Using Cuttlebug Edge EF's

I wanted to come up with a card that used the many edge embossing folders I have that go unused due to their bigger "cousins" (A2 size folders). At first, I was only thinking to use one impression along an edge, but couldn't decide on which colour to use. When I saw them side-by-side, I decided to use all 3 as I love these colours. I had a small EK Success flower punch that fit perfectly over some of the embossed flower images, the larger one I had to cut by hand from an embossed section I repeated on the deep red cardstock. Gina K's Lovely Labels, PTI's Flower Fusion #1 (sentiment) and PTI's Round & Round Anniversary Set (small butterfly image) fit perfectly together to finish this card. As the card says ... "Have a Wonderful Day" :-)

I'm Still Here ... Creating

Mother's Day weekend has come and gone, and I went through the very sad event of having my youngest move out to be closer to new employment, about a 2 hours drive away. Why he picked Mother's Day weekend is beyond me LOL It's an awful feeling, yet rewarding too, as only mothers who have gone through this will understand. On a happier note, I hope this means he'll miss my home cooking :-) I haven't been inactive in creating cards, I've made quite a few. Just not so zealous about posting unless the cards are worthy. Is that a problem you deal with on your card blog as well??? I put this card together to send to a friend whose husband is in hospital, to give her comfort and to let her know I am praying for his quick recovery. I used quite a few PTI goodies - stamp sets and dies - and I'm pleased with the way it turned out. I cut the PTI Vine Border Die in both colours, then cut them in half lengthwise so that only one side peeked out from behind the Tuxedo Grey grosgrain ribbon. The sentiment panel dies are Mat Stack 2/Mat Stack 2 Layerz, and combined with Mat Stack 2 Stamp Set. The sentiment is actually from another PTI stamp set, Simple Sunflower. Behind all this, on the white middle panel, is PTI's Stitches & Swirls stamp set, flanked on either side by a Cuttlebug embossed panel. For my Canadian blog readers, have a fabulous, safe Victoria Day Weekend, and for my American neighbours, I wish you a wonderful, safe weekend as well! Thank you for visiting my blog.

Fun, CAS Design Cards

I really have a hard time making Clean & Simple cards. I always see that open white space (or cream) and want to FILL it with "stuff" (in my case, it's called CLUTTER!). So many beautiful cards I see have so much eye candy that when I look at my CAS design, it seems lacking. Yet, when I see a lovely CAS card, I am also amazed at how much I like it ... even, yes, LOVE it. So I am now trying to embrace the "white space" and make more CAS cards. That sometimes involves walking away from it before it's too late ;-) Here are 2 cards I enjoyed making very much during our weekend "at the cottage" - hope you do too.

This colourful, fun birthday card uses Stampin' Ups "Just Beakause" stamp set (bird), and combines it with PTI's new release Heart-2-Heart #2 stamp set & die. Two of the balloons are popped up for some dimension. This next one also uses a newly released PTI die (Tie Die), which was used to combine DPs into a "sun" formation. The sentiment is from PTI's beautiful 2012 Anniversary Set, Pretty Peonies.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today - have a fabulous, SUNNY day!

The Perfect Setting

I belong to a group of lovely women who enjoy cardmaking, and we try to get together on a monthly basis, rotating homes, to enjoy each others company and creativity. Last fall, we decided to spend a weekend at a cottage, where we could craft to our hearts content for hours on end without having to clean house or attend to hungry children/spouses. It was total BLISS, so we decided to make this a twice yearly event - spring & fall. The cottage is located at the end of the road leading around this lake, so the view is breathtaking as you look across the water, which is mere metres away. There is also a loon on this lake, and the sound of its haunting call makes this place the perfect setting for our group. We spent the weekend of April 13-15 there, so I will share some of the cards I made while enjoying this fabulous view

Sketch For You To Try - April 2012

I often wish I had more time to play along in all the wonderful challenges out here in Cardland. Juggling a family who are on different shifts, 2 dogs and a cat, our home as well as my own full time job doesn't leave much time to play. But I finally found the time to join along with this month's Sketch For You To Try challenge, details of which can be found here, and put together this Spring card:

To make my wreath, I used 2 diecuts from my Poppy Stamps Breezy Wreath die in green and added several small flowers, using EK Success punches, which were then accented with Stampin' Up Pearls. A simple, general purpose sentiment of 'hello' and my card was done. Phew! One challenge down ... only thousands more to go! :-) Have a wonderful day and thank you for stopping by my blog.

Bring on Spring!

Seeing all the beautiful, spring-time cards out there, I decided to up my colour quotient when I put this card together. I recently purged many of my unloved Stampin' Up stamp sets, but couldn't quite bring myself to letting go of Trendy Trees, the set used here. It was sitting on my desk next to this Echo Park DP (Walk In The Park), and BINGO! A perfect pair, don't you think? Have a lovely, spring day!

It's Been A While, Hasn't It???

My card-making life has been on a somewhat "Hold" due to the birth of my first Grandchild - a girl. She was born on March 9th, so it's hard to believe that today she is already a month old! It's funny how, at first, I resisted the idea of being a GRANDMOTHER ... I mean, seriously, me??? I'm not old enough to be one! LOL But I can't tell you how much that idea has changed within me, and there's nothing more I'd rather be than Lillianna's "Nonna" (which is Grandmother in Italian, my heritage). Of course, I have made the odd card here and there (posted on my SCS Gallery), so I've not been totally UN-creative! So here's a quick post for the cards I have to show. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them.

This one uses the "Kindness Matters" stamp set from Stampin' Up and the 'Rock 'n Roll' stamping method, where you ink up the image with your main colour, then roll the edges along another pad colour. A very nice affect, don'tcha think? This next one was made for an upcoming wedding. What I like about this card is that it can be tailor made to suit the colours for any wedding party if you knew them in advance. The stamp set is "Wedded Bliss" from Flourishes.

Thanks for stopping by my blog - hope you have a fabulous day!