Life Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

Good morning!  I had a quiet evening in the studio last night while watching DWTS so I tidied up a bit and perused some challenges. I saw the colours over on CR84FN so decided to play around with some papers and see if anything came together.  This is what I came up with :)  I also wanted to crack open some new Bazzill Card Shoppe cardstock that the sweet people over at Bazzill Basics sent me to play with :)  An endorsement!!  I feel {almost} famous!!  I LOVE their cardstock!  It’s 100 lb weight so it’s nice and sturdy for card bases.  The only things that worries me about the paper are the colour names…Butter Mints, Peanut Cluster, Candy Corn…really, I may just try to eat it all!!  They all look and sound and feel so delicious!! ACK!! Teehee!  For today’s card, I used Marshmallow (white) and Icy Mint (light blue).  YUM!!  Thanks for stopping by!  The weather is still lovely and the deck is getting a real workout!! LOL  Cheers!

what’s in it?

stamps: verve words of wisdom, pti beautiful butterflies

ink: versfine onyx

paper: Bazzill Basics marshmallow, icy mint, studio calico dp

accessories: verve rounded rectangle die, pti tag and butterfly dies, seambinding ribbon, gems, pti button, twinery bakers twine, stitching

Miss You

Good morning!  I had some extra time on the weekend while watching the Oscars to play along with the CR84FN colour challenge this week.  I just love this gorgeous palette!  Oh, kraft and yellow?  Get out of here!  I went for a soft grey on the jotted heart as well as with the sentiment banner and button on the bow :)  LOVE PTI’s soft stone paper.  It’s perfect when you have too much cream or white.  Have a lovely day and thanks so much for stopping by :)


what’s in it?
stamps: verve love notes, you and I
ink: versafine onyx, su going gray
paper: pti rustic cream, soft stone, my mind’s eye dp, kraft paper
accessories: verve jotted heart die, ms butterfly punch, seam binding, pti buttons, bakers twine, paper doily

Birthday Wishes and a few House Pix

Hello, dear friends!!  Happy Labour Day to those of you who get this lovely day off :)  It is officially my LAST day of vacation…it’s back at it tomorrow after a whirlwind of a summer :)  I have had lots of inky time this weekend and thought it would be fun to work with the CR84FN colours :)  I’ve used some of the last little bit of this fabulous aqua Webster’s Pages bloomer trim.  I think I have 2 little blossoms left on the desk waiting for a very special card ;)  The pin was part of the amazing blog candy I won from Clare Buswell last month (thanks again, Clare!). 

How about some more house pictures?  I was up there yesterday to check the process of the dry wall mud.  They’ve finished 2 coats and think they will be done Thursday…can’t wait…because then the painter comes in to prime everything :D  THEN the fun begins with installations (trim, fireplace, floor, kitchen, etc).  First up is the great room.  The fireplace will be to the right of this window.

Here’s the stairwell as seen from the great room. The doorway at the top is the laundry room :)

Here’s another street view…the outside has been black sheeted and wired for stone and stucco.  I have added these photos and a few more on The New House page if you want to see more :)

Thanks for popping by and for those of you starting work again tomorrow…all the best!! 

what’s in it?

stamps: verve making a statement

ink: versafine onyx

paper: pti rustic cream, blue, white, k and company dp

accessories: su scallop punch, webster’s pages bloomers, pti buttons, thread, pin

Home is Where the Heart Is

Good morning!! It’s been a whirlwind couple of days here.  As many of you know, we’ve been busy packing up the house and getting it ready to sell.  Well, we have a pending offer, subject to an inspection.  I’ll give more details once it’s all final.  So with the thought of leaving the house I bought on my own so many years ago, where I raised my son, where I dressed for my wedding and that saw me through so many other wonderful and sad times, I made this card.  I’ve been up since 6:00 this morning, not knowing what to do with myself, so I went up to the VERY CLEAN studio (because of the house showing) and started playing with the colours from the current CR84FN challenge.  Oh, I love pink and red together…how yummy!!  I knew I wanted a pink card base, but was unsure about which red patterned paper to use, so I flipped through all my pads and settled on this fun floral from October Afternoon Modern Homemaker.  I’ve also got a few more pics of the new house…first up is the stairway (to heaven! lol) to the second floor.  That’s our bedroom on the right, although it was tough to take pictures upstairs as it all just looks like wood boards.

This is the view from the French doors in our bedroom.  It’s boarded up right now for safety :)

And this is what it looks like as of yesterday.  The 3 windows on the left are in the guest room’s ensuite, the guest room is on the left of those.  So you can see the whole shape of the house now.  They are finishing the installation of doors and windows as I type!

Phew, well, I’d better get on with the day, I’m sure I’ll need a nap at some point!! LOL  Hope your weekend is lovely :)  Thanks for stopping by and sharing in our good news :)

 

what’s in it?

stamps: pti mat stack 1 collection, love lives here

ink: versafine onyx, pti sweet blush, versamark

paper: pti sweet blush, cream, DCWV and October Afternoon dps

accessories: pti mat stack 1 and love lives here dies, spellbinders tag dies, su ribbon, gems, bakers twine, stitching

Someone So Special

Good morning, friends :)  The last time I used this sentiment, it was for a sweet teacher retirement card.  Today, however, it is for a sympathy card.  Yesterday at mass I found out that a former colleague and friend had passed away.  I knew she had been ill, but wasn’t quite sure how things were going.  I saw her daughter’s wedding announcement in Saturday’s paper and was hopeful that she was feeling better with a wedding to celebrate.  Unfortunately, Saturday was when she passed.  I had been designing a card for the CR84FN colour challenge in my head this morning, but when I heard this sad news, I changed it to be a sympathy card that I’ll give to the family.  My dear friend had enormous faith, strength and love for her family.  She was an amazing and caring teacher and loved by so many students and parents.  It will be a difficult service to go to on Thursday, but a celebration of such a wonderful, inspiring woman.  I know I will never forget her.  I went for a soft, vintage look and paired my new Cosmo Cricket paper with some older October Afternoon.  I had this lovely yellow doily waiting and willing to be used in my scrap stash…I think it was the perfect addition, especially for this week’s colours.  Have a glorious day!!  Only a few more days and I’m off for the summer!!  Thanks for stopping by…come back tomorrow for my final post at the Featured Stamper over on A Passion for Papertrey…there’s another contest starting tomorrow!! 

what’s in it?

stamps: verve forever in our hearts, gina K lovely labels 3

ink: versafine onyx, su kiwi kiss

paper: pti cream, rustic cream, spring moss, cosmo cricket and october afternoon dps

accessories: pti doily die, ribbon, buttons, pearls, labels 20 nestabilities, stitching, ek success large doily border punch

Dream Big

Good morning!  Yes, it’s Monday, but there’s no staff meeting and this will be a fun week :)  The dh gets home late tonight which means “date night” is coming up soon and Wednesday I meet with an interior designer to help plan the “fun” parts of the new house :) Today’s card uses the colours from the new CR84FN challenge.  I don’t usually use just blue and yellow, but add kraft and how can I resist?  This card went through many transformations before ending up like the one you see here.  The mojo was fighting me this weekend! Now that we are heading into Graduation Season, I thought I’d make a few inspiring cards.  I just love this sentiment from Verve’s Dream Big set.  The perfect way to say  “congrats to the grad.”  I hope today finds you well and happy.  Thanks so much for stopping by :) 

 

what’s in it?

stamps: Dream Big (Verve)

paper: kraft, ocean’s tide, white (PTI), early espresso (SU!), picket fence (Lilybee Design)

ink: onyx (versafine), barely banana (SU!)

accessories: circle and scalloped circle nestabilities (Spellbinders), limitless layers die (PTI), grosgrain ribbon, button, twine (PTI), seeing spots embossing folder (Cuttlebug), stitching, gems (Kaisercraft)

Vintage Style

Good morning!  Well, it’s back to work today after an extra long weekend…as much as I love them, it’s hard to get back into the swing of things.  Now it’s the short, busy stretch to the summer!  Today’s card is for this week’s CR84FN colour challenge.  I couldn’t resist the purples with kraft…totally yummy!  I also wanted to use some of my favourite things lately…button cards, corrugated butterfly (I hope Starbucks is not noticing I’m taking 2 sleeves when I visit!! lol), and doilies…okay, funny little story about this card.  I go to take the picture and the large white doily starts coming apart.  It was actually 4 doilies stuck together!! BONUS!!  Although it was tricky pulling them off and not ripping some paper or my beloved button card!  Have a wonderful day and thanks for visiting :)

 

what’s in it?

stamps: pti button boutiqe

paper: pti kraft, plum pudding, rustic cream, various scrap dps

ink: versafine onyx, memory box lilac, su sahara sand

accessories: pti button card, mat 4 dies, mft butterflies die, pti buttons and ribbon, stitching, gems, doily, cuttlebug ef, Starbucks corrugated sleeve :)

Happy Birthday

 

Greetings, everyone!! Well, Spring sort of arrived last week, then went away then came back yesterday…I even spotted some Iris buds peeking out of the bunch of leaves…proof that Spring is (sort of) here!  Today’s card is for this week’s CR84FN colour challenge: grey, cream and bright pink.  Oh, what a yummy combo!  Polka dots and a pink butterfly came to mind at first and then I just played around with the different shades of grey.  I just love layering different shapes together, kind of like putting a 3D vertical puzzle together.  Has Spring arrived at your house?  I hope so and let’s hope it lasts!!  I’ll leave you with the next photo of the house…the boards are off and the sides get tarred tomorrow.  The next step is drainage and services into the house…the framing starts in 2 weeks!!  Cheers!

You may have heard this saying…”If they don’t find you handsome, make sure they find you handy.”  I have the best of both worlds :D {wink!}  This is kind of a cool pic as you really get to see how far down the house is…most of this will eventually be underground.

what’s in it?

stamps: verve big wish, pti polka dot basics 2

ink: versafine onyx, versamark

paper: pti raspberry fizz, cream, musical background dp; su going grey and basic grey, echo park dp, glitter cardstock

accessories: verve vintage oval die, su scallop and 1 3/4 punches, pti scallop and doily dies, ms butterfly punch, pti ribbon, gems, stitching, corner chomper

Happy Birthday

Good morning!  Well, it’s hump day and we have been having gorgeous weather so far this week {smile!}.  Today’s card uses the CR84FN colours this week, kraft, gold and pale yellow.  Hmm, is it just me or are you thinking lattes and lemon bars?  LOL  All I can say is “DELICIOUS!” I have made peace with this Parisian Doily die and now happily, er well, sort of happily, punch out all the little bits stuck inside after cutting.  The detail of it is just too fabulous to be upset for long :)  And again, a doily in ANY colour!!  I can’t resist it!  I also had to break out the Button Boutique set and use one of the stamps I haven’t inked yet.  The buttons are wood and I’ve made another fun music sheet blossom :)  Thanks for stopping by today!! Hope your Wednesday is fabulous :)

 

what’s in it?

stamps: verve big wish, pti button boutique

ink: versafine onyx, su choc chip, pti tea dye duo

paper: pti kraft, rustic cream, lemon tart, cosmo cricket, music sheet paper

accessories: pti doily, banner, blossom and button card dies, crystal brad, satin ribbon, wood buttons, twine

Mom

One word today, very simple…Mom.  I didn’t really think about this one word until I uploaded the picture and actually looked at that one word.  {now the tears come}.  Some of you know I lost my mom about a year and a half ago to Alzheimers.  Life does go on, though I must say the hardest time is Mother’s Day and making these cards for everyone else’s mom but my own.  The dh loved this card and so has already claimed it for his mom :)  I couldn’t help but be inspired by the beautiful colour palette over on the CR84FN challenge blog.  One can’t get much yummier than aqua and cream.  Two colours I plan to use a lot of in the new ensuite!! LOL  Yay, it’s Wednesday and a short week!!  Wishing you a fabulous day and thanks for visiting!!

 

what’s in it?

stamps: verve love deepens, blessings

ink: versafine onyx, su soft sky, pti tea dye duo

paper: pti cream, su espresso, soft sky, basicgrey dp, music sheet paper

accessories: fleur de lis and circle nestabilities, prima flowers, gems, doily, stitching, pti ribbon and buttons, twine

Good Things are Worth the Wait

Good afternoon!!  Well, I’ve been busy in the studio today, catching up on my “to-do” list :)  I went to town with the dies today…having lots of fun layering and playing with papers.  I’m using the colours from this week’s CR84FN Inspiration photo.  I love this sentiment from Verve’s Big Wish set.  It’s very similar to the one the dh and I had for our wedding announcement in the newspaper 4 years ago (The best things in life are worth the wait).  Thanks for stopping by and have a great start to your week :)

 

what’s in it?

stamps: verve big wish

ink: versafine onyx

paper: pti kraft, cream, su kiwi, espresso, pti and october afternoon dps

accessories: pti limitless layers dies, tag #3 die, buttons, seam binding ribbon, gems, twine, stitching

Belated Birthday Wishes…

St. Pat’s Fact: What's good luck on Saint Patrick's Day?: Finding a four-leaf clover (that's double the good luck it usually is). Wearing green. (School children started this tradition of their own -- they used to pinch classmates who don't wear green on this holiday). Kissing the blarney stone.  AND hugging me on my birthday!! Okay, that’s lucky for me ;) I’ve always thought I was lucky to be born on this day :)

…are something you won’t have to send me if you’ve already mailed my card or are planning on popping by the old blog on my birthday ;)  lol   Today’s card is for a new challenge, CR84FN, I found through Jean Martin’s blog.  I discovered Jean through Stacey’s Curtain Call Colour challenge while she was part of the design team.  I LOVE her vintage/shabby style and the way she rocks Waltzingmouse Stamps as part of their Mischief Makers design team.  She has inspired me to crack open my WMS binder and start using them!!  Labels 10 is a tricky shape, but when used with the Waltzingmouse Labels 10 stamps it becomes divine IMHO.  So this card uses the CR84FN colours this week.  I haven’t made a quilted background for awhile so dug through my blue patterned paper bag to find a few pieces to use.  I usually stamp my sentiments in black, but the SU bordering blue was open beside my black stamp pad and I accidentally stamped in on that!! LOL  I didn’t want to start over, so left it…but I think it works :)  Hope you are having a fabulous day…only 2 more till St. Patrick’s Day…how will you celebrate?  Hope you come by…there may be a little celebration here {wink,wink!}

 

what’s in it?

stamps: waltzingmouse fancy phrases, very vintage labels 10

ink: su soft sky, bordering blue

paper: pti kraft, cream, su baja blue, basicgrey and october afternoon dps

accessories: labels 10 nestabilities, gems, seam binding ribbon, dritz pins, prima flower, stitching