Update!

Hi there Stampers,

Just wanted to check in and give you a little update.  I wanted to let you know that I have not been posting because I have been having a lot of trouble with my wonky back.

If you read my blog you know I have mentioned it over the years.  Well, I saw a surgeon on Monday and it looks like I will be heading down the surgery trail.  I am not exactly delighted but am somewhat relieved that this will finally be taken care of.  It has been a 20 year pain in the ass back and this last few months have been the worst it has ever been.

 I didn't really want to mention it at all and I have been trying to keep up with my commitments but it has been an up hill battle.  I hate to admit defeat but maybe it is time to level with you, my readers. 

So if I am a bit sketchy with  my posts please understand it is not because I don't want to craft it is because I can't on that day.

Now with all that horrible stuff out of the way I am rewarding you with a new card.  I had a newbies class last week and this is one of the cards I  made for them.

Have a look -

I used Crisp Cantaloupe, Soft Sky and Pistachio Pudding for my colors.  I used "Thoughts and Prayers" for my stamp set.  I added some Naturals Ribbon and a little flag at the top, a half  Lacy Paper doily and some texture with Gorgeous Grunge. 

It was simple but nice.

Thank you hugs!

What a Difference a Day Can Make!

Good Day Stampers!

I have calmed down since yesterday's rant!  I got a good night's sleep (yay) and my DH is out of town for the night.  It's amazing how easy it is to slow down when you are alone lol.

Today's card is not an original, I have seen it on the web in several places so I am not sure where to give credit!  But I loved the idea and the card is just what I need today.  Pink, easy and for a baby!

I got invited to a baby shower and guess what?  I only have baby boy cards.  Yep, kinda surprised me too!  I got out my soon to be retired Aviary set and paired it with Thoughts and Prayers.  It seems like a strange pairing but have a look, it works!

 

I used some of the new in colors and one of the soon to be retired colors.  The card base is Burnt Brown Sugar, the middle piece is Strawberry Slush and of course Whisper White for the art piece.  I used Pretty in Pink for the punched out flowers.  The punch I used was from the Itty Bitty Punch pack.

 

I used several markers for the Thoughts and Prayers branch, Basic Black, Old Olive and Regal Rose.  I stamped the base in Basic Black and lined up the flower spray with the base.  The punched out flower is to cover the join.  I then heat embossed the cage with gold embossing powder and stamped the little owl in Strawberry Slush ink after the embossing was cooled. 

 

 I made a little boo boo by touching the owl and smudging the ink. ( New ink pad, very juicy :O)

As I have said before, No mistakes, only an opportunity for embellishments! lol.  I sprayed the small flowers with a bit of Rubbing alcohol and crushed them.  Waited for them to dry and then glued them to the stamped flowers. 

 

 Now you may be asking yourself, "Why in heaven's name did she spend so much time inking up the stamp if she was going to cover the flowers?"  The answer is in case the flowers don't cover perfectly.  I'm covered even if they don't.

 

Added a Pretty in Pink bow and LOTS of mini pearls.  The greeting was stamped in Basic Black and comes from Friendly Phrases.  I can't believe they are retiring these stamps.  Poo! 

 

Now for some important Stampin' Up! Business!!!

 

There are only 5 days left before the new Catalog is released!

 

•  The new catalog will be released on line May 31.  It may be viewed here. (when released)

• For the first time SU is allowing ordering from all three catalogs, for one day only.  The annual one now current, the new Annual catalog for the upcoming year and the Spring Mini!

• I will have an order going out on May 31st.  If you wish to contact me, I would be more than pleased to place your order for you or you can order on line here!

 

I will be hosting a New Catalog Open House

Sunday -  June 9th. from 1:00pm to 4:00pm and

Monday - June 10th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. 

 

The Address is 25 Massey Drive.  There will be displays of new products, a Door Prize, A couple of make and takes, mystery hostess and a light snack and punch and of course, the star of the show, the New Annual 2013 - 2014 Idea Book and Catalog. 

 

If you want to drop by please RSVP so I can prepare my make and takes in advance.  I so hope you can drop by for the fun and don`t forget to bring a friend or family member as I have a special draw for them this year.

 

Well I guess that`s enough information for one day.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

 

Pretty in Pink and not Owly anymore hugs!

 

 

Sympathy!

Good day Stampers!

 This last couple of weeks two of my stampers lost a parent.  The loss of anyone in your family is hard but losing a parent has to be just a little more difficult.  I lost my dad 26 years ago.  One day he was a vital man and the next he was gone.  I think of him every day.  So I understand grief..

I wasn't sure if I wanted to post the cards that I made.  But in my opinion, this is one of the most heartfelt things you can do for a friend.  Let them know you care and are thinking about them.  So, I am posting the cards.  I feel honoured to be able to do this for my friends.

 

I used Flowering Flourishes, Thoughts and Prayers and Field Flowers.  I also used the DSP called Natural Compositions.  Also the new Flower Trim. 

 

I won't go into details today.  I just want to let them know I care!

 

Hugs!

Baby Aviary!

Whoo Hoo Happy Long Weekend in Canada People!

Well this is the Victoria Day Weekend and for those of us who live in Canada it's a three day weekend.  Yay!  Some of the parks open this weekend but fortunately  unfortunately for me it's not Big Falls!

I have been up in the craft room today tiding up and playing with my new rubbah!  I had a bit of fun with the new Aviary set.

I am officially in love with the owl in this set.  He is so freaking adorable.  I went to my cut card stock and looked at the colors and since I haven't used Tempting Turquoise in awhile, I thought, why not?

Pairing it with Lucky Limeade was a no brainer.  Which is good cause right now I have a no brain- er.

Here you go -

I embossed the cage in silver and masked off the cage so I could add the stand.  (the stamp has a long stick and I needed a short one)  After I had the cage done I stamped the owl in Tempting Turquoise.  Because the cage is embossed it looks like the owl is in the cage.  Love that!

I used markers and the Thoughts and Prayers stamp set for the flowing flowers.  Same colors!  I cut out a couple of flowers and added them to the places where the flowers were a little skimpy due to me not stamping in the right place. But as I say - there are no mistakes, only opportunity for embellishments!

I put the cages on a large block and stamped them up one side of the card in Turquoise.  I added a little greeting and glued it to the side of the focal image.  I also added some mini pearls and as you can see, ribbon. 

Is this not cute?  I ask you how can you not smile at his silly face?

Ok that's it for today, once again it is time to go! 

Owlish hugs!

Spring Friendship Card

Good afternoon everyone,

It's the Blog Hogger again.  I am not my usual bubbly self today.  You know why?  It 'cause last night was Card Ladies night.

You see, every two weeks five of us friends get together to make cards.  Usually we have a wonderful, laugh-filled time, while making some beautiful cards!  However, last night only three of us could attend and as soon as my two "friends" came into my house they went into rhapsodies over Kathy's Easter card.

With a huge smile on my face, I proudly displayed the re-make of the card I'd made for Kathy.  You know, the one that helped me win the non-existent Making-The-Best-Easter-Card contest.  Anyway, both of their reactions were identical . . . a very lukewarm "Nice".  You know what this means, don't you?

No, no, no!  It doesn't mean that I concede defeat . . . again!  That would be silly and such an overreaction!  It means I need to get some new friends!!!  lol

Anyway, here's a card I CASEd from a card I saw at http://stampingjill.com/thoughts-prayers.  I think I may give it to one of my other friends, one who really appreciates me!  lol

And here's a picture from the top, so you can see how it opens.

I used Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue, Chocolate chip and Very Vanilla cardstock.  The images on the front are from the Thoughts & Prayers and Spring Song stamp sets, and the Bashful Blue ribbon is attached to one of the pieces from Hodgepodge Hardware.

The fold was easy to do.  You just cut your cardstock at 4 1/4" x 11" and score at 5 1/2".  Then score the front in half at 2 3/4".

Friendly hugs,
Colleen

Man Card!

Hi everyone,

It's Colleen!  I've got a share for you this evening.  I had to make a card for a friend of mine who isn't feeling very good right now.  Unfortunately, he's a man.  lol

Now the unfortunate part of that is that it means I have to make a "Man Card" . . . and I hate making man cards!

Cards for the women in my life are so easy.  You pick pretty colors, add some ribbon and/or flowers and some bling and, voila, you have a beautiful card!  However, you cannot use any of that on a man card.  lol

Anyway, I made the following card for my friend and I'm quite pleased with it.

I used two stamp sets: "Inspired by Nature" and, for the sentiment, "Thoughts and Prayers".  I used Basic Black, Whisper White and Always Artichoke cardstock.  I embossed the grass with Black Emboss Powder and used Always Artichoke ink for the sentiment.  The other elements I used were the Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and Always Artichoke brads.

The card base was cut at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored at 4 1/4".  Below is a picture which shows the different layers, along with their sizes.  (I got the idea to do that from Kathy.)  Just click on the picture to make it bigger if you can't read my itty bitty writing.

And that's it for now, inky people!

But before I post this blog entry, I just want to call your attention to the fact that I have not used this arena to respond to Kathy's last entry, in which she obviously suggested that her Christmas card for me would be better than my card for her!  And do you know why I didn't sink to her level?    

Mature hugs,  (lol)
Colleen