You are Wonderful- Mini card and envelope...Little Tangles #33, Colour Q #234

Hello!  I'm still trying to create cards and enter a few challenges, but the limitations of my "mobile crafting unit" are becoming readily evident.  So is the raw truth: I'm totally co-dependent on my cuttlebug and dies! Oh,I'm pining for my stitched rectangles and squares...and sentiment banners...and butterfly dies...and flowers...the lot! Next time, the MCU will be stocked differently!  I've certainly had opportunity to play with stamps/inks a bit more than usual, and with that, have created some masterful EPIC failures! The recycle bin in the vacation rental is rubbing its tummy with glee! Gahhh....

Anyway...one of my 'intended' challenges to play in was Little Tangles Challenge #33,

so I packed along a couple of my N&T sets, my envelope punch and what I 'thought" was envelope making paper.  Sighh...I did, but not enough, as it turns out (see my previous comment about epic failures).  Whenever I participate in Little Tangles challenges, I'm inspired to make sets of cards - not one, bu three. Not sure why, but likely because I find the fonts/images just sooo appealing. So, as per usual, I made three cards; one I trashed, one is envelope-less and one actually made it to the final stages.  Initially, I wasn't super happy with it, because I had to 'downsize' from my original vision. Still, it's a sort of 'sweet' little card with a matching envelope...and if I had brought the 'proper' amount of supplies, I would be sharing a trio.  Oh well, just a little entry this time around.

My colour inspiration came from Colour Q #234, because I need to explore adding variety to my ink choices, rather than relying on patterned paper so often.

Although my inks aren't quite accurate, I came as close as I could.with my little stash...

Ready?  Nothing major exciting; just a little snippet of cutesy...I'm posting two photos, in hopes that the colours can be seen a bit better in 'combination' form.

And...that's that! 

To all who commented on my previous mobile crafting unit cards; THANK YOU!  They are far from being anything beyond basic, but you've made me feel like a crafting queen! My little card is dedicated to you: wonderful, wonderful, wonderful YOU are!!!

Thanks so much dropping by; your visit and comments make my day!

Just a Note and an "Explosion" Birthday...Retrosketches #017, Seize the Birthday: Anything Goes, MUSE #60

Hello all…yes, it’s been quiet at *just me:  c* for a few days, as my husband and I have been, and still are, on a little road trip, in pursuit of a change of scenery and some warm, sunny weather.  The former has been accomplished wonderfully; the latter, not so much, as we appear to be in the midst of a spate of rainy, cool, blustery weather.  The forecast is for ‘slightly better’ over the next couple of days; hopefully, that comes to pass, because my husband has a pretty new road bike that needs to get some miles in. 

I packed along an incredibly stream-lined mobile crafting unit, which primarily translates to no cuttlebug and no dies, which in turn equates to:  gahhhhh!!  White cardstock, 5 sets of stamps, give or take, inks (my minimal stash of dew drops and HA cubes), adhesive,  some pre-cut die-cuts (hello butterflies!), four patterned paper pads, and a couple other sundry bits and pieces, including my envelope punch (why not, right?  It just snuck into the bag…).   I should have been better at forecasting what I’d need for challenges while we’re away, because my little stash is, well…limited.  Oh well, that’s what creativity is all about: doing what I can with what I’ve got, and adapting.  You’ll see plenty of ‘adapting’ happening with the trio I’ll be sharing...Remember:  these are the result of ‘travel crafting,’ so before they go anywhere, I’ll dress them up prettier once we’re back home.  Why I didn’t bring my Wink of Stella…

As you can guess, a couple purchases have happened, the highlights being Recollections 110lb. cardstock (100 sheets, 40% coupon used at Michaels, and yes, I quite like it), and Delicata gold ink.  Love it!!

Anyway…our vacation rental is adorable; our internet connection is sketchy (I can receive emails, but sending is "iffy"; I can leave comments, which is a plus, as catching up is on tap), so, I’d best stop dilly-dallying and post…

My two cards here feature the layout from Retrosketches #107 

The first - with the Delicata inked butterfly die-cut, wee butterflies on the paper, and sentiment - is also going to Muse #60, where Lyndal's lovely card is featured

I was inspired by the gold, as well as the pretty light-to-dark scene...

My dad and sister-in-law share the same birthday - April 21 - so I decided - given the supplies on hand - that I'd make a birthday card for my dad.  The card features two sets from Uniko Studio: Explosion and A Gift for You.  My traveling stash included papers with some mini bingo cards, so I angled the tip of the 'explosion' to the 21st on a most appropriately title bingo card. Gotta love it when the 'MCU' products work out.  I may make a 'girly' version for my sister-in-law...

Birthday card = a trip to Seize the Birthday Anything Goes Challenge

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments make my day!

Smile...Freshly Made Sketches #128

Uh huh...back for another quick one.

And the focal point isn't butterflies, but a BIKE!! Yayyyyy...I have plans for this bike die and stamp. Big plans.

Heading off to Freshly Made Sketches #128

It's just a plain fun card...love the bike and the bike paper finally gets to play, too!!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments make my day.

Happily Ever After...Clearly Besotted Challenge #9 - In Flight, CAS(E) this Sketch #69

Oh guess who...again! And yes, my chores are done, my husband is 15 minutes from home, supper is 'planned' and I have snippet of time to post...more butterflies!!

My card is heading to my one of my cousins (we have oodles of them on my mom's side of the family, along with second and third cousins...) and his fiancee, whose wedding is next weekend  in a small town in Northern Alberta.  Fortunately, one of the sets in my Clearly Besotted order has *the* perfect wedding sentiment. I paired it with two butterflies (yes...more...), and ta dahhh...done.  I just love x love when awesome products make my cards look good.  I'm actually a tad smitten with this one, so I hope the bride and groom will like it as well.

The added bonus with this card is that it fits with the current Clearly Besotted #9: In Flight challenge

I also 'sort of'' followed the layout for CAS(E) this Sketch #69, so heading there as well.

Two die-cuts of each butterfly, simply because they're just sooo pretty...

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments make my day!

Thinking of You...Fusion #6, Butterfly Challenge #3: A Stitch in Time

Well, the vacuuming is done...

Quick post to share a simple card for Fusion #6, where I tried my hand at the full deal,

and yes, with another butterfly making an appearance.  As I mentioned earlier: butterfly obsessed! Perhaps it's because we so rarely see them here in our Rocky Mountains that I'm so smitten. Whatever the case, I do love my butterfly dies, and the number I have speaks to that.

I'm also heading to Mrs. A's Butterfly Challenge: A Stitch in Time, as my 'frame' and card base feature stitching.

My solid and outline stamps are a bit offset, deliberately so, as I was inspired by Bev, the inspiration and owner of Uniko Studio stamps, which is the source of my pretty flower and butterflies.  None of my mega-loads of patterned papers had the green/yellow combination I wanted, so I used a little trio flower stamp, from the same set as the larger one, to make my own dp.  In real life, the flowers - large and small - are shimmery...

Laundry calling, as did my husband.  He's 'somewhere' between Banff and Jasper, heading home.

Thanks so much for dropping by;  your visit and comments make my day!

Just Because...Curtain Call: Farm Fresh, Clean & Simple #285, STAMPlorations: Stamp and Spring

Sunday morning..I have the Milan-San Remo bike race playing in the background (it's pouring rain in Italy and the poor cyclists are not having fun!  My husband is disappointed  he's missing watching it, as he's still in Hinton with today's biathlon competition), laundry swooshing in the machine, the vacuum staring at me, sending 'must use' vibes, and a bunch of crafting products in full competition for my attention, as well.

Before I tackle my *ahem* chores, a quick post to share two cards.  I have a full-on butterfly obsession fascination going on, so hope you don't mind seeing them in plentiful amounts....

Both were inspired by the colours from the pretty photo over at Curtain Call: Farm Fresh

My first card is also heading to Clean and Simple #285

My photograph doesn't capture it well, but I used Wink of Stella on my butterfly's wings. 

The companion card is off to STAMPlorations: Stamp and Spring challenge. 

I also 'loosely' followed their Sketch #8 challenge, 

but won't enter it there, because it's a bit toooo abstract from the layout. Guess I'll *need* to make another for that one....(ETA: I decided to enter after all; Geri's comment convinced me ~ Thank you, my dear friend....)

Here's the pair together:

NOTE: So honoured and delighted that my STAMPlorations card was selected as a Top Pick. Thank you!!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments make my day!

Precious Baby...Cure for the Monday Blues #9, CASology #87: Blush, Wanna Sketch #14

Second post this evening, and I'm sharing two baby cards to debut some new Clearly Besotted products (wee splurge. I LOVE CB goodies, and Stephanie is awesome!) that arrived earlier this week.  The Little Onesie dies and stamps are soooooo adorable...

Both cards are heading to Wanna Sketch #14, where a charming layout awaits (everyone go...play! There's still time...).

The first card is also heading to CASology #87, where the theme is 'blush.'

Seriously, how clever is that cue word (they're all clever, of course)! I, being oh-so-adventurous, went with colour, creating a card that's definitely for a girl...

My second was inspired by the colours at Cure for the Monday Blues #9,

and guess what...I FINALLY have something 'nautical' on my collection!

 *fist pump* Yayyy for the little sailboat....

Here they are together:

One of my colleagues and his wife are expecting twins in April, so I'll be giving them one, or possibly both, of these cards, depending.  They're waiting for the 'big reveal' to find out what they have.  Major excitement...

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments make my day!

You are my Sunshine...TIME OUT #1: Dancing in the Rain, Paper Smooches: SPARKS - Anything Goes, Unscripted Sketches #249

Saturday evening, and I'm in a fluster-y flap because I'm losing track of my card and challenge combinations!  I've self-lectured about the logical and stress-minimizing strategy of  'create, photo, post,' but apparently no one is listening (if I recall, that happened often when I was a teacher...me prattling away, students' eyes glazing over...).  Organization required here...

Before I dash off (warning: series of posts likely to happen), just a couple things:

• nope, didn't make all my cards today; only a couple. After all, I had chores calling my name (uh, huh...speaking about 'no one listening'...), so I did have those - or partials of those - distracting me.
• I caught up a wee bit with comments, but still aplenty to go.  So much creativity and beauty must not unnoticed go.  I'm still trekking, my dear friends...

Okay... ready, set go....

TIME OUT Challenges are new on the scene: dynamite DT, a two-week rotation of four themes, and some great sponsors.  "Inspired by Words" is Challenge #1, highlighting the phrase 'Dancing in the Rain'.  I don't own any sentiments with rain or dancing (where's my pencil...added to list), however, I do have stamps that refer to 'sunshine' which is 'sort of' what dancing in the rain invites us to do...see the 'sun' despite the clouds (How's that for word-smithing).  So, with that little interpretation (and please, TIME OUT team, if I'm off base, let me know...), I went to work.

My layout is inspired by this week's Unscripted Sketches #249 (slightly adapted),

and since everything, except the sentiment and frame are Paper Smooches, I'm entering this in their Anything Goes Challenge.

My flowery umbrella card....

NOTE: Honoured and thrilled that this little card was selected as a Top 3 over at Unscripted Sketches. THANK YOU!!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments make my day! 

You are Perk-fect...Cure for the Monday Blues #9, Retro sketches #106

Spring Break...two weeks.  Happy. Very.

My husband is in Hinton, a small town near Jasper National Park (we live near Banff National Park), this weekend, working at the final biathlon competition of the year; an event that was rescheduled from a few weeks' back, when temperatures plummeting to -30C made running it absolutely impossible. Even though we had plans in the works, he has to do what he has to do, and go where he needs to be, so we'll do some adapting and adjusting when he's back. In the meantime, my ownsome time will be invested in catching up on some neglected (sorely neglected *shame-face look...kind of*) chores:  laundry...  card-making... vaccuming...card-making...watering the plants, poor bedraggled things...card-making.  Oh, who are we kidding!! Card-making AND catching up on comments are tops on the agenda.

Speaking of commenting...how, how, how do I fall so far behind!! One minute I'm caught up, and in the blink of an eye, all you fabulous crafters have inked up, die-cut, water-coloured, splattered, misted, embossed, fussy-cut and paper-pieced a zillion more!  Stop it! (I don't mean that *grin*)! I need to let you know how your cards bring joy to my days so..since you're not slowing down, I'll need to pick up my pace!

A couple posts to share some of this week's creations (hmmm...maybe that's the fallen-behind answer - because 'quick card-making' doesn't happen with me).

The incredibly talented Amy Tsuruta works magic with any stamp/product she lays her hands on; one of her specialties (among the many she has):  coffee-themed cards. She is, bar none, the Queen of Coffee cards, as a quick visit to her blog (check out this one...I'll wait...isn't it fabulous!) will reveal.  This week, with some new products arriving, I found my 'muse' in Amy...and her love for coffee.

With the layout inspired by Retro sketches #106

and the colours from Cure for the Monday Blues #9 (brown, red, blue...swoon),

here's my little entry....

This one's dedicated to you, Amy!  Hope you don't mind if I join you with the occasional coffee card!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments make my day!

Peeps Love...CAS(E) this Sketch #68

Hello once again; hope everyone is enjoying a marvelous week!  I'm in the countdown to Spring Break; beginning Friday, we have two weeks of freedom!  *fist pump* YES!!  Stay tuned for what we'll be up to, scheduled for a later date.

A brief post for now, because I need to get after my sous chef salad making duties. Before I do, however, just a quick highlight of my weekend with my family.  Best sentence I've ever heard, spoken by my niece and nephew, in unison (they were kind of scrabbling with one another):  "I want to sit on Aunty C's lap."  My heart melted...and so they did, one on each "lap".  My brother was quite amazed; apparently that was one of my nephew's first full sentences. Talk about feeling quite honoured.  Oh yes, my niece was quite tickled with her card filled with tickets; we had plenty of 'practice' with the one that read "Good for One Hug", over and over and over... Love those two oodles upon oodles!!

Some new goodies 'may' have appeared in my mail box of late, so I decided to have a bit of fun with one of the sets: my restroom peeps (yes...you read that right).  Joni's fabulous CAS(E) this Sketch #68 (seriously, she's inspiration, plus, with sketches, techniques, gorgeous cards...)

sparked my little love card.  It's a 'no talking' card, but I think the 'meaning' comes through...

My photo is grainy...grrr!  Another cloudy day, another 'snowfall warning' in the forecast for tonight (I see flakes swirling) and tomorrow. Ummm...hello, Spring...you're welcome to arrive - and stay - any. time.  Soon would be fabulous. Until then, though, I'll just smile my way through staying inside, playing with the newcomers...

Thanks for dropping by; your visit and comments make my day!

Happy Birthday, Anita!!....Butterfly Challenge #3: A Stitch in Time, Lesley's Challenge #2, The Paper Players: Clean and Simple Spring

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday, dear Anittttaaaaa…

Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuu!!

Happy *belated* Birthday, Anita!  So, my dear friend, you thought your birthday would just slide by, BUT, thanks to the careful sleuthing of Bev and Darnell, 'tis not the case!  And, birthdays of awesome blogging friends should not, unnoticed, go!  A little tardy, yes, however, here we are, with a "Happy Birthday, plus one month" celebration.

As much as I wanted to, my capacity to case one of your stunning cards would be, well...impossible. Your talent and creativity in transforming 'simple and clean' images to  works of art is beyond compare.  All of us participating in this wonderful, well-deserved Bev-and-Darnell-orchestrated celebration of 'you' have shared our love for your cards over...and over...and over.  Truth is: you're an incredible artist with the most delightful sense of humour, and the warmest of hearts.  Your comments on my cards, and those I've seen on other's sites, are sources of motivation, inspiration, and encouragement.  You are truly a gem!

My card takes its cue partially from the 'simple' style you have; partially for your obvious love of flowers; partially from your occasion dabbles into 'whimsy' (your smiley vegetable card comes to mind!). I've taken those ingredients, paired them with a sort of new technique to me - inlaid die cuts - and voila... A card that doesn't quite fit the definition of 'cased", but rather, is a special 'case' made exclusively for you, and because of you!  

If you look closely, you'll see inlaid flower patterned paper butterflies, beneath the stamped ones (sorry about the not-so fabulous photography...)

While the image inspiration came from you, Anita, the layout came from Lesley's Challenge #2 sketch

and, since I have some 'faux stitching' accompanying my butterflies, I'm joining Mrs. A's Butterfly Challenge #3: A Stitch in Time.  It's also 'clean and simple (I think), so linking up as well to The Paper Players Clean and Simple Spring Challenge.

Thank you, Anita, for welcoming me into this community; thank you for being a friend; thank for your sharing your gifts, talents and inspiration with us, and especially, thank you for letting me know that somewhere in my posts, a little 'sparkle' can be found.  

Hope your February birthday was fantastic, and that this one - a month later is equally - or even more so!  Big hugs to you!!

Thank you for dropping by; your visits and comments make my day!

You...STAMPlorations Bi-Weekly Sketch Challenge #7

Happy Friday, all!

House is clean, laundry done, nearly packed...just waiting for my husband to get here and we are on the road! 

Since I have a bit of time, I'm posting my little entry to the STAMPlorations Bi-Weekly Sketch Challenge #7:

Fabulous sketch - one I'm keeping for down the road. Today's NBUS is MME "Charm" paper pad ...pretty colours and patterns. Navy woodgrain paper...yummy.  I haven't stamped a sentiment inside yet, but I'm thinking YOU on the front opens up possibilities for my sister-in-law (yep, still making cards for her...she's an awesome customer!) to decide.  Perhaps she'll give it to my brother...and I can certainly help her figure out the second half of the sentiment *grin* Sibling love...too much fun!

The scrapbook outlet I discovered a couple visits ago is having a sale (I know..restraint is OUT the window) - 50% off MME products (seriously....50%!!), and tomorrow, 50% off anything in the store that's green.  They showed a photo of their 'green' items...who knew!!  I am soooo going to shop look!

Actually, my shopping agenda has two priorities: gifts for the kiddos. Thanks to a 'hint' from my brother, a backpack is on the list for my nephew (Disney Store...West Edmonton Mall...yuck to the mall, but anything for Mr. Cutie-Pie...), and my niece, well....still not sure.  Perhaps she and Aunty C should go on a shopping trip together...

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments make my day!

Vintage-ish Butterflies...Uniko Studio Challenge #7

Back from my jaunt around the countryside to pick up my husband from his bike ride.  He's bundled into a blanket on the couch for now, warding off the chills and watching...yes, bike races.  Sighhh...he's cute.

When wonderful Bev and her DT shared Uniko Studio Challenge #7, my happy-dancing enthusiasm *nearly* went sidewards when I read that 'vintage or distressed' were on tap, alongside the lovely colour palette selected.

Distressing puts me into a state of distress, so that wasn't a choice on my radar.  As for vintage, I'm still not clear exactly what that means, although the word evokes images of lace, doilies, pearls and flowers. I guess I should do research, hmmmm...

Because I love, love and love my Uniko products, I wasn't going to let 'cluelessness' stop me. I *had* to play. I rummaged around my patterned papers, finding a set that had a variety of the colours from the inspiration photo.  They 'seemed' to fit my concept of what vintage is, so I combined them a doily die'cut, some pearls, a scalloped border or two...and voila. Done.

Presenting...my 'vintage-ish' butterfly cards...

You'll recognize the first card's layout from CAS(E) this Sketch #67, which I borrowed because the 

papers paired so well as tags

These butterflies give me happy sighs...you'll see them fluttering here often...

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments make my day!!

Balloons....Wanna Sketch #13, The Card Concept #5

Thursday...already, and tomorrow off to see my family and the "birthday kiddos"!

I'm scuttling with a couple of posts today, before I head off to collect my husband who has started his long bike-riding ventures.  The weather isn't particularly warm, however...he needs to feed his addiction passion, as I do mine.  He's riding into Kananaskis Country - lovely scenery with rolling hills and valleys, and always mountain sheep somewhere in the middle of the highway, licking salt off the road (the babies are soooo cute!) - and I'll meet him in the parking lot at one of the ski hills.  Yep, the 'training' has begun...and before too long, so will the racing season.  Officiating on the horizon...

My card's layout was inspired by Lisa's Wanna Sketch #7,

with images and colours drawn from The Card Concept Challenge #7 (cake...yummm)

When I saw Ardyth's pretty single balloon inspiration, I remembered that I had some Lil 'Inker Balloon dies -NBUS - in my stash (forgetful? Moi...yep!).  Her card sparked mine, which I think falls into Clean and Layered...

I''m going to try one more post before my drive...

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments make my day!

Ice Cream and Gifts...CAS(E) this Sketch #67

Wednesday, March 12 - and I have a Skype phone call date with a certain 'little man' who's turning TWO today!!  While I'm waiting for him to get his jammies on and settle in bed for us to 'talk', I have time for an ultra quick post.

With birthdays on my mind of late - my nephew's today, my niece's last week - and the 'family celebration' for both this weekend (yes, yes..excitement is approaching 'high' on the scale...), it's little wonder that my cards reflect things birthday themed.

Two tag cards, with two tags on each, inspired by the charming sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch #67 (please, go check out the DT inspiration and the entries so far...amazing!!)

The first features my brand new Uniko "A Gift for You" present, bow and sentiment stamp (such a darling set!).  I'm not sure the photo is clear enough, but if you look closely, you'll see plenty of sparkle: Wink of Stella on the bow, and stickles on the polka dots.

The second is my ice cream cone tag and die from MCT...so wonderful to bring it out for a play date.

Another round of "simple"; in real life, they're rather cute....

Time to chat with Mr. Nephew...two...wow...

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments make my day!