Happy New Year 2009!

I don't have any cards to post, but wanted to wish everyone and Happy Healthy 2009! I'm making my first resolution right now, to do more crafting in 2009 (I have to keep up with Jessica!). Anyway, all the best to everyone.....

Merry Christmas to all and to all a snowy night!

Well, all that gearing up for 1 day... now it's over! Not quite up on my postings, but at least I can use the holidays as an excuse. I had a great time with family and of course watching Grant (my nephew) opening his gifts. My Dad dressed up as Santa and Grant wasn't quite sure about it. We got to have a skype chat with my sister and niece, Kira from New Zealand. It would be great to get us all together one year..... As much as I liked having a White Christmas, things are getting a little ridiculous. I shoveled the driveway TWICE today. It snowed 5 inches in 2 hours, and that's on top of everything we've gotten in the last 5 days. I stepped into the snow in the backyard and it's up to my knees! CRAZY! This may be the first year I LOSE weight at Christmas!

I got a Christmas bonus this year which was nice. Not used to that! I'm just trying to figure out what to do with it now... I'm thinking maybe Copic markers or the ones from Stampin' Up. Any thoughts????????? Or maybe an iTouch??? Hmm or a Wii??? Oh the choices....... Did anyone do any Boxing Day shopping?

I was going to craft today, but that hasn't happened. Maybe tomorrow. I'd like to make some Christmas Thank-you cards..... I'll try not to wait 3 weeks to update again. Oh and you'll notice that in New Zealand they DON'T have a White Christmas!

Get into the Groove.......

It's been my usual week or so since I posted anything, in that time we got our Christmas tree, decorated it and that's about it. I'm not sure why it's taking me so long to get into the holiday spirit. Gord's working tonight so I figured I better get started on cards....... I feel like I got alot accomplished since the cards I made are so easy.

The first one is something I saw on the Impress website. This was the first stamp company that got me addicted to crafting. I have to say that I've neglected their stamps a bit since I got into the Amuse ones (and I don't see a whole lot of them up here) but they have GREAT ideas. Maybe I'll have to go on a crafting weekend to Seattle in the New Year (after all the bills are paid!). Anyone else want to go???????? Anyway, back to the cards..... I used a small leaf punch for the antlers and a red embellishment for Rudolphs nose. I backed it onto a red scalloped rectangle and attached to the card with pop-dots. Not too much bling, but I like it that way. MUCH simpler than Jess' cards, but then I'M also much simpler than her!

The second card is a bit fancier. I saw this on an Amuse website and loved the colours. The original I saw had ribbon instead of "bling". I think the tape covered with glitter adds a little something extra and complements the stickles on the dove. Again, EASY (that should be my middle name, oh wait, that sounds bad, I mean I like EASY cards!). Enough of the blog, I better get some cards done before I get out of the groove.

Stamps by Amuse.

Punches by Punch Bunch and Marvy.

Blue Madeira paper by Amuse.

Stickles.

Thoughts?

Here are a couple cards I made tonight. I love the Hippie Snowchick from Amuse! I like it framed by the Label classic stamp from Stampin' Up, but again, wasn't sure where to go with it. I decided to use the colours of the flowers in her hair to "frame" the frame. It's not the usual Christmas colours but I like that.

My Dad wanted a "religious" type Christmas card to send a few people and thought it would be a good time to use my Amuse Bethlehem stamp. I bought it last year and although I must have seen a card made with it, I didn't know what to do. I used a tiny Amuse creative candy twinkle sticker star above the stable to add a little something. I also used pop dots on the matted design to add some dimension.

If you have any thoughts on these cards I'd appreciate the feedback. THANKS!


Stamps by Amuse.
Blue card by Memory Box.

Tomorrow's December!

Ok, so it seems that I'll be updating once a week, but at least I'm still at it! I can't believe tomorrow's already December 1st! I guess I should get going on those Christmas cards... I should also think about sending my niece's gifts as she lives in New Zealand! She'll get them in time, but it'll cost me $$$! Oh well, I always have great plans to get it all done early, guess not this year.

Here's a couple cards I've made. I finally got my all my orders from Jessica so I'm excited to get going! This first one is a card I made for Helena for her engagement. I like that it was simple and quick. I'll probably make more using other Circle of Friendship stamps as they come in different sayings for different occasions.

The second card is one I saw on Splitcoast Stampers. Again, VERY quick and easy. I think I'll be asking for some GOOD pencil crayons, watercolour pencils or felts. The ones I have don't seem to have great colour, guess that's what you get when you buy cheap! I've thought about the Copic markers, but haven't decided yet.

Anyway, that's what I've done so far. Funny thing is, I didn't use any of the stuff I picked up from Jes. Gord works tomorrow and Tuesday night, so hopefully I'll get back into it. I also want to start decorating for Christmas so we'll see what happens.

Stamps by Amuse and Stampin' Up.

Crystals by Amuse.

Yay, I did some crafting!

I said I'd get some crafting done and although I didn't get ALOT done, I did complete a couple cards I needed.

Gord needed some Thank-you cards which I had a bit of trouble coming up with. I wanted them to be "gender neutral" which can be difficult. I saw a card similar to this on Splitcoast Stampers, made by Julie Ebersole. I like that its clean, simple and easy. I coloured the trees with a white gel pen making it look more like a "rustic" birch tree.

The Christmas card is one I made at Carrie's Stampin' Up party. I love the snowman, but had to stop myself from buying it as I have TONS of Christmas stamps already. Maybe next year. I did buy the paper though as I love the colours together. I think I'll make some of my Christmas cards similar to this but with a different stamp. I also learned a new trick to attaching ribbon. You knot it, then glue dot the edges to the back of the top layer. ALOT easier than trying to tie a bow.

The last card pic is of a birthday card and matching gift card holder. I have a problem using patterned paper. I either don't WANT to use it cause I like it so much or I don't know HOW to use it. I covered the gift card tin first, then decided to make a the matching card, problem being that since I usually make cards with patterned paper, I didn't know what to do! I cut 2 squares of the paper (one using the pink side as a border for the patterned side) but didn't know what to do from there. I ended up cutting a few flowers out and attaching them with pop-dots to add some dimention. It still seemed to plain, so I added some crystal dots to add some bling. I figured Jenny was worth the bling AND the patterned paper (see Jes, I DO use my "special stuff" sometimes...).

Stamps by Amuse and Stampin Up'.

Paper by Bazzill, Stampin Up' and Scrap Works.

Crystals by Amuse.

Ribbon by Stampin Up'.

Copic Candy!

Check out Debbie's blog, she's giving away Copic Markers (among other stuff!) for reaching almost 12,000 hits! I LOVE the paper............ Oh, and all the other stuff!

Festive

So it's 2:49pm and I was supposed to stay home all day and craft.... I ended up going to Scrap Arts to see if they had any cuttlebug christmas embossing folders. They didn't have any I liked, but of course I ended up buying other stuff! While I was there I was telling Shelley (the owner), how I had started a blog and she showed me a link to make it all pretty!!!! Of course I had to come home and check it out... I did have other errands to run so I don't want anyone to think I was at the crafting store all this time! Now that my blog looks all pretty, I'm inspired to get going on some stuff, but where to start?

Any REAL visitors out there?

If you look at my visitors count (bottom right), it looks like my blog is super popular. Who would have thought I'd have that many visitors in a month! Oh ya, I haven't. Apparently the setting was wrong and I've been counting all my own visits! I thought Jessica had configured it all when she set it up. Guess not. I wonder how many REAL visitors I've actually had? Maybe I shouldn't have said anything and just let people think I'm loved by all.....

Oh well, if you ARE a real visitor, thanks for visiting and leave a comment if you feel like it!

I'm Back.......... Kind of...

Ok, so I haven't written for a little bit. 21 days actually, but I've actually been busy. I went to Regina for G's graduation which was AMAZING. I can't believe its been 6 months! It wasn't bad considering it was November. I think it only got down to -8 but it was nice and sunny during the day (freezing rain over night).

I got home on Remembrance Day (unfortunately I missed going to the Cenotaph), had to finish loading my Mom's iTouch (I'm NOT an electronics type person) and loaded all the pics I took at G's grad to my computer (while somehow duplicating all 307 of them... twice, to different folders!).

It was my Mom's 60th birthday on the 12th and since I knew I'd be there for dinner and cake that night, G was coming home on the 13th and a bunch of his friends were having a surprise party for him HERE on the 14th, I had to clean and organize before he came home. Needless to say that I was up until 1:30am a couple of nights. At least I'm a night owl.

G's flight was supposed to be in around 8:30am, but due to weather problems he was stuck in the Regina airport for about 10/11 hours. Let me tell you, there is NOTHING to do in that airport. Poor guy didn't get home until 8:00pm. Not the happy welcome home I thought it would be. To get him out of the house for the party Friday night, I told him we needed to return my parents luggage to them and it seemed to work out. We had a great night.

I guess since all that it's just been work for me, starting a new job for G and both of us getting used to each other again! I'm hoping to stay home all day tomorrow (G works day shift) and craft (you've heard that before, but no HSM marathon this weekend!) so I'll hopefully have some new card pics up tomorrow. I have birthday, Christmas and Thank-you's to make. Wish me luck!

Oops

Ok, I was hoping to make some cards the other night after having a great time at Carrie's, BUT, that didn't happen. I got doing other stuff, it got late yadda, yadda.... Unfortunately it won't happen now for a bit as I'm getting ready to go to Regina on Friday for Gord's grad!!!! I'm only there for 4 days, but then I have my Mom's 60th birthday, cleaning before Gord gets home and spending time with him. I can't believe it's almost here after 6 long months, although, I've gotten used to having the house to myself....................

On another note, Obama for president. His speech sounded good, I just hope he really can change things for the better. I wonder how many Americans watched our election... Tee, Hee. They don't even know we HAD an election! At least in the U.S. they've changed their government.

Anyway, in the time I've spent here on the couch, watching TV and being on the computer, I could have made 4 cards. Oh well, I was watching history being made.

I'm heading off to bed now as I think I may be getting sick, and the timing couldn't be worse!

Halloween...........

Well, I haven't posted anything for a week, I hope this isn't the beginning of the end! Not much has happened, except of course Halloween. I'm not so much into Halloween, but my friends are. It actually works out pretty good for me, I don't have to buy candy or answer the door I just go over to their place! Here are some photos of the house. They even decorate INSIDE! My favorites are the pumpkin tree and the swinging skeleton (didn't get a picture!) These people actually take special trips down the states to buy halloween stuff, they even headed down yesterday to stock up on deals! I guess I'm more of a Christmas person................

I went to a Stampin' Up party at Carrie's house today. I bought more than I planned, but that's not surprising........... It DID inspire me though, so that's a good thing!! I'm hoping to make a couple of cards tonight, so stay tuned. By the way, I think I'm going to have a party in Feb/Mar, so if anyone's interested, I still have alot on my wish list!

HSM or crafting?????

Well, I had planned on crafting all day today, but it didn't happen. I didn't plan on having a High School Musical marathon this weekend either and that DID happen! I looked after my friends kids Saturday night and ended up watching High School Musical 1 and 2. Is it just me or does it remind anyone else of Grease?!

Carly, J.J. and I hung out in the kitchen watching the movies while Max rested and watched his shows in the living room as he wasn't feeling well. It was quite a peaceful night!

Liz and Jason have started decorating the house for Halloween as that's their BIG holiday. Pumpkins hanging in trees, rats, heads on sticks, skeletons swinging from the trees............ It's quite the setup. They also decorate INSIDE and have a lifesize creepy guy that lifts his head off his shoulders. It freaked me out everytime I went back into the kitchen (after checking on Max). If anyone's in North Vancouver they should check it out! I'll try to post some pics.

So getting to the reason I didn't craft today................... I took the kids to HSM 3!!! On opening weekend! Liz mentioned they wanted to go and suggested I may like to take them since I was "on a role" with it all. I can't even remember the last movie I saw in the theatre. Anyway, considering I'm a little older than the intended audience, it wasn't so bad.

Actually I DID make one card earlier today. I used the Cuttlebug divine swirls and to make it a little fancier I went over the swirls with Star dust Stickles.

Autumn giveway

Here's a cool giveaway to celebrate Autumn over at the Hero Club Blog..... check it out!

Good times...

Tonight I had a nice get together with some old co-workers from BCCA. It was hard for me to leave my position there a few months back, but it helps to know that I've made friendships that will last a lifetime....

On the first day of Christmas

OK, here's the start of my Christmas cards. I bought this stamp last year but never used it. I didn't quite know what to do with it. Jessica had the idea to make it look like a snow globe. I don't think it necessarily looks like one, but I think it turned out alright. I used Stickles for the snow on the ground and roof and around the circle for added decoration.

Stamps by A Muse and Inkadinkado. Giga scalloped punch by Marvy.

Needs something more......

This is another late night card. I think it needs something more but can't quite figure out what. I used mini dot stickers for the "light bulbs". Does anyone have any ideas??????

Stamps by A Muse and Hero Arts. Embellishments by A Muse.

Late night crafting

So this is what I came up with last night when I should have been going to bed... I used the square Mega Marvy punch on the front of the card and stamped the bird on the inside. To fancy it up I used Stickles on the hat. It was easy, so I think I'll be making more of them.

Stamps by A Muse. Not quite sure who the flower embellishment is by......

Fancy Schmancy

I obviously didn't make this card, but my Mom thought it was pretty cool....... I received it from the dealership I bought my car from (they're trying to get me to spend more $$$ for the new model!). It IS pretty impressive. I told Jessica about it and I think she's pretty jealous since she copied me and bought the same car (different place) but didn't receive one of these. Oh well, I guess we know who's won now..........................

Stars

Here's another card I made for Jessica's blog candy, not so sure about it..... I'm thinking maybe I should have just put another star instead of the tag. Hmm, but at least I'm back to making cards!

Stamps by A Muse.

Shiny, sparkly candy!

Check out the haul over at Shimmerz Paints, LOVE IT!!! There are so many uses..........

http://shimmerzpaints.blogspot.com/2008/10/colors-and-candy.html

Night owl..........

I'm just wondering why it is that I get started on things around 10:00pm? It's not that I'm tired or anything earlier on in the evening, I just get motivated to do things when I should be getting ready for bed! I've sat around all night, and now I think I'll start making cards. What's up with that? Last night I was up at 1:00am and it felt like it was 8:00pm!!!!!!!!!! I pretty much had to MAKE myself go to bed. If anyone has any ideas on how to change this, I'd appreciate it, but for now I'm feeling crafty....................

Eat it up Army dude...

I finally got out of the house this weekend and had a sleepover at Jessica's for a craft-a-thon/computer tutorial (hence the blog!). Her daughter Chloe is hilarious and comes up with the craziest stuff! At breakfast she kept saying "Eat it up army dude", at least that's what I thought she was saying. Maybe we should check with Lamar at daycare since that's where she says she got it from. Of course, she also gets the crazy stuff from Jess' aunts.... Anyone know where I can get a Goat or a Boat???????????

My second Blog Candy entry!

Here's my second attempt at getting some candy! This is for Jessica's challenge JJSC003 Igot the simple yet sophisticated idea from Julie Ebersole at Paper Trufflez, check out her fantabulous blog!

Stamps by A Muse and Pink Cat Studio.

Boler Christmas

Nothing like singing Christmas carols around an open fire........... We have a Boler trailer and enjoy taking it out. Even if it means being a little on the chilly side. Just means more blankets and some whisky.

Stamps by A Muse and Memory Box

I'm on a roll..............

Looks like I could be getting the hang of this. This one's good since I have trouble making "masculine" cards. Stamp by A Muse. Stickles. Scalloped rectangle punch by Marvy.

First Card up

This card would have been great for Jessica's blog candy, if only I hadn't layered. Of course then it wouldn't look the same! Both stamps on the card are from A Muse.

Blog candy

Check out Emily Kate's blog for some VERY yummy candy.

Welcome to my Blog....

Hmm, not quite sure what this is all about, but I guess I'll find out along the way. I may have to get my computer geek friend to help out every now and then, but I'm sure she won't mind since I'm her mini-me.