Thursday, June 30, 2011

Cherry Love

Here we are at another lovely Friday and it's a Free For All Friday at Flourishes.  You'll see some great things from the girls;  a Featured Tutorial from Barbara on the FLLC Blog, some Christmas Spirit Challenge cards....and some Free for All!

July 2nd is our 17th Anniversary!  I can hardly believe how quickly the years have gone :)  I am incredibly blessed to be married to this man.  He is such a great man, and he loves me well, and I am so grateful to be able to love him back and build our life together.  I am very happily married.  :)

So, I created an Anniversary card for him, we're going on a date tonight and part of tomorrow because the kids are staying at my parents.  Woo Hoo!


I used the very gorgeous Cherries and Peaches set from Flourishes.  We planted a cherry tree in our backyard that we love ...from it's blossoms in the spring to being able to have cherry pie in the summer and fall.  It really is doing well this year, so I hope for LOTS of cherries!  The sketch is this weeks Mojo Circle/Square sketch.  I've colored up the cherries with Copics, and used the gorgeous paper in the Yacht Club Kit from Webster's.  Then I added some lovely silk ribbon in a fancy bow with tails and some pretty accents in the swirly rhinestones and Webster's accent.  


I cut out the shapes with my Grand Calibur and the Grand Scalloped Circles Die, Grand Circles Die and Labels One, plus the Ribbon Banners.  

So now you can head on over to see a variety of loveliness from the rest of the team.

Stamps:  Flourishes Cherries and Peaches, Wedded Bliss;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;  Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Flourishes Classic Ivory, Webster's Pages - Yacht Club;  Accessories:  Grand Calibur, Grand Scalloped Circles Die, Grand Circles Die, Labels One Nestabilities, Ribbon Banners Shapeabilities, Silk Ribbon, Bow Easy, Zva Rhinestones, Websters Flowers, Copic Markers, Dimensionals. 

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Viva La...Fun Day Two

Hey there gang I'm back with another couple of cards with some of the Viva La Verve sketches this month.

Here is Sketch Number Three

This card was for our middle son's friend's Birthday (that's a mouthful).  She's a lot of fun and I thought this would be perfect for her....


As with the other two cards, I used the Memory Box Jubilee papers paired with the fun sketch to create the card.  The set is Chicks Rule, which was perfect for the occasion.


Though there is a lot of color in this card, but you can see that I went with more of a tone on tone look.  Chickie is colored up with Copics and I've used different Nestabilities to create the scallops and framing. (Rectangles Nestabilities, Fair Isle Border Petites and Eyelet Circles).

Here's the little gift card holder that goes along with it.  Super simple, but cuter than trying to wrap something, or just stick it in the card.  It's 8 1/2 x 6 1/2 ish?  Scored at 3 inches and 6 inches.



And now the last sketch

This will go to a Teacher that is leaving our school to be a Principal of another school.  She means a great deal to us.  


When our daughter was in Grade 5 she had this teacher, it was the same year that my husband was diagnosed with Cancer.  The one thing that I knew would be challenging is how our kids would handle all of this, and it was really hard on each of them in different ways.  My daughter in particular didn't want to tell anyone in class about her Daddy having Cancer or treatment.  But I knew she needed a safe place at school when things got difficult for her.  So we and her teacher worked up a secret system by which our daughter would just have to give a signal if she wasn't doing alright and could go out of the classroom, and this teacher was always available to talk if our daughter needed it.  It meant the world to her and to us, she really was a safe place for our kids.  Last year this teacher took over as Principal of our school when our Principal was being treated for Breast Cancer, and now she is taking on her own school.  We will miss her VERY much.  

Ok...the card...just following a fun sketch :)  The duck is colored with copics and I gave her a greeny glow to link better to the papers, I did some piercing and accenting with copic colored rhinestones, and a double bow in this sheer dotted ribbon in two colors.  


OK Dokey everyone...I've completed some FUN and all the Viva La Verve sketches...and have all my Teachers's Gifts DONE, given and the school year is over!  Bring on the summer!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Viva La ....Fun!

Things have been busy lately...so much in our little life.  :)

I'll throw in the Cliff Notes Version.  Our oldest son broke his big toe playing soccer, so that meant he was out of the Ball Hockey playoffs this weekend which really was a tough pill for him to swallow - though he didn't complain;  my husband left on the Ride to Conquer Cancer (he did great and 8.6 million dollars was raised from the over 2200 riders for Cancer Research and treatment!) but now has tendonitis in his achilles!  There were 3 ball hockey playoff games this weekend, and a ball hockey party to take the boys to (even if our oldest couldn't play). I taught the last of 4 Baptism classes to our youth in the class, our daughter wrote her last JH Provincial Exam today, and the next step is High School!  Our son had his Grade 6 Farewell Celebration today, and in the next two days the boys will be done school.  Whew!

And...I still haven't done teacher's gifts!

When things are busy I don't have much time for anything other than Design Team work.  Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE the DT work and the companies I work for.  It really makes me happy, and I'm so grateful.  But there are times when it's nice to stamp with whatever strikes my fancy!

So, for the Teacher's Cards this year I'll be playing along with the Viva La Verve June sketches today and tomorrow, hopefully finish them all up with some Verve stamps I haven't even had a chance to use yet.  So here's the first two cards and sketches.    Here's sketch #1



I decided that with all four cards I'm going to use the same papers, so these are made with Memory Box Jubilee, and I used the Chicks Rule stamp set from Verve as well as the smaller butterfly from Eggstra Special.   I've colored them up with Copic Markers and then gave them the look of flight, bending their wings and popping them up.  


Because I added the ribbon on the bottom right, I balanced it by adding some fancy swirly piercing with an Ornare Template along the top right, with some pretty pearls.  I really love how it turned out!

Now here's sketch #2


This one uses the same paper, just pages with more of a pink, red and green tone.  This Verve set is called Sweet Treats.  Really simple straight stamping on this one with some pretty felt flowers and different sized gems as accents.  

So stay tuned tomorrow for sketch number 3 and 4.  :)

*** Some of you have asked if I would sell my SU items over the blog.  I have considered it MANY times, the big thing is the postage, which isn't as straightforward here in Canada....but once the Postal Strike has been rectified (they've been called back to work), I'll do some investigating and let you all know.  I still have lots I'd love to sell and find these things a new creative home.

*** Some of you have also asked for a new avatar pic of my new haircut  :)  Still working on that one!  I've asked one of my former students who's in Photo Journalism to come and take some pics, but we've not found a time yet.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Make a Splash

So did you have fun last week looking at all the New Release sets from There She Goes?  I had so much fun playing with them, so I thought I'd show you another card today from the new sets.  Today we have a new TSG Challenge from Iwona...A Challenge to Die for....it's to use at least 3 dies/punches on your card.

So I had fun playing with my Grand Calibur, Grand Creative Book Dies and this great set, Make a Splash.   Isn't she a red-headed beauty?  You can click on this pic to see it closer too :)


I took the die and cut out the largest scallop edged shape from the Creative Book Dies, and then scored it at the 1/2 way point to form a long narrow card, then used one of the smaller dies from the same set to make the Kraft layer.  Then I added the Webster's pages - Yacht Club as the DP, it has the perfect seaside theme.   I also used the Mega Long Deckled Rectangles Die on the main image and also the MFT Clouds die for my seaside sky.



Coloring is done with Copic Markers, and a little twill and twine and some corduroy brads as accent.

Now how about YOU join us in this Challenge to Die For.  Enter your submission at the TSG Blog and you could win $ to the TSG store!

Stamps:  TSG - Make a Splash;  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black;  Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Kraft, Flourishes Classic White, Webster's Pages - Yacht Club;  Accessories:  Grand Calibur, Creative Book Pages, Mega Deckled Rectangles Nestabilities, Copic Markers, Corduroy Brads, Twill, Twine, Dimensionals, MFT Clouds DieNamics

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Farmer's Market Raspberries



How about another look at the beautiful Kit of the Month at Flourishes - Yacht Club?  I believe there are only a couple of kits left in the store, so I thought I'd try and entice you once again :)


I LOVE raspberries, they are amoung my very favourite orchard type fruit...we have a little patch in our backyard, and when I can keep my kids from stealing them all from me :)... I have them just out my back door!  So this page from the Yacht Club kit looked just like a farmer's market and I love the raspberries spilling out of the basket in the bottom corner.  And it's also such a beautiful Flourishes set, Berry Sweet.  


This is a 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch card and I used the very pretty brad and ribbon from the kit too.  Do you like my cute little postage stamp punch?  I stamped the single berry in vanilla ink it.  Coloring is done with Copic Markers and I've added the blue glow around the raspberries too -  to more closely match the feel of the paper.  Isn't that Rectangle Fleur De Lis die  gorgeous?  It adds such elegance!  I did a little out of the box cutting to make it work better as well.  It would be a shame to cut off those pretty blossoms on the left!

A little wonky sewing in there to border up the edges of the paper and it's complete!  

Now for more Friday inspiration you can see the rest of the very talented and wonderful DT 

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Ride to Conquer Cancer Blog Candy Winners!

**if you're looking for my TSG New Release Post ....just scroll down a little :) **

First off I just need to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you gave and wrote about on the blog about the Ride to Conquer Cancer this weekend for my husband, and even about my hair cut :) .  It was such a blessing to read your stories, hear the comments you left my husband, and to see your generosity for his fundraising.  He reached his personal goal of $3000!  Thank you SO MUCH everyone.  Terry and I felt really touched, I may never meet some of you in person, but I send you a great big hug right now.  

Just this past weekend I heard of two people who are now fighting cancer.  They will not be easy fights, and my heart goes out to them and we are praying for them.  It's my prayer that the money from this ride continues to provide what researchers need to find cures and treatment for the many forms of cancer.  

Alrighty...on to the fun I put all the names in a hat and my beloved drew the winners...

Here are the winners:  

Prize One:  Beth Miller

Prize Two:  Emily Keaton

Prize Three:  Darlene

You have 48 hours to contact me by email to send me your snail mail address or I'll draw new names... that being said we are in a mail strike in Canada - so you prizes WILL be delayed in mailing.  I'll keep you posted when I've been able to send them.

BUT!  I want to send a card to any of you who donated to Terry's ride as a small thank you....so please send me your addresses if you donated and I'll get that out to you as soon as I can!

Thank you again for your kindness and making a difference!

Make A Splash


Ooo what a fantastic set we have to show you today!  I just LOVE its sweetness and whimsy, and it's perfect for some beautiful summer days....illustrated by none other than the wonderful Torico...


One of the best things about the summer is being able to go for a refreshing swim. Whether you prefer a lake, ocean or pool- you will love this new stamp set illustrated by Torico! Make A Splash will have you saying “Mermaids, seahorse and fish ohmy!”. 


I created this fun and refreshing scene with two of the stamps in the set, the mermaid jumping out of the water and then the little Dory fishy, splash and second layer of waves.  I've popped up the fish and the smaller wave as well.  

I wanted to get a wavy feel to the water, so I used my copics in that swooshy style, and then I used pointillism on the mermaid to add to the shading and as well on the fun sentiment too.  


She's just the cutest little mermaid anywhere!  This paper pack On the Coast by sei is perfect, and it has some raised dotted elements and shimmer that were great for some of the dots I have going on in the coloring.  I finished the inner panels with the dotted wavy border punch to look like waves too.  



Then I took out my Fancy Tags Die, cut one end off (looks a little like a fish doesn't it?) then colored in the sentiment with more of those dots so it looks like water.  Kinda fun?!

Make A Splash is a 4x8 set that includes a total of 21stamps and will sell for $18

Would you like a chance to win the Make A Splash stamp set? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Make A Splash Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Make A Splash stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday (June 25th) during the Release Party Chat. 

So if you came from the lovely Ann's place to here ...now you can head to the equally lovely Corinna's Blog!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

White Wall Tires and Hawaii

It's Day 2 of New Releases at TSG!  A fun combined post for you today showing off two fantastic new sets!

This adorable car illustrated by Melyssa is great to make a fun, every day card for family and friends! The larger car featured in this mini set was sized so that it could also be used with Leah (who can be seen in the Freeze The Moment stamp set). 


The other day we were driving somewhere and I saw a lime green car.  I told the kids and my hubbie, "I'd totally drive a green car".  It's my favourite color and how FUN hey?  So that inspired this card.  Isn't this little car just adorable?   I colored it up to be lime green (with white wall tires) with my Copics and then added some "exhaust" with the clouds from the Aim for the Clouds set, and then grounded the image by using my Copic multi-liner pen tracing over the Deckled Nestability die.  Then I added some green grass by sponging along the bottom, it sort of adds to the "exhaust" feel too :)  


The papers are Cosmo Cricket - The Boyfriend, and I matched the buttons to the strips along the bottom.  Vroom is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 6 stamps and will sell for $7.   


Now for the very lovely Hibiscus



These gorgeous tropical flowers were illustrated by Torico and will quickly become a favorite from your summer stamping collection! Use them to create beautiful custom designer paper, color in the line art images to use as a focal point for your project or pair them with a TSG sentiment stamp set for a card that can be given for any occasion. 



Now doesn't that look like you want to head to Hawaii right now?   I looked up some images of Hibiscus' and found some pretty and vibrant orange ones, with lighter pink centers and deep fuschia  stripes, so I tried to recreate that feel in these pretty blooms.  The flowers are leaves are all on different levels and I found the perfect sheet of paper from a sei pack called On The Coast.  The paper has really cool glittery hibiscus on it.  


Hibiscus is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 7 stamps and will sell for $7. 

Would you like a chance to win the Vroom / Hibiscus stamp sets? Here’s what you need to do - go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Vroom / Hibiscus Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Vroom / Hibiscus stamp sets. The winner will be announced Saturday (June 25th) during the Release Party Chat. 

You'll see SO many wonderful creations today so head on over to the rest of the Blog Hop participants.  

You should have come from Ann's lovely blog  and now you can head to Corinna's blog to see something great!  

Monday, June 20, 2011

The Fairy Best from There She Goes!



Last month Di was enchanting us with her adorable prince and princess stamp set and this month she is bringing us a magical fairies. These fun and whimsical images were sized so that they can work together with the Once Upon A Time stamp set for you to create even more scenes!   It's a sweet set!


I put together a cute little scene with this cutie set using the bunnies holding some sweet flowers and the mushroom - pairing it with some Memory Box paper from last year I think (Gossamer?).  I used some different stroke techniques with my Copic Markers to give the bunnies a sense of fluffy texture and added some up and down strokes and pointillism for the background too.  All to give it that sweet dreamy feel.  You can probably see I have a hearts theme going too in the Nestabilities and the border punch.  


Don't they look like it's love?  Hee hee!

The Fairy Best is a 4x8 set that includes a total of 13 stamps and will sell for $18

Would you like a chance to win The Fairy Best stamp set? Here’s what you need to do- go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their The Fairy Best Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog and add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own The Fairy Best stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday (June 25th) during the Release Party Chat. 

So, you should have come from Ann's Awesome creations....

And now you're headed to Corinna's to see something creative!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Garage Sale is still on!

Hey Gang...even in the rain we're still having our Church Garage Sale, just come on downstairs!

11103-76 Avenue
Edmonton, AB

I've priced everything and I'm ready for you to come and buy lots of Stampin' Up! Stuff!

:)

Thursday, June 16, 2011

May Your Blessings Abound

Welcome to Flourishes Friday!  This week we get to show you one more look at the gorgeous new release sets from June.  


There's nothing like the beauty and abundance of your own garden.  And I love the idea of blessings abounding - just like a garden.  Mine is coming up nicely.  We've had some good rain in the last days and I know my veggies will love that...now we just need some hot summer sun to balance it out!

I took this fun bundle of carrots from the Garden Fresh set and colored them up with Prismacolor pencils and OMS,  giving them a nice warm yellow background with the pencils too.  Then I curved the sentiment and stamped it on both sides of the Deckled Oval Nestabilities die.

The layout is this months SFYTT from Jen Del Muro




Papers are older Basic Grey - Green at Heart, and I used some Parisian Accent pieces cut in artichoke to tuck behind the vertical panel.  I added some beautiful silk ribbon and then a Prima Monarch Flower Center into the bow, it's the perfect orange accent!

Important Deets:

1.  Don't forget that today is the last day to purchase the fantastic New Release Bundle for June at a discount.

2.  I have BIG Blog Candy HERE to help raise funds for my husband's Ride To Conquer Cancer, deadline to enter is June 22.

And here's the girls with more beautiful bounty to show you today ...



And before you leave...

If you live in the Edmonton area...tomorrow (Saturday June 18) I'll be part of a huge Garage Sale at our Church.  I have 100+ Stampin' Up! stamp sets (retired and current) that will be for sale as well as designer papers and some of my hand made cards.  Cards will be $2.  Sets are anywhere from $3 - $15.  Papers I'll be selling for 10 cents a page.  Please come, we're raising money for two locations in Mexico with the cost of the tables and I'll be donating from my proceeds as well!

9 AM - 3PM
McKernan Baptist Church - parking lot (hopefully no rain!)
11103 - 76 Avenue
Edmonton, AB


MAP

Remember I'll have short hair :)  

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Change

Change is good right?  I mean I think we run from it with some fear, but often change brings about freshness, growth and hope.  Once we can get past the feeling of security in things staying predictable and embrace something new it brings about possibilities we wouldn't have expected, and we see that change can be good.

Pretty philosophical for the blog hey?  (just a warning long post here :)  ...but there's something fun at the end for you so hopefully you'll keep reading!)

Well, I made a big change this week.  And actually I've been waiting for it for quite some time.  First off, as most of you know my husband is a two time cancer survivor.  And we are very committed to helping fight cancer just as my husband was helped.  In a couple of weeks he'll be riding in a 200 km bike ride in the Rocky Mountains called the Ride to Conquer Cancer.  It's a major fundraiser for the Alberta Cancer Society.  When he rode in this fundraiser ride 2 years ago they raised almost 7 million dollars.  When he said he wanted to ride again this year I was proud of him, it's a big commitment because you have to raise $2500 just to enter the ride.  So at the time in the New Year when he planned on joining the ride I told him I'd help him fundraise if I could, by doing something on my blog.

I told him I would cut off my hair and donate it to the Alberta Cancer Society to be made into wigs for cancer fighters (or kids who need wigs too with other diseases).  So I had this big plan to have a giveaway here on the blog to try to raise funds for his ride.

Turns out, so many people we know were so generous that he's already met his minimum goal.  BUT, I was still committed to cut my hair, and maybe help him raise some more money in the fight against cancer.

I've had long hair for a long time now.  At least 4 years being very long, probably to my waist now.  And I've kept letting it grow for this purpose.   Having long hair is part of what makes me feel feminine I think.  So the thought of this is a big change for me :)  But long hair is also kind of a pain, it gets caught in everything, it's heavy and hot in the summer, it gets static-ey in the winter, it blows in your face in the wind, and it's hard to hold a style, or wear pretty long earrings (they keep getting caught in your hair).

This was me this morning rushing out the door to my appointment.... I quickly threw it over my shoulder so it's looking a little messy...but it's definitely long!


And then this is what I did...I went to see a wonderful lady...her name is Mandy...and if you're looking for a fantastic hair stylist in my area, I highly recommend her.  She is a wonderful person, as well as a very gifted stylist, she styled our daughter's hair for grad the other day too.  (drop me an email if you'd like her number!)

For donating hair you need at least 10 inches and we cut off about 13 from mine, it has to be your natural color, no coloring or perming in your hair.  Yep, mine is naturally this color still.   This is the link to info about donating hair in Alberta.  


Getting ready....


Pony tails ready to cut....


Cutting the ponytails.... no going back now!


No more ponytails!  But just wait it will get even shorter...


This is me now on the left :)  and sweet Mandy who cut my hair!  I'm really happy with it and I love how it looks, it's light and airy and I like having a "style", but it will also take some getting used to :)  I really hope I can style it come tomorrow without Mandy!

...all that to say...change is good right?  

And I'd still like to help fundraise for my husband's ride even though he's already over his minimum.... you can never raise too much for cancer research right?  

SO.....I've been saving up for a long time and I'm doing a prize drawing!  I have three major prizes, and I've linked all the sets so that you can click on them to see the stamp set in the store.   


Prize One Above
(value approximately $100) 

Flourishes June Stamp Release - Zinnias, Garden Fresh, and Make a Wish, as well as Around the Arbour and Motherly Love.  

Designer Paper Packs - started packs of Memory Box DewFrost, Basic Grey Two Scoops, Perhaps, Webster's Vellum and Diecut kit, K & Co Roam Mat Pack, SU Love notes stickers (9 pages)

Assorted ribbons from May Arts and retired SU lacy ribbon, and felt ribbon from Creative Imaginations.  


Prize Two Above
(value approximately $85)


Designer Paper - started packs of Basic Grey Lime Rickey and Nook and Pantry

Started boy themed gel stickers (only one used)
SU - Christmas Jingle All the Way - Definitely Decorative Vinyl Sticker
SU - 4 spools Grossgrain ribbon



Prize Three Above 
(value approximately $70) 

Flourishes Stamp Sets - Tokens of Affection, Hearts and Flowers, and Fine Herbs

Flourishes - Metallic Paper pack (these are beautiful metallic papers in numerous patterns)

Started container of SU Pretties Kit (there's lots left!)

Grossgrain ribbon and Christmas Ribbon, plus I'll throw in a bunch of other lengths of ribbon too.  


If you'd like to be entered to win this blog candy and help raise funds for cancer research...  

RULES

1.  You must donate to my husband's ride (any amount is fine there's no minimum, every dollar counts!)  Here's the link to his page where you can donate:  Terry's Ride.  Click on the green button saying Donate Online Now.  They will take credit card, and it doesn't matter where you are in the world.   

2.  Come back here and in this post put in your comment "I donated to Terry's ride", and also leave me your email address, and you'll be entered.  

3.  I'll draw a winner on Wednesday June 22nd at 10 pm MTN time from the entries.    You'll have 48 hours to email me and send me you mailing address, or I will choose a new name.  


And if you just want to comment about my hair change you can do that too (hee hee it will be a good boost to me :) ....you just won't be entered in the draw.  

Thanks for caring and sharing in this part of our lives!