Sorry for not posting on Friday ...

I have no excuse other then my every day life got in the way. I normally only work during the morning and afternoon school bus times (I answer the phones and two way radio now that I cannot drive my bus) but on Tuesday and Friday this week I worked all day. That shouldn't account for much but it does tend to mess up my routine. Lately ... it doesn't take much to mess me up!LOL

On Saturday my sil Amanda (loved spending time with you, lady!) and I went to Scrapfest in Kitchener ... WOW!!! The auditorium was packed with venders and scrappers! There were lineups for the make & take chairs at all of the booths that had make & takes, there were lineups to pay for your purchases, there were lineups for the ATM's ... but we did manage a make & take at the GO Scrapping Studio. They only were allowing 24 people at a time, but did have a list of times and what each make & take would be. We chose our make & take and made sure we were there before they had handed out all of the numbers. We got to make a 12x12 layout offered by "In a Pinch Designs". It was fun, lovely and so easy. I love it! Especially when I got home and had the perfect picture on hand for it. I don't do 1 picture layouts very often and have done layouts with just dh and I even less often. This is special to me.

Nothing is SU and I don't remember if we were told the brands or not.

I love how we cut out small details from scrap paper, popped them up on dimensionals for definition and used no other embellishments. Simple!

I promise I'll have more projects later this week. I'm working at finishing up a couple of things for Wednesday and I'll have to use some new things I got at Scrapfest!

Something for Myself ...

I didn't get nearly all that I wanted to get done on the weekend. Most things just were not working out the way I had envisioned, but I did get something done for myself. I had downloaded some pages from somewhere, but unfortunately, I didn't note where they came from. I printed them out and bound them into book form with my Bind-It-All. I'm really pleased with the way it turned out. Again, this is just for my own use, and it really doesn't take a whole lot to make me happy! LOL
It's a Scrapbooking Planner with pages for "Must Make Pages", "Page Planner", "Shopping List" and "To Do List".
I've got the pdf files for all of these pages, so if you would like a copy ... just shoot me an email and I'll get it to you.

Here are a few close-ups.

Supplies:
Paper - Muirfield DP (retired). Whisper White cs, Baja Breeze cs
Accessories - On Board Book Basics (large), Jumbo Brads 5/8", Hooray Designer Hardware, Valet Ribbon Originals, round tab punch, key tag punch, scallop oval punch, large oval punch, scallop edge punch, dimensionals
*Don't forget that if you want larger pictures ... just click on them*

The Hardest Cards ...

to make have to be Sympathy cards. You want them to be heartfelt but not gaudy. I won't settle for anything but near perfection when I make Sympathy cards. They mean far too much in my eyes. That's just how I feel.
Last week I needed two of these at the same time. Shouldn't be a problem ... just go to my stash since I had made a few not long ago. Unfortunately ... the stash was depleted. Which means that it was a very long, sad winter this year!
I remembered a card on Sharon Johnson's blog that was exactly what I wanted. I loved the two-toned embossing ... very elegant. Below is my version.

Supplies:

Stamps - Lovely as a Tree, Brighter Tomorrow

Paper - Whisper White CS, Brushed Copper CS, Basic Black CS, dimensionals

Ink - Versamark

Accessories - Copper EP, Silver EP

Boy Oh Boy!

What a BEAUTIFUL weekend!!! The snow is gone ... the wind has diminished ... the sun is warm! Dare I say it??? Spring has Sprung!

Dh has been emailing back and forth with some of our "trailer neighbours" and everyone is just itching to get to the park and open up! We are the closest to the park, so everyone is wondering what the weather is like "up there". LOL Sounds like we are all so very far away from each other ... they all live in Toronto, Mississauga and Hamilton area! (like only 70 miles or so away)

They also have hard walls in their trailers ... ours ... not so much! We have a tent trailer, so unless it gets REALLY warm for the Victoria Day Weekend (May 16, 17 & 18th), I'm not planning on staying up there till later in June! LOL YES ... I'm a "fair weather camper".

I'm busy this weekend finishing up a lot of this and that, planning a class featuring children's cards and working out my next club projects.

Here are some samples from my last class ... Boy Oh Boy! featuring masculine cards.

Have a great Easter Weekend!!

Supplies:

Card #1

Stamps - Cheers to You

Paper - Very Vanilla CS, Basic Black CS, So Saffron CS, Jackpot DP

Ink - Basic Black Classic Ink

Accessories - dimensionals, liquid applique

Card #2

Stamps - Wonderful Favorites

Paper - Very Vanilla CS, Pacific Point CS, Kiwi Kiss CS, Muirfield DP (retired)

Ink - Basic Black Classic Ink

Accessories - dimensionals, Mini Library Clips

Card #3

Stamps - It's Your Birthday (retired)

Paper - Very Vanilla CS, Pacific Point CS, Kiwi Kiss CS, Muirfield DP (retired)

The last one ...

from my Lovely Ladies Class. Honest! I promise!! LOL
This card was CASE'D from Patty Bennett and was actually quite easy to do.

Supplies:

Stamps - Totally Tabs, Heard from the Heart

Paper - Pink Pirouette CS, Ballet Blue CS, So Saffron CS, Whisper White CS, Basic Black CS

Ink - Basic Black Classic Ink

Accessories - Round Tab punch, Word Window punch, Small Oval punch, Large Oval punch, smallish square punch, Soft Subtles brads, dimensionals.

More Feminine Cards

Edited to add : I've had a number of questions on how to adhere the window sheets to the CS. On this particular card, I put a mini glue dot on the back of the window sheet in the middle of each of the flowers and then hid it with the half back pearls. There are also two more mini glue dots behind the the ribbon and sentiment.
Here are two more of the cards that we did at my Lovely Lady class ...




This card was so easy ... a little bit of DP at the bottom, scalloped edge, Flower Fusion and a Rhinestone Brad .... taaadaaa!!

Here is another easy-peasy card! A bit of the new Printed Window Sheets, a punch or two, a bit of gingham ribbon and a couple of 1/2 back pearls from the Pretties Kit.
Neither of these cards took more then 15 minutes to make from start to finish and the possibilities with colour combos are endless!

Card #1
Stamps - Sweet Little Sentiments Level 1 Hostess
Ink - Old Olive classic, Basic Black classic
Paper - Whisper White CS, Hand Drawn DSP from the Level 3 Hostess
Accessories - Flower Fusion, Circle Fire Rhinestone Brad, Scallop Edge Punch, piercing tool.
Card #2
Stamps - Oval All
Ink - Basic Black classic
Paper - Tangerine Tango CS, Whisper White CS, Basic Black CS
Accessories - Scallop Oval punch, Printed Window Sheets, Pretties Kit, Black Gingham Ribbon, dimensionals, mini glue dots

Something a Little Different

I recently held a class where we made 4 cards for the women in our lives. My friend, Pat, is a seasoned stamper and accomplished paper crafter, so I always feel that I need to "step it up" a notch when we get together. The following type of card was showcased in the SU Demonstrator magazine "Stampin' Success" that we, as demos, receive each month. I found it quite unique and interesting, so I created one for Pat and I to make.



Supplies:
Stamps - Heartfelt Thanks, Elegant Cheer
Ink - Not Quite Navy Classic ink, Baja Breeze Classic ink
Paper - Kraft CS, Whisper White CS, Bella Bleu DP, Parisian Breeze Specialty DP (LOVE THIS!)
Accessories - Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Kraft Medium Envelopes, paper crimper, Wide Oval punch, Scallop Edge punch, Eyelet Border punch, Mat Pack, piercing tool, Earth Elements Brads

Cards and Card Holder

Here are the cards and "magazine/card" holder that we did at the February Club. My version of the holder is fairly plain, but that is me ... I like simple and clean lines. I've truly come to love Kraft paper lately. I've been quite surprised at how versatile it is and how it lends itself to being dressed up or down, depending on my mood. My other favorite at the moment is the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die! The combinations that can be made with the different sizes of butterflies is unlimited!

Below are pictures of the cards on their own.

Supplies:

Stamps: Congrats SAB set, Flowers in Silhouette

Ink: Close to Cocoa Classic Ink, Chocolate Chip Classic Ink

Paper: Kraft CS, Very Vanilla CS, Taste of Textiles (Close to Cocoa Pinstrip for holder), Bella Bleau DP, Vellum Paper

Accessories: Very Vanilla Medium Envlopes, Kraft Medium Envelopes, Eyelet Border Punch, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Crystal Effects, Build a Brad, 1/2 circle punch, sticky strip, Big Shot, Beautiful Butterlies Bigz Die.

NO April Fools!!!

No ... it's not an April Fools Day joke!!! I'm actually posting a couple of days after my last post!!! Maybe I've got a bit of a routine going here ... yep, I'm going with that one! LOL

My first club meeting was actually at the end of February. We are a mix of scrapbookers, cardmakers and newbies! And having a HOOT! We did one 12x12 scrapbook page and one 8 1/2x8 1/2 scrapbook page showcasing our Simply Scrappin' Kits. I used the Hoppy Memories because I knew I had pictures of my granddaughter with both a frog theme and turtle theme.

The first picture is the 8 1/2x 8 1/2 page. I am really loving this size!! Sometimes the 12x12 is just too big and the 6x6 is just too small.

I'm quite happy with this page ... just have to fill in the journaling and pop it into an album ... when I get one ready! LOL

I've one sitting up on top of my shelves ... just have to decide how to decorate it. I think it's going to be one I can use for both (or all ... depending on how things go) of our grandchildren. Since we have a granddaughter and grandson ... I'll have to decorate it without being gender specific.

The following page is the 12x12. I'm not especially satisfied with it ... needs a little tweaking, but I'll get that done before I pop this one into my granddaughter's album. I do have an album "on the go" for her now, just haven't added much to it lately.

I'll share the cards and holder in the next post.

Life gets in the way ...

... what more can I say? I know that you all have had times like these. The older we get, the longer it seems to take us to bounce back after being under the weather. The only thing that has saved my sanity in the last few weeks is that I have actually been able to create a bit. I've still had my monthly club and a few card classes/stamping time with a good friend.

I'm going to share a pic of a star that I made using the Big Shot and the 5-Point 3D Star Die from Stampin' Up! I saw one that Diana Gibbs had done on her blog (I LOVE this woman's mind!) Diana's blog is one that I MUST read during my morning "routine". Another in my "routine" is Heather Summer's blog. Both of these ladies are so creative and inspiring. Heather made one of these stars using flashing that she bought at Home Depot. I loved the idea so the next time dh and I were in town, we checked it out and found some. The flashing came in a roll 12"x10'. I'm going to be able to get a lot of stars cut out of this!!

I'll be back in a day or so with pictures from our first club meeting.

Supplies:

Ink: Craft White

Paper: Parisian Breeze Specialty DP

Accessories: 5-Point 3D Star Die & Big Shot, Vintage Brads, Sticky Strip

Finally a Post ...

Edited to add: I've finally found the original designer of these cards and she is Andrea Walford. Andrea is amazing and I greatly admire her work. You can see Andrea's card here.

I've got a couple of Valentine Cards to post. They are CASE'D from another stamper but I was lazy and did not copy her name down in the file. My apologies and I would love to correct this mistake.
I'll be adding the details to all my projects at the end of the posts from now on ... sorry for the omission.






We had our first Club night last Monday and had a blast! I'll post pics of the ladies and projects in the next day or two.


Supplies:


Card A
Stamp Set: Always, All Year Cheer III
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Versamark
Paper: Pretty in Pink CS, Chocolate Chip CS, Pink Pirouette CS, Berry Bliss DP
Accessories: Clear EP, dimensionals, Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon, Soft Subtles brads.

Card B
Stamp Set: as above
Ink: as above
Paper: Chocolate Chip CS, Pink Pirouette CS, Purely Pomegranate CS, Pretty in Pink CS, Berry Bliss DP

Accessories: as above


If you would like to see larger pictures ... just click on a picture.

Final Additions ...

I really must apologize for my absence. Having said that I was feeling healthier a post or two ago ... I've apparently contracted a viral infection in my middle ear and so I've been a bit "spinny". It's not been pretty ... bouncing off the walls as I walk like a "drunken sailor". My dh has been having a bit of fun with this, to say the least. LOL
What this poor man has had to put up with for the last half year or so ... I'll let him make fun of me right now all he wants!

Here are the last two cards that we made at my Card Organizer Class. I love the colours in the retired DP Haiku ... I really must be an "Earth" girl!.

I have a club starting this coming Monday (I'm really excited ... ideas are just tumbling around for our projects!) so I'll have a bunch more pics to show.
For our first projects, we'll be using Parisian Breeze Specialty DP. OMG!! This paper is fabulous. It's more like textured cardstock and the designs are wonderful!!! We are also using the Hoppy Memories Simply Scrappin' Kit. How fun!!
On a side note ... a while ago at one of SU's regionals, I met a lovely demo who is amazingly creative ... Heather Summers. Heather has hooked up with Dawn Rapsas from the US and they have created UStamp. If you click on the blinkie to the right, it will take you to the registration site. Now, Heather is offering an online class to make punchies ... you have got to see these!!! I'm registered and waiting to go!
Well ... I'm off to bed again ... trying to focus has given me more of a headache then I normally have. I'll be back in a couple of days (I hope) to post a couple of more pics of cards I've stamped lately.
Have a great weekend!

Here are two of the cards we made on Saturday for our Card Organizer.
These used the Ronald McDonald set "Say It With Scallops" and retired DP Haiku.
I've got to confess ... it's hard for me to use my DP ... my name is Karen and I'm a HOARDER!!
I just LOVE SU's Designer Paper! I buy every bit that I can ... but I have a really hard time using it.
I'm working on that particular character flaw ... mostly because of the new DP in the catalogue. OMG!! It's all gorgeous!!! But ... I promised myself that I would use some more of the paper that I already have before I would buy more.
Sooooo .... I've got to get busy and start making more cards and get some scrapbook layouts done to use up the DP that I have so that I can get an order in and start hoarding all over again. LOL

I'm back and feeling somewhat healthier. I've not been feeling tip-top lately and I know that I've been worrying my dh, but after staying home for a day and a half with what I assume is the flu ... I'm feeling much better!

I had a class on Saturday for a Card Organizer and 4 Cards.

I love my small classes ... being able to give the ladies who come my undivided attention and pretty near one-to-one instruction.

I'm posting a couple of pictures and will post individual pics of the cards later this week.

I've had some interest in starting a club ... there are still a couple of spots available ... if you would like to join us, call or email me.

Oh My Gosh!! I can't believe how quickly the week went by or how long it's been since I posted!

Here is something I'm trying out, to steamline my organizing. This is a "doodad" or parts keeper that I got at Canadian Tire. As you can see, it has 26 compartments which I have labled with letters stamped on sticker paper and punched out with a square punch. I've put all of my chipboard alphas and punctuation in the drawers. It's mounted on my pegboard near my inks, so now, hopefully, since it is more accessible and visible, I will start using chipboard more in my crafting.

I'm off now to start making my samples for my class on the 31st of this month. It's a Card Organizer with 4 matching cards. If you'd like to join us there is still some room left. Just give me a call or shoot me an email.

Stay warm and Happy Crafting ...

Here is another project from a Christmas Class ... a Tag Pouch. The pouch is reusable and the ribbon just slips off so that you can open the top of the pouch.

Recipe - * all products SU unless otherwise noted*

Stamps: Deer Friends, Merry and Bright

Paper: Ruby Red CS, Chocolate Chip CS, Old Olive CS, Baja Breeze CS, Holiday Treasures DP, Ski Slope DP

Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze Classic Inks

Accessories: 6x6 page protector (trimmed), scallop circle punch, 1 3/8 circle punch, 1 1/4 circle punch, 1/8" hand held circle punch, 1 1/4" Riding Hood Red/Very Vanilla grosgrain ribbon, non SU silver cord, sticky strip

On another note ... I'm working on some changes for this new year ... organizing and such, and will be posting a few things that I'm implementing. I welcome any ideas you may have or suggestions that are working for you.

I'm back to work tomorrow ... hard to believe that it's been 2 weeks already. There may be changes there as well ... we'll just have to see.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year and welcome to my blog.

This is a new venture for me and I hope you will follow along while I travel this new road. I'll probably not be able to post every day, but will post whenever I can. Perhaps blogging will force me to stamp or craft every day or at the very least, more often then I have.

I'm going to start with some pics of cards from my Christmas Card Class ... these are definately CASE'D but I'm afraid I did not save the names of the ladies who originally designed them. I'm still learning and will make note of names in the future.

Thanks for stopping by!