Tuesday Morning Sketches #74

Only one more day left of 2010!  What a year it has been. I wanted to end the year with some stamping and spent the day, on and off, creating some cards with some of the scraps of paper I have in a bin.  I actually have a HUGE tub from IKEA into which I load my small pieces of this and that paper!  It is OVERFLOWING and so I decided to try to limit myself to building cards with scraps from that bin!  Does anyone else have that bin in their craft room too? 

So I decided to play along with Melissa Craig and her awesome DT on this cute sketch she created for the Tuesday Morning Sketches Challenge Blog!!  I changed the circle to an oval but used my scissors to create the fun wave in the paper that she designed.  Using some of the Deck the Halls DSP that I had left over, I decided to make a Thank You card for my stash.  I used the colours in the DSP to help me choose the colours for colouring my image.  In the end I went with Pear Pizzazz, Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake.

I added some of the Pearls at the top left hand side of the card and a little of the Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding ribbon at the bottom.  The sentiment comes from Fabulous Phrases once again!!  I used my Oval Nesties for the main image.  That image comes from a retired SU! set  called "Music Expressions" that I got last year and it is one of my most favourite sets that SU! has ever put out!!!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you get the chance to play along with this great sketch this week too!!
Smiles,
Lesley

Card Patterns Sketch Challenge 96 and Stampin' Celebration 33

I found a great sketch at the Card Patterns Challenge Blog.  I made my card square and changed the circle on the sketch design to a square.  I made the edges around my square with my scallop corner and edge punches to match the edge around the circle in the sketch design.

I also wanted to play with the Stampin' Celebration Challenge Blog who gave these gorgeous photos for inspiration.  This is the first time I have played one of their challenges!!  I went with Red and Black as my main inspiration, I noticed a few of their designers went with Red and Black too.  I loved the elegance of the photos and tried to match that with my card style. 

This is the card I created!!  I love this new flower die that will be coming out in January in the new mini-catalogue.  And the sentiment comes from a Hostess Level 3 set that I earned last year!  I inked it up in White Craft ink and then heat embossed it with White Embossing Powder to add some elegance. 

Thanks for stopping by!!
Smiles,
Lesley

Colour Dare #90 -A Sneak Peek

I was surfing around some of the weekly challenges out there and stumbled upon the current Colour Dare Challenge.

The colours this week are Baja Breeze, Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette and Very Vanilla.  These are not usually colours I play with but I was determined to give them a try!!  I decided to use my new Cupcake Punch that is coming out in January in the new mini catalogue from Stampin' Up.  So this is a bit of a sneak peek too!!!  I used my crimper to add a little zip to the bottoms of the cupcakes.

I used the set called "Fabulous Phrases" for the sentiment.  This card is Clean and Simple, easy to create and fun!!  I really love this terrific colour combo that the gals have chosen at the Colour Dare!! 

Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles,
Lesley

A Day at the Beach with Rolley

Corey and Rolley and I went to the beach to play today!  We did a big hike and ended up at the oceanside, watching the crashing waves.  Managed to get a few pictures before the camera batteries ran out (oops, I should keep them charged after taking photos of my cards).  I thought I would share some of the photos from the day with you.

The first photo is of Corey and Rolley.  A big hug for Rolley who was being a good boy, listening to dad.

I just love how this photo turned out!!  I took it quickly and didn't think it would turn out so well, but I think Rolley is super photogenic!

This photo cracks me up!!  Click on it to make it larger!!  Corey and Rolley are both smiling for the camera!!  SO cute!!

Here I am with Rolley!  I have on 2 hoodies, my coat and Corey's coat!!  It was freezin' out there!!  The hike did warm me up though!!

Here is the view of where we hiked.  It was a gorgeous clear day which meant cold weather!!!  But we had a great time and so did Rolley Dog.

Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles,
Lesley

Colour Q

This week I am determined to make some more cards and to play along with challenges I haven't played with for a long time!

This card below is what I created for the Colour Q Challenge.  I found these colours to be really challenging, although I don't know why? I love these neutral colours together and should have taken more inspiration from the photo Arielle provided.  I may have to try another card!!  But for now, here is my creation based on these gorgeous colours. Yep, I created a square card once again!!!  I seem to be on a square kick!!

Thanks for stopping by!!
Smiles,
Lesley

Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge

Wow!  December 27th already!  It has been at least three weeks since I last made a card!  I wasn't in the mood to create but after a refreshing week off and some time with my family, I felt re-inspired once again!  I got out some new goodies and decided to make a special birthday card for my mommy.  She is turning 60 on February 1st but I wanted to get a head start on her card as she is heading on a trip with my dad for her 60th!!

The sketch from Stamping 411 this week was clean and simple...I love to make square cards and this one measures 5"x5".  Below is the card I created from the sketch using some of the sweet valentine paper that is in the Valentine Bundle available right now.  I love it!!  I also used a new flower die that is coming out in the new Mini Occasions Catalogue and one of the big buttons with some linen thread!!!

I thought I would add a photo of Rolley too!  He came with us on the drive to my parent's home for Christmas.  We put his bed in the back of the 4runner and he LOVES it!!  He is all excited to go and then as soon as the car ride starts, he lays down and goes to sleep.  It is like taking a baby for a ride in the car to calm the baby down.  Does the same for Rolley.  LOL!

Look at that cute face!!  We think he has a bit of Border Collie in him because of his nose.  See those freckles?  He is so sweet and gives lots of kisses and cuddles.  He is really puppy like and does silly things like let out a little bark and run around the room like a nut!  Hahahaha!  He is a doll.  I'll say in a loud voice, "Well I am off to bed now" and he races down to our bedroom ahead of me and is laying beside the bed, ready to sleep.  It is SO cute!!!  He takes turns throughout the night sleeping on the floor beside Corey's side of the bed and then beside my side of the bed.  When he sleeps, he will once in a while murmur or make a little noise and it sounds like a motor revving up or a card speeding by!  What a dog!

Well that is it for me tonight.  I hope to play along again tomorrow with some of my other favourite challenges!!  Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!! We sure did!

Smiles,
Lesley

Rolley Rocket Dog

We lost our beloved Cyrus the Wonder Dog this month and told ourselves that we wouldn't adopt another dog for a while because we needed time.  My husband and I were and still are mourning the loss of our "Cy" Guy.  We discussed it and decided, to honour Cyrus' memory, would would make a donation to the Animal Shelter.  I was on the SPCA website, looking for information on how to make a donation when I saw this sweet face below.  He was at a shelter close to us and he looked like a very nice guy.  My heart just melted.  I sent the link to my husband and we decided to call about him. 

He already had an adoption pending but my husband was determined to meet this little guy and to save him.  So he wrote a letter to the gal at the SPCA about our loss of Cyrus, about our experience with husky dogs and that we had lots of trees and wilderness around here for him to romp through.  The gal contacted us and decided to let us see him.  We caught the early morning ferry and went straight to the shelter, second guessing our decision to even look. 

When we got there, they had him in the parking lot and he was looking right at us as we drove in.  Of course our eyes both welled up and we were overjoyed to see him.  We took him for a walk, along the river and he was calm and cautious, just like us!  He just melted our hearts and we knew that he needed to come home with us.

We brought him home and have been experiencing a lot of happiness since.  Although it has only been since Saturday, he has taken up a huge place in our hearts and he has brought us laughter.  We didn't know what to name him and couldn't decide.  Then in the middle of the night on Sunday, I said to my husband, how about Raleigh?  He liked it and said, "Let's spell it "Rolley" as it was more fun and it ended in "ey" like my name Lesley and his name Corey.

I looked up to see what Rolley means.  It comes from the word "Rollo" which means "Wolf".  Our Cyrus was part Wolf and we wonder if he had a hand in naming Rolley.  The name just came to me and it has stuck.

To all my friends, near and far, have a very, Merry Christmas!!!  Thank you for all your well wishes and care about Cyrus.  Although our hearts will always hold Cyrus near we have opened our hearts to Rolley.  He is truly our Christmas miracle.

Thank you for stopping by!

Smiles,

Lesley

Cyrus the Wonder Dog

On December 7th, we had to say goodbye to our beloved Cyrus the Wonder Dog.  He was twelve and a half years old and had bone cancer in his right leg.  The vet had told me last May 2010 that Cyrus was in amazing shape for his age and would last many more years.  Then in August, Cy started to limp and favour the front right leg.  On September 3rd he was diagnosed with Bone Cancer, we had hoped it would be arthritis. 

The last week of his life, Cyrus was panting heavily and was in pain.  We could see it.  Although he "looked" okay, he was panting and his beautiful blue eyes were black...because his pupils were so dialated.  My husband and I had to end his suffering and it was a terrible day for the two of us.  I like to think that Cyrus is free from the pain he was in and that he is off running, as he loved to do!!

Cy-Guy led a full life!  He loved going outside to work with my husband on the shop and he loved to lay in the front yard, soaking up the sun.  He was an explorer and ran miles through the woods around here with us.  He loved to visit all of the neighbours and to share his love.  He loves to lay his head in my lap and enjoyed car rides!!  He was gentle, cuddly and the best dog pal we have ever had.  He really was our "guy".  I am writing this so to inspire others to think about visiting the local SPCA or Animal Shelter to rescue a dog.  Cyrus was rescued...many years ago and I feel so lucky that we found him.  He brought us great joy and laughter.  He was a Gold Rush Dog, born in 1998 in Dawson City Yukon.  He was born in the Centennial Year.  My husband's good friend Gary found Cyrus and adopted him.  When Gary had to move to England, my husband became Cyrus' new "dad".  They had been thick as thieves ever since.

Cyrus was a one of a kind.  He is missed terribly.  We love you Wonder Dog.  Run free and chase some chickens...

Thank you for stopping by.
Lesley

**EDIT** Thank you to all of my stamping friends for their kind and comforting words.

Paper Players Challenge #27-Make A Christmas Project

This week at the Paper Players we are challenging you to make and share a Christmas project.  We are also very excited to have back our talented Guest Designers Jeannie, Marlene and Anne Marie for the next two weeks.  They are here to help up wrap up the year of great challenges!!

I had about 22 different cards made to share for the Christmas Challenge (just kidding...I only created 21...hehehe)  but I wanted to create something different!!  After a lot of traditional green and red cards, I decided to use Baja Breeze, Real Red and Shimmer White for my colours.  I love the Baja and Red together.  I pulled out the set called "Tree Trimmings".  This is such a pretty set and I combined it with the "Bright Christmas" set from the holiday mini catalogue.  I used some Elegant Soiree Designer Paper and some pearls at the top of each ornament.  This is clean and simple and I like the way it turned out!!  I hope you do too!

Please visit the Paper Players Blog to see the GORGEOUS creations from our Design Team and to link up your Christmas Project.  I can't wait to visit your blog and to see what you have created to share with us!!

Thanks for stopping by!!  I love hearing from you, please let me know if you have any questions!!

Smiles,

Friday Mash-up #21 and Pals Paper Arts #71

This week I am the Guest Designer over at the Friday Mashup Challenge Blog.  Yippee!!  Terry has a great sketch for you to try!!  I just love it and decided to break out a new stamp that I have had since the summer but have barely used!  That stamp set is called "Butterfly Prints" and I paired it up with my Extra Large Butterfly Punch!!  Yep, this is not a Christmas Card!! LOL!  I did not add ribbon as the sketch suggests but instead used my new Ribbon Punch!! I also made this card using the Pals Paper Arts Colour Challenge!  What terrific colours and perfect for my butterfly theme! 

Well here is my card!!  I hope you like it and that you get the chance to play along this week!!  I would love to hear from you, so please leave a comment if you have a moment.  Please visit the Friday Mashup Blog and to the Pals Paper Arts Blog to play along with their great challenges this week!!!  I can't wait to see what you create!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Paper Players Challenge #26- Heat Embossing

Today there is a great challenge at the Paper Players Challenge Blog from Jaydee to use your heat gun and to get embossing!!  I am not one to use Heat Embossing very much, I always tend to shy away from it.  Lately I have been challenging myself to get the Heat Gun out and to use it more, it is a terrific tool and really adds a new dimension to cards!!!

To make my card today, I cut two pieces of Very Vanilla Cardstock at 3 1/4" x 4".  I put one of the pieces through my Big Shot with my Oval Nestie and lined up the oval shape to be centred on the piece of vanilla cardstock.

Then using my Dotto, I added some removable stickiness to the back of the oval mask I had created and temporarily stuck the two original pieces of cardtsock together.  Then using my En Francais background stamp, I inked it up with Marina Mist Ink and stamped on top of my mask.  Then I ran my embossing buddy over the entire area I just stamped and inked up my floral image from Just Believe in Whisper White Craft Ink.  The white really pops against the Vanilla.  Then I sprinkled my White Embossing powder over top and heat set the powder with my heat gun.  Allowing the image to cool down after I set it with the Heat Gun, I then gently removed the top mask.  Using my Adhesive Remover eraser, I gently rubbed off the dotto from my main panel.  Then I took a sponge and inked it with Marina Mist and gently rubbed over the image to make it stand out.  Then I rubbed away the ink from my embossed image with a paper towel. 

I then cut a 4 1/4" x 11" piece of cardtsock in Not Quite Navy to make the card base and cut a 4 x 5 1/4" piece of Vanilla Carstock.  I used some Marina Mist Satin ribbon to add some sheen.  The Not Quite Navy mat for the main image measures 3 1/2" x 4 1/4".

Head on over to the Paper Players Blog to see the wonderful samples created by the Design Team.

Splitcoast Stampers Sketch Challenge #308

One last post for the night!  I found this neat sketch at the Splitcoast Stampers Website and decided to play with the designer paper called "Elegant Soiree" (117163).  The colours came from the paper, I love Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede and Very Vanilla together!  So soft and pretty!

I used my En Francais Stamp set to create the back panel.  I love that stamp!  It is my favourite by far!! 

Off to sleep!  Back to work tomorrow.  The snow day is over!!

Smiles,

There must have been some magic, in that old silk hat they found....

Today has been a lovely day all round!  Today we had a snowday and being a teacher, I got the chance to stay home and play get some work done!  I spent the day baking, tidying and lazying (my own word).

The day just got better because I just found out that I won over at the Friday Mashup Challenge! I also get the chance to be their Guest Designer on Dec. 9th!!  Woot-woot!  The challenge looks like fun but I can't let you know what it is YET!!!  It is going to be a blast!!  I hope you check in on December 9th to see what I've created.

In between all my hard work today, I managed to get some holiday cards done as well.  Next Wednesday is December 1st and I need to send my Christmas Cards out to all our friends and family!!!  This card below is a combo of the current CPS and Mojo Sketches...I love the vintage feel of it.  This Bells and Boughs set is really my favourite this year!!  I love the vintage, antiqued images.  I am not happy with the small oval punch and the modern label punch that I used at the bottom...maybe I should have left it bare.  Any suggestions?

Well off to make dinner for my big sweetie...he is due home soon and will be hungry as soon as he walks in the door!!

Smiles,

Friday Mashup #19 and Stamping 411 Sketch #178

There is a great challenge blog called "Friday Mashup" I have discovered and I wanted to play along with their fun challenge this week to make a Snowman card! We are supposed to get 10-15 cm tonight of the white stuff!!!  What a week it has been!!  Winter is here and I finally got the chance to play tonight but when I checked out the time limit, I realized that I had under an hour to play along!  Ack!  So I went with a Clean and Simple Card!  I also used the CAS sketch at my favourite Stamping 411 Challenge blog!!!  So it all went hand in hand!

Here is the sketch from Stamping 411:

Here is my card!  I changed the rectangle to be a circle and I used my smallest circle punch to punch out each scallop around the circle.  I think if you click on the picture of the card you will see some of the glitter and glam I used.

I'd better go link this up!!  Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

CPS Sketch Challenge #194-In Stitches....

I was surfing around yesterday and stumbled upon this open ended sketch at the Card Positioning Systems.  I wanted to make something vintage and tried some faux stitching...my stitching needs some serious practice and believe me, it would look worse if I actually tried to use a sewing machine, although at this point, it really would be a toss up.  The card was coming together nicely until I added the stitching...sigh...why didn't I resist the urge to stitch.

I used the Bells and Boughs set (my favourite) and added some of the Deck the Halls DSP.

Yesterday was a busy day! I finished my Report Cards on Saturday and so spent yesterday, re-reading them...to make sure everything was in order.  On Friday we had our first snowfall and it is so pretty outside but cold!  This morning is crisp and pretty, the sky is full of grayness and I think there maybe more snow on the way for us!  Lots on the ground right now.

Only 32 days until Christmas Eve!  Eek!  I am seriously behind on my Christmas Shopping.  My husband's family is in Ontario and I need to get my shopping done so I can send their gifties out in the mail.  Last year we spent Christmas with them and had a lovely time.  My mother-in-law Linda is Mrs. Claus!  She dresses up and has lots of fun making Christmas special!  It was awesome!  I need to get myself in gear and get my own Mrs. Claus outfit ready...it really adds to the Spirit of Christmas!

Thanks for stopping by!  Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of my sideways stitching...maybe it is endearing somehow....maybe?!!!

Smiles,

Stampin' Up Supplies Used:
Stamps: Bells and Boughs, All Holidays (sentiment) and En Francais
Paper: Deck the Halls DSP, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke and Naturals Ivory
Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Cherry Cobbler, Black, Crumb Cake, Stampin' Write Marker in Cherry
Tools: Big Shot, Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, Mat Pack, Piercing Tool, Sponges

Online Spectacular Sale is HERE!!!

The Stampin' Up Online Spectacular Sale is here!  Please visit my online Stampin' Up Store to see the great deals with item ranging from 20-50% off!  Any online order $200 or over has FREE shipping!  You can order sale items or any items you have been waiting to order.

To visit my online store please click HERE and go to Shop Now.

If you have any questions, please email me.  My email address is located in my profile.

Smiles,

Paper Players Challenge#25: A Sketch from Nance

This week at  The Paper Players, we have a great sketch brought to you by Nance!  I love this sketch because it is so "do"able!  Change up the circles and make the sketch your own!!!

My card is definitely my "own" take on the sketch.  I am not sure about this card yet, I used Naturals Ivory as the base of my card and I don't usually do that.  Especially because I used some of the DSP right over top of the card base!  Oh well, this is me trying something new, you should come and play with us this week and try something new too!!!

Be sure to stop by the Design Team Blogs to check out their wonderful work:

Jaydee

Ann Schach

Nance Leedy

Anne-Marie Hile

Thanks for stopping by!

Smiles,

Pals Paper Arts-Clean and Simple with Ribbon

I wanted to play along with the Pals Paper Arts.  This week's challenge was to go Clean and Simple with your card and add some ribbon or material.  I decided to make a Pop Up Card for this challenge with Clean and Simple lines.  I let the Designer Paper do all the hard work for me!  It helped me to choose the colours and I went from there!

The Pop Up card might not seem CAS but it is SO easy to make!  The directions are found HERE on Splitcoast Stampers.  They are really easy to follow.  I also keep all the elements on my card clean so I could showcase the Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon.  I used my Soft Holly Standard Wheel to make a nice design on the Old Olive, I just love how easy wheels are to use! 

The best thing about this card is that it folds up so you can put it into a regular A2 envelope.  The ribbon fits perfectly and peeks out from the top of the card while it is folded.

My stamping club met this week and we made a Pop Up card as well.  I have some photos to share of my friends who came to stamp with me! This is only half of my group.  I need to get photos of the other three ladies next time!!   We have a fun club and it is always a blast getting together once a month!! 

If you have any questions please feel free to email me, my email address is located in my Profile.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies for PPA Card:

Stamps: Peaceful Season, Soft Holly Wheel, Retired Hostess Set for the sentiment

Paper: Jolly Holiday DSP, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla

Inks: SU! Stampin' Write Markers in Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler, Cherry Cobbler Ink Pad

Extras: Cherry Seam Binding, Scoring Blade, Snowflake Strip for the Big Shot, Pearls