Celebrate Today

This is the last Verve sketch of July and I combined it with this week's Dynamic Duo challenge of Kraft and Early Espresso for a bit of fun :)

Just "had" to pull out PTI's Autumn Acorns set as I love these cute little acorns and the the colour combo just seemed to fit them perfectly.   A bit of wood grain embossing for the "tree" and I managed to sneak in a few polka dots too :)

Back for week two of swimming lessons - phew!  We will have to wait until Wednesday or Thursday to see if the kids are going to pass their level but regardless of the outcome, it has been great fun for all of us :)

Rest of the day will be spent watching as much of the Olympics as possible.  After having competed in track and field, volleyball and diving, as well as being very involved in sports all my life, I am definitely an Olympic junkie :)  However, I am very saddened by the rampant use of steroids and wish they could be eliminated.  IMHO, any athlete who tests positive for steroid use should be stripped of any medals/records they achieved - even if they admit to the use of it years afterwards (i.e. Marion Jones).  Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now.

Wishing you a glorious day :)

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Autumn Acorns (PTI) 
Paper: Kraft, Early Espresso 
Ink: Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Black 
Accessories:  Wood Grain Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz), Scalloped Oval and Oval Nesties, Acorn and Leaf Dies (PTI), 5/8" Brown Satin Ribbon, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Just Us Girls Challenge #147

 
This week's JUGS inspiration challenge is brought to us by Vicki. I am just loving this colour combination!  So bold, dramatic and in your face type of combo.  Well, at least it is for me since I normally tend to stick to softer colours.  But then, that's what a challenge is for, right?!  Stretching us out of our comfort zone :)


My card is a based on Card Patterns last sketch they posted before their sketches will be no more.  I did change it up a bit but kept most of the elements.  The big circle was perfect for a focal sentiment, and I was happy to use my Stampin' Up butterfly die which hasn't seen some love in a while.  

The verse is one of my favorite verses, and I try to reflect on it often.  It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of life and the world we live in, neglecting the importance of just sitting still and grounding myself in the knowledge of who I am and what I believe in.  Making room this summer to just be still :)

The rest of the Design Team and our guest Designer Jen have some wonderful inspiration for you. Just head on over the the JUGS Blog to check them out.  Then, once you have created your card, simply add it to Mr. Linky and you could be the lucky winner of this week's JUGS badge :)  If you are using a public gallery, use keyword JUGS147.

Thanks so much for giving me a few minutes of your summer.  Trust you are enjoying yours as much as I am enjoying mine :)

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Psalm 46:10 Plain Jane (Verve)
Paper: Black, White, Real Red, Wild Wasabi
Ink: Black
Accessories:  Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Flourish Die (MFT), Butterfly Die (Stampin' Up), 5/8" Black Satin Ribbon, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Retro Sketch #21

 
This week's Retro Sketch was a fun one - love tags on cards :)  I combined it with CR84FN's challenge as the colour combo was delicious and wanted to play around with it (needless to say it had me thinking about using a maple leaf but I refrained as we are enjoying summer too much!).

A wonderful scrap of SEI paper was my starting point for the card along with MFT's tag die.  I used a few few dies from my discard/use on another card basket and that always brings a smile to my face. The little pile has grown in to a small basket and seems to continue growing exponentially compliments of my having to actually place an element on a card before I know if I like it/it works on the card  (never mind the colour options of that element LOL).  Unfortunately, the same goes for furniture placement in the house...ugh...yes, I am visually challenged which makes me have to work harder to get things set up but the satisfaction I get once it works out is worth the hassle - most of the time anyway!

We are off to our Nexus interview today and then to the pool.  Love being able to see the progress in the lap swimming.  Stamina is growing and it is fun to push myself to see how much more I can do.  Mind you, it does make for one tired mommy in the middle of the afternoon LOL!

Chlorinated hugs to you all :)

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Accent Notes, Bloom and Grow (Verve)
Paper: Tan, Cameo Coral, Early Espresso, SEI DP
Ink: Black, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Lacy Heart Circles and Labels 10 Nesties,, Elegant Leaves Die (Verve) MFT Tag Die, Flower Die (PTI), Crimper, 5/8" Tan Grosgrain Ribbon, Half Pearls, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

You Make Me Smile

Diva Maureen created this week's Verve sketch.   I pulled out some paper from a Michael's Mosaic Collection pack which is a mix of various MME papers.  Not sure how they swung this, but got to use a 50% off coupon so I wasn't asking any questions!

We are back to the pool for another two week set of swimming lessons starting today.  I talked the kids into another session since they both passed their last level and were on a roll.  Gives me more lap time too so no complaints other than the exhaustion factor LOL!

I'm giving this card for all of you, because you make me smile by coming to visit me in my little corner of blog land :)   I so appreciate all your kind comments and the time you take out of your day to pop by ((hugs)).

 

What's In It? 
Stamps:  Fabulous You and Tag Time (Verve) 
Paper: Mosaic Memories Recollections Pack (Michael's), Sahara Sand, So Saffron, Real Red, Early Espresso, Cream Linen 
Ink: Black, Antique Linen Distress Ink (Tim Holtz) 
Accessories:  Curvy Bookplate Tag Die (Verve), Oval Nestie, Border Punch (SU), Butterfly Punch (SU), Crimper, 5/8" Red Satin Ribbon, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Half Pearls, Dimensionals

JUGS 146 Colour Challenge

 

 
This week's JUGS colour challenge is hosted by Andrea and she came up with a great colours combination.  I immediately pulled out MME's Stella and Rose paper as it has a great match for this combination and went to work.

Had a carving to use my "U" die again and that lead to four other Verve dies coming out to play.  I needed a little something to balance off the "U" so added a "for" tag - think the message is loud and clear on this card LOL!

Took me some getting used to all the colour on this card as I am usually more of a white space girl, but I'm liking it more and more and it was nice to work outside my normal box :)

I'd love to see your take on this week's colour challenge.  Simply create a new card and then add it to the Mr.Linky on the JUGS blog.  If you are using a public gallery, use keyword JUGS146.  Who knows, you could be selected as Chick of the Week :)

The Design Team and our July Guest Designer Esther have lots of inspiration for you so head on over to the JUGS blog and check them out.

Have a fabulous weekend and I look forward to seeing your creations.

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Tag Time, You and I (Verve)
Paper: Stella and Rose (MME), More Mustard, Cool Caribbean, Early Espresso, Turquoise
Ink: Black, VersaMark
Accessories:  Scalloped Border Punch (SU), Scalloped Circle Nesties, Curvy Bookplate Die, Flutterby Die, Tiny Sweet Scallop Die, U Die (Verve), 5/8" Brown Satin Ribbon, Button, Half Pearls, Bling, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Happy Birthday To U

After "missing" last week's Mojo Monday sketch (aka: skipping the skewed panel sketch) I dove into this week's sketch with gusto and made it a two fer as I used the card for this month's Diva Dare as well.

Had a scrap of this Echo Park polka dotted DP laying around so decided to create my card around it.  Started off thinking of using CR84FN's colour combo again and then ventured more towards Just Add Ink's colour combo and in the end used too many colours to qualify for either.

Since I had a brown "U" in my scrap pile, I build my sentiment around it and added "to" to the Happy Birthday sentiment so it flowed and made more sense than just Happy Birthday "U".  A rose and a flower - both from my scrap pile as well - completed the card.

With summer here full force, I had another wonderful afternoon at the beach with the kids.  They entertained themselves wonderfully by making sand castles, finding hermit crabs and swimming so I got to indulge in some reading and catching a few rays...aaaaahhhh... and we capped the afternoon off with a Booster Juice smoothie.  Summer at it's best :)


 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Happy Birthday Plain Jane (Verve) 
Paper: Kraft, Old Olive, Early Espresso, More Mustard, Real Red, Dots and Stripes (Echo Park) 
Ink: Black, VersaMark 
Accessories: Scalloped Circle and Circle Nesties, Rolled Rose Die (MFT), Elegant Leaf and "U" Die (Verve), Scalloped Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Crimper, Twine, Bling, Dimensionals

Flutterby Smile

Diva Amy's sketches always challenge me to get out of my comfort zone, and this one is no different.  The "string" element had me scratching my head for  bit until I settled on what I would use.

I played around with some paper, added a pop of red for some punch and used 1/4" white satin ribbon for the "string" element.  I'm up to date with the sketches this month and it feels good :)

I must admit, I'm missing swimming laps at the pool, not to mention being in the water with the warm temperatures we've been having.  May have to take the kids to the beach so we can keep cool by swimming in the ocean, which is definitely not as warm as the pool, and therefore almost too refreshing  LOL!

Thanks for stopping by and hope you are having a fabulous day.



What's In It? 
Stamps: Circular Sayings (Verve), French Script (Stampin' Up) 
Paper: Recollections DP (Michael's), Kraft, Tan, More Mustard, Certainly Celery, Real Red 
Ink: Black, Creamy Caramel 
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle and Circle Nesties, Flutterby Die (Verve), Crimper, Scalloped Border Punch (SU), 1/4" White Satin Ribbon, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Color Throwdown's 200th Challenge!

 This week's Verve sketch was perfect to combine with Color Throwdown's 200th challenge celebrations as it had a big circle which could host a myriad of options.

The colour combo was definitely a challenge (at least for me anyway) and after much thought as to what to use, I decided to pull out PTI's Autumn Acorns so I could cheat a bit by incorporating the turquoise and hot pink as the acorn tops.  Still struggling with how to best add the leaves, so please forgive me if they look a bit "off".

Two weeks of summer down and the weather couldn't be better!  The sunshine and heat has finally arrived and the West Coast has come alive with the sights and sounds of summer!  Feels great to finally be able to wear sandals, capris, shorts, skirts, and tank tops.  Aaaaah summer at it's best :)

Thanks for dropping in today, always appreciate the company and your kind comments!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Autumn Acorns and Polka Dot Basics II (PTI) 
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, Early Espresso, Tan 
Ink: Creamy Caramel, Tempting Turquoise, Marvelous Magenta, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Black 
Accessories:  Wood Grain Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz), "U" Die (Verve), Acorn and Leaf Dies (PTI), Scalloped Circle and Circle Nesties, Button, Eyelet, Ribbon, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

JUGS 145

 

Welcome to JUGS technique week.  This week's challenge is to make a card using the faux window technique.  The Gina K technique video can be found here.

I have never done this technique before and found I do not have a lot of scenery type stamps....rut row....  Thankfully, after digging around a bit I found this wonderful PTI Branching out set - phew.  Next challenge, no brayer, so did sponging instead.  Not a huge difference in my blues, but it is there, promise LOL!  After two roadblocks, kept things simple thereafter :)

Time to show me up on this technique and add your card to MrLinky over on the JUGS blog.  You never know, you could be the Chick of the Week :)  If you are using a public gallery use the keyword JUGS145.

The rest of the Design Team has some wonderful samples for your inspiration.  Hop on over and check them out.

Have a fabulous weekend!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Branching Out (PTI)
Paper: Black, White, Glossy White
Ink:Bashful Blue, Bordering Blue,  Night of Navy
Accessories:Black and White Embossing Powder, Large Oval Punch (SU), 1" Sheer Black Ribbon, Button, Twine, Half Pearls, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Dreaming Big in Retro

Another fun sketch over at the Retro Sketches blog and I combined it with this week's CR84FN challenge.

Had to go with the notebook edges as I have an MFT die that creates it and pulled out Verve's Making a Statement set as it has a notebook paper stamp - the perfect pair.  

Love the fun flower the loopy bloom dies create and it was a perfect fit for this fun little card.  Even managed to pull in some polka dots as per the middle inspiration picture.

We are nearing the end of our two week set of swimming lessons.  Fingers crossed that both kids pass their level.  Will miss our swimming time as we have gotten into a wonderful routine and it is always encouraging to see the kids' skills improve as well as my endurance LOL!


Off to enjoy the sunshine as summer has arrived here with a vengeance and we're all doing the happy dance.  It is supposed to get quite warm this weekend, but we'll take it as one never knows how long the good weather will last.  I think I see a Nerf water gun fight in my future :)    



 What's In It?
Stamps: Make a Statement and Dream Big (Verve)
Paper: Dots and Stripes (Echo Park), Kraft, Real Red, So Saffron
Ink:  VersaMark, Black 
Accessories:  Notebook Die (MFT), Loopy Bloom Dies (Verve), Butterfly Punches (Martha Stewart), Heart Punch (Marvy), Half Pearls, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

July SFYTT

 

 
 Getting my July SFYTT done early so I don't have to think about it, or even worse, accidentally forget about doing it since it's summer time and we are out and about so much I don't have a consistent stamping time.

I combined the sketch with this week's ColourQ challenge and entered it into this week's Paper and Such Designs challenge.  Since MFT is this month's focus for the sketch, I pulled out their daisy die to make the flower.  Verve's fabulous Kind Words set provided the sentiment and I added an extra layer of white card stock with a punched border for a little more "oomph" and popped it up for some extra dimension. 

Off for another day of swimming lessons for the kids and laps in the pool for me.  It's been a great way to jump start my fit and firm at fifty work outs again.  My fasciitis is finally gone (darn thing took six months to heal!) so I'm raring and ready to work out with a vengeance again and the fabulous weather we've been having definitely puts you in a good mood to do so :) 

Thanks for popping in today!



What's In It?
Stamps: Kind Words (Verve)
Paper:  Night of Navy, Brocade Blue, Real Red, Cameo Coral
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Seeing Spots Embossing Folder, Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, Daisy Die (MFT), Border Punch (SU), Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, Button, Twine,  Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Some News To Share

I have a little secret I finally get to to share with you.  I am now a full fledged Just Us Girls (JUGS) Design Team member!  I thoroughly enjoyed my month as their guest designer this past March, and now I get to play along every week as part of this amazing team.  Every Saturday evening I will be posting my take on the JUGS challenge of the week and hopefully luring you to participate LOL!

This week's challenge is a sketch brought to us by Lynn Magnan.  For some reason I was in the mood for a heart and that morphed into my going somewhat to the distressed side - eeek!  Not my normal style, and a far cry from truly shabby, but a fun departure from my norm.

Love this Echo Park paper and I up-cycled a Starbucks sleeve by using Verve's Jotted Heart die on it. A bit of lace, twine, a flower and some pearls completed the package.  Tried sponging around the edges of the white but didn't look too good - or maybe it's just me not used to doing it.  So, to all the shabby experts out there, let me know what I need to add to this to bring out the true shabby side - would love to learn from your expertise :) 

We'd love to have you join us.  Simply make a new card and add it to the Linky Tools on the JUGS blog by 9:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, July 12 and you could win the Chick of the Week award.  If you are using a public gallery, please use the keyword JUGS144.

For more inspiration from the rest of the Design Team, head on over to the JUGS blog.  You also get to enjoy this month's guest designer, Esther's card.

Have a fabulous week and I'll be back next Friday night with our next challenge.



What's In It?
Stamps: Verve
Paper: Kraft, Going Grey, Echo Park DP, Starbucks Coffee Sleeve
Ink: Black
Accessories: Border Punch (SU), Jotted Heart Die (Verve), Lace, Twine, Half Pearls, Button, Paper Prima Flower, Button, Ribbon, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Best Wishes

Loved this week's Mojo Monday sketch.  Was perfect for a wedding card I needed to make for a friend.

My starting point was the beautiful Making Memories paper that is basically all covered up (hate when that happens).  Tried to adjust the sizing but it just didn't look right so kept it and dressed things up with the lacy ovals, silver pearls, bling and some sheer ribbon.

Love neutral cards for weddings - in case you hadn't guessed LOL - and hoping my friend likes it too.

The first week of swimming lessons is almost done and the mid-way report on the kids was a good.  I have passed the sucking wind stage of my lap swimming and can do many more laps of the crawl now - yeah!  The chlorine smell is getting stronger ever day....hubby keep saying he can smell us before he sees us LOL.  We'll all be swimming machines by the end of next week :)

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Elegant Greetings (Stampin' Up)
Paper: Making Memories, Going Grey, Silver
 Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Lacy Oval, Oval and Heart Nesties, , 5/8" Sheer Grey Ribbon, Silver Half Pearls, Bling, Silver Twine, Button, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

You Make Me Smile

 Managed to sneak away for a bit of crafty time this weekend - kind of an anniversary and Canada Day long weekend gift to myself  - wink, wink ;)

Still enjoying my Recollections DP pack from Michael's.  Pulled out these two papers and went to work.  Starbucks sleeves made another
appearance in the shape of a butterfly (and gave me a craving for a tall, decaf, non-fat latte!!) and as did my beloved Swiss Dots embossing folder.  Selecting the ribbon colour gave me grief - I think I tried at least six different colours before finally settling on the brown.  Doesn't pay to craft when one is tired and therefore indecisive!

Submitting this to CR84FNs challenge this week - even though my pink isn't overly bright.  Hoping the challenge police let it slide ;)  Also playing along with Dynamic Duos.

Today kids and I are off to the pool for day two of their two week set of swimming lessons.  Our first layer of Eau de Chlorine essence has been applied and will grow in strength throughout the following two weeks - oh joy!  Always forget what good exercise swimming is!  I do laps while the kids are in their 45 minute lessons, and then we hang out in the free swim area for and extra 30 to 60 minutes.  Needless to say, we all sleep very deeply for two weeks LOL!

With summer here and the kids home 24/7, my stamping schedule is much more unpredictable.  I'll do my best to post two or three times a week, but no guarantees.  I treasure the time I have with my kids and also use summer as time to catch up on my ever growing reading list.  Hopefully I can be wonder mom and do it all :)

Thanks for popping by and sharing a bit of your day with me - chlorine hugs to you all. 

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Fabulous You (Verve)
Paper: Regal Rose, Kraft, Recollections DP (Michael's), Starbucks Coffee Sleeve
Ink: Black, Mellow Moss
Accessories:  Circle and Circle Heart Nesties, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Futterby Die (Verve), 5/8" Brown Satin Ribbon, Bling, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Retro Love

 This week's Retro Sketch was such fun to use for this card.  Today is Canada Day and it was the perfect opportunity to use the darling little maple leaf punch I found in the $1.50 punch bin at Michael's.  In addition, it is my 16th wedding anniversary so the heart shape was a perfect accent for the maple leaves as I love my country and I love my wonderful husband :)   Couldn't get much better.  CAS card to use as hubby's anniversary card.  Don't worry, he's manly enough to be able to handle the bow LOL!

Hubby is going to be the Iron Chef for a dinner gathering we are having with friends tonite.  Salmon and halibut (compliments of one of the couples), beef tenderloin and some good wine - yes, it will be quite the feast and a great way to celebrate our anniversary.  I've got my sous chef hat on and have already done lots of chopping and prep work with more to follow.  So thankful my hubby loves to cook and is excellent at it!! 

To all my Canadian followers, Happy Canada Day!  To my wonderful hubby, I love you and can't image anyone better to walk through life with.



What's In It? 
Stamps: Dollar Stamp (Micheal's) 
Paper: Real Red 
Ink: Black
Accessories:  Heart Nesties, Heart Punch (Marvy), Maple Leaf Punch (Michael's $1.50 bin), Stitched Ribbon (Michael's), Corner Rounder, Dimensionals