Clean and Simple

Whew, another week of 2012 is gone, can you believe it?!?  Thank goodness this week's challenge over at Paper Sundaes is an easy one....Clean and Simple.  Sometimes, we can really over think a card when the simplest ones are sometimes the prettiest.  I felt that way about this card.  Some pretty paper, a simple flower and sentiment and voila!

The layout is courtesy of The Sweet Stop Sketch #136, from just before Christmas.  And, I liked it so much I made a second card using this sketch and actually made 2 of each of these so now I have added 4 cards to my Christmas card stash!

Speaking of stash...you may have noticed that I added some goals on my blog...upper left corner.  I figure this is a good way for me to see that I actually do get cards made, even when I am busy with life, and I wanted to show my knitting adventures as well.  I'm almost finished my first knitting project and am well into my second so hopefully I'll be able to show you that this week!

As for today, the Munchkin has a play date all afternoon at a friends house and I am working away at finding somewhere for the Rock Star to play so that I can have a few hours to myself in my craft room uninterrupted....and not after 9 at night.  :) 

Have a great day!

Stamps: Lily of the Valley Christmas Circular Sentiments, Pink Cat Studios Gingerbread Tree Digi
Ink:  Copic Markers, CTMH Black, Memento Black
Paper:  Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather
Accessories:  Spellbinders Circle Die, Prima Poinsettia Flowers, CTMH Ribbon, Green Bella Dots

Paper Sundaes - Gettin' Digi with It!

Haha, I'm sure all you old school Will Smith fans will get a giggle from my post title...at least, I hope you do.  This week's challenge over at Paper Sundaes is to use a Digital Image...and we're being sponsored by Pink Cat Studio's one of my favourite stamp company's.  I own a whole slew of their digital images, so this was a fun challenge for me.  I used Mojo Monday Sketch #214 for my inspiration.

This image isn't one that you'll find on the Pink Cat Studio site...I used Gingerbread Tree and then blew it up to the right size and cut out my little gingerbread friends.

Only 4 more days until I get to spend the night with my girlfriends and get a little Twilight fix!  I'm so excited for Breaking Dawn's release on Thursday.  The commercials I keep seeing on TV give me chills! 

Stamps:  Pink Cat Studio's Gingerbread Tree, Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps - Noelle (sentiment)

Paper:  Misc. Bazzil from my stash, Echo Park Season's Greetings
Ink:  Copic Markers

Accessories:  Stickles, Dollarstore Gems, Prima Poinsettia flowers and leaf and ornament too!, Spellbinders

More Valentines!

It seems that Valentine's cards are everywhere these days, and I know you'll be seeing a few more from me in the coming weeks!  So if you're thinking of making a Valentine's Card be sure to enter it over at Paper Sundaes Challenge Blog this week for the chance to win some great prizes. 

My card uses a fun digital image from Pink Cat Studio's called Squirrel Valentine.   Isn't he just darling?

The sketch is courtesy of The Sweet Stop Sketch #91...I made another card a few weeks back with this same sketch, but failed to add a "dry embossing" bit to it so I couldn't enter it for the challenge.  I loved the card so much though, that I used the same base for this one. 

I am going to enter my card in a few challenges this week:

Paper Play Challenge:  Layer It Up!

Scrap Creations:  Black + White + Red

Pollycraft Challenge:  Black + White + one other

Copic Creations:  What's New? (stamp, ribbon, stickles!)

Stamps:  Pink Cat Studio Squirrel Valentine, SU Ink sentiment
Paper:  Bo Bunny, CTMH Tulip
Ink:  Copic Markers, Versamark Black
Accessories:  Red Stickles, Ribbon from Joanne's, Zva jewels, Kaisercraft Pearls in red, felt from Michael's, Spellbinders Hearts & Scalloped Hearts

Paper Sundaes Firsth Birthday Blog Hop!

Happy Sunday and welcome to Paper Sundaes First Birthday Celebration! If you have arrived here from Fiona's blog, then you are on the right track. If not, please go back and start at Paper Sundaes Challenge Blog and hop along so that you don't miss out on any of the gorgeous creations from the Sundae Girls (and a chance to win some yummy candy!). Remember to collect your word and comment on all of the stops so that you are entered for our amazing blog hop prizes! Your last stop will be back at the beginning where you can leave the sentence you collected along the way in the comments section for your chance to win even more!

Our challenge this week is extra special - we would like you to show us your favorite challenge from the past year!  I chose Challenge #49 - Cut It Out!  I got this cute Dino image from Pink Cat Studios...he was just released on Thursday..isn't he gorgeous! 

When we originally did this challenge, I didn't follow the rules (imagine!)..the challenge was to cut your image out with scissors...or at least have something on your creation that is obviously cut with scissors.  So, second time around I made sure I did it right.  I also used this week's sketch challenge over at The Sweet Stop.

I hope that you are having a great time hopping along.  As an added bonus, I am giving away a little candy of my own.  Everyone who comments on my blog will get their name entered to win this little prize pack.

It includes 28 - 6x6 papers from We R Memory Keepers Hippity Hoppity Collection (2 of each paper) and 16 images stamped from my collection in Copic friendly Memento Ink.  I will ship anywhere in the world, so everyone is welcome to comment and leave their name.  And, if you are a follower of my blog, I will enter your name twice!    You will have until Saturday Jan 22nd at 5pm to enter...I'll announce the winner Sunday January 23rd.

Next on our blog hop is Crystal.  If you're lost, here is the blog hop order:

Wendy

Tracy

Pattie

Lisa

Karina

Gloria

Fiona

Danielle (ME!)

Crystal

Alica

Shana

Christine

Paper Sundaes

Thanks for looking.

P.S. My secret word is FROM

Stamps:  Pink Cat Studio Bronty Valentine, Sweet N Sassy Kitchen Sentiments

Paper:  Bo Bunny, CTMH Tulip
Ink:  Copic Markers, Memento
Accessories:  Circle Punches, Bella Dots in Red, Spellbinders Scalloped Hearts Die, Prima flower, Vintage Crochet Trim.

Bewitching!

Ooh, this card looks so dark and scary, but really it's not!  I only have a few Halloween cards left to post, and I think I'm going to sneak in a quick and simple birthday card tomorrow.  Sketch is Mojo#158

The hard part about making Halloween cards so far in advance is that I am all "Halloween'd" out!  LOL!

Last night the kids, my Mom and I went in search of costumes at the Value Village and the Salvation Army.  Total success.  The Munchkin is going to be a "Creepy Bride" and we picked up a very gaudy ivory coloured wedding dress and the most horrific looking veil I've ever seen.  She loves it!  We will have to shorten the skirt about 18 inches (she's only 8 after all) and add some creepy crawly critters and cobwebs and dirt to complete the outfit.  Can't wait to take pictures of this costume once it is complete.

The Rock Star is going to be Horton...I know, you're thinking "who"...and that's exactly what I thought when I saw her in the costume.  It fit's perfectly...a very nice Elephant costume...and when I asked are you going to be an Elephant, she said "No, I'm Horton!...you know, from Horton Hears a Who?!?!" Kids, they are so creative!  Of course, this elephant costume is perfect for our Northern Halloweens, it will fit perfectly over her snowsuit should the snow fly on Halloween night.  However, it will be much too warm for the school celebration so she managed to find a little jacket with a hoodie that is a Cow, and so with a nice pair of black pants from home we'll have a Cow costume too.  She keeps running around the house with this thing on, bumping into us and saying "Moooooove!"  LOL!  Too cute...and the best thing is we got all this for under $35...all 3 costumes...what a deal!

Stamps:  Pink Cat Studio Digi Itty Bitty Betty Broom Ride, Amy R Spooky Sentiments

Paper:  Basic Grey Eerie
Ink:  Copic Markers, CTMH Black
Accessories:  Prima Black Flowers, Doodlebug fuzzy brad, Velour RicRac, Basic Grey Brads

Spooky Sunday!

Happy long weekend to you!  After a hectic week, I need the break.  Fortunately, hubby was feeling tired and the Rock Star was wanting to watch a movie, so I was able to escape to the scrap room for 3 whole hours yesterday....yes, 3 uninterrupted hours! It was bliss!  The Munchkin has gone to camp for the weekend with a friend, and so taking care of one is not so challenging for him....or me for that matter.

A few weeks ago, a friend of a friend asked me to make her 7 Halloween cards...and this is the first one.  I bought these fun digital stamps from Pink Cat Studio specifically for this order.  My layout is CardPatterns Sketch #80.  The Challenge this week over at Paper Sundaes Challenge Blog is to use 2 different mediums on your card.  This was quite a challenge for me, as I just can't image making a card with anything but copics.  So, my second medium is chalk...and I chalked orange around my little witch to make her pop off the page, what do you think?

I know that most of the world is already back to school, and I am so excited for my kids to start again this week, although they have a very different feeling about the whole thing.  I am looking forward to routine, to knowing where they are and that I don't have to pick them up.  Hubby is home full-time now and is working on his cooking skills, so I am also looking forward to coming home to dinner most days.  Our fall activities don't start for a few weeks, so there is actually some down time that I am hoping to take advantage of.

I have pictures of the Rock Star's birthday party last week, they just haven't been loaded off the memory card.  I made her cake this year...the first time since I had kids that I made the cake.  It was so much more work than I wanted, but she loved it and that's what matters really.

Stamps:  Pink Cat Studio Itty Bitty Betty, Amy R Sentiments
Paper:  Reminisce DP, CTMH Orange & Black
Ink:  Copic Markers, Memento Black
Accessories: Brand Spanking New Martha Stewart Punch, CTMH Chalks, Queen & Co. Black Dots.

Get Well #1

To participate in my fun photo inspiration challenge, hop on over here for all the details.

Here is the first get well card that I made for my friend.  The image is the one that I coloured for yesterday's card, I just couldn't get it to fit.  The layout is from Sketch Saturday, but I took a little creative licence.

I ordered this fun stamp from Pink Cat Studio moons ago and finally inked him up.  He is a super fun image, and with cold and flu season mere months away I'm thinking that I'll be making a few extra get well cards to have on hand.    Note I said thinking, not actually doing. :)

Today we are leaving in the late afternoon for Toronto for hubby to have some details scans done.  They aren't until early tomorrow morning though, so we'll arrive, drop our bags at the hotel and then go to my favorite restaurant in Toronto...Richtree Market.  Keep your fingers crossed it doesn't rain, I'm hoping to walk to and from the hotel to burn off the Belgian Waffle with lots of strawberries and whipped cream that I'm eating for dessert!

Stamps:  Pink Cat Studio Sick Billy

Paper:  CTMH Emporium, Buttercup, Sweetleaf, Twilight
Ink:  Copic Markers
Accessories: Misc. brads, Nestabilities Squares

Butterfly Kisses

Just a quick post today....but I'm happy to say that with tomorrow's Fabulous Friday post I will have posted every day this week!  Yay!  It feels so good to do what I love every day!

This card uses Sketch #72 over at Card Patterns and though I was initally skeptical it turned out to be a fun and easy card to make.  I used up some scraps of my Basic Grey Urban Prairie paper, 'cause I'm determined to make some room for the new papers that will be coming out the CHA 2010 in a few weeks.

So, have you been reading BananaStampers daycamp adventures?  If not, pop on over there...her kids are hilarious.  Something that seems to come up repeatedly is "wunderwear"...and until she started blogging about their days, I didn't take any notice of the word.  At our house we call them "funderoos" because underoos are fun!  Are you old enough to remember Underoos?  Check out this commercial I found on Youtube.

So, because I was in the mood and I wasn't tired yet, last night I went in search of the various terms for undergarments...I know, I know...but I needed the laugh...so if you're easily offended, look away from the computer screen now.

Briefs, Knickers, Tightie Whities, Drawers, Skivvies, Grape Smugglers,

Undies, Banana Hammock, Panties, Underoos, Wunderwear, Butt Huggers, oh my! 

Can you believe that I found an article that says Australian's have 80 words for underwear? 

LOL!  So, tell me...what do you call them at your house?

Stamps:  CTMH Butterfly Wings, Pink Cat Studio Sentiment
Paper:  Basic Grey Urban Prairie, CTMH Crystal Blue, Sweetleaf, White
Ink:  Versafine Black Onyx, CTMH Crystal Blue

Accessories:  Misc White Ribbon, Prima Flower, Nestabilities

Fabulous Friday Sketch

It's Friday!  Finally!  I have to say this has been the longest week in a long time.  But now, the fun begins.  The kids will be on the boat with my parents for the weekend, so BananaStamper and I have planned a weekend of crafting fun at her house.  I can hardly wait!

Today's challenge over at the i {heart} copics group on PCP is a sketch.  I have run very low on my supply of Birthday cards, so I pulled out my 365 Degrees paper and go to work.  Of course, once I got my image coloured, I decided to flip the inside of the sketch to fit my image.  Hop on over to i {heart} copics to see the sketch and play along with us.

What I had a lot of fun with on this card was making my own flower.  I've seen a lot of bloggers doing it lately, and I'm fairly happy with the results. 

Stamps:  Pink Cat Studio Ladybug Holding Balloons, StampingBella Sentiment
Paper:  365 Degrees

Ink:  Copic Markers, Memento Black ink

Accessories:  Nestabilities, White Ribbon, Misc. Button

It's Spring!

Hmmm, not sure what happened but I've been in a bit of a funk since the weekend.  The hubby even commented that I need to "relax" and that I seem "high strung".  Funny...I feel high strung!  2 weeks with no Pepsi and I'm exhausted all the time...but I'm not giving in.  Then last night, the little one climbed into our bed at 2 am and started talking nonsense, then told us that "When Martina goes to heaven we'll have to get her a gift." Martina is our daycare provider...yikes!  Okay, boohoo me, onto the good stuff.

To make this card, I went in search of challenges...I just have not been feeling the inspiration.  I found a whole bunch that I could work with, and this is the result.

The paper is from an old K & Company Matte Stack but the image is brand new, first time inked!  Lily Butterfly arrived on my doorstep a few weeks back, but she's been neglected.  With all the talk of spring, I wanted to make something bright and cheery.    I hope you like it.

My card qualifies for the following challenges:

Digital Tuesday Challenges - Spring Theme

All Sorts Challenge Blog - Spring is in the Air

Raise the Bar - Fuits of Labour

The Sweet Stop - Sketch

S2G Challenges - Spring/Pastels

I've been trying to gather and take a picture of the copics I use when I colour an image...so much easier than listing them.  So, here are the copics that I used for this image...you'll see that I'm trying to label all my Ciao's so they are easier to find.  I still used the computer for a couple of them.

Stamps:  Pink Cat Studio Lily Butterfly
Paper:  K & Co, CTMH Clover Leaf, Bubblegum

Ink:  Copic Markers, Memento Black
Accessories:  Bella Dots, Prima Flowers, Misc. Button

A Beary Special Girl

This week, I actually have some birthday cards that I need to make...we went to a party on Saturday and I realized that I was seriously lacking in "girly" birthday cards for kids.  Since my cousin's daughter is turning one this week I decided to use the Sunday Sketch & Stamp Sketch # 20 for her card.  I coloured this image back before Christmas, and let me tell you how nice it is to just pick up the image and go!

The paper is from my DCWV Sweet Stuff Glitter stack, and all I did was cut the paper, that faux lace was already there!  The best part about this digital image from Pink Cat Studio is that the sentiments are free!  I downloaded a few so that I can make a similar card for my stash!  Oh, and I can't take credit for the layout...I totally used Sunday Sketch & Stamp #20

I'm sick and tired of winter, how about you?  I pulled out some bright papers tonight and have been playing around a bit with a spring card.  Hopefully I'll be able to finish it up tomorrow and then I'll post it for you. 

Stamps:  Pink Cat Studio Lily Riding Polar Bear
Paper: DCWV, CTMH Blush, White Daisy
Ink: Copic Markers
Accessories:  SU Tag Punches, Prima Flower, CTMH Brads, Diamond Stickles

Merry & Bright

Christmas is over and life can now go back to normal...well, as normal as can be until the kids are in school again! 

I made this card last week for Sparkels 2010 Christmas Card Challenge Week# 3 and then forgot to post it.  But, I figure better late than never, right?!

Not much to say today...I'm at work half day today, then off to eye appointments with the kids, then home to play with...
MY NEW KITCHENAID MIXER!!!!!

I love my Mom!

Tomorrow, I'm taking the afternoon off work to spend some time catching up, and coloring images with BananaStamper. 

Stamps:  Lily in Winter Coat, AmyR Sentiment
Paper:  CTMH
Ink:  Copic Markers
Accessories: MS Snowflake Punch, Fiskars Threading Water punch, Misc. Fuzzy Brad

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

Happy Holidays

Another Christmas card today!  And, now that I've been posting my cards in sequence, I can see a Happy Holidays theme, rather than Merry Christmas...I wonder why?  Hmmmm.

The Layout for today's card is from a Sweet Sketch Wednesday...but I'm a week late.  The same usual suspects, Lily in a winter coat, Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses paper and copic markers.  But...if you click on the picture you'll see more detail and then you'll see that I used some poweder blue Fun Flock on her hat, scarf and muff.  I also used some Shimmers on the snowflakes, which were punched on white paper.  Thanks so much for looking today.

Teacher interviews were last night....the kids are doing well, thank goodness.  And, of course they were running late (I'd rather they be late and I get all my questions answered than be left wanting to ask questions, but run out of time) so we didn't get home until 7pm.  Rather than cook I ordered Pizza, we did homework and the kids went right to bed.  But, just before they went to bed my eldest looked at me with a serious look in her eye and asked, "Mom, Are we even having a Christmas Tree this year?".  Yikes...looks like I better get on the Christmas tree thing.  I promised it will be up before the weekend is done.  Pinky Promise!

Warm Hugs from Lily

Whew, I'm really on a Christmas kick now!  Although I made a whole bunch of Christmas cards throughout the year, I am still about 10 short, so that has been my focus every time I get a few minutes to craft.

I got this image from Pink Cat Studio, and she's digital so you'll see her pop up in different sizes over the next few weeks.  Her name is Lily in her winter coat. She was easy to colour, especially because I was able to colour sitting beside my laptop, so I pulled up a few pictures of the image already coloured.  I stamped her on Neenah Solar White 80lb paper...and let me tell you paper makes all the difference!  There was no bleeding and the paper stayed wet long enough for me to really blend my colours.

The sentiment is from Stamping Bella and the paper is Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses.  The layout is Splitcoast Sketch Challenge #255  Today I'm making a run for the border to pick up some packages...goodies!  Can't wait to show you all the fun stuff I have planned. 

Stamps:  Pink Cat Studio Lily in her winter coat, Stamping Bella Sentiment
Paper:  Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses, Bazzill
Ink:  Copic Markers
Accessories:  MS Snowflake Punch, Dollar store Gem

Monkey Baby

This card is just sweet...that's what I think when I see it.  I used a colour of cardstock that I'm sure I've had in my stash since I first started with CTMH back in 2006 - Taffy.  I think that most who have bought the paper pack samplers still have this hanging around.  Amazing that I would actually need it one day!  LOL!

I made this card for my daughter's teacher from last year.  She just a baby girl last week, a little earlier than expected.  We see her husband, who is also a teacher at our school, all the time so I'll be giving it to him today. 

The image came from Pink Cat Studio's and is called Giraffe and Monkey.  It's a digital stamp, and I can see that I am going to have so much fun with this one.  The layout is from Sunday Sketch and Stamp, although I didn't use the scalloped bit of the sketch.  Also amazing is that this ribbon that I picked up at the dollar store eons ago matches that darned Taffy paper perfectly.  This card must have been written in the stars.

New furnace is in and we're all toasty warm.  Looking forward to the weekend too...so much to do and so little time!  Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?  I'm thinking we might put up the tree this weekend, but don't tell the kids!

Stamps:  Pink Cat Studio Giraffe and Monkey
Paper:  CTMH Blush, Taffy and Basic Grey Two Scoops
Ink:  Copic Markers
Accessories:  Kaiser Craft Pearls, Misc. Dollar Store Ribbon.

2 Sketches 4 U Showdown!

So, I figured that my hubby's card came out so good with a sketch, I had better be looking for more Sketches! I found this one at 2 Sketches 4 U. They are having a Card Showdown, so I thought I'd put my card in the running.

Here is my card, based on the sketch.

It was super fun to use such bright coloured papers. I think we may give this one to our teacher this year...we'll see how creative I am before the end of school to determine that one! I hope you like it.

Stamps: Pink Cat Studio's Lily & Tweet, CTMH Sensational Seals
Paper: SU Cardstock, Kaiser Scrapbook Paper Playtime,
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic Markers
Accessories: Doodlebug Designs Button (from a baby pack), Prima Flower