A Gift Certificate Holding Christmas Card

Since I didn't manage to get much else done with all the other stuff happening this weekend, here's the card I made for Chelsey's family. Pretty darn simple!

My First Tri-Shutter

This is such a stunning technique...and when she saw this card on SCS, Chelsey knew we had to try CASEing it. It's GORGEOUS!

This was my attempt at replicating it. We sponged instead of brayered and used a different sentiment...and I LOVE this card. Thanks, Chelsey!!

Almost time for Weekend Sketch Challenge 100....

But for now, let's just enjoy the fact that I completed WSC #99! I also happened to need a couple of cards that would fit some giftage. Thankfully, this week seemed full of challenges for taller, skinnier cards. PERFECT.

Stamps: GinaK Stamp TV Elegant Flowers

Paper: Sahara Sand, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Nestabilities

This simple, yet elegant card was a perfect solution for a quick card.
 
I can't believe it's October 1st. As it gets cooler here, I'm drawn to the outdoor jogging again. I hope to get doing a little more of it this weekend because I need to get training for next year's Climb of Hope. Yep - I signed up already. And the Resolution Run on New Years day. Let's hope that'll keep me going this fall, as all the baking looks so darn tasty, especially on the cooler days like we've been getting when comfort food sounds just right =)
 
Hope you have a fabulous day mini Friday!
 

Hooray for Friends with Flowers

I love the third Tuesday of each month - time to just have fun, crafting, with the most fab person...and Chelsey... =)

Mine's on the right, Chelsey's beauty is on the left.

Okay - so I'm not that much of an ego freak =)

I did find these directions from another blog and while I printed instructions, I failed to note the blog that I borrowed from. Anyone recognize? (Wait - found an SCS tutorial - and it was Stephanie Luman who had them on her site when I printed them off) I've seen quite a few different versions. Of course, I forgot to take a picture of the card pulled out, but the flowers are on the note card and make such a cute pull out card. They're also very easy, thankfully. Check out the tutorial & give them a try!

My Digital-Ink Co. Design Team co-crafter also let me know that this was a challenge this week at CCEE Stampers - check 'em out - lots of great creations.

Survived my last race of the year

Well I finished yesterday! It wasn't pretty, but I made it past the finish line upright (although just barely!) Those stairs really kicked my butt. It was a 5K run with three sets of stairs, plus down one of the largest sets of stairs in the city. For someone who struggles with depth perception on those stinkin' stairs, it was a toughie! But good times were had by all, I think, and I suspect it was about 42 minutes worth of exercise, which is better than a kick in the butt in my mind at least.

Here's a card I found in my collection that I loved the soft colors of when I did it, way back in the day! I do love the puns...hope your Sunday is a great one!

Ohhhh...my first Christmas Collection findings...

Searching through my cards to choose donation ones, I discovered this is a collection that I put together last Christmas when I was trying to do a set. I used silver embossing powder, Bashful Blue, Whisper White & Basic Gray paper and the Scandinavian Season set. Pretty simple!

I'm off to do my Rock N Roll Climb of Hope this morning....fingers crossed!!

A Couple from Shauna's Set

Stamps: Upsy Daisy

Paper: Soft Sky, Not Quite Navy
Ink: Soft Sky, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Nestabilities, Shimmery Ribbon

Stamps: Sincere Salutations

Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant

Accessories: Silver Brads, Brides Flowers, Scallop Cutter

These two cards were both in the set of six 4.25 x 4.25 cards I gave my good friend Shauna for her birthday. Both cards were very simple - I really love those Brides flowers for coloring easy flowers! Hopefully she can put them to good use.

A Little Mojo for My Iris

I LOVE the sketches that Julee comes up with and this one was no exception. Plus, it's the first sketch of the month, which makes it contest time! Get your entries in for a chance to win a set of Verve Stamps of your choice (up to $24 value).
This is the sketch for Mojo 98...




Stamps: StampTV Elegant Flowers (Gina K)
Paper: Lovely Lilac, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla, Spring Silhouettes DSP
Ink: Sahara Sand, Lovely Lilac, Old Olive
Accessories: Wild Wasabi Striped Grosgrain, Dimensionals, Nestabilities, Sakura Gel Pen, Chalks, Versamark
Techniques: Poppin' Pastels

On my card, I'm using the Gina K Elegant Flowers. One day soon, I will have some Verve stamps to play along....of that I'm sure. I adore their sentiments! Until then, I'll keep playing with the coloring on these beauties =)

I just realized that I didn't let everyone know about the great little restaurant we found in Wetaskiwin. I don't know about you, but I love when we find a hidden gem, which is exactly what we thought of Pipestone Food Company when we went for Forkfest. Plus, the meal happened to feature all that is right with the world (in my opinion). Crab cakes & caesar salad, tenderloin medallions and a choice of creme brulee or pecan flan. Yep - that's a little slice of heaven for me! If you're in the Edmonton area, give 'em a try!

I received the best package yesterday - all of my stamped images from my friend Susie! (She's got blog candy going on until the 31st for her followers...check it out and consider becoming one) Who knew that that UK to Canada would only take a week and a day?! Well now I do...so you know I'll be coloring like happy little five year old tonight!

Let me be honest....

I really dislike having to make sympathy cards - it means something sad has happened.
The first card that I completed last night was the one I was least happy to do. A young, vibrant woman that I'd had the pleasure of meeting only on a couple of occasions, a friend of a friends, passed away yesterday. She was a brave, cheerful woman, a couple years short of forty and she will be missed by all who were touched by her. I created this card for our friends who were very close to her in hopes that they'd know we were thinking of them at this sad time.

While I'd been dreading the Climb for Hope that I'm going to be doing in September (5K run with three set of large river valley stairs), knowing that it supports the Cross Cancer Institute's vision of a cancer free future, I now embrace this run in hopes that there are fewer people who require treatment there, like Angie.


Stamps: Lovely As A Tree
Paper: Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy, Bashful Blue, Maine Blueberry DSP
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Antique Bronze Brads, Ticket Corner Punch

Again, I'm behind this week, but I really wanted to complete Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 29 from Karen's blog. The funny thing was that I had so many sketches that I wanted to work on and whenever I started on one, the image would end up not working for the sketch. Maybe it wasn't my night?!



At any rate, here's what I came up with:


Stamps: StampTV Elegant Flowers (Gina K)
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant, Handsome Hunter, Whisper White,
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Hunter Button, Glue Dots

I'm completely embarassed to say that I received these gorgeous Gina K stamps (Elegant Flowers) for my birthday (April) from the greatest SU! demo I know (and my bestest buddy) and last night I 're-found' them, cut them out and got them inked. LOVE 'em! They are really great quality and I can't wait to use them some more (as long as it's not for a sympathy card).

Today and every day, hug the ones you love (That one's for you, Chels)

Horsin' Around

Today, I share an older card I created with you (I'll blame the fact that I did it a long while ago for the BAD photography - HAHA)


Stamps: In Bloom
Paper: Old Olive, Ruby Red, WW
Ink: Old Olive, Ruby Red
Accessories: Nesties, CM Circle Punches

Why was I too busy? Because I was doing this:

And another of Trapper & I (exuse the bad form!):

Alright, well these are just a couple of the 'stadium jumping' pics from the final day of our three day event clinic that one of the girls took for me. She used my camera for them and wasn't familiar with it at all, but I thought she did great considering the subject matter =) She got a cool shot of us doing a jump on the cross country course that was part of the area she was monitoring, so I'm hoping to get that one soon.

I had the BEST time! So much fun and everyone was so supportive. I hope I get invited back next year!

In the meantime, here's a favorite of one of the bravest (and most photogenic) young fellas I know...Twizzler!

Have a great day!

Tuesday Morning Cherries - on Monday!

I'm almost a week behind with posting this challenge, but tomorrow's Tuesday Morning Sketch is one I'm looking forward to. I stumbled upon their site a few weeks back and finally had a chance to play on Friday.





Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Sentiment from Pink Cat Studio
Paper: Summer Picnic DSP, Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Read Red
Ink: Old Olive, Read Red
Accessories: Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds, CM Wavy Cutter, Birthday Cuttlebug Folder

Since my niece is in love with cherry images, I thought she'd like this - it's sparkley, has texture AND cherries! (She's three, afterall) My only problem - it might be too heavy for her. HAHA! Well, it's not THAT bad, but it is quite heavy with all the layers.

Survived Day 2 of my cross country clinic, as well! Yesterday, we completed little bits of a jumper course, then put it all together at the end of the morning. In the afternoon, it was assembly of the entire cross country course and completion of it, jump by jump. LONG day but oh so fun! Thankfully, only two spills and neither of them was me! I did, however, manage to pull up some stinging nettle (at least that's what we thought it must've been) and give myself a sore finger. I guess it will match the rest of my body by the time today's over. Then Pilates tomorrow and another riding lesson on Wednesday. On Thursday - can you say REST DAY!?!

Bloomin' Mojo

Today's card was for Mojo Monday Week 97. I was pretty pumped to play when I had time on Friday =) Julee never fails to come up with great sketches that challenge and inspire.




Stamps: Bloomin’ Beautiful
Paper: Lavender Lace, More Mustard, Perfect Plum, Ski Slope DSP
Ink: Versamark Black, Perfect Plum
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, Nestabilities, Silver Rhinestone Stickers, Basic Grey Wisteria Buttons, Dimensionals, Pearl Glimmer Mist
Techniques: Gamsol Magic

I love these flowers and they're so much fun to color, then spritz with Glimmer Mist to give some added sparkle. Looks like I stamped on shimmer paper, but I'm a hoarder with that stuff =)

As you can tell, I survived my first day of cross country clinic. It was the easy day to make sure everyone was comfortable riding together, so dressage in the morning (or rather, flatwork since we were in an open field without the benefit of dressage letters) and then we jumped a grid in the afternoon, which looks like this photo (from this website).



Today, we're doing a jumper course in the morning and this afternoon, starting over individual cross country jumps. Thank goodness for option jumps! I'm the 'oldie' of the group and have been taking lessons with my instructor for the least amount of time....but I'm having a blast!

S'More Sketches (cause we all know I'm a sucker for sketches)

Yesterday was Bellarific Friday, but I didn’t want to display my card on my blog, knowing it won’t make it to it’s destination for a few weeks….but I’m over it, so here goes =)

This was the Bellarific Friday 07-31-09 Sketch:


And my card:


Stamps: Javabellas
Paper: Sahara Sand, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, Whisper White, Not Quite Navy
Ink: Basic Black, Memento Black
Accessories: Prismacolor Pencils, Nestabilities, Dimensionals,Very Vanilla Ribbon, Sakura Gel Pen, Dazzling Diamonds
Techniques: Gamsol Magic

I also did some stamping yesterday and I had a great mojo going (or at least I thought…but of course, I’m a little biased!) Before I share those, though, here’s the other card I completed on Thursday – a thank you using the Weekend Sketch Challenge #90, hosted last week by Laurie at Just Give Me Stamps.

Stamps: Prayers & Thoughts
Paper: River Rock, Ginger Blossom DSP, Ruby Red, Cameo Coral
Ink: River Rock, Ruby Red
Accessories: Nestabilities, Dimensionals

Can’t wait to try Beate’s sketch this weekend for WSC91!

I’m quite excited for this long weekend, as I’m spending it in a cross country horse jumping clinic. This is the first time I’ve ever been invited to attend a cross country session, as they’re almost always on private acreages, but my riding instructor is hosting a bunch of people over this weekend for a three day eventing type session. I’m PUMPED! I’m also going to be riding her Thoroughbred gelding, Trapper, that I’d been riding a lot in lessons before he went home for her summer to star in her camps. Hopefully he goes easy on my shoulder, which I just had injected on Wednesday afternoon in hopes of easing my inflamed bursa. Oh to be the oldest 28 year old MrP knows =)

Anyways, I’m off to enjoy a day with horses….

Double Challenge Butterfly

Wednesday's SCS Sketch Challenge SC239 was another great sketch to get back into stamping. I combined it with Tuesday's Color Challenge, which was CC229 - Certainly Celery, Pixie Pink, Apricot Appeal and I came up with this:

Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly
Paper: Delicate Dots DSP, Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal, Pixie Pink
Ink: Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal, Pixie Pink
Accessories: Brides Flowers, Silver Brad, Nestabilities, Glue Dots, Slot Punch

I also made our favorite Buttermilk Cake, this time with all blueberries and another fantastic turn out.

Apparently, so much so that when I went to put it into the container after letting it cool on the rack, this is what I discovered!

Speaking of a little bit rude....who does this?!

Partially eat a peach and then leave it out on the counter?! I may have some allergies that prevent me from eating peaches by the truckload, but even I wouldn't do that. Good thing I had already purchased this or I might not have been so thoughtful =)

Thoughtful?! Or maybe I just want some good eats!

Off to water the lawn since the Lawn Miser's gone to work and afterall, Shaw Cable told me to =) (We just had a new internet line dropped and they had to rip up some lawn to do it...so much for my beautiful patch o' lucious lawn this year. See here for my previous rantings. HAHA

Mission Hill (x2) and Carmelis

Today we headed out to Mission Hill for their Discovery Tour, an hour long tour of the cellar, viticulture and four wine tastings. Such a delight! It's absolutely gorgeous there...


The famous Belltower


The Miscast Bell


View from beside the Belltower


View of Cafe


Unripe grapes(do not try to eat these!)


The cellar

And then we headed to Carmelis Goat Cheese Farm to try their gelato...delish! I had some sour cherry and MrP had Mint Chocolate & Chocolate (he's so boring!). When we went to pay, we realized he lost his wallet (presumably at Mission Hill) so we headed back across the lake to Mission Hill again. The people there were truly great to deal with and as expected, he'd been so excited by his ice wine purchase, he'd forgotten his wallet! HAHA

As for the wedding on Saturday - it was pretty much torrential rain & heavy winds, so the 9th hole at Gallagher's Canyon was a write off, but we did enjoy a beautiful ceremony in their clubhouse, followed a while later by the cocktails, supper and dance. Of course, once the ceremony was done, the rain had let up, so they did get some lovely outdoor pics, I bet!

Again, an older card that I completed with some fave colors =)

Stamps: Cause for Celebration
Paper: River Rock, Whisper White, Black

Ink: River Rock

Accessories: White Ribbon, Scallop Scissors