The End of an Era...

As I have mentioned a few times, we have come to the end of an era in our family as our ten years tenure at our neighbourhood school has come to a close....  We were blessed with an outstanding school just a few blocks away from our home, which blessed us in so many ways,l some of which include:

- Many, many, amazing teachers
- A great academic focus
- An endless supply of parents wanting to help out
- A PAC that was very active and did a great job fund raising so the kids
  could enjoy Hip Hop lessons, have a local artist come in regularly and work
  with each classroom, buying laptops and PC computers for a computer lab,
  putting on three amazing musical productions involving the whole school,
  fund raising and getting a new playground and many other wonderful
  benefits. 
- A school that wanted to teach children to give to others through supporting
  a Compassion Canada child and his village in Uganda, to adopting sister
  schools in low income districts and having food, warm clothing, sports
  equipment, book and Christmas hamper drives for them.
- There was an amazing sense of community in that school and we will walk
  away carrying many, many wonderful memories for years to come.


My son's graduation ceremony capped our experience at that school, and it was one of the best I have been to at that school.  You could not ask for a better group of kids or a better group of parents.  Here are a few fun pictures.

The grad posing in the VIP Photo Op spot.

 

Each grad had their picture in a star and they were interspersed between black silhouette images of people in various silhouette poses around the gym.  Totally forgot to get a wall shot of the silhouettes - silly me!

The seven recipients of the Service Award (the one bending forward is the teacher).  The number of recipients of this award speaks volumes to the caliber of kids in this graduating class.  Usually there are only one of two kids who get this award and this year there were seven!   Best part is two of my son's best friends also received one (they are on either side of him) so I'm thrilled he has chosen some great guys as buddies :)

Last but not least, my favorite picture.  Oh how I love these two!! I am beyond blessed to be their mother and ever so thankful that they are such good friends!  My heart is full :)

We do have some family pictures, honest, but they are on my daughter's fancy, shmancy camera and I have to get her to download them for me LOL!

Thanks for letting me gush :)

Marisa

Google Reader Becoming Extinct July 1st

Just a reminder that Google Reader will be defunct as of July 1st, so if you have signed up to follow me via Google Reader, you will have to resort to a different feed.

Feedly or Bloglovin are great alternatives which allow you to transfer all your existing Reader accounts with the click of a button or two.  I have done it with both options and my Reader list transferred like a charm.  Getting used to the new format is always a challenge, but I have found each of them rather easy to navigate.  Bloglovin' is pretty straight forward, and Feedly has a few more bells and whistles so it takes a bit more to figure out and get comfortable with, but well worth the hassle.

Most importantly, you have to transfer your Reader list BEFORE July 1st, otherwise that option no longer exists and you will have to manually add every blog you wish to follow!!!

Alternately, you can follow me on my my dedicated Facebook page Rosemary Reflections.

This paid announcement is now over wink, wink :) 

Just Us Girls #195

Elise is our wonderful hostess this week and she has brought us a very useful challenge -- to make four coordinating tags.  A perfect way for getting ready for Christmas, making tags to add to cards later or to just stock up on tags for various occassions.

I made some Christmas tags and kept them rather simple as it just breaks my heart to think of people just tossing them out once they have opened their gift!!  If I know someone will keep it, recycle it by using it for a gift they give someone else, or "up cycle" it by adding it to one of their own cards, then I'll dress them up a lot more.  Do you feel the same way, or am I just weird LOL!  Okay, don't answer the weird part, just the tag part wink, wink.

A PTI tag die, a Martha Stewart jumbo snowflake punch, a few buttons and some twine and various sentiments from Verve's Glad Tidings set made these a cinch to make.  A great tag for mass for mass production, especially if you leave off the button.

The rest of the  JUGS team has some wonderful samples to get your inspiration going, so head on over to the Just Us Girls blog, and check out what the Design Team has created.  Then put your creative genes to work and add your card/project to the challenge post on the JUGS blog for the chance to be chosen as the Chic of the Week. 

Have a great weekend everyone, and I'll be back on Monday with my card for Mojo Monday's 300th sketch celebration!!   There are going to be lots of prizes to be had so make sure you check back on Monday for all the details!!!

 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Glad Tidings (Verve Stamps) 
Paper: Kraft, Real Red, White
Ink:  Black  
Accessories:  Tag Die (PTI), Jumbo Snowflake Punch (Martha Stewart), Crimper, Twine (Twinery), Buttons, Glue Dots

Mojo Monday #299

It's round or square week over on the Mojo Monday blog, so that means I get to show you another round card.

Loved this sketch. SO many wonderful elements on it!  Julee truly knows how to work a layout :)

Kept with a black and white theme with a pop of colour as well as adding some of my favorite things to the card: Verve's Flutterby die, From the Heart dies, and polka dots via paper and embossing.  Yes, I' m a happy girl LOL!  The sentiment is one of the "thank you for your order" stamps Julee includes in your package when you order from Verve.  Just another wonderful extension of her fabulous client service and generosity!

You can check out all the challenge details over on the Mojo Monday blog and also get a chance to view all the wonderful Mojo Makers samples!  Should you wish more details on their cards, you can also visit their individual blogs noted below.

Carole Burrage

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

Busy weekend once again (I need summer LOL!).  My son had his grad ceremony on Friday and we have ended an era of ten years at that school.  It was such a fabulous ceremony, with all the kids dressed up and looking fabulous.  I was so proud of my son as he received of the Service Awards!  Two of his best buddies also received one, which is fabulous confirmation that he hangs out with some great guys :)   I'm beaming and grinning from ear to ear as my daughter received the Citizenship Award when she graduated, so what we have been working hard to instill into our kids seems to be catching - a true reward in of itself!

A soccer game and a wedding shower filled Saturday and teaching Sunday School and working on hubby's rush job took care of Sunday. I'm feeling like I've been sucked into a black hole these past few weeks and I can't wait for July as both kids will be out of school and we can relax a bit!  It will most likely be another week of slim pickings here on the blog, but hope to make up for it once this week is over!  Thanks for your patience!!

Have a fabulous week and if you have never made a round card, I double dog dare you to try one {grin}!



What's In It?
Stamps:  Verve Stamps
Paper:  Black, Pretty in Pink, Rose Romance (Stampin' Up)
Ink: Black
Accessories: Flutterby and From the Heart Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilites (Spellbinders), Crimper (Fiskars), Seeing Spots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Button, Twine, Black Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

Amethyst Deepest Sympathy

Loved Janelle's sketch this week. The perfect layout for a sympathy card I needed to make for a dear friend who lost her grandmother this past week.

I decided to use purple on my card as purple is her favorite colour, and I'm trusting it will bring a smile to her face amidst her sorrow.

Verve's Deepest Sympathy Plain Jane is such a fabulous stamp!  Love the size and the mix of fonts - Julee's forte :)   It fit perfectly in the oval and I added a touch of lace and some pops of yellow as well as a bit of bling to finish things off.

 

If you want a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to the Verve Store, all you need to do is play along with all the sketches for this month on load them on to the Verve Forum over on Splitcoast Stampers.  Here is the link to Verve's Splitcoast Forum which gives you all the sketches and challenge details.

I'm barley coming up for air after and insanely busy week - phew!!  Weekend is going to be a crazy busy one again, and I for one am very much looking forward to next Friday as the kids will both be out of school and I don't need to set my alarm for 6 a.m!!

Back tomorrow with my Just Us Girls card.  Vicki has a fabulous inspiration picture for us this week!



What's In It? Stamps:  Deepest Sympathy (Verve Stamps), French Script (Stampin' Up)
 Paper:  Lavender Lace, Perfect Plum, Certainly Celery, So Saffron (Stampin' Up  
Ink: Black, Almost Amethyst (Stampin' Up)   
Accessories:   Flag It Dies (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Oval and Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Lace,  Leaf Punch (Martha Stewart), Crimper (Fiskars), 1/8" White Satin Ribbon, Paper Rose (Recollections), Bling, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #298

Welcome back to another Mojo Monday sketch.  A wonderful sketch you can use this way or in the vertical orientation if you like - a bit of a twofer :)

For some reason a baby card was in my mind -- think it was the star on the sketch.  I chose to use this fabulous sentiment from Verve's Shining Star set (which just happens to be on sale right now), the Starry Die set (which is also on sale) and the Pennant Trim die and this card was the result.

You can check out all the challenge details over on the Mojo Monday blog and also get a chance to view all the wonderful Mojo Makers samples!  Should you wish more details on their cards, you can also visit their individual blogs noted below.

Carole Burrage

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

Busy weekend started with recovering from Sports Day on Friday (it was my tenth and final Sports Day and the end of our elementary school era....hard to believe!), soccer on Saturday morning, yard work thereafter, followed by an early Father's Day sushi dinner (yum!!), followed by my teaching Sunday School, doing some house cleaning and work for hubby and family celebration of Father's day Sunday night.   

Thankfully, I did manage to get a bit of inky time tossed in because the next two weeks are going to be insanely busy!!  Don't even want to think about it!!  So, if things are a bit scarce on the blog, you'll know why!



What's In It?
Stamps: Shining Starry (Verve Stamps), Background Basics (Stampin' Up) 
Paper: Night of Navy, So Saffron, DSP (Stampin' Up) 
Ink: Black, VersaMark 
Accessories: Starry Die and Pennant Trim (A Cut Above by Verve), Crimper (Fiskars), 5/8" Saffron Ribbon, Black Half Pearls, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Just Us Girls #193 - Colour Challenge

 

Nancy is this week's Just Us Girl's hostess and she has chosen a wonderful mix of colours to work with:  harvest gold, aqua, kraft, and white.  Yummy!

I didn't have any aqua or harvest gold paper so I had to do a bit of subbing, but I think it worked okay.  Pulled out fun Freshly Made Sketch which I have been wanting to use and went to work.  

Verve's Petals and Stems, one of my very first Verve sets, was needing some love so out it came.  A bit of twine and a tag for a little something and I was good to go.  Quick and easy card.

The rest of the  JUGS team has some wonderful samples to get your inspiration going, so just hop on over to the Just Us Girls blog, and check out what the Design Team has created.  Then put your creative genes to work and add your card/project to the challenge post on the JUGS blog for the chance to be chosen as the Chic of the Week. 

Have a great weekend everyone, and I'll be back on Monday with my Mojo Monday card.




What's In It?
Stamps:  Petals and Stems (Verve Stamps), Tiny Tags (PTI)
Paper: Kraft, Bashful Blue, So Saffron
Ink:  Sahara Sand, Bashful Blue, So Saffron 
Accessories:  Tiny Tags Die (PTI), Twine (Twinery), Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Just Because

This week's Verve sketch and inspiration picture is brought to us by  Teresa.   Just love this picture!! So many wonderful things you can use to get your mojo going. 

I wanted to do black and white stripes, but could I find any such striped paper in my stash - nope!!  Couldn't believe it!  So, I decided to go with something close to the rug pattern as I had some Fancy Pants Park Bench paper that did the trick.

Looooove green and black together so I crimped some green banners and then added a pop of turquoise with the butterfly (as per the pillows).  Next, came some yellow buttons (the pillow again) and I scored the white background panel to pick up the wood paneling -- dang it all I couldn't get it to show in the photo, but they are there and add the perfect touch to the card!  The sentiment is a combination of phrases from  Take Note - love how you can mix and match the fonts and sentiments in this set.

Best part:  one lucky participant to complete all of this month's sketches will win a $100 gift certificate to the Verve Store!!  Here is the link to the Verve forum over at Splitcoast Stampers for all the challenge details.

Heading off to my last Sports Day...hard to believe I have gone to ten of these over the years -- and some of them were rather wet and cold!  If all goes well, the weather will hold and we even get some sunshine in the afternoon so we can enjoy a warm, dry, Sports Day!  Fingers crossed!!

Back tomorrow with my Just Us Girls - there are some yummy colours for you to work with :)

What's In It?
Stamps: Take Note (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:  Park Bench (Fancy Pants), Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen
Ink: Black 
Accessories:   Flutterby Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Crimper (Fiskars), ScorPal, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Diva Dare - Take Two

I actually made two cards for this month's "Puddles of Colour" Diva Dare as I wasn't sure which one I was going to post.  This card incorporated the actual dare, which focused on incorporating colouring and /or painting on your card.  Yesterday's card was the result of me wanting to stretch myself by not only doing the dare but also incorporating the optional components of using kraft cardstock and mixed media as well.

Since I am not much of a colourer, and don't have many tools to do so, I tend to shy away from it.  My only colouring medium consists of some Twinkling H2Os I bought years ago and still have for those "emergency" colouring situations -- this month's Diva Dare being a case in point LOL!

I fussy cut the flowers from Let It Be and coloured them with Twinkling H2Os.  Still in love with the heart die from the Scalloped Trim Trio Border set so I threw it into the mix, and since I haven't used my beloved Flutterby die recently just had to add that as well.  Flowers, hearts and butterflies on one card sure makes me happy :)  The bottom right hand corner was a bit empty so I used the arrow die and stamped it with the matching image from Take Note.  A touch of distressing finished things off nicely.

If you head on over to the Verve Blog, you will be treated to seeing Diva Teresa's take on this month's Puddles of Colour Diva Dare, as well as all the challenge and prize details. 

Thanks for popping in today!



What's In It?
Stamps:  Let It Be and Take Note (Verve Stamps), French Script (Stampin' Up) 
Paper: Kraft, Perfect Plum, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen 
Ink:  Black, VersaMark
Accessories:  Flutterby, Scalloped Trim Trio Die Set and Arrow Dies (A Cut Above by Verve),  Notebook Die (My Favorite Things), Buttons, Twine, Black Half Pearls, Distressing Tool (Stampin' Up), Crimper (Fiskars), Glue Dots, Dimensionals:

June Diva Dare

Welcome to another installment of Verve's Diva Dare!  This month's dare is "Puddles of Colour" which combines Diva Jen and Diva Janelle's talents.

This month we are daring you to include colouring and/or painting on your project.  Diva Jen is a colouring guru and Diva Janelle uses paints and other forms of  mixed media for colour on her cards.  In addition, if you want to kick this month's dare up a notch, you can add kraft and/or mixed media to your card.  These are not required elements, but fun options should you chose to take the double dog dare wink, wink.

This is my take on the Dare.

I decided to go the mixed media route as I have never done it before, and well... a dare is a dare...and I'm not one to turn down a challenge!  Being a mixed media newbie, I'm not sure if I succeeded, but I sure had fun making the card.

I started out with making the background paper by using the emboss resist technique.  I stamped the wheel image from Strong Anchor in VersaMark on glossy paper, heat embossed it with clear embossing powder, and then sponged on a mix of Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue and Night of Navy.  

In keeping with the sea/nautical theme, I die cut five Flourish Trims and stacked them one above the other to create "waves".  Next, an up-cycled Starbuck's sleeve became my tag and fulfilled the optional kraft element.  I stamped and added the Adjusted Sails Plain Jane sentiment to the tag, curled one corner for a little something, and added a bit of distress ink around the edges.  

Since I still needed a colouring / painting element, I swiped my white ink pad along the edges of the tag and then finger painted the white smudges on the word "hope".  The tag was then layered on to the burlap strip and I used the Nautical Die set with the wheel image.  Some distressed edges were in order and I finished things off by framing the card with some multi-coloured red, white and blue twine.  Now just have to wait and see if I got a passing grade from our mixed media Divas, Janelle and Julee!

Of course, where there is a Verve Diva Dare, there are prizes, and this month's dare provides two prizes: one for a randomly selected participant and one for a randomly selected commenter!

Want to get all the details on how you can win some Verve Stamps?  Simply head on over to the Verve Blog to get all the challenge details - I dare you!




What's In It?
Stamps:  Strong Anchor (Verve Stamps)
Paper:   Night of Navy, Real Red, Glossy Paper (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black,  White, Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue, Night of Navy, Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up), Antique Linen Distress Ink (Tim Holtz) 
Accessories:  Flourish Trim, Nautical Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Tag Die (PTI), Seasonal Sentiments Die (WPlus 9) ,  Cream Burlap, 3/8", Distressing Wheel (Stampin' Up), Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Button, Twine, Brad, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #297

Welcome to another wonderful Mojo Monday sketch by Julee.

I dug into a new paper pad I got at Michael's last week and just had to use this fun, polka dotted paper. Just made me happy looking at it :)   Added a few goodies from my scrap pile and this card was all but done.

Since the colours were upbeat, I decided to use Verve's Praying for You Plain Jane as the sentiment.

You can check out all the challenge details over on the Mojo Monday blog and also get a chance to view all the wonderful Mojo Makers samples!  Should you wish more details on their cards, you can also visit their individual blogs noted below.

Carole Burrage

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

Busy weekend with soccer, studying with kids for their final exams and final project work, and the like.  Always such a busy time of year with the end of the school year on the horizon.  My little splurge was being part of  an LSS Garage Sale.  Such a great way to pass along some unloved stamping goodies to those who will enjoy them more than I curently do.  Bonus: some spending money to put a dint into some of my wish lists :)

Oh, and before I forget, Julee has just added two new ribbon collections over at the Verve Store and all the ribbon collections are 10% off until July 4th.

 Thanks for visiting today!



What's In It?
Stamps: Praying For You Plain Jane (Verve Stamps)  
Paper:   Bold Basics Paper Pad (Recollections at Michael's), Kraft, So Saffron, Real Red (Stampin' Up)  
 Ink:  Black   
 Accessories:  Flower Die (PTI), Scalloped Border Punch (Stampin' Up), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Crimper (Fiskars), Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals  

Just Us Girls #192 - Washi Tape Challenge

This week is a special week as we have a sponsor!

Modes4u was founded in 2007, and is very active on Facebook and Twitter.  They carry a wide variety of products (from Bento Boxes to washi) which can be purchased via their on-line store, two of which are washi and deco tapes. 

So, this week's challenge is to use washi tape on your creation.  If you don't own any washi tape here are two links on making your own:  Faux Washi Tape and Custom Stamped Washi Ttape.  Two participants will be randomly selected to win 3 rolls each of washi tape from Modes4u.

I had some fun, polka dotted washi to work with and the primary colours made me think of children, which in turn lead to making a baby card.  Since I had a few extra bears from a card I made earlier this week, I decided to use them to make a twin boy baby card. 

The rest of the  JUGS team has some wonderful samples to get your inspiration going, so just hop on over to the Just Us Girls blog, and check out what the Design Team has created.  Then put your creative genes to work and add your card/project to the challenge post on the JUGS blog for the chance to be randomly selected as one of our washi tape winners! 




What's In It?
Stamps:  To The Moon (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Night of Navy (Stampin' Up), White
Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Tiny Tags Die (PTI), Washi Tape (Modes4u), Twine (Twinery), White Gel Pen

Fab Friday Joyful Blooms

Went bold with this Fab Friday sketch and tweaked it just a bit so I wouldn't cover up this gorgeous wreath from Verve's Accent Notes set.

Love red, black and white cards as it is such a strong colour combination and always makes for an eye catching card.

Was fussing about which embossing folder to use on the white background panel, and in the end decided to just leave it plain so it didn't take away from the focal element.  Added some black half pearls for a bit of "oomph" and the polka dotted ribbon to balance things off.

Thanks for popping in today!



What's In It?
Stamps: Accent Notes and Joyful Blooms (Verve Stamps) 
Paper: Burgundy, Black and Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up) 
Ink: Black 
Accessories: Joyful Blooms Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Crimper (Fiskars), 5/8" Black and White Polka Dotted Ribbon (Micheal's), Hole Punch (Stampin' Up), Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals

CAS(E) This Sketch Baby Card

 

A fun sketch to work with over on the CAS(E) This Sketch blog this week, so I decided to play along.

The sketch is perfect for word dies and after digging through mine, I decided to go with blessed.  Love this word :)

Decided to make a baby card, and went heavy on the pretty in pink LOL!  The cute bear is from Verve's To The Moon set.

Wishing you a fabulous day. I'm trying to get over a nasty cold that wiped me out!  I don't get sick very often so when I do, I'm not a happy camper, or fun to be around according to my family ;)  All the more reason to get better soon LOL!

Have a fabulous day! 



What's In It?
Stamps:  To The Moon (Verve Stamps), Tiny Tags (PTI) 
Paper:  Pretty in Pink, Rose Romance, Blush Blossom, DSP (Stampin' Up), Small Dots (Making Memories) 
Ink:  Black 
Accessories:  Tiny Tags and Word Die (PTI), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Twine

Mojo Monday #296

 

It's the first Monday of the month, which means it is contest week over on the Mojo Monday blog,  One winner will be chosen at random for every 50 entries. You have the chance to win a Verve stamp set of  your choosing so be sure to get your entries in!!! 

I recently purchased MME's Quilting Bee paper pad and decided to break it in :)   Had an itch to make a masculine card so I pulled out Verve's Strong Anchor set and paired it with with the adorable sailboat from Text Objects.  The white background panel is scored for some texture, but hard to see in the picture.  Kept to black, grey and white with a pop of turquoise as I love the boldness of the colour combo.   Think I may give this card to hubby to remind him how he is our family's strong anchor and how we appreciate him for it :)

You can check out all the challenge details over on the Mojo Monday blog and also get a chance to view all the wonderful Mojo Makers samples!  Should you wish more details on their cards, you can also visit their individual blogs noted below.

Carole Burrage

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

Hard to believe it is June already!!  We are almost half way through the year!  June is always a very busy month with it being the last month of school, so I know it will be over before I know it!  However, today is here to be enjoyed so capre diem it will be :)       



What's In It?
Stamps: Strong Anchor and Text Objects (Verve Stamps) 
Paper:   Quilting Bee (My Mind's Eye), Black, White
Ink:  Black and Going Grey (Stampin' Up) 
Accessories:  Nautical Die Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Circle Nestabilties (Spellbinders) , ScorPal, Black Half Pearls, Twine, Dimensionals