craft table waiting to be photographed right now!  And, I knit a hat and finished a baby blanket but forgot to photograph them both.  I am working on another hat though, so you'll be able to see that one when its finished.

Now, if you've managed to get down this far, then I'll reward you with an actual card!  This is the card I made my Mom for her birthday last week. 

Stamps:  MFT a la modes I got UR Back
Paper: Echo Park Country Drive, CTMH Green and White
Ink: Copics, Memento Black
Accessories:  MFT Dienamics:  Small Scallop Border, Fishtail Flags STAX, Mini Tabs Foursome, Oval Open Scallop Doily Duo,  

   

A Card for Teacher

This is a card that I made for Munchkins teacher. Unfortunately, it got buried in the upheaval and injury and never did make it to the teacher.

And, I can't claim credit for the cute layout, that comes to you courtesy of Jodi Morrow, who is on the MFT Design team.

Graduation or Congratulations Challenge!

Holy smokes it's the middle of May already!  Time sure does fly when you're having fun.  We've been super busy here doing some re-arranging at home, trying out some new activities and meeting lots of new people!  On May 5th, National Scrapbooking Day, I taught my very first workshop at our LSS Dat's Scrapbooking.

It was a great time, and I am still so excited and honored to be part of the DAT'S Designing Diva's Team.  There is a new challenge on the 1st and 15th of each month, and we encourage everyone to participate, even if you don't live in our city.  It's about finding inspiration and learning from each other!

This time around our challenge is to make a Graduation or Congratulations card, and this is the perfect time of year to get a jump start on your Graduation cards.  Universities and Colleges will be having graduation ceremonies in a few short weeks and high schools will be graduation students shortly after that. 

All the supplies I used for my card can be found at DAT'S Scrapbooking.   I hope you enjoyed this card, I have another Graduation one to show you in a few days!

Stamps:  MFT More Essential Sentiments, A la Modes Grad Girl
Paper:  Coordinations Grey, Reminisce I Made It, White, Black
Ink:  Copic Markers
Accessories:  Queens & Co Pearls - Nightfall, Prima Flower Centres, Bazzil Paper Flowers - black, We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy fancy floss (bakers twine in referee)

MFT Wednesday Sketch - Finally!

Oh my goodness, I was finally able to use one of the fabulous MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #59 and post my card in time!  I'm so excited to show you this card.  It started out as a birthday card...at least, that was the idea.  However, I had just been talking to my Mom and a friend of hers at the RV Park in Miami had just lost her Mother.  That got me thinking about her and whether or not I should send a Sympathy card.  So the card, very gradually morphed into a sympathy card.  Thing is, the ladies is an avid sewer....like she did it for a living before she retired.  After some playing and lots of doubt, here is the sympathy card that I came up with.

And, here is the inside....

It's definitely not a traditional sympathy card, but I'm okay with that.  This card feels more personal.  What do you think?

Stamps:  MFT Sew Nifty Die & Stamp Set, Verve Forever in Our Hearts

Paper:  Basic Grey Indie Bloom, CTMH Colonial White, Twilight

Ink: CTMH Black

Accessories: Embroidery Floss from my cross stitichin' days, MFT Well Worn Greetings Dies

Wishing You Were Here

Well, I finally addressed the Christmas cards that need to be sent by mail and put them in the little box at work.  Lucky for me, they are all localso they should arrive before Christmas.  Most of my cards are given to co-workers and family/friends who I see on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Except for this one.  You'll notice that my card doesn't have a Holiday Greeting.  This is because I knew that I wouldn't be able to send it out on time.  It is for my very best friend in the whole wide world, like since we were 10 years old, Kelly. 
She lives in Southern Ontario, and isn't going to be home for Christmas this year. It's made me very sad, as she is the one person that I always look forward to seeing, and so do my kids.  So, enough talk, here is my card.  

The layout is from Sketch Saturday #79.  At first I thought it would be a difficult one to work with, but now I see this card everwhere I look!  So, you may see the layout turn up again.  I used a lot of different stamps on this one, so check out the listing below for all the details.

Todays Question:  Cat or Dog?   LOL!  Funny question, I know.  If given the option, I'd say neither, but that's not the question, so I say Cat.  Very little work, really, and I don't have to clean up after it.  Just empty the box into a bag, tie and toss.  Put out food and it eats, open blinds and sleeps in the sun.   Kids are hard enough...adding an animal to the mix would putme over the edge!  What about you?

Stamps:  MFT Essential Sentiments, Pink Cat Studios Lily Rides a Polar Bear

Paper:  Basic Grey Two Scoops, CTMH Baby Pink, Blush

Ink:  Copic Markers

Accessories:  Misc Snowball looking sticky things, Stickles, Threading Water Border Punch

I have a goal...or two...!

Okay, I have about 25 cards that I need to take pictures of to get them up here on my blog...but darned if the sun wouldn't shine last week, and then I got my first migraine headache in like 22 years on the weekend, so I didn't take any pictures.

So, my goal is this...build myself a light box....you know, one of those funny white boxes so that I can take pictures no matter the weather. 'Cause it's all blue skies today, but my picture still looks awful!?! I'll keep you updated on my progress with that.

I made this card at a crop I attended a few weeks back. I love this image I got from the Canadian Express Image swap over at SCS. It was so much fun to create with. I decided that I'm going to send this card to my girlfriend who's birthday I have missed. Not because I didn't remember, but because she lives far away and I didn't mail a card out 10 days in advance...so a birthday card doesn't seem so relevant anymore. I'm sure she'll love it.

Stamps: My Favourite Things, Time for the Bubbly

Paper: Misc. Patterned Paper, CTMH Cardstock

Ink: Copic Markers

Accessories: CTMH Bigger Brad, Prima Flower