More animals

My friend's birthday is tomorrow and she has two cats so what better theme for a birthday card than cats? I used some more of my DCWV paper and I love these colours though I'm not really an orangey person. I was hoping to buy a proper light box so that my pictures would be improved from what they are and I wouldn't have to go out on the balcony in the middle of winter to get pictures with some natural light in them. I found a great light box at http://www.hammacherschlemmer.com/ though it's not such a good deal now that the Canadian dollar has taken a total dive.

I must be off and start primping for Jersey Boys tonight. It's freezing outside so it's going to have to be a sweater and coat night.

Cute Teddy

This Jolees embellishment is the cutest little teddy bear ever and what baby doesn't love teddy?? The card was made for a baby shower with some scraps I had saved and then cutsied up with some scallops, buttons and fibres. It's not the traditional blue, pink, green or yellow but I love this card.

My plans for today went down the toilet and I didn't get half done what I had hoped but, sometimes, that's what days off are for - sleeping in and doing little.

Goodbye to Catoo

Sadly, my neighbour's cat, Catoo, had to be put to sleep the other night. He was the cat I had been tending to with his insulin shots. I made this card for my neighbour in Catoo's memory and hopefully it brings her some comfort. He was such a sweet boy and we will all miss our friend.

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The paper I used for the card is from DCWV and is all pet-themed. The cat embellishment is by Making Memories and the letters are lovely and velvety, though I don't remember where I got them.

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I had a busy day today with an early hair appointment, Christmas shopping, grocery shopping and then some projects which means I am more than ready for bed right now. Tomorrow night, I am taking my neighbour to see "Jersey Boys" for her birthday. This is my second viewing and I am as excited as the first time I went. I also decided to take the next couple of days off work so that I can enjoy the show fully without being tired or worried about getting up early.

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Hope everyone is enjoying this early taste of winter....which reminds me....time to call and make an appointment to get my snow tires on. Have a great week!

A card for the new grandparents

I was asked to make a card for a friend's parents who are becoming grandparents for the first time....to twins. This is a combination of Basic Grey and Making Memories paper with a Prima flower, Prima jewel, a white lace doily, border from a Fiskars punch and some rub-ons, ribbon and fibres.

It certainly was a better day today - cold but sunny. I got a whole whack of errands done this morning including some more Christmas shopping then, rather than cleaning, decided to wash and wax the car so that it would be ready for winter. I figured I can clean any old day but you sort of have to pick and choose the weather for car waxing. Needless to say, my back is killing me tonight but that's one of the job hazards.

I picked up some really cute dog/cat paper today that I can hardly wait to use. Alas, further projects will have to wait until next week but I hope to be able to post then. Enjoy your upcoming weekend.

Twins

This is such a pretty card but the photograph washes it right out, unfortunately. It is done in white and pale greens with lots of lace and fun embellishments. The paper is Melissa Frances and the 'twins' was cut from Cricut 'New Arrival'.

I have a couple of other projects I have been working on but will have to wait until tomorrow to post when, hopefully, the skies are more condusive to photo taking. I must run and get dinner as I am starving. One good thing about crafting, it usually absorbs my entire attention span so that I don't think about food. Thanks for stopping by!

....and one more Christmas

I keep forgetting that, when I do these posts, they are backwards, i.e. bottom to top rather than the other way around. So, often the title I assign a post makes no sense to anyone else but me unless you happen to read from bottom to top. Oh well, I'm sure much of this blog makes no sense to anyone so status quo.

This lovely card is done with Doodlebug velvet papers with silver embossed paper on top. The snowflake embellishment is an ornament from a Christmas present last year. The scallops are cut from a Martha Stewart punch (which I thought was broken so I bought another then found the first miraculously rebounded).

The paper was a little hard to work with and I had problems sticking it down so that it would stay. I must get myself a sewing machine though the small Janome that everyone raves about is still not here in Canada and I'm sure the cost to ship it would be astronomical. I'm sure I'll be in the US at some point in the future and must keep an eye out.

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The paper I used for this card is Basic Grey "Figgy Pudding", very English. I must admit, it's nice to see colours in Christmas cards other than red and green and I notice there is a lot of blue and black out this year in the decorations.

I was hoping to get down to the Toronto craft show this weekend but just never got around to it...which is probably a good thing as I REALLY did not need any more scrapbook supplies.

Three Christmases and a Baby

I finally got down to making some Christmas cards though I had to put other projects aside for awhile. Judging by the weather today, it feels like Christmas is right around the corner. This paper is from Making Memories, flowers also by Making Memories, buttons by Basic Grey and the pretty gold and green ribbon is very vintage and actually came from my mother who bought it but never used it. I took these pictures on the balcony today and nearly got blown away. I think we're in Kansas again, Toto.

Beautiful Colours

Fall is upon us and the trees are beautiful colours as seen in this photo from my balcony. It won't be long before all the leaves are gone and winter....yech, I can hardly say it.....will be here. Fall is actually one of my favourite times of year except that I wish it would just skip to spring. I guess that's what we have to expect, living in Canada. I got a jump on winter this year and ordered some snow tires which, I hope, will make it a little easier to navigate.

I made this card for a friend of mine who is turning 50. Fifty always sounded so old when I was a kid; now that I'm here, it's not so bad. I was able to use up a lot of my scraps and this is actually some of my favourite paper. I was very lazy today and cannot have a repeat of this tomorrow. My neighbour's cat has diabetes and requires shots two times a day. I have been learning how to do the injections so that I can fill in for her should she need to stay late at work. I'm not sure I was cut out to be a doctor but I'll give it my best. I'm on my own tomorrow with him so wish me luck.

Thank you for the tree

My family recently had a tree planted in memory of a friend and they wanted a card to thank the City for all their hard work. I made the card using some Basic Grey and Doodlebug papers and a lovely tree embellishment from Jolees. The buttons are also from Basic Grey and actually match in much better than the photograph shows and I finished it off with some rub-ons, ribbon and twine. All done in perfect tree green colours.

I have been on the go all this week. Tuesday, I worked at the election and that was a long and hellish 15-hour day. Last night, I enjoyed a show at the theatre where I saw a Beatles cover band called 1964 (www.1964thetribute.com). The show was excellent and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes the music of the Beatles. Tomorrow, I'm off for a day of shopping and, hopefully, the rest of the weekend will be mine to get at some crafts. With any luck, I'll have some new projects to post in the next couple of days.

Back at it

I can't believe it's been so long since we last talked. I have been busy, busy, busy what with work stuff, cleaning up around the apartment and other commitments, there has been no time for anything. Anyway....I am trying to get back at it and post some projects.

This card is a very pretty baby card made from Heide Grace paper. I added a couple of chipboard hearts topped with stickles, some ribbon and lace, a Prima flower, a "baby" rubon, buttons and a cute little rattle embellishment. They resurfaced the roof of my building - which seemed to take about 5 times longer than it should have - and there is tar and crap all over the balcony, literally stuck onto the tiles. I normally snap my card photos out there but, being as it is such a complete disaster, I didn't trust not getting black goo all over the card. Black goo removal is one of my projects for upcoming days off since yesterday it rained all day and was not black-goo-removal-condusive.

It's good to be back and I hope to have some more projects next week to share.

Last day of freedom

After 10 lovely days off, it is back to the grind tomorrow. I need better time management skills so that I'm not trying to get everything cleaned up at one time. Yesterday was a complete writeoff what with appointments and errands. I had to take my neighbour's cat to the vet since she is away and he promptly peed all down the front of me the minute I picked him up. I'm sure I smelled like a rose in the vet waiting room. Anyway, no harm....the clothes were washed, the cat is fine and all's well that ends well.

This is another sympathy card made with some HOTP and Daisy D's papers. My favourite Martha Stewart punch appears to be on the fritz as it punches no more. I'll have to watch for Michaels' sales and pick up another one. Further projects I have in my head must now wait until next week unless I get done cleaning the house early and have some spare time tonight. I must not miss "America's Next Top Model" - it's makeover day which is the best episode of all!

Where's summer.....oh there it went......

It feels like a fall day today and I can see some of the leaves starting to change colour. If that was summer, I think I missed it. Fall always make me sad because I know winter is not far behind and I DETEST winter and snow and cold.

Sadder than that, I am nearing the end of my days off and I feel like I have accomplished little. I got the car into the shop today for its regular maintenance and pre-winter checkup and I have a couple of loads of laundry going so everything is under control. I am cat sitting my neighbour's two boys, both of whom are sick. One was just diagnosed with diabetes so I took him to the vet this morning so that they can start his insulin. Poor thing is just skin and bones and I'm hoping they can fatten him up. He was so good in the car - not like my two who squawk the whole time like I'm killing them.

This is a sympathy card I made with some left-over paper, some magic mesh and bits and pieces of other adornments. It's for a man so I didn't want to get too frou-frou. I think this is very classy yet understated and the colours are quite sombre.

I better get back to my chores. Happy Monday and enjoy your week.

And the countdown begins......

I know September is a little early to be thinking about Christmas, but I thought I better get some projects done now while I have the time. I made this card with some old scraps I had laying around then added some embellishments to make it all bright and cheery. Hard to think Christmas when it's 80 degrees out and frightfully humid. Having said that, I have got a good start on my Christmas shopping which seems to continue throughout the year.

The cats are busy watching one of their videos and, overall, it's been a nice peaceful Sunday. We're supposed to get quite a dumping of rain later so I have battened down the hatches in preparation. I'm off to start another card - thanks for stopping by!

A project to share

Here's another card made with one of my favourite colour combinations - black, white and red. The paper is a combination of Rusty Pickle and adornit with some Doodlebug black velvet thrown in. The heart is cut from Cricut "George" cartridge, and the flower is from Prima. Last we spoke, I was off to see "Jersey Boys" at the theatre. I have to say it was beyond excellent and is now one of my three favourite shows; in fact, I have already bought more tickets for late October. If you get a chance to see it, I can't recommend it highly enough!

Green for the Irish

I was asked to make a card with an Irish theme as part of a housewarming gift. This card incorporates Anna Griffin papers, Basic Grey buttons, a Prima flower, some rub-on stitches and bits of ribbon and edgings. Inside are two Irish poems blessing the new home. Pretty as a picture.

Today was shopping day and I was able to get a bit more Christmas shopping done. I know it's early but I like to be prepared and if I see something, I buy it in case it's not there next time....you snooze, you lose. I was thinking that I really should start doing up some Christmas cards, as funny as that seems when it's nice outside and the sun is shining warm.

I am very excited as tomorrow night I'm going to the theatre to see "Jersey Boys" which is supposed to be wonderful. I'll be sure to let you know how it was.

Let's Hear it for Dentists

As much as I hate going to the dentist, when you find a good one, you have to be grateful. This is a thank you card for a friend whose dentist is moving on. The patterned papers are from Doodlebug, the buttons from Basic Grey, stitches, corners and sentiment are all rub-on. The cartoon is some clip art I found on the Internet. Though I never associate "fun" with the dentist, I think this is a fun, whimsical card and I'm sure her dentist will appreciate my friend's thoughtfulness.

I'm not sure what happened to summer (did we actually have one??) but it doesn't feel much like summer out there today. I've had to resort to heavy-sweater-wearing during the evenings and it really is much too soon for that. I'm ordering my snow tires next week which thought is even more depressing. I have a mall day planned tomorrow so that will pick me up. Thanks for looking!

Wedding Card

Another afternoon, another card. I always seem to have such a mess when I am crafting. Perhaps this is due to poor planning as I make things up as I go rather than have everything prepared prior to starting a project.

This pretty wedding card is done with Heidi Grace reversible paper. The buttons are Basic Grey, chipboard hearts are American Crafts, the stitching is rubons and the lace and ribbon are both from Diane Cossitt vintage. I really need to get myself a small sewing machine as the one I have takes up too much space. I saw a portable one on line, made by Janome, but, as with so many other things, it is not available in Canada. I wonder how many things we have in Canada that are not available in the U.S. Other than Smarties, I can't think of much.

Busy, busy, busy....

Well, I am done my four hellish dayshifts at work so I actually have a day to catch my breath. How people work those hours each and every day is beyond me....I prefer a more leisurely hour at which to wake. Consequently, my card making and blogging has suffered but we're back up on the horse today.

During my shifts, I managed to fit in some shopping and was very pleased with myself for the great deal I got on a new coat on which I had my eye. However, upon getting the coat home, I found that the store had forgotten to remove the security tag so I'll have to make another trip back to the mall to have that removed. The American store, Bath & Body Works, is FINALLY opening in Canada with its grand opening tomorrow in the mall that is, quite conveniently, but 3 minutes from my home. It will be an early rise tomorrow in order to be first at the doors.

The card above is a 50th anniversary card so I wanted to be sure to use lots of gold to represent the 50 golden years. I do love these Doodlebug velvety papers except that the black attracts a lot of white pussycat hairs. The gold metal heart is one I got in an Anna Griffin paper kit many moons ago and the gold frame was actually silver until I painted it.

Lots to do today...cleaning, tidying up, more cards, preparation for Bath & Body Works opening day, etc. All the reality shows start up again this month as do our reality show pools at work. Enjoy this beautiful day!

Another Goodbye

Lately, it seems that everywhere you turn, people at work are coming and going. So we have another goodbye card made from some Kimberly Poloson for Fiskars paper. I thought rather than the traditional good bye message, maybe Bon Voyage might be a little more appropriate since this person is not really leaving but merely moving down the hall. The sentiment and car and trailer were cut from Cricut cartridge "Beyond Birthdays", the stars from Cricut "George" and I finished it all off with some magic mesh, buttons and a piece of twine. I'm off to a barbecue today so I hope the rain holds off. Enjoy your Sunday and thanks for stopping by.

Black Velvet and Bows

I just LOVE these papers from Doodlebug Designs that are all velvety and textured. The paper on the bottom is from Making Memories but fits in perfectly with the colours. I used matching black velvet ribbon and brads, also from Doodlebug, some silver embossed paper and some Prima flowers. The lace I picked up at the dollar store. Black and white is my all-time favourite colour combination and it always looks rich and pretty. Having said I would not return to the scrapbook store for awhile, I did just that yesterday. After breaking even at the casino, I thought I deserved it. Winning for once would be nice but not losing also works.

Get Better Soon

Another day and once again it is raining. I did see the sun for about 10 minutes and had to rush out to see what it was. I made this card for a guy at work who broke both his arms....get well soon seems to be an understatement but the sentiment is there. I used some "My Mind's Eye" paper on the top and bottom and some "Cosmo Cricket" paper for the middle sections. The tag and brads are from K&Company and the buttons from Basic Grey. Some days I seem to get stuck with design block so I always revert back to what has worked in the past. Maybe it's the rain clouding my brain. Time to do some chores - thanks again for looking.

A few projects to share....

I have been busy this weekend trying to get all my projects done. The top card is a thank you that I made with plain cardstock then fancied up with some decorative green paper by "pop culture". The tag, star and "thanks" sentiment are all cut from Cricut and the brads are from K&Company.

I must give thanks to Melissa Phillips at lilybeanpaperie.typepad.com for inspiration for the second card. Her projects are amazing and I could only hope to one day do work like that. This card uses paper from Prima along with various chipboard, ribbon and fibre accents. I love the black velvet ribbon from Doodlebug Designs - what a way to dress up a card.

The third card is done with some old paper I had from Michele Ackerman with accent paper by 7gypsies. The butterflies are from the dollar store but are really quite beautiful. The chipboard hearts are by American Crafts and I added some ribbon, rubons and such to finish everything off.

Tomorrow is my least favourite time of the year.....well, 3 times a year.....the dentist. I have to go into the city but kind of enjoy that in the summer time as it gives me a chance for a walk a look-around. Hope your weekend is going great, despite the rain.

Days off are tiring

Sometimes I wonder if I don't do more hard labour when I'm off than I do when I'm at work. I ran around like mad all day today trying to get home before rush hour started. There must be a lot of people on vacation because traffic was fairly light all week. The cats are dutifully ignoring the new bed I so lovingly bought for them (and which is nicer than my bed); I may as well have brought home a paper bag as they would have got more use out of it.

Anyway....these are two cards I made yesterday. The top one is done with HOTP paper and lettering and a Jolees embellishment. The fibres are Doodlebug Designs and the stitching is all rub-on which is way easier than dragging out a sewing machine which I don't have to drag out in the first place. The bottom card is made with a photograph of Alaska I found on the web and some beautiful blue and white gingham paper which complements the picture perfectly. I'm back to the drawing board. Enjoy your weekend!

Some things are easier than you think.....

Well, I went to the passport office first thing this morning, giving myself an hour and a half before I had to get my mom to her appointment, and we were in and out in 8 minutes. There was absolutely nobody there so we walked right up. What a change from last time when I waited about 2 hours. Sometimes it's a bonus when things don't go the way you plan.

This is a very pretty card I made last night as a sympathy card. The paper is a combination of Doodlebug Designs and Kaisercraft, the black ribbon is also from Doodlebug Designs and the roses are cut from the Cricut "Walk in my Garden" cartridge which is one of my favourite carts. I have so many cards to work on this set of days off that I am secretly praying for rain so that I don't feel like I'm missing anything outside. Looks like I got my wish this morning since every time I got out of the car to run an errand, I got soaked.