Great day for stamping

It's one of those Darkish, Dampish, Coolish, Grayish sort of days............was sunny for a little bit this morning, but that was short lived! It's the kind of weather that leaves little to be desired in terms of outdoor activity, the kind of day where the air just chills you through to the bone....making it hard to warm up.

I have actually had a busy and creative weekend, getting ready for the Hanna Release. Sneak Peeks start tomorrow!!!

Decided to warm up this morning by playing the featured stamper Challenge over on Splitcoast. Hop on over to the Home Page and look for the Sunday FS Challenge. Check out Dawn's Gallery, she is awesome!!!!

This card was created with the Sweetest Images from OUR CRAFT LOUNGE! I just love their Adorable Sassy line of images. These little girls are from the Lola Love set.............. I coloured them with Copics, adding some silver and red glitter accents. Colours: Real Red, Pink Passion, DP ? and white. A little green ribbon mimics the colour in the Umbrella and the Groovy sentiment finishes it off quite nicely I think!!!!!

Happy Sunday!!!!

***Vicki***

I am Thankful It's Friday

Yep, thankful it's Friday.........it seemed to be a very long week. You know those weeks that just seem to drag on and on and on.......yes, it was one of those weeks. I had to have DEEP pockets this week! Between the five hundred dollar eyeglasses and the oil change that grew into a three hundred dollar bill and sorting out a couple of small personal issues, it was a LONG time coming!

So now it's here!!!! Yay...........well, not for nine hours or so. Have to go into work, but since I love my job, that is no biggie.

I am looking forward to Chillaxin' this weekend and stamping!!!! Staying in my Pajamas, letting my hair go wild and stamping!!!! It's like a pop song: Stamping with myself, all I want to do is stamp stamp stamp, I wanna stamp all night!!! Yep Stamp! Stamp with abandon, Stamp without interruption. Well, I guess that you get the hint eh?

I hope those of you that celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday enjoy an extended weekend and aren't too stuffed to move today!!! Enjoy your shopping and stay safe if you are venturing out for the sales.

The image for this card is from Stampotique. I used creamy caramel, Rose Red and Chocolate Chip. coloured with Copics. I distressed the cuttlebugged panel by rubbing the inkpad over the paper in a circular motion. Nothing complicated to this card, the image is so pretty that is stands alone!

Lily and Tweet Sweet Sweet Sweet

Sweet is the word that I use to describe this image from Pink Cat Studio. I just think Tweet the bird is so whimsical and adorable and well, Lily, she is pretty darn cute herself!!!! With all the snow on the ground, I felt like putting a little spring in my step and created this pastel themed card. Using some Scrap Designer Paper......... I believe it is from one of the DCWV glitter packs and inspired by the little flowers in the image, I got the idea to mount my sentiment on the Daisy, which is from my much neglected SU pretties kit. I continued with the daisy theme by punching a border with a Martha Stewart Border Punch, layering onto my cardstock colours of celery and bashful blue.




I coloured the image with my Copics. Hey did you know that if you run your colourless blender over an area before you colour, you can get a lighter saturation of the shade and create a watercolour effect??? Well you sure can!!!! I dotted up her fancy dress with some white gel pen, glittered her ribbons with sakura gelly roll and added a couple of dewdrops for dimension.

What a fun card to create!

Hope you all have a Happy Thursday! and to my friends and readers in the U.S. HAPPY THANKGIVING. Have a safe and happy holiday!

***Vicki***

TCP Tuesday SING

I've treated myself to a few new stamps lately..........everyone deserves to treat themselves now and again, don't they? Giving ourselves a pat on the back for a goal achieved, an accomplishment or just surviving every day life is really important, but new stamps just top it off nicely.

The images in the card are from The Cat's Pajamas Elegant Christmas set. I just love the elegant look and theme of the stamp set. Being a colouring fanatic, I very seldom use solid stamps, but I loved these ones from the first time I set eyes on them.

Every Tuesday, the Cats Pajamas have a Challenge. This week DT member Leigh O'Brien, who happens to be one of my favourite stampers in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD, is the Hostess today.
Hop on over to her blog SUNFLOWER STUDIO to see her sweet and whimsical card.



What a perfect setting for a Christmas card. We woke up after having a very wet snowfall last night to a Winter Wonderland. Although I am one of the White Knuckle winter drivers, I do love the look of a snowy winter scene and a balmy 1 degree celcius winter day! I took these pictures while waiting for the School Bus with Jonathon this morning.



Jonathon was not a big fan of posing for me this morning, but I did manage to stalk him down and snap a few shots, this one being my favourite.



So, he's off to School now and I am off to the Optometrist..............Oh NO, I finally have to resort to the fact that I need progressive lenses............yep, BIFOCALS..........eww....... I know that Progressive Lenses sound SO much better than Bifocals, but still I am thinking Bifocals......makes me feel as if I am getting older much faster but I guess part of maturing is setting aside vanity for comfort. I know that it will also prevent the crows feet that I am growing by squinching up one eye and squinting with the other, to read the fine print on things!!!! So away I go.

Oh yes, the card Recipe

Stamps: The Cats Pajamas Elegant Christmas
Paper: My Minds Eye DP, Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Soft Sky
Accessories: SU SCallop Punch, EK Success Snowflake Punch, Cuttlebug Inch embossing folder, Stickles, Sponge, Dew Drops, Dimensionals and Making Memories Metal Words. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the photo to capture the gleam of the metal............ohhhh maybe when I get my Bifocals I'll see my pictures more clearly!!! hehe

Enjoy your Day~!

Vicki

Mirror or Reverse Image Stamp

This is a card that was made for a Tutorial that one of my best friends, Kristi Ferro and I worked on this summer when I went to spend a few days with her! If you follow the link to her Blog Kreations by Krissy you can see how we went about this and the perils of figuring something new out!!!! lol

You can also get some neat tips on airbrushing from this tutorial.

I call this card dueling Bicycles!!! Same concept as you see on the tutuorial, but just reversing the image and not having to line things up here!!! lol I used SU Craft, Riding Hood Red and Chocolate Chip Paper. I can't seem to get enough of this SU! Wide Riding Hood Red Grograin. Coloured with Copics of course and used the Martha Stewart dotted Scallop punch as an embellie!!

Stay tuned for more pics tomorrow, I have been on a total stamping frenzy!!!!!!

New Rubber-I'm in the Pink

It was just like Christmas when I arrived home from work yesterday, to find that my Pink Cat Studio Stamps had arrived. Holy moses! Seems like I had just ordered them yesterday!!! I was very impressed with the quick shipping.

Getting new rubber makes me positively Giddy! and I just couldn't wait to break into my stamps. The images came on a sheet of soft rubber, which cut very nicely I must add!

Heading to my computer to see what the daily challenge was, I found this image perfect for the gift card holder challenge. I had just bought this delicious October Afternoon Good Cheer Paper on the weekend and was itching to bust into it!

To see instructions or get the link for a Video Tutorial by Jen McGuire over at Hero Arts, follow this LINK



To create this card, I followed the basic Instructions on the Tutorial. Then I stamped my image onto Neenah paper and coloured it with Copic Markers. Did I mention I LOVE to colour??? Because I love having some dimension in my creations, I used flocking powder on her cuffs and muffs.............hehe.............poet this morning! and some liquid applique to create a blanket of snow. Then I figured that they would look adorable in the middle of a gentle snowfall, so off to work with the white gel pel. Then a little silver for her buttons and some accents on Frosty.
Ribbon, a Heidi Swapp clear Snowflake, Curly Punchout and a Button finish it all off quite nicely I think!!! The sentiment on the inside of the card is also from the Lily and Tweet set. I addeda Felt Flurry Snowflake from SU just to give a little extra oomph!!!!!



Thanks so much to Shirley over at Card Art, Etc.
for her thoughtful award.

Below is a translation of the Portuguese words and the rules for the award:

Translating the words on the above award from Portuguese to English: "This blog award invests and believes in proximity - (creating friendships)!" [meaning, that blogging makes us 'close' -being close through proxy]. These are the other words to be included with the award:

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbon of these awards are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please
give more attention to these bloggers! Deliver this award to 8 bloggers who much
choose 8 more and include this written text into the body of their award.


So, my choices are as follows:

Jacqui over at Sisterlines Space in time -My best friend EVER!!!

Diana Gibbs-My Best friend EVER's Sister,,,,,,,,,,, who I can't WAIT to meet at CHA!

Candice Lighty over at Rubbah Soul-We are on the Hanna Team together and the more we get to talking, the more you would thing that we are Soul Sisters!!! I just love her and her work to bits!!!!!

Vicki, aka Basement Stamper at Stamped Smiles She does great STUFF!!!!!!

Michelle at Creative Treasures. Can this lady SCRAP............wow!!!! Inspires me to get back to my Scrappin' Roots!!
Cindy is a phenomenal Scrapper and Cardmaker. I had the privelege to meet her at a conference in Ottawa and I am totally impressed with her work. I LOVE her Bilingual Blog and you can see it HERE

Deborah over at Stampin' on the Mountain has a sweet and clean style that I like

Last, but not least my friend Wendy....... I had the opportunity to meet Wendy at CHA last year and I just love her to bits! Although we don't keep in touch as often as we should, I follow her blog and can keep up on what she is up to!!!! Hop on over and see her Wickedly Wonderful Creations

Well, I better bust a move..........going to be late for work if I don't get moving!!!!!

Six Pack

More creations from the weekend. This card was created for the same swap as the Polar Pals treat boxes. Since I am running late (what else is new!) I'll give you the skinny quicks!








Stamps: Cute and Curly SU!
Naughty or Nice SU! (retired)

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black
SU! Creamy Caramel

Paper: SU! Old Olive and Chocolate Chip
My Minds eye DP

Accessories: Stickles, Real Red Marker, Copic Markers, Sponge Gold Gel Pen Cute and Curly punch

Time well spent with my best friend!

I had the BEST weekend, the best weekend of all. My best friend Jacqui came down from Woodstock and we spent the most part of the weekend stamping........oh and we went to see Twilight.......ahhh to be 17 again and being pursued by EDWARD....... SIGH....... the movie was all that I expected it to be and more. I am just starting the second book now and sure hope that they have a sequel.





Anyway, my main stamping goal this weekend was to get some items completed for a small swap that I was participating in. These little bags were inspired by a project that I saw on

Splitcoaststampers by akjuda you can see here little boxes HERE




Using the Stampin' Up! Top note die as a base, I cut, sponged and stamped the dies with White Craft ink and the snowflace from Polar Pals a set that is long retired, but one of my all time favourites.

I then cut down small craft coloured bags to 3 inches and sandwiched them between two die cuts. Using the large oval punch, I punched little handles to form the small gift bag. I stamped and punched the gift tag with the cute and curly set and matching punch. Then punched a sentiment out with the word window punch and adhered it to the front of the tag, after sponging with creamy caramel ink. I threaded the tag through the large bow with linen thread.






I stamped the sweet eskimo with Chocolate Chip onto Craft Paper. I used Real Red, Basic Black and Chocolate Chip Markers to darken the image and a little Real Red Chalk to brighten up her cheeks, adding a small highlight with the white gel pen.

I LOVE liquid applique for winter projects. I filled in the parka hood, cuffs and ties with a solid application of LA and heated. For the bottom cuff, I randomly swirled the LA on. In order to ground our little eskimo to the box, I created a little snow for under her feet. I hope you enjoy this project. It was a lot of fun to make and I was quite please with the results.






Would you take a look at this Beauty??

Jacqui created this card for a Die Cut swap that she is in. Ohhh I wold love to be the lucky recipient of one of these cards. She spend so much time and effort creating this gorgeous Christmas Confection. Visit her Blog

Sisterlines Space in Time

to see many great projects..............





Stay tuned, I have been in a stamping FRENZY as of late and have some more things to share with you very very soon!!!!

Our Craft Lounge Saturday!

I am surely like lil Peanut. I forget. In fact, my memory seems to be going downhill with my eyesight! and I am Absolutely the WORSE for remember Birthdays that extend beyond the boundaries of my immediate family. That's probably 'cause those at home won't let me forget!!!!

And sending Birthday cards? Well, let me confess...... at the last minute, I have had to dash out and buy (GASP!) yes, buy a card because I have forgotten to make one.

This little set is just perfect for people like me.........for those who incessantly forget Birthdays...........now you can not only send a card, but a card with an adorable Elephant bearing Balloons and ice cream!!!

My base colours for this card are Pink Passion, Night of Navy and Turquoise. I coloured Lil Peanut warm grey with Copic Markers. I used Crystal effects to give the Balloons a little oomph and of course the cuttlebugs give the Cardstock the texture that I desire.





Heck, L'il Peanute will even blow bubbles if it means that he can make it up to the Birthday person. If you prefer a softer look, this image also works well with a Pastel Pallette. I still used warm grey to colour but used W-1 as a base, rather than W-3, which kept the overall tone of the elephant lighter. He is a younger, more tender skinned peanut that his preceding counterpart. To get the soft look on his hat, I first doused the hat with colourless blender. I then picked up a small amount of colour with the blender and coloured it in, after wiping on scratch paper. This will give you a watercolour technique. I found this scrap of paper in my scrap bin, so I am unsure as to the manufacturer, but bliss blue and certainly celery form the foundation of this card.

Hope you have a wonderful Saturday. I am SO lucky. My best friend in the whole wide world, Jacqui is here stamping with me this weekend and we are off for a wee shopping spree this morning!!!!

Check out all the great new images over at OUR CRAFT LOUNGE

Hanna Challenge and Limited Supplies

This weeks Challenge in the Hanna Design forum, was to make a scene.........I was speaking with Diana, this weeks hostess and telling her how excited I was about creating the perfect winter scene. I got my background completed, the Rileys stamped and I began to colour and colour and colour............when I started to put it together several things happened that knocked me back into reality.

1. I had the trifold card heading in the wrong direction
2. Riley would have had to be downhill skiing uphill
3. Sophie did not want to allow me to turn her point shoes
into skates..........
4. a few other things and some choice words later, I gave up and opted for a warmer climate.

Thus we have Hula Luau...........yes, I would LOVE to be doing a dance on a beach somewhere with a HUGE Margarita in hand..............doesn't this card just exhude balmy vibes? lol I can't remember the name of the DP, but I used Pink Passion and Chocolate Chip Cardstock. The Flower is from Queen and Co and of course, I coloured with Copics.





Speaking of warm, how would some nice warm cupcakes grab you???

I created this card for the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Limited Supply Challenge over on Splitcoast. Truth be known, I am not a huge fan of chocolate cake, although I am a sucker for real chocolate............Milk, Dark, plain,,,,,,,,,,laden with nuts and OH, if you ever get a notion to send some my way.............Lindt balls in all flavours or Frozen Wunderbars are a good choice!!!!



I used Basic Grey DP, Chocolate Chip and Creamy Caramel Cardstock for this little creation........and nope, riley wasn't nipping into the rum this morning, although I fear he might have a little fever, considering the depth of pink in his cheeks!!!!! Copics, Glitter, Dew Drops and Felt Ribbon finish him off just fine!

Pretty Pearls

Today's challenge on SCS was to use Pearls!! Well this is JUST up my alley.............I have been a little pearl happy lately. I purchased these premade boxes and purses from K&Co. recently and it came with a huge container of half pearls! They are SO pretty!

How do you like Baby Cakes?? Isn't she a sweetie. She is another image from the Penney/Torrente collection over at Stampotique Originals I just love her sassy attitude.

And the sentiment, well it just kills me. My best friend Jax and her sister use this expression all the time, so when I saw it, I just had to have Carol send it to me.




I used Prism Twilight light as my base colour for the card, with accents of Black.......... Cuttlebug, Copics and I dusted off some Magic Mesh, which kicked it up for some edgy elegance and of course just a few K&CO. Pearls.........some SU dazzling Diamonds Glitter and Nesties die cuts!!!









Merry Fairy is also from the same collection. I had her coloured for a little while.
















I edged all the borders of her wings with Silver Glitter. In real life, she is much more sparkly. I just used a fine glue pen to apply the adhesive just to the border and glittered it in small sections

I coloured her with Copic Markers.........of course

The sentiment is also from Stampotique. I used some pearly paper that I purchased while on a visit with Kristi in Detroit, but for the life of me, I can't remember the name.

A little Organdy Ribbon adds to the whimsical look and of course Pearls for the challenge!!!!!

Have a lovely day and remember to be that angel for your friend when they need to rest their wings.............

Wednesday Sketch Challenge

This card was created for the Wednesday Sketch Challenge over at Splitcoaststampers.
Click HERE if you would like to see some beautiful creations!!!

There is very little stamping in this card, as you can clearly see. I used Paper from the My Minds Eye Signature Christmas Pack. Now there is some beautiful Christmas paper out there, but in my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful I have come across this year. I love the muted and non traditional tones of this paper.

The sentiment is from a Stampin' UP! Hostess set called Best Yet. The Chipboard Snowflake from Technique Tuesday. I sponged the snowflake with some Teal Craft ink and then Glittered all over with Stampin' Up! Chunky Glitter!

Feeling creative? Hop on over to Splitcoast and play the challenge too!

Thinking of Kristi

My dear dear friend Kristi, lost her father today. If you follow Kristi's blog, you will have read that her father suffered a massive heart attack on Friday evening. It saddens me to think about how she and her family must be feeling at this moment and renders me helpless as to what I can say or do to fix things for her. Nothing I can say or do can take away the pain of losing someone that you love.

I can relate to loss however and wanted to share a poem that has given me comfort in times of grief.

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

Please know Kristi, that you all are in my thoughts and prayers. Trust that our Creator cradles your Father safely in his arms and that he is still with you, today tomorrow and always.

Featured Stamper Challenge

I was VERY excited to see that Sunday's Featured stamper on SCS is one of Hanna's very own DT members, KENDRA
You can visit Kendra's Blog by clicking HERE


HERE is a link to the card that I cased. Essentially I cased the Layout from her sweet card.

And now for the deets on this Beauty. This is NOELLE, another one of my favourite images from Stampotique
A wintery Fairy of sorts, I love her whimsical look.

I used Velvet Papers from Making Memories, A Martha Stewart Border Punch, Prima Flowers and Copic Markers for this unusual Christmas Creation.

You can find Noelle and her Macabre Friends by clicking on the Stampotique Link in my sidebar!

Beates Weekend Sketch Challenge-Sleepytime Riley

This sleepy little fellow was created for Beates Weekend Sketch Challenge. If you click on FRESH & FUN in my side bar, it will take you to her awesome blog.

Anyway, I am as sleepy as Riley tonight, so I am going to give you the skinny on the card quicks!!!

I am not sure what the DP is, but it was double sided, and I LIKE it!! HA!!!

I used OLD OLIVE and BROCADE BLUE Cardstock. Coloured with Copics of course!!! and added Olive Buttons andBrocade Blue Ribbon. Circle Punches act as a foundation for the tiny sentiment!!!

I best be on my way before I FALL asleep. Hope you all have a happy Monday!

Isn't he the Cat's Pajamas?

I created this card for the Swanky Stamper contest over at My Cat's Pajamas. I just ordered the Christmas Kitty Pack and can hardly wait to ink up their fabulous new Christmas Images!!!!

You can see the details for the contest HERE

The challenge this week was to use the following colours of cardstock: Pacific Blue, Sky Blue, Chocolate and Caramel

I stamped the image in black and coloured with COPIC markers. Then I sponged creamy Caramel and Soft Sky ink around the image. The cuttlebugged panel was rubbed with creamy caramel ink as well. Copper Accesories and a little Hemp twine seem to finish off the card with a bang!!!!

Today is the BIG Day!!!!!

Today is the Big Day!!!! Pat the Good Dog is SO Happy that he is doing cartwheels!!! WHY? Because he now available at OUR CRAFT LOUNGE!!!

Wait until you see all the amazing stamps that you will be able to get your inky fingers into really soon!!!!

Congratulations Cami, Joy, Marianne and Kimberly ! Wishing you all the success in your new business.

For all the details as to how this venture came about, take a gander over to CAMI"s BLOG


I have had a chance to go in and look at the website and it looks like a fun and cozy place to be!!!!


Here's the skinny on their first contest as cased from Cami's Blog:

There's more! Our Craft Lounge is having their Premier on Friday! That's right, you can get Bubs and all the other adorable sets on Friday, November 14th!! AND... this weekend only (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, November 14th, 15th, and 16th, ) with each stamp set you purchase, you will get a ticket included with your order! Oh Yah, they are pink to boot baby... sorry (side tracked again by pink pretty things) Save those tickets! The following weekend, OCL will start drawing winners. You just never know when a new ticket number will show up on their site. YOU COULD WIN!!

Happy Stamping!





Card Recipes:

Both Cards: Pat the good dog-Our Craft Lounge

Cartwheeling Pat:
Paper: Tangerine, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, DCWV Pet Stack.

In order to have pat standing on his back paws with his head in the air, I stamped the image (removed his head...........yes, yes........ever so gently) and placed it where his tail used to be........yes, a tail bob too...........does this qualify me as a puppy plastic surgeon???? lol. His head was mounted onto dimensional foam to add a greater level of depth.

Accessories: Copic Markers, Ribbon, Cuttlebug embossing folder, circle punches.

I Heart you:

Cool Caribbean , Kiwi Kiss. DCWV Pet Stack
Accessories, Paper, Hodgepodge Copper Hardware, SU felt Ribbon, Gold Brads and Scalloped Border Punch

Big NEWS!!!! -Dr. Peanut

Big News!!! Announcing “Our Craft Lounge” - a Brand NEW rubber stamping company with the sweetest rubber stamps and accessories for all of your stamping needs!

Dr. Pea-nut is just one of the adorable sets that will be released at the GRAND OPENING this Friday!!! You will be surprised to see what Our Craft Lounge has in store for you!

To see more exciting Sneak Peeks take a look at these talented ladies creations!! You will be totally impressed with their elegant, fun and humorous creations!













Bev Barton
Carol Halverson
Heather McNally
Cindy Haffner
Joy Kennedy
Kendra Wiestock
Kisa Peters
Lila Holgate
Lisa Mathis
Lisa Zappa
Pam Hooten
Cambria Turnbow

Come back tomorrow for the BIG REVEAL!!!!

Tis the Season for Shopping!

Well, tis the time, at least, to start thinking about Christmas Shopping. This year, I am WAY ahead of the game!! Yep! TWO PRESENTS purchased already......lol and it's not even December yet. For me, this is quite exceptional really................... no REALLY............. I am not quite one of those totally last minute people.....you know the ones that beat each other down in the mall on December 24th to get that last cashmere scarf??, but I am close.

Save for the fact that I am not comfortable in crowds or confined spaces..............think CASH LINEUPS!!!! IF the breeze of someones breath is causing the hairs on the back of your neck to dance, that is WAY too close!!! One of my HUGE pet peeves!!! It's not about being touched or personal space, afterall I am one of the most huggy people you will meet. Its more about WHO is breathing on you and WHO is in your personal space. If I have never met you, or there is no chance that we will ever know each other, then I don't want to hug you, nore do I want you to breathe on my neck...................and the darned line does NOT move any faster because you are brushing my back end with your shopping cart!!!!! So how is that for Christmas Spirit!!! That is why I make myself get my gifts at least two weeks before Christmas...........phew what a tangent that was, but BOY do I feel better!!!!!!! lol

This card was created for the Sketch Challenge over on Splitcoaststampers. I just love 'Tis the Season.......one of the first Hanna sets to be released remains dear to me. I love the tree and her funky boots!!!! I used BG Figgy DP and Riding Hood Red for my colour theme. Copics and pearls to accessorize!!!!

Well, I am off to Stamp Again.............seems that I got my Stamping MOJO back and I am Thrilled

BIG NEWS HERE TOMORROW!!! DOn't forget to come back and I promise not to go off on a tangent!!!!!!!

Happy Stamping!

Winter Dancer

Sophie LOVES the snow..........well apparently she looks like she does, doesn't she? I suppose if I looked as sweet in a tutu and ballet flats, I might light to frolic around like she!!!

Actually, I LOVE a nice fluffy snowfall too! Well, under certain conditions.

1. I have to be at home.....no driving in the snow and ice for this winter white knuckler!!!

2. It has to be one of those warmer winter days........the ones that you can almost get away with just wearing a sweater and hat. I do have a couple of Icelandic Sweaters that are perfect for this.......no windchill for me.


3. It needs to be followed by some time spent in front of a warm toasty fire. Perhaps with a nice cup of Green Tea, Hot Chocolate with a hint of Baileys and good company!

We had some freezing rain last night, which scared me somewhat.. Last week the weather here was almost balmy, with several of my friends continuing to enjoy time on the golf course. Jonathon was still wearing shorts to school. This morning however albeit it sunny, you could see your puffs of breath in the air and the frost on the grass. UH OH! Winter's on its way.

I created this card for the Paper Planet Sketch Challenge. They post one each week in the Sketch Challenge Group. Using Kraft Paper as a base, I punched along the bottom of a 12x 4.5 piece of cardstock with the Martha Stewart Star Border Punch. Then I trimmed the card to 11 inches. I used the SU Snow wheel and white Craft ink to add a little dimension to the left hand side of the card and as well to highlight the edges. Bo Bunny's pretty Christmas Paper highlights the Kraft paper nicely. I used a border of Pink Pirouette and also a cuttlebug embossed circle as a Backdrop for Sophie.

To make her Tutu, I poked holes with a paper piercer through her skirt and threaded 3/16" pink satin ribbon through. For the snow, I cut a white circle the same size as the pink and tore the top and bottom edges of to give added dimension, highlighting the top edges of the snow with stickles. I added Liquid applique snow puffs and some Ribbon to ground the main image. The sentiment is from Deer Friends. a Stampin' Up! Hostess set. I used the Martha Stewart ferny brancy punch to add a little extra oomph to the sentiment!!!!

Did I ever mention my traumatic experience as a Ballet Dancer???? hehe........Well, after TWO seasons of dancing, my mother made the executive mama decision to refocus my interests in music...........ohhh...this could be a long one..........i'll save it until the next time I post Sophie

Have a wonderful day!

Beates Weekend Sketch Challenge

I think I might have found my stamping MOJO!!!

Yay!!!! I finished 5 cards this weekend.....

This card was created for Beates Weekend Sketch Challenge.........go HERE for the details.

I Sometimes find that when I am in a stamping rut........or deep into a trench, playing the various challenges posted on blogs and stamping communities are helpful to get those creative juices flowing

I received this sweet sweet image from my Stamping friend Jennifer (Jennifers Sweet Designs)
and I was looking forward to creating a card with it. My main image is slightly larger than that in the sketch challenge, but close enough!!!! I believe the image is from House Mouse.......I used pretty in pink, chocolate Chip and Basic Grey sultry DP.............SU rubons create a border and a sentiment.

Hope I continue to stay on a roll....................so that my cupboard is not bare when you stop by!

Sunday Featured Stamper!

I was very excited to see that the Featured Stamper on Splitcoast Stampers was my friend Wendy!!!!!!

She is an awesome stamper and lovely person. Her Blog is wonderful........ Go HERE to have a peek at what she is up to!!!!

I basically copied the layout of her Sweet Scandia Christmas Card, which you can see HERE

I changed the positioning of the sentiment and the Ribbon slightly and altered the colours to incorporate Riding Hood Red with the Kiwi Kiss Paper, which incidentally happens to be my Favourite Stampin' Up! In colour.


This Happy Little Fellow is called O JOY and is one of the latest images from Daniel Torrente. O Joy is available at www.stampotique.com I love this funny little fellow. He looks a little weary from all the preparations that he is making to get ready for Christmas, but I am sure he will recover quickly after he dashes back to his bachelor pad for a Rum and Eggnog!!!!

It's a Grey kind of day!!!!

It's the kind of day that allows you to stay in your jammies without excuse, to surf the net, catch up on chores and just be low maintenance.

We have been SO blessed this last week with warm weather, that I was even able to don sandles for a few days...........my idea of perfect weather is dictated by Sunglasses, Sweaters and Sandals............lol

The signs of winter are upon us now...... the trees near bare of leaves, a frosty windshield and the appearance of Blue Jays in the Pines.

Why the winter theme???? Why, that is the name of this image. This is Winter, a very funky image from Stampotique. I decided to create a very unique Christmas card using an odd colour combination. The Snowflakes, Stars, Ribbon and sentiment perhaps combined create a rather festive look, but Winter in herself, is quite versatile. You can purchase both the image and the sentiment at Stampotique. Follow the link in my side bar and have a look at all the wonderful images that are available to you.

I think I am going to brew up a pot of green tea, shuffle to a comfy spot and watch the entire Season Two of Sex and the City without excuse!!!!

Have a wonderful day!!!!

For the love of Riley

I adore Riley Moose...........whether he is doing laundry, hauling Christmas trees, dressed up in his Halloween finest or just lounging on the couch eating Godivas......he is my favourite character image.

This Riley is the latest of the newly release Riley Stamps. I created this card for a sketch challenge that you can participate in until Monday. Go HERE
to get all the details...........you can win Get well Hanna if you do!!!!!


I used paper from the DCWV pet stack as my patterned base.............Taken with Teal, Chocolate Chip and So Saffron Cardstock all from SU! The sentiment is a Chocolate Rubon also from SU!!! Ribbon is from the $$ store and I used SU Tag punch and 1 3/4 circle punches to mount the sentiment.............Nesties make such lovely circles.................................

Please play the challenges............also, we have a Designer Challenge Each Friday in the Hanna Member Forum. Participants for the month are entered into a draw for a Hanna set at the following months Release Party!!!!! come and play along!

Tonights the Night!!!!!

Yep!!! Tonight is the night and everything will be all right.............

Join us at the Hanna Stamps release party in the Hanna Member forum tonight at 9 p.m. est on Splitcoaststampers

This image is from the B is for Baby Stamp set.
Hope to see you tonight!

Groovy Baby!!!!!

Far out man...........Far out...........lol. I was born in the 60's, but was really too young to experience all things Hippie...........my parents, who were teens in the 50's were a more conservative pair, although my mother quite stylish wore the bells and the flowy shirts. I remember having a bad perm in 1976 that would have resembled this Hannas Hairdoo!!!! and OH my gosh......that happened to be the year we moved from a little village to the big City of Kingston!!!!!

These images are from the very fun Hanna Hippie Chick set, that will be released this Thursday evening at our monthly release party. I was inspired with the colours from the Splitcoast Colour Challenge yesterday, which included Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red and Pretty in Pink. The flower brads and punches are all from Stampin' Up! The Markers, copics of course!!!!!!


See you tomorrow with another peek!

Under the Weather?

Seems to be that quite a few of my friends are coming down with colds, flu and generally not feeling great. Even poor Hanna is under the weather!!!!

Hopefully with a little bed rest, she and the rest of my pals with be feeling up to par soon!!!!

I decided to go with a more neutral colour scheme for this card, choosing on of BG's new line of DP, along with Sahara Sand and Artichoke Cardstock. I used the new SU die as a base for my main image and then used copics to colour her in and took a sponge to the edges of the paper.

A little fern and flower punched embellishment, topped by a button and linen thread added the finishing touches.


Don't forget to attend the Hanna Release Party on Thursday evening! It's going to be a blast!!!!

Where have I been????

I must apologize profusely............yes, profusely is a fitting word for my absence!!!!

For the last couple of weeks I was heavily involved in facilitating a training for staff in a new program that is being offered. So apart from being at the point of exhaustion each evening, all my creativity seemed to be sapped!!!! Where DID my mojo go???

I did get a slight spurt of creativity while attending Jactopia the weekend before last. There is nothing like spending time with your talented friends to be inspired to create. THAT being said......my lack of energy and need to socialize kind of put a damper on my productivity.....oh and perhaps the red wine didn't help either!!!!!





Here is the WHOLE crew at Victopia........my best girls in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD..........Jacqui, Kristi, Laura, Tammy, Kim..........Jacqui's sister Courtney, her Mom Linda and Donna......an up and coming best girl!







Two of the best women you'll ever want to know.

Just wish we lived closer.....................although when we do get together, it's like we've never been apart!














Me and the TAMSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!















The Mood improves immensely with the addition of a little FOOT MEDICINE!!!!!


I am SO blessed to have these amazing women in my life!!!!!!!!










And NOW............back to the card!!! This image is a sweet new image from the Read MY TEE Hanna set, that will be released THIS THURSDAY at the Hanna Release Party! Join us HERE for the party..........we will have some fun contests and challenges and of course PRIZES!!!!!!!!

I coloured the main image with Copic Markers and then I cut her out, with a little help from my cutting queen buddy Jax. I then mounted her onto a SU Die cut over top of some DP, which for the life of me, I can't remember the Co.........crap!

Anyway, she IS cute!!! isn't she????? lol!!!! I also used a Birthday Stamp from SU! as well as Ribbon, and The new Pink and Green in colour Cardstock.......It's too bad, but in real life, there is a lot of texture in her jeans, that weren't captured in the photograph,. I also LOVE her high top sneakers.........a main fashion staple for me in my adolescence!!!!!

Come back tomorrow................i'll have another peek for you!!!! Don't forget to follow the links to the rest of the DT blogs...........they have great samples in store for you this week!!!!!

and again, I'll try my darndest not to be a stranger!!!!