Grateful for Time

Well it's been a long time hasn't it.  Almost a year since my last post and how I've missed it.  I've decided that I need to make time for me and what better way but in my craft time.  I really do need that time for my sanity.  And I do miss the support of this wonderful crafting community.

For my first attempt and getting comfortable with things I decided on the latest Mojo Monday sketch which just happens to be contest week.  I decided on a thanksgiving theme as tomorrow is our Canadian Thanksgiving.  I'm off to dinner tonight with the in-laws.  Anyhow I hope find some kind of inspiration and wish you all my fellow Canadians a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving and to everybody else enjoy a lovely week ahead.

Cheers,
Laural

Mother's Day Mojo

Happy Saturday everyone!  Are you enjoying your weekend?  We are enjoying a beautiful sunny saturday and it's very quiet with only the two boys at home today.  I may even go for a little nap this afternoon since I was up until 1 this morning trying to get this mojo sketch just right and in the end it didn't happen.  That's what happens when I try to mold my favourite things together that don't necessarily work together.  I wanted to use my new PTI set, Basic Grey Wisteria paper and the mojo sketch.  I'm not saying they didn't work at all definitely not as well as I envisioned.  At the very least I have some nice Mother's Day cards for my mother and grandmother.

I do like the top one more for it's stitching, extra layer, and bling.  I like the bottom one for a more simple feel with the texture plate on the background rather than stamping.  Oh well I can't say I didn't try.

Thanks so much for hoping by.  Hope you learned something by my efforts.  Have a fabulous day.

Dear Grandmother

Paper:  Almost Amethyst, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper white, Wisteria dp (BG)

Ink: Perfect Plum, Always Artichoke, Elegant eggplant craft

Stamps: Delightful Dahlia, Polkadot Background I (PTI)

Accessories: Rhinestones, ticket corner punch,  clear embossing powder, Petite Oval Nestibility, sewing machine, dimensionals

Love You Mom

Paper:  Almost Amethyst, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper white, Wisteria dp (BG)

Ink: Perfect Plum, Always Artichoke, Elegant eggplant craft

Stamps: Delightful Dahlia (PTI)

Accessories: Brads (BG), ticket corner punch,  clear embossing powder, Petite Oval Nestibility, Perfet Details Texturz plate, dimensionals.

Another Mojo Try :)

Here's another try at the Mojo challenge and the Embellish Challenge.  It fits the the Embellish challenge because it has a cross stitched border on the left and a scalloped trim on the circle made with 1/4" punched circles.  It doesn't have to be a full border does it?

I found it really hard incorporating the peach as it's not a colour I work with very often and all I had were scraps of Apricot Appeal.  It was definitely a colour challenge but there's no way I was going to let the colour peach discourage me!!

Hope you are enjoying a wonderful week wherever you may be.  Right now I'm enjoying some beautiful sunshine after a great fall of rain last night.  Just beautiful!  Thanks for hoping by.

Paper:  SU! dp, whisper white, pink pirouette, apricot appeal

Ink: Certainly Celery and Old Olive markers

Accessories: pink floss, 1 3/4" and 1/4" circle punch, pink brads, large corner rounder punch, Chipboard (Scenic Route)

Stamps: Key to My Heart (Practicing Creativity)

Easter Mojo.

Does the colour scheme look familiar?  That would be because it was my attempt at doing the current Embellish Magazine challenge except that I forgot the border!  That's about how my creativity is going this week.  I'm lost.  Me thinks it's time to take a couple of days break and read a good book.  And I would except that I'm the guest designer for Cinema Saturday this week and I want to come up with something more than just nice.  I've been wanting to win that Audrey Award since before Christmas and now that time has finally come and I'm stuck!  My guess is that's what separates the pros from the amateurs and I am very much still an amateur!

Anyhow, this card does fill two other wonderful challenges 1) Mojo Monday 2) Everything But the Kitchen Sink (EBTKS).  This is another challenge that I try hard to participate in.  Their monthly sketches are based on something around the house and then they have another monthly challenge using an element from around the house.  It's all very outside the box and I find it helps find a greater depth in my creativity.  I was so delighted and honoured to make the top 5 for EBTKS last sketch challenge. Thanks ladies! Their next challenge is to add fabric to your project.  The bottom and top flower layers are fabric from a birthday dress that my mom made for my daughter a few years back.  It was a beautiful dress with a peach petticoat and venetian lace that I had pick up during my last visit to meet my Italian in-laws. 

The card isn't very fancy but I think it's still pleasant to the eye and sentimental (just the way I like them).  Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful day.

Paper: Mellow Moss, Groovy Guava, Lemon Tart (PTI), Chatterbox dp (pink lines), Bridgeport dp (SEI)

Ink:  Mellow Moss

Accessories: Pearls, fabric, flower die, large corner rounder punch

Stamps: Happy Easter (Verve; Plain Jane)

Nuts for You ~ Mojo 124

Just a quick post today for my Mojo submission.  No stamping only lovely Love Bandit paper, Nestabilities  and sewing machine.  I also did some paper on the SU! Sending Love paper. (The flowered stuff). 

Right now I'm in Vancouver having gone to a birthday party last night and I'll be heading out with my daughter after this post for some good old fashioned girl time shopping :) I can't believe how warm it is here.  No coat necessary!!! Hope you are all having a fabulous weekend as well.

Paper: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, SU! Sending Love, Bo Bunny Love Bandit

Accessories: Nestibilities, 1 3/4" circle punch, circle scissors, 1/2" circle punch, paper piercer, sewing machine, Bo Bunny rub-ons.

Valentine's Mojo

I'm amazed at the number of challenges I've been able to complete this week since the kids are back to their usual routine.  It was wonderful having them all tucked into bed by 7:30 last night!  That being said I think we are all ready for the weekend.  The kids are very tired.

Here's my card that I made for two challenges.  Mojo Monday sketch and Crazy 4 Challenges to use polka-dots.  Being inspired by this card by Mercy Kerin, I pulled out my Night and Day dp and decided to make a black and white card with a touch of Melon Mambo for Valentine's Day.

The scallop circle was made using my circle scissors and small corner rounder punch.  Not an easy task with black paper.  It could have been a bit bigger but I wasn't willing to start over again.  I decided to use a bit of gray cs to lighten it up a little bit. I was very happy with the ribbon as it was my first time trying this technique.  The pink heart was inked with Melon Mambo and then with versamark so that it could be clear embossed, cut and mounted with dimensionals.  The sentiment was a bit trickier because I didn't have a valentines stamp that fit the spot so I used the alternative "Thankful Thoughts" stamp from the Grateful Greetings stamp set to fill the space.

Paper:  White, Whisper White, Basic Black, Going Grey, Night and Dark dp,

Ink:  Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Versamark

Accessories:  Bling, scallop edge punch, circle scissors, small corner rounder punch, Melon Mambo ribbon

Stamps:  Simply Said, Grateful Greetings

Velvet Inspiration

That red velvet paper was on my desk screaming to be used and when I was going through my weekly sketches I new that Mojo Sketch 114 was the one to use.  It reminded me of a vintage christmas stocking so I want to stick to that vintage feel.  I borrowed Maureen's large scallop punch at our "playdate" last night but I didn't actually get around to finishing it until just now.  It's a wee late I know but this sketch needed to be tried.

Just a short post tonight.  I'm hoping to put on the finishing touches to my Christmas card and have them ready be to sent out by the end of the week.

My son and daughter had their first music concert this afternoon.  I couldn't have been more proud.  Neither one of them was a bit nervous and they were so proud of themselves.

Thanks for looking and don't forget to enter for my blog candy .

Paper:  SU! Kraft, Soft Sude
Ink:  Old Olive
Accessories:  Buttons, Always Artichoke ribbon, SU! Rubon sentiment
Everything else is not Stampin' Up!

Birthday Butterflies

I don't know about you but for the last 2 days we've had nothing but rain here in Kamloops.  So much for our nice, beautiful weather.  The sun has come out from the clouds here and there this afternoon and it is warm out there but it's wet, wet, and wetter.  With all the dreary weather I decided to make something bright and beautiful.  And butterflies are beautiful so I pulled out my beautiful butterflies dies and my cottage wall dp and got to work making my Mojo Monday 108 card.  I also took the time to paper pierce a pattern in the top right hand corner and practiced my french knots on the sentiment. (See close up below)  The white panel seems to be missing something but I didn't touch it because I didn't want to make it too busy.  And I suppose the butterfly could have used some embellishment but I'm so worried about over doing it and then have to start all over again.  In the end I really like it.  There's isn't a lot of stamping but I enjoy playing with paper more than I do stamps.

For any of you Rich Razzleberry fans, the floss I used was DMC 3803.  It seems to be the best match that I've found (so far) although it may not be quite dark enough.

Anyhow I hope all of you have had a wonderful weekend whatever weather you're having.  I'll chat again tomorrow until then, have a fabulous day ;-)

Paper:  Cottage Wall dp, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Old Olive, Orchid Opulence

Ink: Old Olive

Stamps:  Sincere Salutations

Accessories:  SU! Beautiful butteflies die, SU Designer Latte buttons, paper piercer, floss, dimensionals

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Today was a busy day.  My mom came last night to visit and she brought with her all the trimmings to make a fantastic turkey dinner today.  She cooked it all and my hubby helped me clean up (I must admit that he did the majority of the work while I was visiting my mom and little sister).  Tomorrow my dad and brother are coming by for a visit and I may just head up to my dad's place tonight for a relaxing visit while the kids are in bed.  I'm very thankful for my family, my children, but most of all I'm thankful for hope.  Hope in my future, hope in my kids future, hope that there are always good times (big or small) to be remembered.  It's all good as long as we love and are loved.  God has graciously provided for my family and lately my family has been blessed beyond the basic needs.  It's these times that I feel guilty for having so much when there are people who are struggling and feeling hopeless.

My post today fulfills two challenges.  The Mojo 107 sketch and the current Crazy 4 Challenges to make a thanksgiving card.  I also tried french knots with floss for a new technique.  I should have stitched through both the Vanilla and the Chocolate chip layer just so it would lay better...but I figure this was good for my first try.  If you want to see cards using beautiful french knots you should hop over to Maile's blog .  She hasn't done them in a while but I highly recommend you search for them.

Anyhow,  I hope that my fellow Canadians are enjoying their turkey dinners and that my friends south of the border are looking forward to their holiday with friends and family.  Peace be with you all this day and the next.

Paper:  Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Very vanilla, Gold fiber cs,  dp

Ink:  Really Rust, Chocolate Chip

Accessories:  Chocolate chip satin ribbon, circle scissor, floss, rhinestones.

Stamps:  Grateful Greetings, Priceless

Spooktacular Halloween - Mojo 105

This week I got a nice little parcel in the mail from my on line scrapbook supplier. As some of you know I am a sucker for designer paper!! It is what fabric was to my mother. I have loads of it piled up waiting to be used and yet I still feel the need to spend more money on the newest stuff. And the current collections are amazing.

So for this fun sketch I decided to pull out my new halloween dp and the matching die cut stickers. No stamping needed!!! Although I'll probably put a sentiment inside the card. I used my fav Stampin' Up halloween colours: Basic Black, Old Olive, Pumpkin pie, and Elegant Eggplant. I also used Grey for the card base, Elegant Eggplant ribbon and the Stampin Up! circle punches (1 1/4" and 1 3/8"). The rest is not SU!

My favourite part of this card is the scallops and that eerie looking purple bat. Looking at it now I should have spent a little bit more time on the orange and black squares maybe distressing or sewing or, if I had an embossing folder, I would have embossed the orange CS. Something that would have brought more attention to the bat without overpowering it. Either way this was an excellent sketch to play with and I learned how to make those scallops with my circle punches.

If you don't hear from me this weekend, I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend with family and friends and getting some me time in your craft rooms.

MojoMary Christmas

Yes I did promise no more Christmas cards for I while but I made this card a couple of weeks ago for Mojo's 100th and I didn't like the finished look so knowing this I used dotto repositional glue on the part that I didn't like knowing that I would make the appropriate changes when I found the time to brainstorm another idea.  

So the first attempt I stamped two trees, one in red and one in green.  I punched the holes out of the green tree (I had to trim around the tree to do this) and then layered it over the red tree to spotlight the snowflakes but I didn't like the tree cut out....it just didn't look right.  Knowing this I applied the tree to the Chocolate chip CS with repositional tape.

The final try I removed that tree and decided to use an entirely new stamp set called Season of Joy and focus on the beautiful poinsettia.  I added some glitter to the center to give it a little bit of bling and I used white embossing powder for the Merry Christmas sentiment.  And the ribbon was an added touch.  The snowflakes on the red paper are clear embossed.

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peak.  Have a fabulous Friday everyone :)

Paper:  Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, I Wish dp, Real Red, Old Olive
Ink:  Versa Mark, Real Red, Old Olive
Accessories:  Square Brads, 1/2" circle punch, 1/4" circle punch, Clear and white embossing powder
Stamp sets:  Snow Swirled, Season of Joy

Birthday Mojo101

Just a quick post today. I'm on my way to Vancouver for the weekend and I've got to get the house in order before we leave. Then at least I don't have to come back to chaos. Because my dh has decided to join us, the house should be exactly how I leave it ;-)

Anyhow,  I needed a simple birthday card design for my next workshop. These ladies haven't done a lot of stamping and I want to show them how easy and quick it can be to create with the right paper and tools. This Mojo sketch is a great way to showcase some very pretty dp and new colour combo with limited stamping. I plan on making a couple of variations maybe with glitter or clear embossing but this is this is the basic version. I tried cutting the Orchid paper with the V shape but it just didn't turn out right. So I thought rounding the corners is a lot easier and I added a pewter brad to decorate.

Paper: SU Cottage Wall dp, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Orchid Opulence, Whisper White

Ink:  Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede (I'll probably only use Razzleberry for my demo)

Accessories:  dimensional, pewter brad

Punches:  ticket corner, lrg corner rounder, scallop circle, 1 3/8" circle, 1 1/4" circle

Stamp sets:  Priceless, Sincere Salutations

Flocking Fun

Yes, it's another Christmas card.  I used the Mojo Janette sketch because it's different but also uncomplicated.  It also worked really well with my fav Christmas stamp set Snow Swirled.  The snow flakes on the tree are spotlighted using Real Red ink, 1/4" and 1/2" circle punches.  The big snow flake is stamped in Chocolate Chip ink and flocked in a muted gray.  I don't know if you can see it in the picture but you can in real life.  You can't help yourself, it must be touched. This was my first time flocking and I used the Heat and Stick powder.  Can you add multiple layers of the powder to make it stickier?  I'd like to get the flocking thicker and fuzzier so if you have any helpful hints I'd love to hear them.

I didn't bother with a sentiment or greeting since it would muddle up the card that already displays the tell-tale snow flakes and tree of the season.

Thanks for dropping by and taking a look.  Hope you are having a FABULOUS Tuesday!

Paper:  SU I Wish Simply Scrappin' Kit, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Real Red

Ink:  Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Real Red

Accessories:  Real Red ribbon, Scallop Edge punch, circle scallop punch, 1/2", 1/4", 1 1/4", 1 3/8" punch and flocking

Stamp set:  Snow Swirled.

Nothing Fancy Mojo Friday

Here's my take on the Friday sketch of Mojo Monday Turns 100 challenges.  You can probably tell that it was just thrown together.  I had just gotten my EK Success Circle Scissor and had to get in the groove of working with that so by the time I got the gadget worked out and the circles perfectly cut I just had no inspiration left for the stamping end of things.  The Old olive probably could have been fancied up a bit with a scallop punch or I could have used the Chocolate Chip Satin ribbon instead (I'm just savoring every last inch left of that stuff)

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day.

Paper:  SU Raspberry Tart, Rose Red, Old Olive, Chocolate chip, Whisper white,
Ink:  Old olive, rose red, chocolate chip
Accessories:  Circle scissors, chocolate chip ribbon
Stamp set:  Priceless

'Tis the Season - Already???

Well I can't believe I'm already posting a Christmas card but I have a workshop booked in September and the Hostess would like to work on a Christmas card.  So I've got Christmas ideas on the brain.  I realize that  the multiple layers of this card make it a no-go for a demo but the spotlighting of the snowflake using the circle punches might be a cool idea.

Now where would I be without my paper punches??  What did I do before I owned them?  And I'm considered old-school because I'm not even using die-cuts.  I have my cuttlebug but my die collection is limited at the moment.  Does anyone here remember life without punches or other die-cutting tools?  The circle ones, the corner rounders and the ticket corner punches are the ones I use the most.  How about you?

Ok, so for this card I also used paper from last years Simply Scrappin' kit "I wish".  I liked the colour combo and it matched perfectly with the Snow Swirled stamp set that I fell in love with.  I've always been about the matchy matchy stuff because it took the guess work out of it for me.  If you want to spend less time on colours and debating your options, a kit is the way to go. As I grow in my craft, I've realized that a kit can also take the fun out of it and limit the possibilities and challenges.

Anyhow, I hope you've been inspired by this Holiday card and it gets your mojo running for Christmas card ideas.  Have a fabulous day!

Paper:  SU "I Wish" Simply Scrappin' dp, Old Olive, Real Red, Chocolate chip, Very Vanilla
Ink:  SU Old Olive, Real Red, Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  SU "I Wish" adhesive die-cuts, Real Red ribbon, Scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" and 3/4" circle punch, ticket corner punch
Stamp set:  Snow Swirled.

Mojo Madness - Day 3

Good Morning!!  Hope you are all managing to relax and enjoy the last bits of summer.  I've had a nice relaxing week myself and I can't believe I've managed to get another Mojo sketch done. Only two left for this Mojo's 5 sketch challenge for it's 100th "Birthday". I hope to get those done as well.  The more challenges I do, the easier the ideas come to me.  I'm starting to develop a rhythm in planning & developing my cards.  Soon I'll be able to spend more time on refining the little details.  Some of the ideas and interpretations of these sketches just blows my mind!!!  It's wonderful the way people see things so differently and some people are just so gifted at thinking outside of the box.

So last night I was inspired by My Minds Eye (MME) French Flea Market dp.  I loved the blues and it's subtleness.  To add some contrast I added MME Bohemia Bluebird dp (dots) and a pinch of SU Really Rust.  This card also gave me the chance to use my Vanilla Hodgepodge hardware for the first time.  I think it spotlights the sentiment nicely. 

Thanks for visiting and a have a FABULOUS day!!! I'm off to do some grocery shopping.

Paper:  MME French Flea Market dp, Bohemia Bluebird dp,  SU Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla, Really Rust

Ink:  SU Bordering blue, Really Rust

Accessorries:  SU Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, Scallop edge punch, EK success scallop edge punch

Stamp set:  Fresh Cuts

My Beautiful Life

This has been a rather quiet week so far.  There's nothing pressing to get done, I don't need groceries until Friday and the kids are enjoying the sunshine.  I've had some time to reflect on my relationships that make "my life a beautiful thing" and those that, unfortunately, don't.  I've concluded that it's time to focus more energy and strength into those healthy friendships rather than wasting my time worrying about the negative ones.  Life's just too short.  With these thoughts in mind I was inspired to use the stamp set "A Beautiful Thing".

I did a lot playing with this 2nd sketch for Mojo's 100th.  It was easy enough to mix it up and I was able to create 3 different cards all using that MS edge punch that Moe gave me. The last card was of course the one that came out the best (and yet still not as great as I would have liked). Practice does make perfect.   I'll have to ask Moe how she gets her bows so perfect and if any of you have any tips please share.  

Below, I've also included a second card I made based on this sketch except without the ribbon.   This is just to give you an idea how it looks without ribbon.  It's a little plain but I wanted to bring more attention to the circles and make it fun not fancy.

Thank you for visiting my blog and I hope you enjoyed.  Have a fabulous day!

My Beautiful Life

Paper:  Fancy Pants Delightful dp, SU soft sky, purely pomegranate, chocolate chip, very vanilla

Accessories:  Chocolate Chip satin ribbon, MS paper edge punch, Lg corner rounder punch

Ink:  Soft sky, purely pomegranate, pumpkin pie 

 Stamp Set:  A beautiful Thing

Friends

Paper:  Fancy Pants Delightful dp, SU soft sky, purely pomegranate, chocolate chip, very vanilla

Accessories:  Making Memories crystal brads, MS paper edge punch, large corner rounder punch

Ink:  Soft sky, purely pomegranate, pumpkin pie, chocolate chip

Stamp Set:  Seeing spots, Make it Count

Life is Good

Here's my version of Mojo Monday's 100th sketch.  I been wanting to use that Fancy Pants paper for a while now and finally got around to it.  

Unfortunately (and surprisingly) I have no way of creating circles except through punches.  I did try and improvise with the scallop circle punch but it just made the card too busy and took away from the delightful paper.  Then I noticed that the blue flower on the dp gave the sentiment a circle like outline all on its own, so I have one less layer but I think it still works. What do you think?

Thanks for visiting my blog and I hope you found some inspiration.  Have a fabulous day!

Paper:  Fancy Pants Delightful dp, SU soft sky, blue bayou, chocolate chip, very vanilla

Accessories:  Purely Pomegranate ribbon,  scallop circle punch, flower fusion, 1/2" circle punch, build-a-brad

Ink:  Soft sky, purely pomegranate

Stamps:  Make it Count

Finding my MOJO

Thanks to all the lovely people that come here and leave wonderfully encouraging feedback. It's been a really help when trying to find my creative mojo.  Even those who don't leave feedback, I keep seeing the visit counter going up and I can't help but feel proud that I may just be inspiring some people out there besides my wonderful children. Today my daughter said the cutest thing while I was making the card below.  "Mommy I want you to show me how to make beautiful cards like that.  I want to make them just like you when I grow

 up." 

So without further ado here is my first completed Mojo Monday Challenge #99.  The layout is quite busy and so is the paper but I think the plain card stock and ribbon does a nice job of simplifying it a little bit. I must admit, I thought about making the card more eclectic by embracing more of the patterned paper from the Basic Grey Lemonade collection but maybe next time with a more simple layout.  What do you think?

For some reason this card reminds me of cotton candy. Maybe it's the combination of pinks and blues....or maybe I'm just hungry.  The hot pink twill ribbon I have had in my ribbon bin since Christmas.  It was from the wrapping of a pair of La Senza pajamas I received. (Yes, the pajamas were covered in Hot Pink...thanx sis).  I'm so glad I finally got a chance to use it!

Paper:  Bazzill Basics Starmist and Petunia, SU Pink Pirouette, Tempting Turquoise,                  Whisper  White, Basic Grey Lemonade dp.

Ink:  Purely Pomegranate, Tempting Turquoise

Stamps:  SU For All you do

Accessories:  Ribbon (La Senza), Imaginisce Rhinestone, Paper Piercing, 1" circle punch