Saturday, September 27, 2008

How Cool is This?


Near the end of July, I was surfing the web and found Elzybell's stamp co. in England. They had a special on, until the end of the month only, where they had a number of stamps designs for personalized stamps to put on the back of your cards and other creations. I couldn't resist!

This stamp actually stamps much, much cleaner than it appears here...I've made a poor scan, but at least you get the idea. I'm thrilled, and I plan to use this on all my card creations from now on :)

Monday, September 22, 2008

Kindred Spirits for my daughter


As soon as I saw this stamp from the Gina K "Kindred Spirits" collection, I knew I had to have it to make a card for my daughter Briar's 22nd birthday. With a son that just turned two in August, and a new baby, I know she's got her hands full. (The older child on this stamp is actually a girl, wearing a skirt, but I doctored it up a bit with a black zig marker to make it look like shorts...and her older son does have long hair, so I think it looks ok).

The paper-piecing on the boy's outfit, baby's shirt, and mom's top came from the same paper I used for the card, and I watercolored with blush blossom, barely banana, creamy caramel, bravo burgundy, bashful blue and gable green to match the Gina K patterned paper and the SU bashful blue cardstock.

The free "Happy Birthday" stamp that came with my order from
Sparkle n Sprinkle is the perfect touch for this card, too.

Friday, September 12, 2008

So Grateful

A year ago today, our home burned down. To The Ground.

We have so much to be grateful for....that none of us was home (not even our dog)
.....that we received so many donated items
.....that we now have a (rented) roof over our heads
.....that insurance has partially covered our loss
.....that we have our memories

So many, many people played a special role, and we want to say a special heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who helped:

.....the firefighters, who tried their best
.....Gary, who spearheaded an email campaign
.....Alesha, who collected stampin' supplies
.....Diana, who organized a newspaper article
.....Harriet & Vince, who helped at the ruins
.....Janice, for the wonderful paper
.....Monica, for your personal knowledge & wisdom
.....the many, many people who donated items
.....everyone who gave cards and/or moral support


I tear up every time I think of each one of you....to many of you, we are total strangers, but still you cared enough to send your thoughts, prayers and more. We are truly thankful.

I've received a few emails asking how we are doing now, so here's an update: George, Kelton (now age 4) and I are currently living in a rental home. We plan to leave here within the next couple of weeks, and return to the trailer that we stayed in last winter. We're not sure yet how long we'll stay there this year.

Our older children have scattered, some living with grandparents, some on their own. Our daughter, Jade, has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and she has decided to move back to Vancouver, where she is receiving help and support, and continuing her university courses. One of our middle daughters, Briar, gave birth to a premature (2 lb 11 oz) baby boy in May. He is home with her now and doing great. Aidan and Britanie are all attending University, Kristopher is in his final year of secondary school. Derek, Shara, and Nicole are all doing well.

Things are looking up, and we are so very grateful for that....and for each and every new day.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Basket full of yarn Thank You


Every month, a group of ladies who live in the beach areas get together for a breakfast. In the "off" season (May through October), the breakfasts are held at the home of one of the members....a different volunteer each month.

This month, the lady who volunteered to host the breakfast is an avid crafter...she loves needlepoint, cross stitch and crewel, and her favourite color is a soft turquoise. When I looked through my stash, I knew this stamp set (and this fibre) would be perfect for a thank you card for her.

Recipe: Basket Full of Fun stamp set, "Thank You" stamp from Words of Expression, fibre, brads and DSP from Gina K, Cuttlebug background and Rose Red CS. Ink colors were basic black, tempting turquoise, So Saffron and More Mustard.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Dianne's Doodle This Birthday


Shhhhh.....don't tell my friend Diane, but I created this card for her birthday, which is coming up on Sept. 11. The floral print paper and coordinating brad are from the blog candy I won from Gina K awhile back....I just love it!

I don't know Diane really well yet, but we went shopping together a few times and I found that she really likes Cool Carribbean blue ~ unfortunately, I don't have that color, but I thought the blue in the Gina K paper looked a lot like it.

The flower was created by stamping the Doodle This stamp onto Gina's paper with Versa Mark ink, then embossing with white embossing powder and cutting out. I rolled the edges gently around one of my markers to create the 'popped' look of the flower.

Sentiment is from 3 different sets ~ a TAC set called "It's the Little Things", a Stampin Up set called "Make it Count" and a set of sentiment/greeting stamps that I purchased a couple of years ago from the dollar store in Strathroy, ON. Cardstock is Bliss Blue, Bravo Burgundy and Sage Shadow. Ink is Bravo Burgundy.