J J Creations

In the Spotlight

2012-02-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

I haven't done the spotlight technique in quite a while....and of course I got carried away with things again yesterday. Actually, I decided that the card I created for the challenge at The Paper Players (the sketch is from this weeks challenge) and SUO Challenges (creating a birthday card) was a bit too much for my technique class, so I revamped it using last weeks' Freshly Made Sketch to simplify it a bit.

I think these "Packed for..." stamps are perfect for this technique! I stamped the image three times in a row and then punched out the small circles, to be coloured and backed with the large Not Quite Navy circle to create the spotlight.

Because everything is pretty straight forward of this card, my stampers will be given the option of which "Packed for" image they'd like to use. The sentiment goes with all of them - Mom, Dad and Birthday.

I'm all packed for my next convention and looking forward to having a fantabulous time with Tamye!

Hope you have something to look forward to this week. Thanks for stopping by.

Joan

Clipboard Diversion

2012-02-28T00:01:00.006-07:00

I am SUPPOSE to be getting my stuff together and packed for another Teacher's Convention.....but what did I get side-tracked into doing yesterday afternoon????? - decorating the clipboards I use for people to sign up for classes.

I have never done anything like this before - and you can sort of tell. The Baroque Motif board on the side was my first one - done with black Staz-On. I added the black velvet piece from Mocha Morning - so seriously - velvet on a clipboard - a bit over the top!

Next, I put dragonflies only along the edge of the second board and added a piece of dotted paper from the Playful Polkadots Simply Scrappin Kit, and I used three different kinds of ribbon. Far simpler than the first attempt.

Finally, I used Inspired by Nature with Soft Suede and Early Espresso Ink. The butterfly from "Nature's Nest" is fluttering around the edge and the clip is covered with a piece from Attic Boutique. I also punched out some butterflies with the Big Shot and added pearl bodies to the ones at the top of the board.

For all three boards I used the Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets to make the paper stick to the clip, and the board in the case of the butterflies.

All in all a productive afternoon - not just quite what I expected.

Hope your day is productive today - Thanks for stopping for a visit.

Joan

Get Well Stamps

2012-02-27T07:27:00.000-07:00

Good Monday Morning - Just flying out the door to school but wanted to post this card I created yesterday in preparation for the March technique class. This is not the technique of the month - just a case of a Christmas Card that I got from my fellow stamper, Amy Barry. I've used the SAB Designer Series Paper and the matching Fresh Vintage stamp set, ribbon and brads.

Hope you have a marvellous start to your week. Thanks for stopping by.

Joan

Birthday Stamp-a-Stack Coming Up

2012-02-24T07:34:00.000-07:00

Wow, life is busy - but that's what keeps us out of trouble - right? I've got literature, music and stamping on the brain right now - a bit of an overload but we just work through one day at a time and it all works out in the end.

So - one upcoming stamping event is my Birthday Card Stamp-a-Stack.

March 3, 2012

1:00-4:00 OR 5:00-8:00

Cost $25.00 (OR $20.00 for Club Members)

Cost includes 15 Birthday Cards with co-ordinating envelopes, light snacks, door prizes

Bring along a friend who has never stamped with me before and get a gift from me.

Here are the 5 designs - you'll create 3 of each

Saturday afternoon - 1:00-4:00pm RSVP HERE

Saturday evening - 5:00-8:00pm RSVP HERE

Hope you have a great day - coming back soon with some challenge inspirations.

Thanks for stopping by - Joan

Final Spritzing

2012-02-05T15:50:00.000-07:00

I had a fantastic day yesterday stamping with friends at the Extravaganza. Lots of wonderful projects I'll share over the next few days - but today I'm showing the last two projects from my demonstration. I used the Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz using the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches for both examples.

For the card above, I took two of the paper daisies and "painted" the Smooch Spritz onto them with the Aquapainter. What a wonderful effect - the petals take on the shimmer of the spritz.

Finally - I used the last "technique" suggested in the January Stampin' Success Magazine - "Direct and Deliberate". That's exactly what I did - spritzed the piece of Blushing Bride card stock until there was no original card stock unspritzed. Glorious Shimmer! I also painted the flowers, from the Bordering on Romance set, with the smooch.

So that's it for spritzing - I'm excited to see what's coming up for the Summer Smooches Suite later this spring. Now I turn my attention to preparing for a booth at an upcoming Teacher's convention.

Fun, fun, fun! Can't wait!

Hope you have things to look forward to in your near or distant future! Thanks for stopping for a visit.

Joan

Smooch Spritz Mashup!

2012-02-03T21:55:00.000-07:00

Even though this post is coming in late I'm pleased that I got the Friday Mashup done on Friday. I will be using this card in my demonstration tomorrow. First - the Friday Mashup begins with an inspiration photo

Make a project using the "Inspiration Photo".
Or Make a project using the colors "Cherry Cobbler, Regal Rose & Whisper White".
Or "Mash it Up" and create a project "Inspired by the photo using the colors Cherry Cobbler, Regal Rose & Whisper White".

I used the Paper Doily Sizzlits die and used it as a mask for spritzing the Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz over top. It got a bit heavy in some section, but was okay once it had dried.

I think I'm ready for our Extravaganza tomorrow - I'll have more to share with you then - and one more spritz idea. Have a wonderful weeked - thanks for stopping by.

Joan

Smooch Painting

2012-02-01T17:32:00.000-07:00

This morning I tried painting with the Smooch Spritz. Again - I'm using the suggestions from the January Stampin' Success. I sprayed some of the Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz into an empty brad container and for this first card I used water-colour paper, and an aqua painter to apply the spritz to the image. I love how it makes the flower shimmer. And - just to keep with the theme, I spritzed one of the crocheted flowers - it's very subtle, but you can see the glimmer on the thread (in person).

I've used the Mojo Monday sketch for this card (however, I left the card rectangular instead of square or round. I also used the challenge from SUO Challenges to use a favourite item from the Occasions Mini. I must say I am enjoying this Smooch Spritz and I love the pleated satin ribbon. I have discovered, however, that if you are wanting an image to straddle the ribbon, you need to stack two dimensionals together so that the image remains flat, and not bent over the ribbon.

Here is a second card, using the same two challenges, but for the image, I used regular Whisper White card stock and a blender pen to "paint" on the Smooch Spritz. The card also includes another new favourite - I think these little buttons are adorable - I love the designs!

On the weekend I used the Lace Ribbon Border Punch to help create this background design with the Blushing Bride Spritz. For the Chocolate Covered Strawberries I coloured the chocolate with marker and then added Crystal Effects to gloss it up. The tops of the strawberries have the new Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details. The strawberries have been raised up with dimensionals - but the stem is on the little white base.

I'm still doing some experimenting with this spritz. Fun, Fun, Fun.

Done for the day though - hoping my hubby and I can go out to dinner for my birthday this evening. Hope you have something wonderful planned for your evening - or sometime this week.

Thanks for stopping by -

Joan

Blushes and Banners

2012-01-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

I'm gearing up for an upcoming Extravaganza with our extended Stampin'Up! Team next weekend. I'm going to be doing a demonstration using the new Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz and I'm taking the ideas right out of the January Stampin' Success Magazine.

For the card above, which uses the sketch from Stamping 411 (positioned horizontally), I've used the Smooch by spritzing it right onto the rubber stamp image and then stamping it. You have to spray lightly or stamp lightly otherwise the image is fuzzy; and the areas where there is more of the spray glistens very nicely.

Next I'm sharing a Valentines banner I created using a tutorial from Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Edition 2012. Check out their website if you're interested in getting a whole whack of fantastic creative ideas with products from the Occasions Mini and the SAB mini!

I had to change some of the things on my banner because I didn't have the same supplies as were used in the tutorial, but I'm happy with how it turned out. I also added a central heart to the banner, just to make it a bit longer.

As I sit in my stamping room in the basement this afternoon, I can hear the water on the road in front of the house as the cars drive by. Very bizarre for January 29 in Northern Alberta! Hope it doesn't rain like it's expected to later! However, precipitation is precipitation - and the farmers will be needing it!!!

Hope you are having a great end to your weekend. Thanks for taking the time to stop by for a visit.

Joan

Celebrate Mashup!

2012-01-28T16:24:00.002-07:00

I honestly don't know where last week went! There were things I was suppose to do, people I was suppose to call and suddenly it was Friday - now it's Saturday and I hadn't even checked on yesterday's Friday Mashup! I'm losing my head! It's all okay though - I've been in my craft room all day - finishing up a banner and working on the Mashup! So here we go.

This week's Mash Up was....

Make a project using the "Sketch".
Or Make a project using "Something NEW in your stash". (Stamps, ribbon, pretty paper...anything!)
Or "Mash it Up" and create a project "using the Sketch & something NEW in your stash"

I hadn't used the Everyday Enchantment brads that are included in the Sale-a-Bration Ribbon and Brad Pack. And I love that thin ribbon, it's so easy to work with!

The colours I used for the sketch are from Create with Connie and Mary....Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Lucky Limeade.

I'll share the banner I created once I check on some logistics!

Hope you are having a wonderful Saturday! Thanks for stopping by.

Joan

Packed for Baby

2012-01-26T17:28:00.000-07:00

Yeah - I still have babies on the brain - probably will for a long time now, what with the new grandson and all.

Today's card is using the sketch from Create with Connie and Mary. I used a piece of DSP from Just Add Cake. I had wanted to use Peach Parfait and So Saffron for my colours - so this paper worked out well, and gave me a few more options for colouring in the Packed for Baby image. And, I'm just loving the little hands and feet from the Baby Prints set!

I'm sort of wishing I had done something to the base to keep it from being just plain paper .....but I'll get over it! Oh - and do you see that tiny little twinkling above the Baja Breeze Pleated Satin Ribbon - Yeah - I missed a bit of the sticky strip that I used to attach the ribbon - so I added a wee bit of glitter. I didn't notice it until the card was completely put together.

Anything glittery in your life today? Thanks for stopping by!
Joan

Dare to Dream

2012-01-25T20:37:00.000-07:00

Well, the middle of the week has come and gone. I just can't believe how time is flying - and if I'm not careful I'm going to find myself overworked because I'm not doing bits and pieces ahead of time.

Today's card uses the photograph above for inspiration from Stampin' Royalty and a sketch from Freshly Made Sketches. I've used Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade ribbon and Soft Suede. I spritzed the birdcage and the little birds with the gold smooch Spritz and those layers have been raised with dimensionals.

Hope you are having a wonderful week - it's almost done! Thanks for visiting.
Joan

Sale-a-Bration is HERE!!!

2012-01-24T16:33:00.000-07:00

THIS POST WILL REMAIN AT THE TOP OF MY BLOG DURING SALE-A-BRATION. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO SEE MY LATEST POSTINGS. THANK YOU.

Stampin' Up!'s biggest sale of the year begins today!

January 24 - March 31, 2012

Customers...

Choose a FREE Sale-a-Bration product for every $60 you spend (before shipping/Handling & GST)

Hostesses...

Get a FREE shopping tote when you host a $200 workshop

Get a FREE hostess bundle when you host a $525 workshop

(That's in addition to all the regular Hostess benefits!!! )

New Demonstrators

Join my team for just $150! AND

Get FREE Designer Series Paper or a digital download every month for the rest of 2012!!!

Stamp and Dash....

2012-01-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

A quick post today, before I head off to school, which incorporates the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge and colours from Stampin' Royalty.

With the sketch I thought I would try just stamping the quadrants with the flourish from Elementary Elegance and topping it with the punched image, which is raised with dimensionals. In the end I wasn't sure about the central piece - but I used that to incorporate the fourth Stampin Royalty colours - They are Tempting Turquoise, Lucky Limeade, Pumpkin Pie, and Crumb Cake.

One I embossed the centre piece, I flipped it and coloured in the swirls with a white gel pen. And of course, just a little bit of bling added to each section.

Well, I'm off - hope you are having a wonderful day - thanks for stopping by!
Joan

CAS and Showers

2012-01-22T14:09:00.001-07:00

Two quick posts this afternoon - the first is for The Paper Players challenge today to create a card using tags. I used this large one yesterday and decided to use it again today incorporating the daisy stamp from the upcoming SAB set "Sprinkled Expressions". Pulled out the daisy embossing folder too.

The second card today will be taken over to Elliot's baby shower this afternoon - I created it as a shaker card to go with Hand Stamped Sentiments shaker card challenge this week. It was tons of fun to create.

Off to get ready for the shower - hope you have something exciting to do today! Thanks for stopping by for a visit - Joan

Challenging Challenge

2012-01-21T13:35:00.001-07:00

I kind of struggled with this card today - don't know if it's the weather, the headache trying to come on or what - but here we go!

I've used the Friday Mash-up and the sketch challenge from Create with Connie and Mary. The Mashup! is:

Make a project using "Paper Piercing".
Or Make a project using the colors "Blushing Bride, Riding Hood Red & Early Espresso".
Or "Mash it Up" and create a project with the "Color Combo & Paper Piercing".

The colours are good together, I'm just not happy with the way my coloured ones turned out. The poor things are a wee bit pilled from the blender pen! Oh well, texture is good! I added the paper piercing around the edge of the tag.

Here is a picture of dear little Elliot with his eyes opened and duded out in a scarf and hat knit by an Auntie.

Hope your weekend is turning out well. I'm going to spend the rest of the afternoon concentrating on not letting this headache take hold! I will win!!! Have a good one - and thanks for stopping by!

Joan

A New Chapter -

2012-01-19T21:02:00.001-07:00

I've missed an entire week of completing and posting challenges - but that's because I became a Grandma on January 8 for the first time - so things have been pretty exciting around here!

The challenge I completed tonight uses the colours from Create with Connie and Mary and the sketch is from Freshly Made Sketches. The colours are Peach Parfait, Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade - I've used a piece of the upcoming Sale-a-Bration Everyday Enchantment DSP, and the Fresh Vintage stamp set. I took one of the stamps and stamped onto a piece of Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon with the Calypso Coral ink.

Here is a picture of me with Elliot Alan James Jeffery - such a sweet bundle of joy, producing emotions in me I never thought could be so strong.

Hope you are having a wonderful week - thanks for stopping by - Joan

Tea Mashup!

2012-01-06T12:41:00.000-07:00

Yippeee!!! It's Friday....the last Friday of the holiday, which is sort of sad, but it will be good to get back to school on Monday. Friday is a favorite day because of the Friday Mashup! And today's Mashup is.....

Make a "Birthday" project.
Or Make a project using "Pastels/Chalks or Pastel Colors".
Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Birthday project using Pastels" .

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm working on projects to display at my Open House tomorrow which feature new items from the Occasions Mini - So I knew I wanted to use the "Tea Shoppe" set. This tea cup reminds me of my Grandma, and working pastels today was a perfect reminder of her too because she liked soft colours.

Initially the cup was stamped with Pretty in Pink ink, then I took off the colour from the flowers and stems with a blender pen, and added the Wisteria Wonder and Certainly Celery with markers. I dabbed a bit of Elegant Eggplant in the centres of the flowers.

The edge was created with one of the Adorning Accents Edgelits Dies, done in three layers. The card opens at the Pretty in Pink layer. I am loving these new dies; including the Paper Doily.

Finally, I added the row of pearls at the "gathers".

Here are two cards I created yesterday using the "Mouthwatering" set.

I hadn't planned on having anything stamped around the edge of this card - but when I added the "smile"at the bottom I ended up with a bit of a smudge - so I pulled out the swirl to cover it up. Now it looks sort of like the vines for the watermelon.

Everything in threes yesterday! I was going to add some Crystal Effects to these popcicles to make them shiny, but passed on that - at least for right now.

Well, I'm off to continue the day. Lots to do to get ready for tomorrow. I hope you have a good day planned too. Thanks for taking time to stop by for a visit.
Joan

Mojo Happiness

2012-01-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

I actually started this Mojo MONDAY card on Tuesday and finally got around to finishing it on Thursday - life just sometimes gets in the way of creating. However, a lot got done in those two days - Tuesday was spent shopping with my daughter and Wednesday began with cleaning and ended up being a major purge of "stuff" - so that was a day very well spent! So, today I have vowed to work in my stamp room most of the day....we'll see how that goes.

So - The sketch for the card above is from Mojo Monday - I changed that layering a wee big because the doily was initially showing under the ribbon - I guess it wouldn't have mattered once I put the flower on.

The colours are from Hand Stamped Sentiments - a yummy vanilla cupcake with "Pool Party" icing and a silver candy bead on top. I used the pen from the "Rue Des Fleurs" set in the Occasions Mini; inking the florish with silver ink and the pen with black.

I'm getting ready for an Occasions Mini Open House on Saturday and since life has been busy, I've turned to casing some cards using the new sets. Below are two that I cased from Sharon Field at Created by You. I've changed colours, images or imbellishments somewhat - I like how she took the centre thread out of the quilted ribbon to use it on the tag below and I also like how she just highlighted parts of the umbrella.

That's it for now - I'm off to my room - looking forward to a great day! Hope yours is full of productivity too. Thanks for visiting - Joan

Irridescent Celebration

2011-12-31T12:18:00.000-07:00

The last day of 2011! It's hard to believe; this year has gone by so quickly! A lot of good things happened in 2011 and I am anticipating a fantastic 2012!
Today's card uses the Friday Mash Up!...

Make a project that "Sparkles".
Or Make a project "Celebrating the New Year".
Or "Mash it Up" and create a project "Celebrating the New Year that Sparkles" .

...and the colours are from Our Creative Corner:
Bright Pink (Melon Mambo), Bright Green (Wild Wasabi), Bright Yellow (Daffodil Delight), and Bright Purple (Elegant Eggplant).

The "fancy" heart from "I (Heart) Hearts" was done with Versamark and Irridescent Ice on each of the colours and then cut out and raised on top of hearts I created using the new Hearts Collection Framelits. I used one of the flower centres from "Greenhouse Garden" to create the bursts in the background. I honestly think I use that stamp more often for a background then I do for the centre of a flower!

A bit more bling was added to the Celebrate sentiment which comes from one of the Sale-a-bration sets.

I am now off to do more playing around with new sets - I also vowed I would do some cleaning today too.

I hope you have a safe and fun eventful last day to 2011 - and Best Wishes to you in the New Year!
Thanks for visiting...Joan

Poppin Thanks

2011-12-30T16:33:00.000-07:00

I've been busy today creating projects and e-mails for upcoming events....and worked in a challenge as well using the sketch from Create with Connie and Mary.

I used a couple of the new products which are in the upcoming Occasions Mini: The Mixed Bunch stamp set - which I used the Poppin' Pastels technique on to create the two different colours on the one image. I also used one of the new Edgelits Dies. Next time I'll have to use the same die and then emboss it with the Impressions Folder.

So many new things to play with - glad I'm on the holdiay break!

I'm also sharing a picture of the little purses I created for three young ladies this Christmas season - I put gift cards into them. I got the tutorial for the patterns over at Inking Idaho. There are three different patterns in the tutorial - I'll be experimenting with the others soon.

Hope you are having a wonderful day - Thanks for taking time out to visit. Joan

Thank You Snow Much!

2011-12-23T10:34:00.001-07:00

Yipee - 1) It's Friday....2) I have the morning off to play in my stamping room before going to school... 3) it's the last day of school...4) Life is peachy keen....5) - It's Friday Mashup! day. What more can be said?!

I used today's Friday Mashup! and Splitcoasts Color Challenge for this week to create this card to give to our school secretary from my husband and I. She took care of our concert programs (for his band concert and my elementary concert) without a blink and created a wonderful display table at the entrance of the gym for the programs to be available. I'm always appreciative of the people in the world who take initiative to do things while some of us have our heads full of other things at the time.

Today's Mashup! was a sketch and/or the use of watercolours. The colours from Splitcoast were Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade. Not really for this particular season - which is what they were trying to move away from for the week - but a snowman can be dressed in anything so it all works out. I thought this snowman image was perfect two because of the two little birds singing out their thanks!

I'm off to finish some more gift card holders and maybe do a bit of cleaning before heading to school. Hope your day is fantastic and that someone helps you out in some way today. Thanks for taking the time to visit.
Joan

Happy Snow Day

2011-12-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

At this point, I'm not sure we'll ever have a snow day this year - but winter has only just begun I guess, January could have a whole lot of snow in store.

My creation today covers three challenges:
Hand Stamped Sentiments - is looking for a unique fold this week so I created an easel card, with the top part of the easel resting against a small pile of "snow" created with Dazzling Details.
Stampin' Royalty is challenging people to create a Winter or Christmas themed card.
SUO Challenges - is to create a Merry, Happy, and Everything Joyous card.

I added Dazzling Details to the tops of the letters to create the illusion of snow having fallen on them. The Bear's toque is actually Sock Monkey's Santa Hat with the point removed; and I drew the snowy hills freehand.

Only one more day of school - and I must say - teaching until December 23 is NUTS - I can only imagine what the kids will be like tomorrow knowing the next day is Christmas Eve. However, on a positive note - my two concerts went very well - as I knew they would in the end.

Here's hoping you are as ready as necessary for your holiday celebrations. Thanks for stopping by for a visit.
Joan

Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy

2011-12-19T16:50:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure how happy these fellows are about the temperatures right now - but they're happy about coming out to play today.

I've used the Mojo Monday sketch today - turned on it's side and the colours are from Our Creative Corner....light pink, light blue, red and white.

I attached the small strip of Pretty in Pink to the end of a Bashful Blue piece and then put it through the Big Shot with the Snow Burst Embossing Folder. The "seam" of the two pieces of cardstock is covered with a piece of Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon.

Silver Glimmer Paper was used for the small strip above the snowmen and for the large and small scallops highlighting the snowflake. I added Dazzling Details to the snowmen's hats and a bit of Crystal Effects to their buttons.

Well, let me tell ya - our Christmas Concert should be spectacular on Wednesday if today's 1st run through was any indication. I'm so glad we can do it again tomorrow before it's "for real". I know you don't want a perfect practice before a performance - but seriously! I'm really not worried though - I know everything will be wonderful in the end!

Hope the beginning of your week has been good - thanks for taking the time to stop by for a visit.
Joan

Cherry Gold Christmas

2011-12-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm two for two (two days in a row!) ...not what I'd call a "roll" but it's a start. I need to get the craft room cleaned up a bit after all the events I've done and then the groove will get settled into some more!

Today I joined the challenges at The Paper Players and Create with Connie and Mary.

The Paper Players are playing with Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla and Gold until the end of the year. What a rich combination! I hadn't used my gold embossing powder all season - and I haven't used this Snow Swirled set either, and I really like this tree - especially when you mix embossing powders!

The sketch I've used is from Create with Connie and Mary - I've tweaked it a wee bit because of the tree. It's a fabulous sketch - so many things could be done with it!

Well, the morning is almost over and I need to go over to the school to put all my instruments onto the stage for our 1st dress rehearsal tomorrow morning. I will be a very happy person once Thursday comes along this week!
Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday - thanks for stopping by for a visit.
Joan

Silver Hope

2011-12-17T17:53:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been almost a month to the day since I last posted - and I feel like a stampin' newbie! Gonna have to get my mojo into action again over the next little while. I've been busy, busy, busy with stampin' activities and having a blast with it. I've just missed the time to sit and do challenges also. So, it felt good to be stamping for myself today, even though I'm not thoroughly impressed with what I created.

I chose to use the Friday MashUp! for this week......

Make a project featuring "Chipboard (Precut or Diecut )".
Or Make a project with "Distressing ( ink, scissors or the Cutter Tool Kit)".
Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Distressed Project featuring Chipboard"

I have a whole tin full of chipboard pieces, not counting some that are still in their packages, so it was nice to pull them out to use them. I found this "hope" from an old Christmas set and inked it up, along with the little stars, with Silver ink. The Brushed Silver paper was put through the Big Shot with the Snow Burst embossing folder.

I couldn't find a solid star in my stash of stamps, so I opted to use the one from Floral Fillers.

Tombow Glue is keeping the Silver Glass Stampin' Glitter in place and Rhinestones were added to the stars.....making it full of glittery goodness for the Just Add Ink challenge this week to "Just Add
Glitter" to your projects.

So, there ya have it. I can hear my husband and daughter making all sorts of noise watching the Canucks tonight. Guess I'd better get supper started!

I hope you've had a wonderful day and have a little something to cheer about. Thanks for stopping by!
Joan

The Holiday Sale is Here

2011-11-21T10:02:00.001-07:00

Woo Hoo - the Holiday sale is here. It was exciting waking up this morning and finding out what goodies were going to be available at fabulous prices!

Don't miss out on getting the Simply Scored or the Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps at a reduced price until the end of today ONLY!

Click here for all the details on this Online Extravaganza at my online store. Remember, anyone who places an order through my online store gets a gift from me.

Happy Shopping -

As a side note - I have been flying off my feet with card camps and trade fairs - once the dust has settled in my stamping room - and I've put everything away - it will be time to do a challenge or two and get ready for the next set of events.

Hope your having a fantastic day!
Joan

Holly Snowmen

2011-11-14T19:21:00.000-07:00

Well I had fun with these little guys this afternoon! I used the colours from this weeks' Paper Players - River Rock, Always Artichoke and Riding Hood Red. The sketch is the Mojo Monday Sketch. I must say that I love this combination of colours and I can see me doing this sketch again.

I put the Always Artichoke mat through the Big Shot with the Striped Embossing folder going in two directions. After I cut out the holly leaves using the Stocking Accents die, I folded them and slipped them through the crimper. The holly berries are raised on dimensionals and have Crystal Effects added to make them glisten, and I added Dazzling Details to each of the snowmen's hats that have pompoms.

I cutting away to get ready for two nights of Christmas Stacks this weekend and another trade fair. I'm glad I have Allison to help out. I'm "paying" her with a hair appointment tomorrow. Works for me!

Hope things are working out your way too. Thanks for stopping by for a visit.
Joan

Embossed MashUp!

2011-11-11T12:15:00.000-07:00

I've been working on Christmas cards all week so I was thrilled this morning when I saw that this weeks' Friday MashUp! was moving away from seasonal cards. The SUO Challenge this week was to create a card for someone you're thinking about - my aunt hasn't been feeling very well lately, so I will be sending this her way. The mashup today is:

Make a project featuring "A Girly Theme".
Or Make a project using "Your Favorite Technique".
Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Girly project using your Favorite Technique

I love embossing - both heat and "dry". Heat embossing is just so magical! I used white embossing on the Melon Mambo piece and then coloured in the leaves with white gel pen. The flower pieces were put through the Big Shot with the Finial Press embossing folder. (I don't believe I've ever written down that folder name before! Ha ha)

I haven't shared any pages from my anniversary book for a while - so here are the next two in line.....

My husband has come to my classroom a couple of times on Valentines day delivering a huge Hershey Kiss for me and packages of small ones for my students.

Laughter is an important part of any relationship - good for the spirit, good for the soul, good for our health.

Hope you find something you can laugh about today - I'm off to get ready for a class tomorrow. Have a good one! Thanks for stopping by!
Joan

Fresh Creation

2011-11-10T12:58:00.000-07:00

I do not like how my camera deals with Cherry Cobbler paper! It's always so dark - even when I "fix" it through editing, it just doesn't look like it does in real life.

Oh well - today's card comes courtesy of Create with Connie and Mary and Freshly Made Sketches. I knew as soon as I saw the sketch that I wanted to create a scene that I split into panels. Unfortunately I don't have many sets that can work that way - and I'm NOT getting more!!!! (Who am I kidding - of course I'll get more as soon as the new mini comes out! - Duh!) The colours today are from Create with Connie and Mary - Cherry Cobbler, More Mustard and Basic Black.

I created a second card for my Mother's friend since I wasn't sure how happy I was with the Concord one. I'm going to send both of them to her and she can make her selection.

The sky looks like it's not quite sure what kind of weather it wants to throw at us today - I got all my plant pots and deck furniture dealt with yesterday so I'm pretty much ready for anything now.

Hope you're having a wonderful day - and thanks for stopping by for a visit.
Joan

Recipe to Create

2011-11-08T14:58:00.000-07:00

I love when there is a specified "recipe" to follow on challenge blogs. This week at The Paper Players they have a "Let's get Cooking" recipe challenge which means a project that includes:

3 different patterned papers
2 different ribbons
at least one punch
and a sprinkling of glitter

I've used 3 different designs from the Beau Chateau DSP. I've included the Chantilly crochet trim and the Velvet Stitched Ribbon. I used some Linen Thread to gather up one edge of the crochet trim to create the rosette. Three punches were used - Modern Label, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border and I used the Decorative Label punch to create the curved edges on the central piece. The dressmaker's mannequin is covered in Dazzling Diamonds.

I hope your day is going well for you! Thanks for stopping by for a visit!
Joan

Mucho Mojo

2011-11-07T16:42:00.000-07:00

I ended up creating two cards using today's Mojo Monday sketch. The Soft Suede Butterfly was my first creation with a background collage using images from Established Elegance. It took a while to get to that point because I was dead set on using Mocha Morning paper - but it just didn't work out. I do, however, like this final result.

The second card might be a birthday card for a friend of my Mother's. This photo didn't turn out very well. I used Concord Crush, and I may just do it over again using a lighter background so that the collage of images shows up better - they are the important part of this card. I'll give it another try tomorrow.

I got my report cards done today - I told myself I had to before I got to play. The other thing I have got to do this week is get my head around what I'm going to have the kids doing for this years' Christmas Concert. Time will fly by once this little break is over.

Hope your mojo is working for you today. Thanks for stopping by!
Joan

Silvery, Snowy Thanks

2011-11-06T14:45:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how long it's been since I posted a card - AND the fact that I missed an entire Friday Mashup! I have been busy these past two weekends, and I did spend this whole last week preparing for a Christmas Trade Show - but still! Well, I have this whole week off - so in between doing report cards and tweaking things for the next Trade Fair - I will be catching up on my usual challenges.

So - this week at the Friday Mashup they were looking for heat embossing and gratitude. We've celebrated our Thanksgiving already - so I thought I'd gear my card towards thanks at Christmas or in the winter. The sketch is from Stamping 411.

I embossed these wonderful Serene Snowflakes with silver embossing powder. I used the Versa Mark Pen to touch the snowman's buttons and added embossing to them also. The Lace Ribbon Border was punched from the Brushed Silver Paper as well as the one little Northern Frost snowflake which I had leftover in a drawer waiting to be used.

Well - I am thankful for this week off - I've got lots of upcoming events planned and need the time to prepare, in addition to necessary jobs, reading, cleaning, napping!

Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday afternoon. Thanks for stopping by for a visit.
Joan

Simple Fall Gratitude

2011-10-30T16:02:00.000-06:00

It's been a very busy weekend, and I'm glad to be home - frustrated with a stuffy nose - but glad to get home. I had a great time at the Fine Arts Conference and learned a lot of new stuff to take into the classroom! So - I've created a relatively simple card this afternoon to fulfill my stamping need.

The Paper Players are looking for a fall element in this week's challenge - the trees are pretty much bare here and the leaves on the street have even been picked up so that's why I selected these lovely bare trees. The sketch for today's card comes from Stamping 411 and the colours are inspired by a photo at Hand Stamped Sentiments.

I have a lot to look forward this week - hope you do to! Thanks for stopping by.
Joan

So....I lied.....

2011-10-26T18:03:00.000-06:00

I thought that the card I made last week was the last Halloween card - but when I saw the sketch from Create with Connie and Mary - I absolutely envisioned the haunted house as the focal point - so here we are! The card also goes with the spooky/creepy Halloween challenge this week at Stampin' Royalty.

I'm keeping this short and sweet - my husband and I are heading to Calgary this weekend to a Fine Arts Conference. I'm looking forward to a number of the classes that I'm going to be taking.

Hope your weekend turns into something you're looking forward to.

Thanks for stopping by - Joan

One Last Halloween Card?

2011-10-23T17:48:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure, but this may be the last Halloween Card I create this season.....we'll see. I've incorporated the Friday Mashup and the Paper Player's Sketch for this card. The Friday Mashup! was:

Make a project featuring "A Belly Band".

Or Make a project using "Twine".

Or "Mash it Up" and create a project "Using Twine with a "Belly Band"

Below is the card without the belly band so you can see the sketch better.

I had to use those little bats again, and although you can't tell from the photo - I added their eyes with white gel pen and then coloured them yellow. I was sort of hoping to use rhinestones, but the smallest weren't small enough.

Next are the I and J pages of the anniversary book:

I did case part of this page from someone on the My Digital Studio website. She had used some sort of tag and I used the arrows.

This page just has photos of the Jeffery family from the wedding reception to 2009. Not every year is represented, but I sure am thankful for my Mother taking pictures of the four of us when she came to visit!

It's been a beautiful Sunday afternoon - hope you are enjoying fabulous fall weather where you are too. Thanks for stopping by for a visit.
Joan

Global Snow

2011-10-22T17:20:00.001-06:00

Gotta love supportive husbands! Mine came home this afternoon, and after the usual "Make a Card!" greeting - I showed him what I had done. "That's nice, but..." And then I noticed - I've got animals from two different poles - so we decided that it was globally friendly! LOL

I used the Crayon Resist technique to keep the polar bear & penguin tummy white while sponging Marina Mist onto the Glossy White Paper. Over at Hand Stamped Sentiments you could use the Shaving Cream, Crayon, or Popping Pastels as a technique for your project. The sketch is from Freshly Made Sketches. I suppose in hindsight I should have used the snowflake embossing folder, but I was using up pieces of embossed paper which I already had.

I've been busy planning, cutting and prepping for upcoming events. It's a busy time of year - but lots of fun too. Hope things are going tickety-boo for you this weekend. Thanks for stopping by.
Joan

Merry Chickadee

2011-10-20T07:33:00.000-06:00

I finally got around to using this wonderful little chickadee - they're my favorite little bird. The leaves and berries have been coloured with Frost White Shimmer Paint with a bit of re-inker added. That way they shimmer nicely on the card. I applied the paint with an old blender pen that had lost its "stuff". An Old Olive marker was used to colour the shading of the leaves. I also used the shimmer mixture to distress the edge of the oval.

I really should have thought out what paper I was going to use for the rest of the card before I coloured the image though - the image uses Old Olive and the DSP and mat are Garden Green. But that's okay - the Challenge over at The Paper Players this week is to use traditional red and green colours for a Christmas card - and both greens work. Stampin' Royalty has provided the sketch for this card. I have adjusted it a bit because my image was so large and I used 3 little Merry tags on the side.

This is the anniversary card my daughter made for my husband to give to me. It wasn't what she had had in mind because she couldn't find the stamp set she wanted to use - that threw her for a bit of a loop (It would throw me for a while too) - but I love what she's come up with. She didn't realize until later that she put the world on upside down - I said her dad turns my world upside down anyway - so it's all good. My gift from him was a trip to anywhere in the world I want to go - so the card is fitting!

Hope something turns your world upside down in a good way today - Thanks for stopping by! Joan

Let it snow...well, not yet!!!!!

2011-10-14T17:55:00.001-06:00

I'm fine with the fallen leaves right now, and the crisp clear air - don't want the white stuff yet - but I do like snowflakes - and that's what the Friday Mashup is all about -

Make a project featuring "Snowflakes".
Or Make an "Easel Card".
Or "Mash it Up" and create an "Easel Card featuring Snowflakes"

Easel cards are fun - and I do enjoy making them, now that the initial fear of them has subsided! And as the quote on the Friday Mashup states - "A Snowflake is winter's butterfly". I think that's wonderful! So - I used the "Snow Much Fun" 'cause these snowmen are so cute - and I used the silver glimmer paper with the Northern Frost die. I just HAD to add rhinestones to the centres of the snowflakes, and a mini jingle bell to the end of the snowman's hat!

Here are the next two pages in the anniversary book.....

Grant - our musically talented son - who drums in a band and creates wonderful piano pieces that make me stop and listen

I'm looking forward to more holidays together!

Hope your working into a wonderful weekend! Thanks for stopping by!
Joan

Heartfelt Kisses

2011-10-13T15:19:00.000-06:00

I have a coupler of challenges meshed into today's card - Hand Stamped Sentiments have a Think Pink Challenge out because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - so I pulled out some pinks and decided I had to use the lips again - and when I glanced at the "Floral Fillers" set, I wondered if I could use the Kissing Technique with the lips - and it worked perfectly. The sketch is the Saturday Sketch from Stamping 411 and although I missed the deadline for posting a link, there was a die cut challenge at Just Add Ink - so that's why I added the swirls along the bottom.

I noticed once I saw the card on the computer that I added absolutely no bling of any sort - I may have to fix that - add some rhinestones or something.

Below are the next two pages in my anniversary book...

I had fun stringing these little people together. And one of the main logos for our school board has been the apple with the check mark in it - so that worked well too. I LOVE the grunge set - especially the little pieces of tape!

This flower page is a case from someone on MDS - I regret not writing down whose ideas I borrowed for a couple of my pages!

It's pretty windy here today - still walked to school though and it wasn't too bad. I hope your day has been a good one - and thanks for stopping by!
Joan

25th Anniversary

2011-10-11T08:10:00.000-06:00

Today, 25 years ago, I married a wonderful man, who I have grown to love more over these 25 years.

I had loads of fun creating the alphabet book on MDS and this very silvery card. I knew when I saw the sketch challenge at Create with Connie and Mary, that it would work perfectly with what I had in mind. I am so thankful for that silver glimmer paper!

I'm keeping this short today - thanks for stopping by for a visit.
Joan

Gem of a Friend

2011-10-10T17:36:00.000-06:00

Mojo Monday - WoooHooo! Very cool sketch today. I pulled out my Beau Chateau DSP and decided to go with a totally Marina Mist card - not hard for me to do really - it's my favorite blue right now. I guess I really only used one piece of the DSP, and coordinated with stamping from Vintage Vogue.

I tried out the new Peekaboo Frames Bigz Die for the Big Shot. I love the idea of being able to make little windows easily for cards, scrapbook pages and crafts.

I remember when the Big Shot came out I thought- "I just can't see myself using this enough to buy one" Wow, I'm glad I broke down, got one with the Convention Special - I have used it sooooo much. And now, Stampin' Up! is giving one for FREE to whoever purchases the Starter Kit in October. Fabulous!

If you're interested in paying for your hobby or paying some bills AND getting a FREE Big Shot and a discount for your stamping or crafting , just contact me and I can help that happen for you.

I hope you've had a wonderful day - Thanks for stopping by for a visit.
Joan

Dino Birthday

2011-10-09T17:02:00.000-06:00

I do so love these little dinosaurs - they're just so cute. I've used the sketch from this past week's Splitcoast Sketch Challenge and the colours - More Mustard, Bravo Burgundy, Cajun Craze and Very Vanilla are from The Paper Players

I stamped the little dinos onto the vertical Vanilla strip with Staz-On Black so that they wouldn't run with the blender pen. I didn't really pay attention to their placement, so when I was going to put on the square focal piece, I realized that one of the heads would be covered - so I just cut it away so that it would overlap onto the matting.

Here are the next two pages of my anniversary book - I still have to wait two days before giving it to my husband. I have, however, decided how I am going to package it and "give" it to him.

The choir pictures range from going on our first Concordia Choir tour, the Concordia Community Choir, the two church choirs we've sung in and a small church choral group.

I know I cased this page - at least parts of it from someone I saw on the MDS website.

Hope your weekend has been wonderful - thanks for stopping by for a visit.

Joan

One Huge Spider!

2011-10-08T16:42:00.000-06:00

I feel like I haven't posted anything since - forever. It really hasn't been that long, but it's been busy. Thursday night was taken up with an event, and on top of having a Professional Development day for school on Friday, our family had our Thanksgiving dinner since it was the only time both kids would be around. So - it's was busy - but it's nice to know that the rest of the long weekend will be relaxing!

So - today - once I gutted out my stamping room - AGAIN - I worked on the Friday Mashup!

Make a "Halloween themed" Project.
Or Make a Project using the colors: "Black, Pumpkin Pie, Lucky Limeade & Concord Crush".
Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Halloween project using the Colors listed above".

Honestly, I have been wanting to make a spider using the same method I've been making pumpkins with - and today was the day. He is made with the Concord Crush - just to make him more deadly - and once I put the pieces together I spritzed them with the glimmer paint. Finally, I just HAD to add some googly eyes which I have from past crafting days.

I brayered the raised side of the spider web embossing folder before putting in the paper. I don't mind the little bit of smudging around the edging that happened while brayering.

I used the Halloween image from the "It's a Wrap Holidays" and coloured in the "empty" words with the Versa Mark Pen.

This is a banner I worked on last week - I TOTALLY cased it from a demonstration at Regionals. Well, all except the Y - for some reason I didn't take a picture of the Y. Duh!!!

Well, I'm off. Tonight we are helping a friend celebrate her 50th birthday. Should be a good time! Hope you are enjoying your weekend so far - Thanks for visiting. Joan

Gratitude Tea

2011-10-05T15:19:00.000-06:00

Just a quick post before I run out the door to head to the city for our team meeting - well, and to be honest - browsing around one of the shopping centres first.

I used today's sketch from Freshly Made Sketches along with the colours from Stampin' Royalty: So Saffron, More Mustard, Old Olive and Elegant Eggplant.

For the main matt - I rolled More Mustard onto the Striped Embossing Folder with a brayer before putting the Saffron paper in to emboss it; so the Mustard is embedded in the "lower" stripes. The teacup was done on watercolour paper and I had to do two to get one I liked. Fancy teacups always remind me of my Grandma and going to the back lane neighbors for tea when I was a little girl. I do remember proper tea parties too - I just don't recall what the "real" purpose of them were. I do remember being dressed up and offering around the plate of goodies to the guests. Good Times! Good Memories!

And I'm off .... to more good times with Stampin' Friends - hope your day is enjoyable too! Thanks for stopping by!
Joan

Remember When

2011-10-04T19:16:00.000-06:00

Leaves, leaves, lots of leaves...Hand Stamped Sentiments is challenging the use of Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie and Not Quite Navy - which works with SUO challenges of including leaves in your project and I've used the sketch from Stamping 411.

I did end up using Early Espresso for the bases of the leaves - and in hindsight figured that using the Not Quite Navy would have been pretty cool too. I tried twisting the Seam Binding Ribbon, holding the twists in place with glue dots. The punched leaf has been stamped with the veins from "Gently Falling" and then crumpled up.

The following are the A and B pages for the alphabet book I created for my husband for our 25th anniversary next week....all done on My Digital Studio. I love the capability of being able to change the sizes of stamps - connecting them and manipulating them.

Hope your week is going well - thanks for stopping by!

Joan

Leafy Smiles

2011-10-03T19:59:00.000-06:00

Today's card uses the sketch from over at Mojo Monday. I finally used the Gently Falling set in the manner to which is was created - two step stamping. I do love two step stamping!!!!

I used the wreath from the Warmest of Wishes hostess set - the centre is punched out and the layer of circles have been raised above the wreath using two layers of dimensionals....because, of course, the wreath has been attached with dimensionals.

I AM SOOOOOO EXCITED - because the book I have poured my heart into for the past number of months finally arrived today from Stampin' Up! Oh my word it's fabulous. It's a book I created for my husband for our 25th anniversary using My Digital Studio.
The cover is below - perhaps I'll share some of the other pages along the way.

Daring Adventures

2011-10-02T20:27:00.000-06:00

It's been a busy weekend - and we're heading into a busy week - but it's all good! I got this card ready today - covering 3 challenges - and then I spent the afternoon working on simple sketches to take to school for our newly formed "Birthday Bridgade" to work on for handing out to students on their birthday.

The three challenges for my Adventure card come from
The Paper Players - Have music on your card - I rolled the notes onto vellum and also used a small piece for the wing of the bird.

Freshly Made Sketches - the Sketch - I found a chipboard tag in my stash - I had to cut it down a bit to fit the card - but it feels good to get rid of another one of those tid bits lying around waiting to be used.

Create, Ink! - the Colours - Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade, Basic Gray. These colours could so easily be Halloween in nature - but I moved completely away with that - using the quote from one of the first inspirational women I was introduced through a child's level biography. Helen Keller and Florence Nightingale were the first biographies I owned.

I don't read a lot of biographies anymore - but perhaps I should. I hope you had a good weekend, and that there are things for you to look forward to through the week.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!
Joan

Fall Brad Mashup!

2011-09-30T00:05:00.004-06:00

Well, I'm sad to say that this is my last posting as a guest designer for the Friday Mashup! I have thoroughly enjoyed my opportunity to work with these talented ladies. The mashup is a fun concept and I will continue to work on these weekly challenges! So - for this final Friday of September the mash up, which is a Fan Favorite Pick created by Lisa Runyon, is:

Make a "Fall themed" project
Or Make a Project that uses "Brads...lots and lots of Brads".
Or "Mash it Up" and create a fun "Fall themed project that uses lots and lots of Brads".

One thing I love about fall beside the crunchy leaves on the ground, are the Black Eyed Susans which come into perfect bloom at this time of year. I walk past a yard which has a whole bed full of them, and some other little groupings scattered around in other beds. I smile each day I pass and see this one little grouping, standing tall and unwilted while the other plants around them are beginning to fade. They're just so happy looking. So - they were my inspiration for this card - and I chose to use brads to highlight the "eyes".

The Crochet Trim has been changed up a bit. At the Regionals I was at two weeks ago, one of the home-office demonstrators showed how to colour the trim with ink. You need to wash it out a bit first to remove the chemical that is on it - otherwise the ink sort of beads on top of the fibers. I just rinsed the trim out with a bit of handsoap, dried it with my heat gun and then applied the ink from the ink pad with a sponge dauber.

Be sure to head over to The Friday Mashup! to see all the FALL-icious cards the DT have come up with. Be sure to link your own creation to that blogsite and when posting on a public gallery remember to use FM26.

The last two Saturdays have been spent at Stampin'Up! events - now tomorrow I'm attending an Orff workshop. Should be full of musical fun, fun, fun. Hope your weekend is gearing up with things to look forward to. And thanks again to Holly for the opportunity and privilege of being a guest designer for September!

Thanks for stopping by,

Joan

Coffee anyone?

2011-09-29T09:58:00.001-06:00

Got my challenge done early today - then I can do some business stuff after school today. The colours for this card are: Sahara Sand, Pool Party and Basic Black - the combo from over at Create with Connie and Mary this week. I'm sorry that I kept painting the Pool Party re-inker onto the coffee pot - it has deepened the colour considerably and looks more aqua. Well, I guess that's a pool sort of colour too. The sketch is from this weeks' Mojo Monday.

It wasn't the look I was going for - but that scallop circle - punched from watercolor paper, looks like a used coffee filter. :)

Well, I'm ready for another cup of coffee myself. Hope your day goes well. I'm looking forward to school this afternoon because I have more than 40 little munchkins who are interested in joining an elementary choir. I've never done a school one before, and I expect I'll lose a few - but I'm excited to get them going!
Thanks for stopping by - Joan

Simple Christmas

2011-09-28T17:21:00.000-06:00

That carpet of leaves outside is getting deeper and deeper - and crunchier and crunchier - so I know that the days are numbered before Christmas will be here. I have read on a couple of websites how many weeks or days there are - but I don't really want to give the fall up yet.

Today's card uses the sketch from Just Add Ink this week, and has a simple nature to it for keeping it simple over at Stampin' Royalty. What simpler way to dress up a wintery or Christmasy card than with either the snowflake embossing folder or the Northern Frost Strip Die. On top of that, the Silver Glimmer paper makes it supper easy to add glitz to the snowflakes.

I had my first practice with the Grade 4 handchimes today at lunch - they're so excited, and did pretty well for the first day. Looking forward to a good year.
Thanks for dropping by for a visit - Joan

Halloween Sentiments

2011-09-27T16:07:00.000-06:00

Well, I kinda think that the two day headache I had squelched some of my Mojo - I'm not that happy with this card - sorry. The sketch is from Stampin' Royalty and this week the ladies over at Hand Stamped Sentiments are looking for Halloween cards.

I need to get some workshop business done this afternoon, and then I get to go out for dinner with my husband - gotta love Groupons! Hope your evening is enjoyable too. Thanks for dropping by! Joan

A Pool Party Day

2011-09-25T16:56:00.001-06:00

Okay - so I'm talking about the colour and not an actual pool party - but believe me you certainly could have one here today. The leaves are falling off the trees creating a wonderful golden carpet on the street - and yet the breeze is sooooo warm, it's an incredible September afternoon.

So - I'm working with the Paper Players sketch for this card and I incorporated two pieces which were sitting on my craft table just waiting to be used. The Pool Party matt had been distressed and then opted against for a card last week, and the centre medallion was made a number of weeks ago when I first got my SIMPLY SCORED and was playing around. Ya almost need a box in order to give it to anyone - it's so high in the middle. Oh well, gotta create something challenging every once in a while - right?

I had a fantastic time yesterday at our Extravaganza - it wasn't a big crowd, but a fun one. Next weekend I have a music workshop to go to - so I may never get a Saturday to sleep in. Maybe that's why I'm napping in the afternoon? Hee Hee.

Here are the supplies that I used for this card -

Hope your weekend has been warm and wonderful - thanks for stopping by for a visit. Joan

Bleached out Paper

2011-09-24T00:05:00.001-06:00

Today at our Extravaganza I am doing a technique demonstration and I decided to try the Bleaching Technique. That means that the last couple of days I've been experimenting with bleach and paper and having a ton of fun doing it! It's almost as magical as embossing powder! I really don't like sharing so many cards at once - but since they all centre on the same thing I guess I will.

For this first card (above) I used Elegant Eggplant and Wisteria Wonder. After punching out the flowers I also sponged bleach around the edges to change the colour.

Soft Suede created a yellow bleached area - and as long as the stamp isn't saturated with bleach the writing comes out okay too.

Baroque Motif worked well for this technique, and again, I sponged around the edges just to add a bit.

I love the colour that gets bleached out with the Pacific Point. I loved it so much that I bleached a whole strip after punching out the lace border. The butterfly from Creative Elements was a bit hard to do with bleach - the lines were a bit too delicate.

Finally - just for fun - I crumpled up a piece of Poppy Parade after wetting it with a bit of water. Then I dabbed it onto the little towel of bleach and let it dry. When I opened it there was a cool yellow colour in a "sort-of" tie-dyed effect. After I tore my piece, I punched out circles to create the matching pumpkin.

It just takes patience, willingness to experiment, and be sure that you recondition your stamps with Stampin' Mist before putting them away again!

I know I'll be having tons of fun at the Extravaganza, and I'll share those projects with you later. Hope you are having a fun day too!
Joan

Mash(ed) up Directions

2011-09-23T07:06:00.000-06:00

WooHoo - it's Friday again- and Mashup time. I can't believe how fast this week has gone. I've been holed up with My Digital Studio finishing off my Anniversary Alphabet book for my husband (25th next month) and I finally got it sent off for printing last night. So now I can stay focused - Today's Mashup is:

Make a card using the "Sketch above that is Square".
Or Make a Project that has a "Masculine" theme.
Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Square Project with the Sketch above that is Masculine".

I love this sketch - so many things could be placed where the stars are. I'm just not sure if I really want to trust this bear with all his arrows? He has such a mischievous look on his face, holding all those arrows. There are just so many options for young people out there today - it's hard to make a decision! You need a lot of confidence.

Be sure to find your way over to the Friday Mashup! to check out all the wonderful creations from the design team. When posting your creations be sure to tag it with FM25 on public galleries.

So - hope you have a path to follow today - it's Friday, so my walking path to work veers off towards a 7-11 where I can get a more special coffee than I get at home. Gotta love Fridays! Hope yours is fantastic.

"Quilted" Leaves

2011-09-20T20:18:00.000-06:00

Oh, I just love these huge buttons - I just got my first package yesterday. I didn't think I'd like them, but then I worked with them helping Tamye get her swaps ready for Founder's Circle....and I changed my mind! I just may have to get more!

Today's card covers two challenges....Hand Stamped Sentiments is looking for embossing - either with an embossing folder or powder - I used both because I love how the square lattice embossing folder embeds punched pieces into the background so that it's almost quilted. SUO Challenges are looking for fall colours.

I absolutely love fall colours - they're just so me. I miss the wide range of colours available in Ontario with the huge oaks and maples - however, on my walk to school this morning I noticed that Mountain Ash trees give a wonderful shade of red. So it's all good...and...since I walked home by myself, I did some major shuffling! Happy, happy, happy!

Hope you find something to bring a smile to your face today - and thanks for stopping by for a visit.

Joan

Baby Mojo Dino

2011-09-19T20:26:00.000-06:00

I really wasn't sure until the last minute what image I was going to use on this card - but I'm glad I picked the Dino. The sketch is the Mojo Monday sketch for the week - it was fun to work with - to decide what to use for each of the panels. There is "suppose" to be a bow in the upper corner - but I opted out for the nest that this little guy flew from.

The colours spoke "baby" to me, so it fits with the Just Add Ink challenge this week which was "Just Add Baby".

Hope your Monday was fabulous - Thanks for stopping by!
Joan

Lazing the day away...

2011-09-18T17:55:00.000-06:00

I must say I have been fairly lazy today - it's all I can do to keep my eyes open. Ridiculous!!! I did, however, have a great time at Regionals yesterday. Lots of see and learn!

After my nap....a waste of time, but necessary....I went to my stamp room to create this card for The Paper Players challenge to include a plant or animal on your project. I was centering on the lion, but I guess I have a bit of flora happening too.

The two semi-circles are glossy paper which I rubbed with So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, and Marina Mist with the edges accented with Not Quite Navy.

I hope you have had time to relax a bit this weekend to prepare for the upcoming week. Thanks for taking the time to stop by for a visit.
Joan

Simply Black & White

2011-09-17T00:05:00.001-06:00

I think some of my mojo has gotten blown away by the wind today. It was a good day, but I'm feeling tired again - I guess the wind can do that to you.

I've created this simple card today for the clean and simple sketch over at Stamping 411. I had been using this fantastic Mocha Morning paper earlier in the day, and hadn't noticed this particular piece - I just HAD to use it and created the ribbon flower - I wish some of the petals didn't stay so square!

Today I am in the city at a Stampin' Up! Regional event. Sooooooo exciting! I'm sure I'll have something to post for you tomorrow.

Hope there is something you're able to get excited about today! Thanks for visiting - Joan

Fall Mashup!

2011-09-16T00:05:00.000-06:00

Have you shuffled through any leaves yet? I have a little bit - I'm waiting for the big piles though! Fall is my favorite season and so I was excited about this weeks Mashup! - Here it is...

Create a project with an "Autumn" theme.
Or Create a project using shades of "Yellow & Orange".
Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Autumn project using shades of Yellow & Orange".

I haven't used Autumn Splendor yet this season, and I have never embossed these leaves either. Wow - they look fabulous embossed in gold. I used Peach Parfait, So Saffron and Cajun Craze for the leaves as well as stamping those colours on the background piece.

I really wish we had big oak trees here in Alberta - but alas, we only have small oaks, not like the ones in Ontario or the Okanagan. But believe me, I'll take any kind of crunchy leaves to shuffle through - nope, never gonna grow up!

So, don't forget to pop over to the Friday Mashup! to check out the beautiful creations by the Design Team and remember to use FM24 as a tag when you are uploading your creation to a public gallery and also link it back to the Mashup! blog.

Hope you're enjoying some autumn splendor - thanks for visiting

Cajun Flowers

2011-09-15T17:35:00.000-06:00

Today's card is fairly clean and simple - although I'm not that happy with how it photographed. I was inspired by Lee Conrey yesterday with her Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon which she coloured to go with her card. I tried it today - but I had to use the Crumb Cake Ribbon instead. It matches well on the card, but the photo made it a bit darker.

These colours - Basic Gray, Old Olive and Cajun Craze - are from Create with Connie and Mary and the sketch is from Freshly Made Sketches.

I'm yawning my face off right now, so I'll probably be calling it an early night. There are too many fun things coming up in the near future for me to be tired for. Hope your day is going well and you are enjoying the fall colours in your area. Thanks for stopping by.

Be Yourself - Be Muddy

2011-09-14T20:57:00.000-06:00

I'm so sorry to the ladies over at Stampin' Royalty - I saw the wonderful delicious looking cupcakes (even though they're candles they look good enough to eat - and who wouldn't want a waffer cookie on top of a cupcake!!!!!) for their Picture Inspiration Challenge - I immediately saw little piggies in mud. I opted for two clean piggies and one who's been playing in the mud. I even daubed some Chocolate Chip on the button to dirty it up a bit.

Now I'm hungry staring at these "cupcakes" - gotta go find something sweet. Have a wonderful day - and thanks for visiting.

Marine Dino Birthday

2011-09-12T22:31:00.000-06:00

What a busy day! Walked to work AND went to the gym with my daughter. That was a first and fun and I plan to use her as my personal coach just to keep me motivated! Had to clean a bit to get ready for my workshop tomorrow night and then helped Allison put some of the Tres Chic words up in her room. The brown words on a blue wall looks fantastic (the blue is close to Marina Mist). After that we crashed and watched "A League of Their Own" while I iced my knee. Oh, and I guess I created this cute little dino card - that was before the movie!!! I plan to sleep well tonight!

I've used this weeks' sketch from Stamping 411 and the challenge at Just Add Ink this week was to use white and one other colour. I used pieces from the Extreme Element set to work with the darling dinosaur. The splotch was stamped with Marina Mist on Whisper White and then I took the little set of circles and stamped with White Craft Ink. The Birthday greeting has been embossed so that it's sharper and stands out more. You can tell I used two pieces of Marina Mist Seam Binding Ribbon across the joint of the paper.

I got some happy mail today - My name tag for Regionals this weekend. WooHoo!!!! Can't wait!!!!!

That's all for now - thanks for stopping by!
Joan

Halloween Bats

2011-09-11T16:41:00.000-06:00

I know we've only just begun the month of September, but these colours today spoke Halloween to me. The combo are the colours for this week's challenge over at The Paper Players: Rich Razzleberry, Basic Gray, Old Olive and Whisper White. The sketch is from Create with Connie and Mary. The area where the bats are (retired punch), is where the sketch has a folded ribbon. I wasn't happy with any of the ribbon I have for this particular colour scheme, so I add the trio of winged creatures. I can't believe that I cut out that jagged edge around the frame. - but once I started I had to keep going. Finally there is the parade of spiders around the edge which I stamped with Basic Gray and then "coloured" in with a Versa Mark Pen so that they weren't too dark.

Hope that your weekend has gone well - It's been a busy weekend here - I've got to get my MDS book done this coming week - that's the goal I've set for myself. I'll be sharing some of those pages with you in the future.

Have a great end to your weekend - Thanks for stopping by!
Joan

School Stitching Mashup!

2011-09-09T00:05:00.002-06:00

WooHoooo - it's time for the Friday Mashup! I had fun creating the card for this week and made it especially for our new Assistant Principal. The "Mash Up!" challenge this week is:

1. Create a project with "Stitching or Faux Stitching".

2. Or Create a project for "Back To School or a Teacher Gift".

3. Or "Mash it Up!" and create a "Back To School Project with Stitching"!

Since I don't have any apple stamps at the present time, and I already used the little school bus from the "Every Little Bit" set a couple of weeks ago - I decided to get out the wise old Owl punch and to borrow this clever apple from Angela McKay - the North Shore Stamper. When I was doing the faux stitching I didn't add any paper piercing to it because the stitches on the letters were going to be too small.

Be sure to stop over at the Friday MashUp! challenge blog to check out all the wonderful designs from the design team! And when you upload your creation be sure you tag it with FM23 on public galleries.

Another quick project that I created for myself was to use some of my leftover Decore Elements Flourishes on this Daytimer from Staples - which I will use at school since we didn't get Agendas this year.

Love, love, loving the warm September weather right now.....in addition to eating the apples right off the tree. Hope you have some things to brighten your day! Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend.

Team Meeting Cards

2011-09-07T23:37:00.000-06:00

Coloured with re-inker and aquapainter - love the little pearl added on the side of the pear.

Stamped with Craft ink and finished with clear embossing powder then sponged with colour.

Only two layers - one colour - even more CAS than my card yesterday!

Two Step Stamping - with chocolate attached! WoooooHooooo/!!!!

Oh, it is nice that the summer is over and I can get together with my Stampin' friends again. We had our first team meeting this evening and it was soooooooo good to catch up! We made these four cards at our meeting tonight and I told Tamye that she has provided me with ideas (if not exact) cards that I'll use for my workshops in September/October. All of them are quick, easy, but effective. And I so love the idea of punching out a hole in the card for the wrapped up chocolate to fit in. That is SUCH an easy idea for any season or event that the two "Wrap" sets provide.

I've taught today, been to meet the teacher, AND dealt with two sort of flat tires......I'm ready for bed, but looking forward to tomorrow and having lunch with a very dear friend.
Hope you have something to look forward to also! Thanks for stopping by!
Joan

Clean and Simple Leaves

2011-09-06T16:36:00.003-06:00

I truly believe I have NEVER made a card quite as clean and simple as this - which is probably why I went ahead and tried another less clean one below. The challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments this week is for Clean and Simple - and I must admit that I do like this crisp gold embossed card.

I made things even simpler in creating it but putting all of my clear-mount stamps on the large block and stamping them all at once. I used the SIMPLY SCORED to create the subtle lines in the background.

With this second try - I did exactly the same thing as above except I coloured the leaves with sponge daubers, not minding if I went outside the embossing. I was going to leave the background plain, but the leaves looked a bit odd. The bit of ribbon is slipped through holes created by the retired double slit punch; I then used the crop-a-dile to punch through the cardstock and ribbon to put the brad on. To be honest - I really think I prefer my first attempt.

It was gorgeous today - I was happy to walk to and from school today with my husband. He walks almost every day - even if it means walking home to pick up his car to go to a meeting. I think I may be able to keep up with him this year - Knees complain a bit, but the walking should make them stronger! Hope your day was fabulous to - thanks for stopping by!

Joan

Creative Element Welcome

2011-09-05T13:24:00.000-06:00

Got a relatively early start in the craft room this morning - now I can go outside and play!

I've combined the colours from Picture Perfect Creations (Pumpkin Pie, Lucky Limeade, Rose Red, Island Indigo) and the sketch from Just Add Ink; although I shortened the main section so that I could add the welcome without interfering with the swirls.

Hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful holiday Monday. I'm off to play outside while my husband watches the annual CFL rival games. Thanks for stopping by for a visit - Toodles -
Joan

Fall Birthday Wishes

2011-09-04T15:50:00.000-06:00

We're having beautiful weather this weekend, but you can still feel the fall season moving into place with the crisp air in the early morning. I just love that crisp fall air! I also love shuffling my feet through the leaves once they've hit the ground. Thankfully we aren't that far into the season yet.

Today's card is a combination of The Paper Players request for a Birthday card (it's amazing how many people I know who are born in September, so this is a very timely challenge!) and the sketch is from Stampin' 411.

Hope you are enjoying your long weekend - Thanks for visiting!
Joan

Gatefold Numbers MashUp!

2011-09-01T23:14:00.001-06:00

Wooohooo! I am so excited to share with you today that I have been invited to be a guest designer with The Friday Mashup! for the month of September. I have thoroughly enjoyed doing these challenges each week since I found the blog - I always look forward to see what things have been chosen to Mash together. I am so absolutely honored to be working with these wonderfully talented ladies! I know I'm going to have a blast! So, for this week the Mash Up is -

Create a card that uses a "Gatefold" .
or Create a card that uses "Numbers". (stamped, die cut, chip board etc)
or "Mash it Up!" and create a "Gatefold Card using Numbers"!

For my creation - I've used Calypso Coral and Pool Party with the "Elizabeth" stamp. I'm a bit sad that the colour looks so dark on the one side of the photo - it's really a soft looking card in real life. I used some of my billions of chipboard for the numbers. At first I inked them with white craft ink - but then sponged some pool party on top.

Upon seeing this card, my daughter remarked that it couldn't be her card even though it's pretty. She may end up using it for a friend since they'll all be turning 21 this coming year.

Be sure to go on over to the Friday Mashup and check out the wonderful creations the Design Team has come up with. And remember to use FM22 when posting to a public gallery.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a fantastic Labour Day Weekend!

Joan

Floral Filler Butterflies

2011-09-01T16:11:00.000-06:00

It's amazing what you discover when you use something properly! I have used this Fancy Fan Letterpress plate a couple of times on previous cards, but I neglected to put in the impressions pad. I'm not sure why I thought of it today, but image my surprise when I ended up with a totally different result! Duh! The areas without ink are raised ever so slightly. I had liked the effect I was getting before - so now I have options.

Today's colours are from Create with Connie and Mary. I wasn't sure what direction I was going to go in with this combo; there are so many possibilities. The colours are Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade, and Pumpkin Pie. I saw Halloween, Fall, last take at Summer - totally cool combo!

Initially when I embossed these glossy butterflies with the Floral Fillers I thought I'd swirl each of the colours on them as we do with the embossing resist technique; but I opted for leaving each level it's own colour and like how it turned out. The little banner is cut from the Petal Cone die. I distressed the paper fibers by pulling the Bone Folder over it like you do to curl ribbon. That made it easier to "billow" across the bottom.

I can't believe tomorrow is Friday already - this week has gone by quickly - amazing what going back to work does to time! Be sure to check back tomorrow - I've been keeping a secret and am so excited I can finally tell tomorrow!

Thanks for stopping by today - Hope your September is off to a great start!
Joan

Monochromatic Doilies

2011-08-31T15:18:00.000-06:00

I absolutely love monochromatic cards, so I just had to do the challenge with Hand Stamped Sentiments this week. The sketch I've used is this weeks' Splitcoast Sketch Challenge.

I dug out my Flirtatious Specialty paper and used the Wisteria Wonder along with Crushed Concord. It's the first time I've used fabric with my Big Shot - but since it matched I just had to!!! For the doilies on the Wisteria paper I used white embossing powder. I didn't want to clutter things up with another punched piece for a sentiment, so I decided to use Staz On to stamp on the jumbo brad.

The first day of school was good - I love doing door supervision in the morning because I get to greet everyone! And I tell ya - I don't think I'm going to have any problem with working half days!

Hope your day has been fantastic also - thanks for visiting.
Joan

Birthday Penguins

2011-08-30T22:04:00.000-06:00

Today's card is a combination of the Mojo Monday Square Sketch and this week's Our Creative Corner Colours of Real Red, Basic Gray and Basic Black. As soon as I saw the colour combination I thought of zebras so I pulled out my Zoo Review set. I decided to use the penguins though because they're just so cute. I stamped one onto a stickie note, cut it out and used it as a mask to I could have a little group of penguins.

I'm back to work tomorrow - it really is hard to believe that we're starting school again! Ah well, it's going to be good to see all the kids again!

Hope your week is fairing well - and thanks for stopping by to visit!
Joan

Sailing out of Summer

2011-08-29T22:29:00.001-06:00

Well, it really sucks that the last two days of summer were spent nursing a migraine! What a complete waste of time. I woke up today relieved of the headache before heading to school for meetings. After school I made sure I got some stamping done! I decided that for this week's Paper Players sketch challenge I would use one of the Summer Mini sets (The Open Sea) which will be gone soon.

I brayered some Early Espresson onto the embossing folder to add that bit of depth before embossing. What a wonderful sketch this is - one to keep in mind for workshops!

I had an Open House this past weekend, and re-did my Door Prize box with some of the new Mocha Morning Specialty paper. To be honest, I may never redo this box - I love it! I used the Lace Ribbon Border, put it through the crimper which made it bend around the edge of the lid easily.

It won't take long before the school routine gets set in, but I'm happy I'll still have time for stamping and sharing classes with my peeps!

Hope the summer is winding up well for you also - thanks for stopping by for a visit! Joan

Halloween Webs & Pumpkins

2011-08-26T13:17:00.000-06:00

Oh I had fun this morning with this creation. It's for today's Friday Mashup!

Create a card using Lesley's sketch OR
Create a card using dry embossing OR
Mash the sketch and the dry embossing together on one card

I LOVE using my embossing folders so that was easy, and Lesley's sketch was easy to work with too! Once I decided to create a Halloween card, I used the Spider Web embossing folder - but the "busy" part of the raised web was in the "wrong" corner for the sketch - so I turned the paper over, saw the valley's and thought - Dazzling Details!!!! I tried doing the same thing with Two-Way Glue and Dazzling Diamonds, but I didn't get the same effect. I did think ahead and placed the matting on the paper so I knew where I DIDN'T have to put the Dazzling Details.

Last night I created a paper pumpkin for display at my Open House tomorrow, and thought a little stick-out pumpkin would be perfect for this card too - so I took the smallest oval punch and punched 6 pieces using some left over embossed "matting"; folded them in half and glued them together using TomBow Glue. I left the pumpkin "open" so I could use that flat area to attach it to the card. For the leaves and runners I used the leaves from the Bird Builder punch (omiting all but the bottom leaf) and used a skewer to roll the "stem" and, again, attached them with TomBow.

It's been a productive morning - I'm anticipating more of the same for the rest of the day. Hope things are working out for you on this fabulous Friday! Thanks for stopping by.

Maculine Collage

2011-08-25T13:08:00.001-06:00

Just a quick post today before heading off to school to drag my instruments out of storage....

I was totally inspired this morning by THIS card by Carrie at Artistic Avenger from the sketch challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary. I liked how Carrie layered the paper and ribbon and attached them with brads. The colours are from Create Ink this week - Soft Suede, Pool Party and Pear Pizzazz. I guess this is a case of how things can be the same but different because I completely CASED Connie's card.

I was asked by my Mother for a card for a male friend of hers and so moved toward a more masculine collage today. He does photography and likes music so I included those features in the collage.

Well - off to school - I hope things aren't in too much of a mess. Thanks for stopping by for a visit - I hope you enjoy your day.

Changing Seasons

2011-08-24T13:30:00.001-06:00

I didn't intend to make two "cool weather" cards today - it's nice and sunny here and after posting this I'll be heading to the deck to enjoy it - sat out for a while this morning with my coffee and had a beautiful red dragonfly land on me and visit for a while.

Anyway - Stampin' Royalty are asking you to "Bring on the Bling" with their challenge this week - and holy crow does this new silver Glimmer Paper dazzle!!!!! In a sunny room you almost need sunglasses to work with it! (I don't usually use my flash when I take pictures of my cards, but I did today to bring out the bling!) This paper will certainly add a lot to Christmas projects!!!!

This was actually the first card I created this morning - but couldn't see how to add any bling to it. The sketch is from SCS (I didn't keep to it totally) and I was inspired by THIS card by Taylor Ursy. I loved the flowers she had on the watercolor paper - so I tried it with these leaves and this will turn into one of my workshop cards for this fall!!!

S0 - off to enjoy the sun - hope you have some in your area of the world to enjoy today. Thanks for taking time to stop by for a visit!
Joan

Oh - and a special thanks to Lesley for adding some music to my banner - I love it!

An Afternoon of Scraps....

2011-08-23T17:24:00.000-06:00

Okay, I didn't use scraps for the card I created for the SUO Challenges today - which was to create an invitation of some sort. I also used one of the Stamping 411 sketches for this week. I stamped the "Celebrate" onto white Taffeta ribbon with Black Staz-On ink. Oh, and notice how the polka dots are backward....I put the Night of Navy and Bashful Blue pieces through the Big Shot together, and didn't pay attention to how I placed them in the embossing folder - ah well - still works!

Now HERE are the scraps. This is not the picture that I had in mind when I began this page - so I had to scrounge for something to add. I sometimes get annoyed with all the different sizes of DSP that I've kept & organized - but not on occasions like this! I've included retired DSP and the retired clear buttons which I sewed into the corners. I also added a bit of doodling to the letters, heart and around the white matt. It took all afternoon, but I'm happy with it.

Now I guess I have to go fix dinner - no rest for the wicked! Thanks for stopping by for a visit.
Joan

Mojo Die Cuts

2011-08-22T13:33:00.000-06:00

Happy Monday! Truly my last week of summer for 2011 - gotta make it good!

I think I may be getting a wee bit of a handle on this "watercolour" technique - I used the glimmer paper for this flower, embossed the image on, used my aquapainter to "paint" water on the paper instead of misting it, and then dropped the re-inker on with the aquapainter....and let it go where it wanted. I'll have to try it with one of the "Fifth Avenue" flowers to see if I've finally got the knack. I have stacked three of these flowers on top of one another - can't really see that in the photo.

I used pieces from the Playful Polka Dots Simply Scrappin' Kit to complete this sketch from Mojo Monday - different borders was the highlight of the day - so I used the ones from the kit as well as the scalloped circle and leaves.

Today I'm spending little snippets of time sorting my husband's music from his Men's Chorus - I gathered 3 bags and one box of music - Sheesh! He hates organizing and I love sorting - so it all works out. We're going to a music reading tonight with a couple of other choir members to see what's new. Just one more thing that gets started up again in the fall.

Hope you're having a wonderful day. Thanks for dropping by. Joan

Holiday Extremes

2011-08-21T19:57:00.000-06:00

What a productive day - and as I said - holiday extremes:
For this weeks' Paper Players there was a Clean and Simple Sketch. Thought I would pull out my "Pick Your Poison" DSP and see what happened. For the "light" inside of the pumpkin I coloured the sections with Daffodil Delight and then covered them with the Dassling Detail - just added a wee bit of sparkle. I'm going to keep this sketch in mind for workshops this year - those three little sections could be filled with virtually anything! Love it!

These are the Christmas Tags and the tin I created last week. I'll be offering this whole thing as a class this fall. I took the container on page 19 in the upcoming Holiday Mini as inspiration for covering my tin. Ya gotta love how embossed paper no longer looks like paper - especially after you distress it a bit also.

Finally, I created this scrapbook spread this afternoon....again, in preparation for classes this fall. I love how preparing for SU events helps me to get my own scrapbooking done. Allison and a friend spent an afternoon in the park last fall taking pictures of each other. Since "I" rarely get pictures of her, I'm glad to get them from other people! Gotta love Facebook for that.

So, I'm going to relax for the rest of the evening - maybe finish my book. I hope you have had a productive weekend - in whatever area of your life that needed "production". Thanks for taking time to stop by!
Joan

Imagine Paris Possibilities

2011-08-20T17:55:00.000-06:00

Oh I love this new Mocha Morning Specialty paper - it's so rich! Of course bit of velvet swirled on anything makes it rich. I've used the Sketch from Our Creative Corner today.

I received a warm fuzzy from my daughter this morning....she saw the card I made yesterday - with the cupcake. She said, "Oh, someone has to have a birthday soon 'cause this card is so pretty." It made me feel good after the fuss I had with it yesterday.

Spent a bit more time stamping today - I made up some sticky-note packages with matching pens to stock up on Hostess/Door Prize stuff.

I copied one that my friend, Amy, made a number of years ago for our staff at school with our Mascot on it. There are large magnets on the back so it can stick on the fridge. The pens have a piece of DSP inside. Everything is quick, easy, and I'm not sure why I've waited so long to put them together. I've had the supplies for ages!

That's how it works sometimes though - Hope you're having a wonderful weekend. Thanks for taking time to stop by.
Joan

And We're Done....

2011-08-19T20:31:00.000-06:00

I must say that after a productive morning/afternoon - the afternoon/evening took a tailspin and I'm done! After I'm done posting here, I'm going to hunker down with a bowl of popcorn and watch some mindless television....which I rarely do. Better find a good movie I guess.

Today's card is courtesy of the Friday Mash-Up! I so look forward to these to see what the combination is going to be...

Create a card with buttons OR
Create a card with cupcakes OR
Create a card with buttons and cupcakes.

I so rarely use this cupcake die for the Big Shot I thought I'd pull it out for this challenge. The colours are from Just Add Ink - Cajun Craze, Peach Parfait, Bashful Blue and Very Vanilla.

For the icing on the cupcake I used the Elegant Lines Embossing Folder and then added some of the new Dazzling Details to the ridges. I did put the cupcake holder through the crimper, but after squooshing it to get the sticky tape to stick, the ridges disappeared a little.

The card is good - I'm happy with it, I just need to sit and not move for a while, because I can't seem to just do one thing alone this evening. I went upstairs after finishing this card and somehow proceeded to clean out the sideboard, and a china cupboard, and iron (yes I said IRON) some linen napkins. That's after repotting a whole whack of house plants earlier.

Sheeesh - I need school to start soon !!!! Hope your evening/day is restful! Thanks for dropping by!
Joan

Water Play & Prep

2011-08-18T16:17:00.000-06:00

Well, fancy that....I've found a new Challenge Blog - Create with Connie and Mary. They alternate between Colour Challenges and Sketch Challenges. This week's Colour Challenge is Tangerine Tango, So Saffron and Pacific Point. Gotta admit that I moaned when I saw Pacific Point, but all turned out well for these little guys spending time in the water!

To create the "lake" I used my Aquapainter to pick up ink from the inside of the Pacific Point stamp pad. Because I was using the aquapainter the colour wasn't as strong as I applied it, but it keeps the Pacific Point hue.

I haven't used this fold (Gatefold) for a card for YEARS. I think it's still a bit plain, but I'm going to leave it as is. On the inside of the card I have attached a white piece of cardstock with the children stamped along the bottom in Tangerine Tango.

I'm in the process of creating projects for my September workshops. I came across a version of this card by Onja Ming on Stampin' Connection. I really liked how she had placed the ribbon BEHIND the punched border. I always like to be able to give my stampers something to decorate their envelopes with - and it's usually a stamp that is used on the card itself - hmmmm - no stamp on this card except for the sentiment - NO Problem - I decided to take another piece of the Lace Ribbon Border and using it as a "stencil" to create the design on the envelope.

I just love it when the ol' lightbulb comes on over my head! Hope your day has some AHaaa moments in it too. Thanks for visiting.
Joan

Treat Yourself

2011-08-17T14:49:00.002-06:00

What an easy sketch today over at Stampin' Royalty! I had to redo my large pink piece because of a smudge - it's amazing how ink can sneak onto your fingers when you're not looking!!! I perked the "background" up a bit by adding a little Crystal Effects - I need to go back and add it to the headlight on the scooter too.

I finally got around to doing a real-live scrapbook page today too. I've had these pictures out ready to work with for quite a while - I totally CASED a scrapbook layout from Spring 2009 Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine. The original page was made by Tracey Kuzniak. And oh do I remember walking in on this mess in 1990! Grant was so please with himself - keeping so quiet and busy after waking up from his nap. It was a mess to clean up - but one of those "must capture" moments.Covered in Penaten Cream - Sticky gooey Mess!

Keep an eye open for those special moments - they're never repeated. Thanks for stopping by!
Joan

Watercolour Pear

2011-08-16T18:10:00.000-06:00

Well, I spent the morning cleaning cupboards in the kitchen (wanted to do only one and ended up doing three - that whole migration of work thing happening again - yikes!) Then I spent time designing a tin to put a series of Christmas tags in for a class - I am pleased as punch with the way it turned out and will share it with you another day. Finally I nestled into a couple of challenges for the day -

Hand Stamped Sentiments is looking for either real or faux stitching on this weeks project. I knew I was going to use this pear image because the SUOnly Challenge is to use one of your new favorite stamp sets (or your favorite one in general if you haven't gotten any new ones lately). As soon as I saw this Faith in Nature Hostess set I knew I wanted to have it; so I picked it as one of my Pre-Orders in June (Just one of those perks about being a SU demonstrator).

I used Staz-On ink and then the Aquapainter with So Saffron and Old Olive to paint the pear. The mat pack, paper piercing tool and Soft Suede fine tip marker helped me to create the faux stitching along the edge. For the River Rock "matt" I used the new "Stripes" embossing folder and put the paper through in two directions giving the paper a cool woven effect. Finally the DSP is from the Well Worn package.

Remember that Stampin'Up! has a fantastic special on Designer Series Paper until the end of the month - Buy 3 packages and get one FREE. Let me know if you'd like me to set you up with some (you can truly never have too much DSP!), or visit the Designer Series Paper "department" of my on-line store at my website. Your order will sent directly to you!

Well, I'm now going to focus on working on some more pages for the Anniversary book I'm making for my husband and I on My Digital Studio. I'm going to have it printed into a book by SU so I'm on a bit of a time-line.

Deadlines are good for us - hope you have some goals your aiming for too - thanks for taking the time to stop by for a visit.
Joan

Snowman in August...

2011-08-15T20:26:00.000-06:00

I've been waiting to get my hands on this snowman set - and today was the day. I've used the Mojo Monday Sketch - except I flipped it so that I could have the little birds rolling along the bottom.

I've used a new "Snow Burst" Embossing Folder from the upcoming Holiday Mini. I'll purchase ANY embossing folder I think - I just love when the paper has texture! While looking at the card just now, I've realized that I neglected to put the rhinestone into the centre of the snowflake which Snowman is holding - so you'll have to use your imagination! I will be adding it for sure!

And now - I want to give a HUMUNGOUS THANK YOU to Lesley Croghan from Always Playing with Paper! She offered to help me with creating a new SU banner for my blog - and then she surprised me with the design you see above - and I LOVE it!!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you - Lesley!!!!!!

I accomplished an awful lot today - ya know when you start one job and it sort of migrates into an additional job.....today I cleaned the linen cupboard, the back entryway and took labels off old wine bottles. (My husband should be bottling some time before the school year starts again) I had to go pick up the quilts that were at the cleaners because nights are getting a bit cooler this week - if you keep the windows open.

Tomorrow - who knows what's in store! But I'm ready for anything, and I'm sure some crafting will be included! Hope you're able to include some crafting in your day - and thanks for stopping by for a visit.

Kiss, Kiss, Kiss

2011-08-14T13:07:00.003-06:00

Ooo - Ooo - Ooo - I must say I was tickled pink when I saw the challenge over at The Paper Players today. I have been waiting for a pink challenge so I could pull out the "lip stick" for this stamp. Allison is the one who wanted this stamp - but we share. The colour challenge at Paper Players is - Pretty in Pink, Rose Red and Regal Rose.

I used my craft inks for the lips and then covered them with clear embossing powder so they would shine. I am loving the font for the "Hand-Penned Holiday" stamps which are coming up in the Holiday Mini.

I must say that this card is a duplicate of THIS ONE I created with the butterflies.

I spent yesterday afternoon re-creating the paper flowers from the July Stampin'Success front cover...I added a few extra colours of my own - I have to "copy" first sometimes before the creative juices start to flow... I think I will get some floral stems because then they'll bend - these guys are pretty stiff right now ( I used skewers which I sponged with Lucky Limade). I had fun making them!

Thanks for taking time to stop by for a visit. Have a great day!
Joan

Smudged Cherry Friends

2011-08-13T13:31:00.003-06:00

Lesson Learned: Don't start putting your card pieces together if your hands are a bit sweaty from the heat!!! You'll notice the Cherry Cobbler smudges on the homemade DSP - I made one smudge accidentally and decided just to make marks over the whole thing to make it look like I did it on purpose. Our inks dry pretty fast - so I obviously inked the image a bit too much - on top of the moist fingers.

Upon returning from Banff I had a box of stuff from Stampin'Up! waiting for me...which included the new Simply Scored Scoring Tool. I have been waiting for SU to come out with their equivalent of the Scor-Pal for quite a while and am so excited it's finally here! I didn't use it a lot on this piece - but did create the small "embossed" squares along the right side of the card.

Today's sketch is from The Sweet Stop, I've used the SCS Colour Challenge from this past week - Crumb Cake, a yellow (Daffodil Delight) a red (Cherry Cobbler) and a green (Lucky Limeade). I've also used the challenge from Our Creative Corner to include fruit.

I'll have to remember to go out to our garden this afternoon to pick the raspberries which ripened while I was gone. Mus'n't be wasted!

We're enjoying a wonderfully sunny day today - hope things are sunny and bright in your neck of the woods too. Thanks for dropping by!
Joan

ps - Just checked my e-mail and found out I was picked by The Paper Players:

for my school card which I posted HERE. Thank you so much ladies - it's an honour and I'm tickled pink! I love playing along with your challenges and I'm so happy to have found your site.

Butterfly Gratitude

2011-08-12T22:04:00.003-06:00

I'm back from the mountains and raring to get into gear......I had planned on doing some planning while in the mountains, but that didn't work out - which I guess is good in the long run. The weather was pretty good - but it sure is warm back at home. Perfect for spending a wee bit of time in the basement stamping.

I created this butterfly card for the Friday Mash Up! this week and I used the sketch from Stamping 411.

The Mash Up! was:

Create a card with butterflies and bling OR
Create a card using Perfect Plum, Marina Mist, one other colour and a neutral OR
Create a card with butterflies, bling and the Color Combo.

I chose Wisteria Wonder as my extra colour and Very Vanilla as the neutral. I actually like these colours together - I'll have to keep them in mind for the future.

I'm going to have to make sure that I get some school planning in during the next while - in addition to workshop planning....not much time left - but I'm NOT counting yet!

Hope you have some events to look forward to - and thanks for taking time to stop by to visit.
Joan

It's almost Time....

2011-08-09T00:00:00.001-06:00

This week it's "School Daze" at The Paper Players Challenge. I can't believe the school year is almost upon us again. Ya Know - it's one strange profession - you close EVERYTHING down for two/three months (depending on where you live) and then you start EVERYTHING back up again. I'm always excited to get back though - it's good to see the kids again and to see how they've changed in that short amount of time.

I had to go into some retired paper for an appropriate background - and when I found the die-cut "message" - I thought this would be a perfect card for one of my friends who retired in the spring and won't be starting up again in couple of weeks.

I'm spending this week in Banff - my husband has a conference - and will enjoy the final bit of relaxing before my head starts swimming with school start up again.

I hope you have a fantastic day - not filled with too many plans yet. Thanks for stopping by!
Joan

Happy Birthday, Lesley!!!

2011-08-08T04:00:00.002-06:00

I am so excited today to be part of a

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LESLEY!!!

blog hop.

I "met" Lesley through the Design Team for "The Color Dare" challenge blog. I've only known her a short time, but I know she's an incredibly supportive and helpful person. We have a number of things in common.... we're both Canadian, teachers (she used to teach music, I'm currently teaching music) and I've discovered we have similar interests in music and movies too. I love going to her blog to see what she's created because it's always fantastic and inspirational!

So - I'd like to encourage you to go over to Lesley's blog and wish her a happy birthday - She can be found at

Always Playing with Paper

and be sure to participate in the blog hop to see all the wonderful creations Lesley's friends have created for her...

Anne Marie Hile - Stampin’ Anne
Carrie Gaskin - Artistic Avenger
Cindy Beach - Stamps, Paper and Ink
Jaydee - Stampin’ with Jaydee
Jen Mitchell - I Create
Joan Jeffery - JJ Creations (Me)
Lauri Ingram - Paperville
Laurie - Hiding in My Craft Room
LeAnne Pugliese - wee Inklings
Nance Leedy - Canopy Crafts
Rita Wright - Cards by Rita
Sandra Azzopardi - Sandra’s Stamping Spot
Tui Nathan - Stampin’ Time

Thanks for stopping by today - Joan

Purple Mash-Up

2011-08-05T22:14:00.001-06:00

I'm not altogether sure what happened to today - but it went past with a lot of things accomplished - which is good. I didn't get to creating a card until the early evening - ....Hmmmmm - maybe I'd get more done if I picked that time of day more often - if I start creating in the morning I tend to get nothing else done.

ANYWAY - enough rambling! Friday's Mashup! was to:

Create a project with "glitter" OR
Create an anniversary project OR
Create an anniversary project with "glitter"

I guess I just got "bling" stuck in my head for this one. I did actually take apart a number of "ice" rhinestones to glue within the scallop - but the purple wasn't that great so I opted for the clear rhinestones that I didn't have to use glue for!!!

I'm going to have to work on using the Designer Frames Embossing Folder - I tried to get the "frame" within a piece of cardstock; but after going through the Big Shot there were indentations from the outside of the folder. Any ideas from anyone? I opted to just cut the oval out and mount the centre sentiment.

My daughter is heading down to the Calgary Zoo tomorrow - I'm sure she'll have a blast with her friends....all over 20! Those were the days!

Hope you have some fun things planned for this weekend.
Thanks for visiting!
Joan

Thanks Giraffe

2011-08-04T12:41:00.001-06:00

Happy Thursday - Today's sketch is from Splitcoast Stampers and the colors come from Create Ink. ( Pool Party, Not Quite Navy, So Saffron) You should go over to their blog to see what the DT has created this week - they're spectacular.

I've stayed on the edge of plain today again..... I had all the layers put together, except for the giraffe - and I just couldn't help putting the whole thing through the Big Shot with the Polka Dot embossing folder - I just couldn't take the flat paper today. I did have to deviate a bit from the Create Ink colours in order to darken up the giraffe's spots - I touched them a bit with Soft Suede. The grass is a combination of the Not Quite Navy and the So Saffron.

I hoping to get some workshop planning done today and some pictures copied. However, I can be so easily distracted these days that we'll just have to see what the day holds!

If you have a list of jobs to do for today, I hope you get most of them done! Thanks for taking time to stop by for a visit.
Joan

A Simpler Day

2011-08-03T13:03:00.001-06:00

After the detailed card I created yesterday, I decided to go a bit simpler today - I didn't even do any distressing today! I did finally open up the "Button Buddies" set and those wonderful polka dotted brads!

The sketch is from Stamping 411 and the colours (which I love together) are from the Color Throwdown -Pool Party, Old Olive, Crumb Cake and White. I've had this piece of scrunched up Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon on my desk for quite a while and finally added it to a card!

I had a terrific time last night catching up with a group of women who were housemates at Concordia College about 32 years ago (there were 9 of us in the house in total). We try to get together once a year, but it doesn't always happen, and we rarely take pictures - so we made sure we did last night.

We haven't changed a bit!

Hope your day is full of simplicity and friendship!

Thanks for stopping by!

Joan

Tri Fold Nature Walk

2011-08-02T13:07:00.002-06:00

Today, over at Hand Stamped Sentiments, they've laid down the challenge for fancy fold cards - I don't think I've ever actually finished one of these Tri Fold Shutter Cards - but I'm relatively happy with the way this one turned out. Lots of little pieces depending on the sections you want to highlight. It's interesting to look through the gallery on Splitcoast for this type of card - just to see the different ways that people have place their papers and what they've done to embellish their creation.

AND, over at Hand Stamped Sentiments, the DT has a wide variety of fancy folds cards to share for inspiration.

I'm off to the city to do some shopping and then I'm looking forward to having dinner this evening with a few of my former (won't say "old") college roommates. We've been staying in touch for over 30 years!!!

Hope you have some life long friends to share good times with.

Thanks for stopping by to visit

Joan

Dino Mojo

2011-08-01T16:55:00.001-06:00

Finally got around to using this new dinosaur set - They're just so cute; as dinosaurs go!

I've used the Mojo Monday Sketch and the colours - Not Quite Navy, Sahara Sand. Early Espresson and Certainly Celery are from Just Add Ink.

I got a number of chores done outside this morning including stripping the finish off of an old toy box my Grandfather made. I'm planning on painting something musical on it to use in our "black and white musical basement" to store extra blankets in. If I don't set side tracked I may sand it down tonight so I can start working on it tomorrow.

Hope you have some chores that are keeping you occupied and happy! Thanks for visiting,
Joan

Sunflower Smile

2011-07-31T16:15:00.001-06:00

Today's card is for the The Paper Players sketch this week which is designed by Nance.

I really really love this new sunflower stamp - I just think that I really really need to figure out how to use it. I'll be scoping out some galleries for this!!! I tried stamping the image on watercolour paper but the detailed lines didn't show up. I tried quite a variety of different things before deciding to use one colour and not colour anything in. However, I liked how the petals turned out when I did added ink with the aqua-painter (I just totally botched the inside of the flower) - so I cut out the petals to raise up above the stamped image.

Hope there are loads of things for you to smile about in your life today! Thanks for taking the time to stop by for a visit.
Joan

Presto Chango

2011-07-31T16:05:00.002-06:00

I am desperately trying to get ready for a SU garage sale - I keep getting a bit sidetracked....Anyway, I always do a make-and-take at my open houses, but this year I decided to give a choice (while quantities last) using already prepared pieces from previous card camps.

The first card in each of the above sets was the original, done at previous classes or camps. The second card is a remake, using new stamp sets or colours. And voila - no extra cutting to do. Yipeee!

Hope you find some shortcuts in your life today,
Thanks for stopping by
Joan

Amazing Mashup

2011-07-29T13:50:00.001-06:00

Today was sort of a special day over at Friday Mashup because it's the first Fan Favorite Challenge - meaning a fan of the blog rather than a Design Team member of the blog set the challenge for today - too cool. So - the challenge is:

Create a handmade flower OR
Use Black, Red and Turquoise OR
Create a project with a handmade flower and the three colours

I've also used an old sketch from Stamping 411 which I never got around to using (Sketch #212).

I love this Floral Fillers set - I can't wait to emboss it in gold or silver!!!!!

Hope you are having an amazing day! Thanks for stopping by for visit.
Joan

Sweet Life

2011-07-28T15:00:00.001-06:00

One of the great things about summer in our little city is the annual opening of the outdoor ice cream stand. They have wonderful ice cream and places to sit under umbrellas. So, for the Stampin' Royalty challenge of a Summer Card this week, I chose to create an ice cream cone, because it's the only time we get to go to Millers.

The sketch is from Splitcoast's Sketch challenge.

I'm loving the new white Baker's Twine - I prefer to sew my buttons on - being an old seamstress.

I hope your summer is full of treats - Thanks for stopping by!
Joan

Hello My Friend

2011-07-27T00:05:00.002-06:00

Today's colours are:

Baja Breeze

Crumb Cake

Calypso Coral

I've used the new "My Friend" set and punched out that "dandelion fluff" with two different circle punches and raised them on dimensionals.

That particular sentiment is a bit too long for the normal word window, so I just elongated it a bit so that it fit, and then stamped the sentiment onto the Crumb Cake matt. Thank goodness for the Stamp-a-ma-jig. I remember when I bought it I didn't think I would use it all that much - boy was I wrong!

Hope you day is fantastic, thanks for dropping by,
Joan