Creating Retro Fun

 This Retro Sketch was too fun to pass up as I'm really enjoying using tags on cards and it provided the perfect opportunity to use one of my PTI tag dies.   I combined it with this week's CR84FN challenge as the colour combo was delicious :)

You may be thinking I may have lost my marbles or gone off my rocker as there is a "skewed" element on the sketch and I'm not squealing like a pig LOL!  However, when the skewed panel is a tag, I can somehow deal with it just fine - go figure?!

Used lots of my favorite dies on this card, tossed in some dots for good measure and had fun with all the buttons.   A truly fabulous colour combo I will definitely use again.

Yesterday I became quite knowledgeable about window replacement after my son purposely broke our front window when he got mad...thankfully it is double pane and just the first pane broke.  Needless to say, he is out half the replacement cost and has learned a very valuable lesson - we hope!  The joy of having boys!


 

What's In It?
Stamps:  French Script (SU), Great Friend (Verve) 
Paper: Certainly Celery, Lavender Lace, Going Grey, Grey 
Ink:  Going Grey
Accessories:  Tag and Medium Scallop Die (PTI), Sizzix Butterfly Die (SU), Elegant Leaf Die (Verve), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Crimper, 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (Michael's), Buttons, Twine, Blue Dots, Dimensionals

CAS Father's Day Card

We had an absolutely fabulous visit with my cousin and aunt and the weather could not have been better :)  Lots of good times together and memories to tide us over until the next time we can broach the 3,000 mile expanse between us.

Now that the guest room is free again, it took me no time to pop in there and get inky :)   This is the last Verve sketch for the month - phew!  It was a five weeker this month so we had to work hard for the chance to win some Verve goodies :)

Since it is CAS week, I jumped at the chance to use Verve's new Super Dad set and new banner die to create a Father's Day card.  Think this may be hubby's Father's Day card.

Starting to spazz out about the fact there is only one month of school left!!  Yikes!!  Have to book swimming lessons etc. and try to squeeze in as much stamping time as I can before the kids are home 24/7 and it becomes much harder to do.



What's In It?
Stamps: Super Dad (Verve)
Paper: Early Espresso, Cream Linen, Sahara Sand, Costco DP
Ink: Bordering Blue, Black, Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  Distressed Striped Embossing Folder, PTI Tag Die, Banner Die (Verve), 5/8" Blue Grosgrain Ribbon, Twine, Button, Dimensionals

Mojo 242 Happy Birthday

Loved this week's Mojo Monday sketch.  It's nice and straight forward and one you can dress up or keep simple.  The Shabby Tea Room's inspiration picture challenge fit this card as well. 

I had a bit of this lovely K & Co paper left so I used it as the basis if my card.  After a bit of tricky punching to get the right sized rectangle for the sentiment panel I was on my way.  I just love SU's French Script background stamp and don't think I'll ever get rid of it.  It was the perfect touch for the background panel.  More practice rolling roses and called it a card.

We had some fabulous family time with my aunt and cousin.  Lots of good food, conversation and laughs.  Just wish we lived closer together (darn 3,000 miles) as they are the only relatives we have on my side of the family and we don't get to see each other that often.  But, lots of good memories to tide us over until the next visit :)

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Elegant Greetings (Stampin' Up)
Paper: K & Company, Mellow Moss, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Cream Linen
Ink: Black, Sahara Sand
Accessories:  Heart Border and Leaf Punches (Martha Stewart), Rolled Rose Dies (MFT), 5/8" Pink Satin Ribbon, Scalloped Border Punch (SU)Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Half Pearls, Bling, Dimensionals

A Shabby Tea Room SFYTT

Finally getting to this month's Sketch For You To Try.  Always reminds me how quickly the month goes by!

I used this week's sketch to make a birthday card for my mom.  I combined it with this week's  Shabby Tea Room inspiration picture as I just love pink and green together and this K & Company paper by Brenda Walton is a perfect fit.

I had to roll around in all the Andrea Ewen Diva Dust I could find in order to get the where-with-all to make this card.  She is the queen of floral/shabby cards and though this doesn't come close to her gorgeous creations, it is a big stretch for me and I fairly happy with the outcome.  Hopefully my mom will be happy with it as well LOL!

Thanks for dropping by and have a fabulous weekend!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Love Deepens (Verve)
Paper: Madeline (K & Company), Sage Shadow, Cream Linen, Mellow Moss, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Rolled Rose Die (MFT), Leaf Punch (Martha Stewart),  Lace, Half Pearls, Seam Binding, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

All Good Things Must Come To An End

All good things must come to an end....a dreaded skewed panel sketch has finally surfaced over on the Verve Forum.  Had to wait until I felt a bit feisty so I had what it took to tackle this sketch.  Today was the day!

The colours I chose lent themselves to a masculine card.  I CASED Amy's punched out rectangle on the sketch as I needed to break up the navy a bit.  I added some crimping, stars and succumbed to a few buttons, but without bows so they should pass the masculine test...I hope...  May use this as hubby's birthday card as I know he is okay with buttons :)

Phew!!  Very glad to get that sketch over and done with - happy sigh :)  Maked the old brain and creative gene work overtime, that's for sure!  Good news is I can put it behind me and enjoy my day now :)   I know, I'm whining but it feels good LOL!

Thanks for dropping by and listening to me complain ;o)




What's In It?
Stamps: Happy  Birthday Plain Jane (Verve)
Paper: More Mustard, So Saffron, Night of Navy, Cream Linen, Recollecitons DP (Michael's)
Ink: Black
Accessories:  Tagged Rectangle and Rounded Rectangle Dies (Verve), Circle Nesties, Crimper, 5/8" Navy Grosgrain Ribbon, Star Punch (Marvy), Black Half Pearls, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

So Glad God Chose You As My Aunt

This week's Verve sketch is brought to us by my blogging friend and Verve Diva, Maureen.  Always love her sketches and this is my crack at it.

A large circle on a sketch is always a big draw for me, and it was perfect for this sentiment on my aunt's birthday card.  She's out visiting from Ontario and it has been wonderful being able to see her again.  Darn 3,000 across Canada from our province to hers is such a nuisance!!  Our visits are way too few and far between.  Good news is my cousin will also be heading out this way on Thursday and we will have one big family bash :)   Well, as big as our family gets anyway LOL!

Sorry....I regressed....back to our scheduled programming....Verve's Love Deepens is such a great set! There are many names you can use with the first part of the sentiment (Mom, Niece, Aunt, Grandma to name a few) which lets you personalize it accordingly, in this case, it is my aunt :)

I combined the sketch with this week's Colour Q as I just loved not only the inspiration picture but the colour combo too!   Even better, My Mind's Eye Blink of an Eye DP is a perfect match  :)   A nice little bonus is the fact this card qualifies for this week's Paper Players challenge too so it is another three-for!   What can I say, small things make me happy LOL!

Thoroughly enjoying looking at my planted baskets, pots and flowers in my garden. This weekend's hard work paid off and will provide many months of enjoyment.  I just LOVE flowers - real and  paper :)

Glad you chose to pop by today, I always appreciate the company!  

 

Stamps: Love Deepens (Verve)
Paper:  Kraft, Blink of an Eye (MME), Real Red
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, Flutterby Die (Verve) 5/8" Red Satin Ribbon, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Button, Twine, Bling, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Just Because It's a Three For

 

 
Had to play along with this week's clean and simple FTL (Fall To Layout) as I just loved the sketch.

The card become a three for - whoo hoo!  I combined the FTL sketch with this week's Dynamic Duos challenge (yellow and black and even managed to include the dessert option of dry embossing), and this week's Paper Players challenge (a CAS card using polka dots).  Just missed qualifying for the  Play Date Cafe (black and white and mustard yellow) as I've got the wrong colour yellow...oh well...maybe next time :)

 Hard to keep away from the bumble bee look when you use black and yellow, so I went with a butterfly as an ode to the bumble bee (it's a fellow winged insect), minimized the black, and used lots of white.  Hopefully I was successful - have one vote from hubby saying I was :)

Thanks for dropping by.  Have some Verve sketches to catch up on so should be back soon.

 

What's In It? 
Stamps: Great Friend (Verve) 
Paper: Recollections (Michael's), Black, Yellow 
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Butterfly Die (SU), Border Punch (SU), Crimper, Embossing Folder, Button, Twine, Black Half Pearls, Blue Dots, Dimensionals

Happy Birthday Jessica

I am delighted to be a part of Jessica Knutsen's birthday blog hop.  She is the owner of There She Goes Stamps, for whom I was a Trendi for three months last year.  I loved working with her and her wonderful team.   Her real birthday isn't for a few days, but since it lands right in the middle of the next TSG release, it's a crazy busy time for her and the team.  Therefore, we are starting the celebrations early and giving her a birthday week :)  

If you have come from Lee Murphy's blog you are right on track.  If not, you can go to the list at the end of the post to start from the the beginning.

Deciding which TSG stamp to use was a no brainer.  I just loooove this sweet pea image!   I also happen to love sweet peas and can't wait to plant some in my garden so we can put some in a vase on our kitchen table and enjoy their sweet aroma.

Wishing you a wonderful birthday, Jessica!!  May you be spoiled rotten on your day and may the year ahead bring the fulfillment of some of your heart's desires :)

Now it's time to hop on over to Megan Lock's blog.

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Sweet Peas (There She Goes Stamps)
Paper:  Black and White
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, Twinkling H2Os, 5/8" Sheer White Ribbon, Button, Black Half Pearls, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Felt Is In Da House!!

This week's Mojo Monday sketch was designed by Terersa.  It's nice and straight forward and the large circle has endless possibilities :)

Since I finally own felt in a wonderful array of colours thanks to Michelle's enabling (thanks Michelle), I decided to make my first ever felt flower...love....happy sigh....  :)   I know, I know, I'm slow to get on the bandwagon, but now that I'm on it, be forewarned LOL!

I made the card pictured above first but then thought a felt flower should have felt leaves so I swapped out the leaf sprig for some felt leaves (case of beginner felt user??).  Below is a picture of the remake.  Which do you prefer?  (Sorry for the poor quality of the second picture - it's a true testament to the power of good lighting versus not so good lighting!).  

This Verve sentiment is one of my favorites.  It's a great reminder to not continually focus on what life isn't but rather be thankful for all you have and enjoy what each day has to offer.  Wise words to live by :)

Still enjoying glorious weather out here on the West Coast and  with a long weekend coming up I can finally get some down time -- and stamping time if all goes well :)

Carpe Diem!!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Wise Words, Sunny Days (Verve)
Paper: Heritage DP (Bella Blvd), Sahara Sand, Mellow Moss, Pretty in Pink, Early Espresso
Ink:  Black, Mellow Moss
Accessories:  Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, Flower Die (PTI) Leafy Sprigs Die (Verve), Distressed Stripes Embossing Folder, Button,  Felt, Baker's Twine, Brown Half Pearls, Bling, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Finally, A Little Down Time

Last week was a crazy busy week and the weekend was just as busy!  I need a day or two just to recover from it as I am peopled out!  Thankfully the guest room is now empty so I got some much needed alone time to stamp :)  Trials and tribulations of being an introvert LOL!

Completed the second Verve sketch for May as I didn't want to tackle week three's sketch just yet.  The inevitable finally occurred....a skewed panel sketch!  Guess after four months of not having any skewed panels on a Verve sketch, it was about time we got one.  Must say I enjoyed the anal retentive ride and now have to wait until I get feisty before I can tackle that one ;)

We are having a fabulous stretch of warm weather and I'm loving it!!!  Can't beat the beauty of the Lower Mainland when the sun shines!  Of course, I'm just a bit bias LOL! 



What's In It?
Stamps: Fabulous You (Verve)
Paper: Recollections Floral DP Pack, Early Espresso, Real Red, Kraft
Ink: Black
Accessories: Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, Martha Stewart Daisy Border Punch, Seeing Spots Embossing Folder, Flutterby Butterfly Die (Verve), Crimper, 5/8: Green Satin Ribbon, Brown Half Pearls, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Love You Mom!

After promising no more Mother's Day cards, I am sneaking one more in using the first Verve sketch for May.  This fun Echo Park Country Drive paper was my starting point and I pulled all the colours from it. 

I haven't used my MFT rolled rose die for some time so out they came.  I'm out of practice, but thankfully they are forgiving and look better in the picture than they do in person.  Guess you could call them wild roses :)  Sorry about the dark picture.  With the sun up higher now I need to remember to alter the time I take my pictures.

My busy weekend is about to begin so no stamping for me this weekend as our guest room (aka my craft area) will be off limits :(  Guess my Kindle Fire will have to keep me company instead of my stamps.  Back as soon as I can make a card.  Have a fabulous weekend!



What's In It?
Stamps: Because of You Verve)
Paper: Country Lane DP (Echo Park), Wild Wasabi, Rose Romance, Pretty in Pink, Mint Medley
Ink: Black
Accessories: Lacy Square Nesties, Rolled Rose Dies (My Favorite Things), Leaf Punch (Martha Stewart), 5/8" Fuchsia Satin Ribbon, Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Masculine Thank You

This week is contest week over at the Mojo Monday blog and this is my kick at the can.

I went the masculine route as I needed a thank you card for a dear friend and mentor I had coffee with the other day. 

The card came together very quickly until I got to the circle element above the banner.  I fiddled and fussed with what to put over the banner forever!!  Tried three stars of the same size in an arch over the banner (each in a different colour) - nope; then switched out the first star for a larger one with a button on it for some contrast - nope; then switched the stars out for a maple leaf  or a combo of leaves - nope; and finally settled on this wonderful Verve Elegant Leaf die.  So, what could have been a quickish card turned out taking a lot longer than I had planned - guess the bathrooms get cleaned tomorrow LOL!

Another busy weekend coming up with company coming for an overnight, a baby shower to attend, Mother's Day brunch and teaching my Grade 5/6 Sunday School class!  Looking forward to the long weekend in May already!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Bloom and Grow (Verve)
Paper: Night of Navy, Early Espresso, Cream Linen, Mellow Moss, Costco DP
Ink: Garden Green, Black
Accessories: Circle Nesties, Ribbon Banner, Elegant Leaves, Charming Banner and Charmin Oval Dies (Verve), Distress Stripes Embossing Folder, Brads, Crimper, Green Grosgrain Ribbon, Brown Half Pearls, Dimensionals

You Are Such A Joy To Me

Good to be back!!   I missed you :)   Last week was a very, very, busy week for me so my down time became finishing the Hunger Games trilogy instead of stamping as I just didn't have the energy to do much else.  To top things off, this past weekend we did our annual cooking for the youth retreat at the church and that is always exhausting, albeit rewarding :)

Snuck in a bit of "me" time yesterday afternoon and this Freshly Made sketch with the big circle was calling my name.  Sorry about the dark, picture, it was late afternoon when it was taken.

I'm finding the MFT flourish die is a pain in the butt!  It's very hard to get a clean cut all the way through the paper even after running it through my Cuttlebug three times.  Think I may need to add an extra shim to the sandwich for a bit more pressure as my machine is about six years old and is well used so it isn't as "tight" as it once was (hmmmm....it sounds like my body LOL!).

The next two weeks are pretty busy so hoping to be able to get inky despite it all.  Back as soon as I can. Thanks for popping by today :)

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Kind Words (Verve) 
Paper: Costco DP, Sahara Sand, So Saffron, Mellow Moss 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, SU Scalloped Border Punch, Tim Holtz Brick Embossing Folder, MFT Flourish Die, PTI Flower Die, Crimper, Button, Twine, 5/8" Sheer Black Ribbon, Glue Dots, Bling, Dimensionals