Two Days~ Two Cards!

Off to a good start...
I made this card last night. A very simple sketch that appealed to me from Paper Smooches...surprisingly took more time than I'd have thought, between the colouring (which I tried to practice some of Karen Barber's technique with ink and blender pen...) and the cutting, which I enjoy.

I used Bordering on Romance and one of the expressions from Petite Pairs.  I used the Twitterpated Paper again for the little banners and Island Indigo  for the card base. I'm not sure why this photo is so blurred (or maybe it's just me needing bifocals, LOL) but I added little pearls to finish off the centres of the flowers.
Off to tidy my desk, finish unpacking from the fun wekend, and I'd like to get out to do some weeding, too...but the Pines are in full force with their yellow dust and it seems to be affecting me this year, more than I like. Leaving me with little alternative but to do some Quicken to catch up with the quarter before month end..

enjoy your sunny day,

smiles,
Laurie

A New Challenge

I'm pretty excited! I've found a neat group of gals who have committed to making 100 cards in 100 days! ...and I'm joining them! I started last night. Working off a sketch from Cardmaps, I put together this card in about 20 minutes. Those that know me, will appreciate that this is not my usual MO...as I generally deliberate over each detail far too much...

Working with Twitterpated paper and the word Create from Creative Elements~thought my launch into the challenge should state my intention~ I paired Island Indigo with Baja Blue. I had fun dying some paper flowers with Red Riding Hood ink and when they were dry this morning, attached them and viola, the card completed and posted! 1 of 100! (It is sunny and gorgeous here this morning...so you get a nice shadow from the ribbon and a bit of the definition from the scalloped edge of the punch diminished...good trade off for a beautiful morning!)
One BIG difference for me in the challenge will be that I will be shopping (the others are dedicated to using up their stash...which I think is a great idea) Me, I'm so excited about the brand new Stampin'Up! catalogue, I'll be shopping up a storm! But I want to take on the challenge to use the stuff I'm busy ordering and loving. I want to not just think Stampin' but do Stampin'.
I was away for the weekend at a wonderful Creative Retreat...and I had such a good time playing with some different mediums, I'm inspired to continue creating and playing from that as well..so everything is pointing to making more cards!
enjoy your sunny day!

smiles,
Laurie

Lunchables

Just a 'fly by post' with a photo of what I popped into the Girls' lunches this morning, with a little note on the back.

Wishing you a wonderful day yourselves.

smiles,
Laurie

To Blather or Not

So, I'm reading all about how to have a fun, exciting blog..and as with anything that you think about too much, I, myself, tend to over think it and get jammed up...and as a result often do nothing. Do you ever find yourself in the same predicament, despite the fact there are numerous quotes that encourage you to "just take that first step" "start with a baby step", "act". Let alone all the quotes of "striding forward" "Go confidently in the directions of your Dreams" (a real fav of mine).
How often to post? what content? How long? all questions running around and getting various bits of advice and ideas as I read 'how to blog' type articles...LOL, meanwhile I still don't have a concept of how to put the great sidebar thingys up!! : D
My favourite blogs are ones that have loads of their great cards posted and a bit of blather...one serendipity of a blog I may have hoped for was actually creating each day...so the blend of blather, creative stuff being shown and maybe a quote or 2 will continue to be bounced about, as well as how often and how long...but for now, I'll make an appearance to start June.
No photo...since what I'm attempting is to clear off a space, yet again, in my craft area to actually create...(and I'd rather not share the "before" picture, LOL!!)  I'm busy clearing out the Retired Stamp sets off shelves to make way for all the exciting new ones I'd like and making a few business plans amongst all the year end things at school with the Girls, riding again, now that it's Spring, Field trips, I even have a planned weekend away for a scrapbook retreat!! I have a couple ladies coming out tomorrow for the class with that cool Double Cascade card, I'm really looking forward to them putting it together.
There are some exciting things happening at Stampin'Up!, with Hostess incentives, customer deals and the launch of the new colours and catalogue!!!!!  I'll be offering the New In-Colour package again this year...touch base with me for details of  how to "have it all"!
Happy June Days to you!

smiles,
Laurie

My Tri-Fold Card

I had a wonderful day. Some Gals came over for the Sampler class I posted a bit ago. It was surprising again to see all the lovely sets that would be retiring at the end of May. The pages came together nicely and it was just a nice afternoon amongst lovely women.  : D
This evening we had a Tea Party with our Pathfinder unit. We dressed up in fancy gowns and hats and recreated a proper British Tea Party. It was really fun!  One of our Leaders even hunted down some Devonshire Double Cream!
So it seems perfect that the card I'm sharing tonight features the Tea Shoppe set!

Its called a Double Tri-fold Cascade card by Susie Prendergast. I'd seen it on Splitcoast and knew I'd have to have a play at it. The structure came together very nicely with a great diagram, the decorating, on the other hand, made me pause...but I'd chosen the Twitterpated paper and when perusing my stamp sets the Tea set seemed a good choice...putting the Doily in the backdrop since I was working with a Tea party.The pink flower on the front is from the Blossom party die, layered and shaped. The card doesn't photograph easily, but I was quite happy with how it came together...and the Gals are excited that this will be the next class for them! It didn't take my usual hours and hours either, don't you love when that happens!?

smiles,
Laurie

Mother's Day Happiness

Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day! I got great cards from my Girls and funny Husband! I also got a great photo in a custom made frame from my Littlest.  We celebrated with a fabulous Brunch at the Pine Hills Golf Course. We were lucky that Cary's parents came for the weekend. My sister, her boys and our Mom and Dad all were able to join us.There was plenty of variety for everyone's taste. A favourite of mine, Eggs Benedict; beautiful ripe strawberries dipped in chocolate and drizzled with some white chocolate, and a specialty of theirs: cinnamon buns to make French 'toast'...very delicious.
It was a weekend of Eats, I suppose, as Mom invited us over Saturday night for her Bison Burgers on the BBQ! (she makes Legendary Burgers!) and Sunday night we were ready for another meal, believe it or not, after playing golf in the afternoon.We had Lasagna and garlic buns for a celebration of my FIL's birthday along with a Dairy Queen Ice-cream cake!
I found the neatest idea of using the Easel card as a frame and decorated up cards for both Moms and added a photo. Pretty happy with how they turned out.
I was working on a neat card this evening. A Fancy Fold card. I'll share it with you tomorrow after I take a photo.
I received this yesterday and thought I'd share it back with you...

HIRING
We are hiring mothers and we need them right away
You must be filled with love and vow that you will stay and stay and stay
You must appreciate a flower when it’s given without a stem,
Marvel at an ugly rock as if it were a gem.
You must possess a wealth of love, be wise, controlled, alert.
Have management ability and make a great dessert.
Expertise in finance and a flair for decorating.
Knowledge of psychiatry and Band-Aid applicating.
Willing to accommodate pet relationships.
Detective skills in cases like the missing chocolate chips.
Qualified and competent in diplomatic circles,
Adolescent counselling, in short performing miracles.
Adept in kissing bruises and using rocking chair chairs.
Capable of handling community affairs.
A magician in the kitchen with a pound of hamburger.
An ability to touch a cheek and know its temperature.
If you think that you can qualify and you’ve had experience
And you understand completely that you make the difference
Between a world that’s filled with fear and a world that’s full of joy,
Call us now, we want you to be in our employ.

smiles,
Laurie

Retiring List Sampler

 I worked on this project the last couple days. I saw the idea on Stampin' Connection by Gail Emmons. It reminded of an embroidery Stitched Sampler. As I got started I came up with the plan to make it a Retiring List Sampler along with May type things. So I used the retiring In-Colours, and several retiring sets, along with the Big Shot Timeless Type alphabet die and the Circles #2. The little purses are made with the retiring Round Tab punch (a real favourite of mine, I love making tabs for my notebooks, catalogues,  and daytimer, plus these little purses are fun and easy!)
I love the idea of starting a monthly class changing out these Monthly inserts in an 8 1/2 x 11 frame. Let me know if you're interested. I'd love to make up a couple small groups of Ladies for a Social evening and have about 15 Squares to choose from, plus an option to put photos of a special person or 2, in a couple spaces!
A fond Farewell to these sets and accessories that I really do adore...

smiles,
Laurie

PS see how many retiring sets you can pick out and which ones...(one you might miss is a stamped tone on tone M from Broadsheet Alphabet under the diecut M)