I decided that tonight would be a good night to play a little with my cricut and some vinyl. I got 2 new font cartridges and I wanted to try them out a little. One is Storybook the other is Calligraphy collection. I used brown vinyl and some black as well. I will replace the black with brown when I get more. Some little monkey took out the blade assembly and put it in back words........so I thought I was cutting on 6 but it was really set to 1. So I ruined one whole piece of vinyl. :( I got it figured out anyway.
Stampin' Up ! has chosen these 3 words as a statement about the company. I think they are wonderful words about what I Love to do. This wall is over my computer desk.
I used the Decor elements flourish set and the always bird. I love that bird. LOL
I have a couple of other things to add to the wall and then it will be truly finished. But I am really liking how it turned out. I can't wait for phase 3 of Decore Elements, I have one chosen for my living room already. But I will need DH to paint first. Can't wait to be able stamp tomorrow, I have been doing some cool techniques, I am excited to share them with you!!!

I am soooooooo excited, it is finely here to brighten up all this snowy weather. The new Spring/Summer 2009 Stampin' Up! Catalogue. Mojo couldn't wait to get his paws on one.
(Also this is as clean as my desk will ever look)
You can get one of these free, if you sign up for one of my stampin' clubs, or book a party with me.
OR........ you can purchase one for 10.00 . Refundable on a 100.00 order.
I can't wait to place my first order, there are too many fabulous things in here, you are gonna want it all!!!!

I wanted to post some of the projects I have made with the Bundled in Love Promo from Stampin' Up!

The stamp set is too cute and with the new punch and Candy Lane papers it is a real treat.

The first project is peppermint patty covers. These are super easy and so cute. Using different punches you can layer images. I used the scalloped punch, 1 1/4 circle punch and the new 3 heart punch. On one I also used scalloped circles from the Big Shot pennant die.

The next project is a wooden clothes pin altered to be a photo holder or a note holder. These are cute and easy gifts. I used a large wooden clothes pin. Adhered some Candy Lane paper to it using crystal effects. I used a scalloped circle and punched out areas of the stamped image. I layered them on pop dots. I added little pink sticky crystals around the edge. As a final touch I used crystal effects to make the heart in the middle dimensional and shiny.

The next project is a bookmark, made with a large paper clip. I cut out a scalloped circle of chipboard with the Pennant die and the Big Shot. I cut out a matching scallop using the Candy Lane paper. I then cut a Whisper White 1 3/4 circle. I stamped the two birds and coloured them in in Pink Pirouette ink and went over them with crystal effects to get the raised shiny look. I stamped the sentiment friend to friend on it in Chocolate chip ink.

The last project is a little chip board book. I cut all the paper and chipboard using my top note die. I used my handy crop-a-dile to Punch a hole in the side of the pages and I attached a book ring. I used our felt fusion flowers on the cover with crystal brads and well. This would make a cute Valentines Day gift for a friend or relative.

My Motto for this year is going to be " Make it Homemade" So stay tuned for lots of gift type ideas.

Inspire, Create, Share

Lisa

I was extremely excited the other night to actually get to play with the copics I got for Christmas. (Thanks Dad!) I was only able to get 13 markers but I do hope to increase those numbers as.........I am in love. These things are so nice to work with. I am still learning, and the learning curve is steep. But when you get to play, it puts all the fun back into colouring.

The first thing I did after arriving at my Grandmothers for summer vacation, well after a kiss and raiding the cookie jar. I would walk down to the 5 and 10 store and buy a colouring book and a new package of crayons. I loved colouring and still do, even more now that I have been introduced to Copic's.

The other night when I went to craft club, I introduced the girls to a stamp company called High Hopes http://www.highhopesstamps.com/ the images are perfect for using copic's. I also love that it is a Canadian Company. The owner is wonderful and not only do you get great stamps you get awesome service as well.

These images were just coloured in using E00, E33, E35,W1, E11,YR00 and B39. I plan to collect more markers as time goes by. They are quite addictive.

Items that are no longer available

102782 ALBUM LEATHER BLACK 12X12 Not Available
105381 ALBUM LINEN POST REAL RED 6X6* Not Available
112465 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER BANBURY Not Available
104942 PUNCH 1/4 INCH CIRCLE Not Available
100391 PUNCH HANDHELD 1/8 INCH CIRCLE Not Available
112068 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN SUMMER HOME Not Available
112061 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN WINTER RETREAT Not Available
109672 BRONCO Not Available
112467 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PRESTWICK Not Available
107923 PAGE PROTECTORS RING 3.25 X 3.25 Not Available
104104 ENVELOPE TEMPLATE MINI Not Available


I will update this list til the end of the sales period.

Retiring Wheels list
Here is the list of retiring wheels:

Maties Map
Bronco Not Available
Bright Bulbs
Making Tracks
Sandy Shells
Snowflake
Sweet Stars
Take a Number.

Click on wheel name to view

Wow check out all the neat stuff at cool savings.

http://www.stampinup.com/ca/documents/Inventory_Blowout_109CA.pdf

Call me to place your order.

please note that the following items are retiring and are only available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST, so contact me ASAP if you would like to order them!

111377 ACCENTS & ELEMENTS ROOF GARDEN

112012 ACCENTS & ELEMENTS SEASON TO SHARE

112088 ACCENTS & ELEMENTS TRUE ELEGANCE

102782 ALBUM LEATHER BLACK 12X12

104188 ALBUM LEATHER BLACK 6X6

105384 ALBUM LINEN POST MELLOW MOSS 6X6*

104516 ALBUM LINEN POST NAVY 6X6

105381 ALBUM LINEN POST REAL RED 6X6*

103977 BUTTONS BOLD BRIGHTS*

103978 BUTTONS EARTH ELEMENTS

103981 BUTTONS EARTH ELEMENTS & NEUTRALS

105446 BUTTONS RICH REGALS

105445 BUTTONS SOFT SUBTLES

103604 DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 12X12

102174 DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 8 1/2X11

112465 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER BANBURY

112462 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GEORGIA PEACH

112463 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GHOSTLY GREETINGS

112040 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GREEN TEA

112470 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HAIKU

112460 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HAWAII PAPAYA

112469 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HOLIDAY TREASURES

112458 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER JUNIOR VARSITY

112459 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MAINE BLUEBERRY

112466 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MUIRFIELD

112149 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PARISIAN SUMMER

112467 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PRESTWICK

111355 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SUMMER PICNIC

112039 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER WINDSOR KNOT

106523 ENVELOPE TEMPLATE FIVE-IN-ONE CARD COVER

104104 ENVELOPE TEMPLATE MINI

107298 ENVELOPES CONFETTI WHITE MEDIUM

110695 ENVELOPES OPEN END KRAFT SMALL

109115 ENVELOPES OPEN END VERY VANILLA SMALL

103372 METAL EDGE TAGS ALUMINUM WHITE SQUARE

107925 ON BOARD BITTY BOOK*

109190 ON BOARD CLIPBOARD 9X9*

109180 ON BOARD SIMON UPPER

112086 ON BOARD SOMETHING SEASONAL

107923 PAGE PROTECTORS RING 3.25 X 3.25

104942 PUNCH 1/4 INCH CIRCLE

104943 PUNCH 1/4 INCH SQUARE

107273 PUNCH 3/4 INCH SQUARE

104389 PUNCH DOUBLE CIRCLE*

100391 PUNCH HANDHELD 1/8 INCH CIRCLE Not Available

104830 RIBBON GINGHAM CARAMEL

104829 RIBBON GINGHAM LIGHT BLUE

104828 RIBBON GINGHAM LIGHT PINK

104831 RIBBON GINGHAM MOSS

109037 RIBBON GROSGRAIN MORE MUSTARD 1/4 INCH

110282 RUB ON ANCHORED

111806 RUB ON CHILLS & THRILLS

111805 RUB ON SCHOOL DAYS

111417 RUB ON WORD FLURRIES

110283 RUB ONS TAKE NOTE

112193 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN I WISH

112186 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN PINA COLADA

112068 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN SUMMER HOME

112043 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN U R SWEET

112061 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN WINTER RETREAT

112016 SIMPLY SENT CARD ELEMENTS HANDMADE HOLIDAY

109868 SIMPLY SENT CARD KIT LIFELONG NOTES

103647 STAMPIN STORE MINI

105813 WRITE ME A MEMORY FONT CD VOL II Happy stamping,

One sweet deal!

You can buy this bundle of new product from the Spring Summer 2009 catalog until January 18th at a special bundled price 20% off retail. I say that's a sweet deal.

Description
Retail Value
Love You Much stamp
$30.95
Candy Lane Designer Series paper
$11.95
Heart to Heart punch
$19.95
Bundle Retail Value
$62.85

Love You Much Bundle(20% off retail value; item 115405)
$50.28

I will be posting samples made with this great product once I get home. I love the paper and the stamp set and the punch matches the stamp with the 3 hearts. Use it with or without the stamp.

Remember this won't last long, get yours at a savings only until the 18th.

Merry Christmas to all!!
Wow, it still snuck up on me but it is here. We had a really nice Christmas this year, just chilling with friends and family here in snowy Ontario.
I had a great Christmas, my DH surprised me with a gift I wasn't expecting...(or didn't have prior knowledge about) :) I did get the pink dream cuts machine and cannot wait to get home and play with it and my bind it all. I see projects in my future. We are soon off to my brothers for Christmas dinner. I hosted my Dad's birthday dinner last night, by myself as my sister conveniently came down with stomach flu. We have had such a great trip. Looking forward to new projects and some cool blog candy in the new year. Peace to all.

Well. I haven't uploaded any new cards for awhile....... but today I can. I learned how to use my scanner today. I used to just have to push a button, but now it's a ton of steps but I got it figured out. (is proud)

This is my Christmas card for this year.

Supplies: Snow Swirled set (the set I didn't need or want)

Riding Hood Red Ink

Riding Hood Red Paper and Very Vanilla

Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon ( it has a very Vanilla border so pretty)

Little sticky gems for the tree, although brads or dew drops could be substituted.



I think Riding Hood Red is my most favorite colour of all. I will be so sad when it is retired. :(
So here is the sad story of why I had to learn to use my scanner. My camera battery died and someone had removed the charger from the kitchen drawer. I found the charger on the floor in another room, obviously it didn't work for the little fingers that lifted it. This is where it becomes sketchy, I remember picking it up, I just don't remember putting it down. I am so tired of only 1/2 my brain functioning. LOL I really miss my camera. Hopefully I will find my charger soon.

Where do stamps go when they are retired?
Usually into my sale pile, but I was so lucky this time, only 2 sets I have retired. As well as some favorite Backgrounds, but I keep these.......I love Background stamps.
What makes this even better is that SU! is giving everybody 10% off retiring stamp sets until December 23rd. You can order through me or through my demo website. Link is in the sidebar.
Also all orders over 100.00 are free shipping as well. So we can all stamp into the New Year.
That sounds like a Merry Christmas indeed

You can see the retired list here...... http://www.stampinup.com/ca/documents/Retired_Lists_CA2.pdf

Happy shopping.

Free Shipping, what can be better than that?
The free shipping is only til December 23rd so pick up these deals early.

Well the Holiday Extravganza is on........ You can see what's on sale by clicking here http://www.stampinup.com/ca/documents/bundles_CA.pdf or here http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/lisacheney/promotions

These are limited sale items and can start you off to some great savings on some cool product's.

It's a surprise............

In fact it is so secret, I don't even know what's on sale.

But we can find out together on the 26th by checking out my demonstrater website. You can find it here http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/lisacheney

I can't wait to check it out, this is a limited sale and orders can be placed directly through my web site. Can't wait to see what's on sale.

I Really love the new Felt Flurries from the Holiday mini. At first I wasn't sure I'd use them, but I absolutely love how versatile they are. I have used them for cards, gift tags, on candles and of course on this wreath.
For this project, I used a circle of plain chipboard. I covered it in crystal effects (love the stuff) and covered that in the chunky glitter (crystal iris). While I waited for it to dry, I assembled my snowflakes. Using the all three colours from the package. I used a large crystal brad in the center of each flake. I also assembled some using the 1/2 back pearls from the pretties kit. They looked great too. I attached the finished flakes to the wreath using pop dot's. I finished it off using the gorgeous ribbon from the mini, the wide grosgrain ribbon in Riding Hood red and vanilla.I added this close up picture so you could see the glitter detail. It glints so softly when light hits it. This was a really quick and easy Holiday project, that the whole family can do together. It really got my girls into the snow mood.

Here is another super cute, packaging idea. it uses the exclusive Stampin' Up ! top note die for the Big Shot. It also uses little craft bags, that you cut off and glue inside the die cuts. Use the large oval punch to punch out the handles and you have a cute little candy container.

Wow, is time ever running away........I just cannot believe it is the 20th of the month. Christmas is coming and I have so much to do. I have found some really cool and easy gift packaging idea's. This one is a tutorial on splitcoast stampers by Diana Gibbs. It is called a box in a bag. You could do some different things to this to make them your own, You could use different punches, add a tag, a monagram or just make the designer paper shine through or add as much bling as you like. :)

The turorial can be found here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/boxinabag/

I plan to make several of these and put christmas cookies in them. But lot's of different items would fit too!

I was up to the Christmas at the Forum sale on the weekend. My DH was there with his Native American Style Flutes. http://www.northmountainflutes.com/ We had an awesome show.
As I wandered around looking to find some cool Christmas items as gifts I came across these...http://www.mymoonglow.ca/
I thought they were one of the coolest things at the show. I had to have one. You can look up and find the phase of the moon on the day you were born, or married or whatever is a special occasion. At night your moon glows and it is also magnetic therapy.
I think it is a truely cool individualized gift. My girls all want one. Check out these website's and shop Canadian this Christmas.

I love this new paper from the Stampin' Up! mini catalogue, it's called ski slope and I have already used an entire package. Good thing I have more on order. :) I used the BIG SHOT for this project. But you could use your cuttlebug. This die is an exclusive Stampin' Up! product but it can be used with machines other than the big shot. (But I love my Big Shot)
I used a piece of heavy backing board from a pad of water colour paper and cut several chip board shapes. I then used the die to cut the DS paper. I used a anywhere glue stick to glue the papers to the chip board. I used the Cropodile to punch a hole in the chipboard. It punched through very easily. Bound it with a book ring and tied some pretty coordinating ribbon to finish. I also love the felt flurries we have to offer in the mini as well. I used a crystal brad from the pretties kit to secure the flakes together and popped them on with a glue dot.
Here are a few of the papers on the inside. I plan to use this book to scrap pictures of our first snowman of the season. I love snow.

Wow, it is November already........ the stores are gearing up for Christmas. I am trying to be on time this year myself, no Cards going into the mail in January. I am also trying to get my little gift type items assembled and ready to go. I will share a couple with you today.

This is an easy and cute gift idea for a co-worker or neighbour. It is a triangle gift box and so easy to make and fun to decorate. I used the Deer Friends Hostess set, red riding hood paper as well as the Holiday Treasures Designer paper. I used 1 1/4 inch punch, 1 1/2 inch punch and the scalloped circle. I also used the scalloped border punch. Finished it off with wide Baja Breeze ribbon.
This what it looks like from the top, I added a little bag of Hershey Nuggets wrapped in co ordinating strips of paper. To see a tutorial on this project go here....http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/cammiestriangletreatbox/

I know that Halloween is over but I just had to post these adorable cards I made. I got the idea from my upline, who found it on SCS. So I guess the original credit goes to smartblonde_2000. This is super cute and so easy. It uses the exclusive Stampin' Up ! top note die and other punches. You can also use the die to create a Santa, a snowman, a gingerbread man. I think your imagination is all that is needed!

I appreciate all the creative people who come up with these things and share them with others. It's one of the great things about the stamping community the sharing of creative energy!

There's NEW TOOL in TOWN (well new to me) it's called the Big Shot by Sizzix. It's been tested, Tried and been found Guilty of being awesome!! I love this machine so much that it has displaced the little green machine from my heart.

Now it is bigger, it weighs about 8 lbs, but it's not to big to carry around. Plus it has a cute doctor's style bag it can be packed up in. I like it because the crank is super easy to turn. You can crank it both ways through the machine. It is super sturdy, no more holding a machine down and cranking at the same time. It is also compatible with other makes of dies. (So I still get to use all those great embossing folders and dies) You can also with some dies cut multiples!
I just love the pillow box and the exclusive Stampin' Up! Basket die.

NOW for 50 more reasons These are all the great materials you can cut


Brass (.055)
Light weight steel
Aluminum (.016)
Tin (.008)
Aircraft plywood (1/64")
Basswood (1/16")
Balsa (3/32")
Paperwood
Mat board (adhesive or none)
Chipboard
Fabric
Silicone
Foam with chipboard (.1)
Corrugated pad
Adhesive-backed cork
Fine sandpaper (.00)
Styrene
Extra thick template plastic
Template plastic
Plastic canvas (7 mesh)
Bubble wrap
Sheet foam
Friendly (jewelry) plastic
100% pure beeswax (cut with parchment paper on top & bottom of beeswax)
Adhesive and non-adhesive rubber
Ruffleboard
Static cling vinyl
Warm & natural batting
Fusible fleece
Quilt batting
Adhesive and non-adhesive flexible magnet
Heat n' shrink plastic
Adhesive and non-adhesive felt
Pop-up sponge
Shiny self-adhesive and non-adhesive paper
Iron-on fabric
Poly foam adhesive and non adhesive
3-D illusionary plastic
Glow in the dark adhesive and non adhesive
Suede paper
Funky fur
Personal Embossing Plastic (PEP)
Shaggy plush felt
Canvas
Vinyl flooring
Shelf lining
Placemats
Embossing rubber
Thin leather
Gasket material

Wow that's a lot of stuff to cut out. This is one amazing machine, all the creative possibilities. Let me see what can I cut next?

I was asked to create a CD Holder for a workshop on Monday night. These are super simple and fun to do. You only need a sheet of 8 1/2 by 11 paper.

So gather the needed supplies: Glue dots, Paper cutter, scoring blade or do what I did and use the Scor Pal. You will also need one 8 1/2 by 11 piece of card stock, scrap piece of card stock, 1 1/4 inch circle punch and 1/2 a velcro dot.

Step 1: Trim your 81/2 by 11 sheet of card stock to 7-7/8 by 11. I then cut this sheet of paper along the 7-7/8" edge to 3by11 and 4-7/8 by 11.

Step 2: Score the 4-7/8" piece of card stock along the 11" edge 3 inches from each end.

Score the 3 by 11 piece at 21/2" and at arrow after the 7 (on the scor pal) I think that would be approximately 7 1/4". You can also place a cd on this paper and fold it to fit. I wanted clean lines in my folder with no pieces coming out the sides.

Step 3: Adhere flaps on 3 " piece with glue dots and glue into cd holder. If desired you can trim a small strip off this piece so when you glue the other flap up nothing overhangs.

Step 4: If desired you can use your circle punch to take a 1/2 circle punch out of the pocket area. This is not necessary though.

You may now decorate the front of your holder. I rounded the corners on the back flap, you can use velcro to close the back flap or invent another cool closure.

This past weekend, we held a Crop for the Cure. What a fun event, lot's of great people, great food and of course some awesome scrappin' happening. Not only were funds raised for a local Cancer Charity but we also all scrapped layouts for an album to be auctioned off a little later this year.

This was my contribution to the book. Some supplies were there to be used but we could add our own too. I used the SU! set Inspired by Nature and stamped it in pink pirouette and riding hood red. I LOVE these colours together. I always have a hard time doing a pictureless page but I was really happy with these pages. I hope the album goes to a good home and is well loved.

I just have to share these few photo's. This is what is keeping me busy these days.....

He looks sweet but he is a whirlwind. I am constantly saving my beloved paper crafting items from his clutches. Dare I say evil clutches. LOL

I love having him but my creative time is at an all time low. Still trying to get to those samples. LOL I hope to stamp tonight. :)

I was just wanting to share these photo's with you all. I love photography and have for a long time, even before I found scrapping and stamping. I always thought I had a talent for it. But I think my 13 year old has outshone me. She has a wonderful eye for scenery. She took all these pictures. She just had to have a camera, she couldn't do without it, so we got her one as an early birthday present. She put it to good use.


I just love the area we live in. It is so beautiful and peaceful. It is wonderful that she captured these wonderous images.

I was just so impressed with her eye for beauty. Most kids her age would just be focusing on her friends. But she takes all kinds of artsy photo's. What a great talent to have.

Hello all! I am just doing a quick update, I am sad to tell you that we are still up in Halifax at the Hospital. I am not sure for how much longer, tomorrow at the earliest.

Laura was in surgery for just a short time, and came out of recovery quicker than she ever has. But she has had an enormous amount of pain. Last night was my second night without sleep and I am close to the edge of crying at any moment. (I need my sleep)

We always go home the next day and she is usually back to school by this time. It seems the tylenol isn't cutting the pain and she can't go home on Morphine. She also needs to be eating but pain makes you not want to do much.

So Stacy I will get to those samples, as soon as I get home. Now I wish I did pack my stamping stuff. But I have been working on digital scrapping so all is not lost.
I'll update soon.

This card is one of my favorites from VSN. The challenge was to use inchies, this works great with a square or rectangular image. The image here is from the new Fresh Cuts stamp set. I stamped the image on white card stock with black ink. I cut it into 1 inch squares and mounted it on a piece of black card stock.
The back ground piece is white and I stamped it with En Francais then I placed it on my Scor Pal and scored the background in inch squares. I finished it off with a piece of dotted ribbon and a prima with a crystal brad center.

I love the look of black and white!

I was actually really excited that I had the oppurtunity to stamp this past weekend. The best part is I was so happy with what I stamped.

I love vintage so when I had the chance to use a vintage set for a VSN challenge, I took it.

This is an older set called See with the Heart. I was so sad when they retired their vintage sets as I loved them so. Which is why they are still in my collection. :)

For this challenge we had to use newspaper, I used distress inks to age the newspaper and the stamped image. I stamped a few random images on the newspaper. Added a stick pin from the pretties kit and a cool vintage inspired prima flower. I really like how this one turned out.

I will be uploading cards all week. It is so exciting to be able to have the time to create once more.

Ok, first I want to say I feel horrible for not updating my blog since the middle of June. I just can't believe how quickly the summer has gone. I have finished back to school shopping and am settling into the last few weeks before the kiddos head back to school.
I have been busy stamping and creating but I couldn't post it cause it was mostly secret sister stuff or items for magazines. But it is VSN tonight over at Splitcoast Stampers so I will have a bunch to post later. :)

My other news is I got published again. It was a huge surprise to me......plus I got paid for it. Knock me over with a feather. It is in the October issue of Crafts and Things magazine. I was excited when I saw it.

Also I love my new blog look. A big shout out to my friend Jen (you know who you are) , I saw her new blog and I had to follow her, cause she is wise. I think it's so cute, now I just need to work on a new header. Should prove interesting. Can't wait to post some new cards tonight....I will be using new in colours from the fall winter idea book. They are fabulous and everybody needs them all. See you soon.

It is hard to believe that it is the middle of June already. I also can't believe that it is time for another farewell to retired sets. I only lost a couple from the list this time, but one was a favorite Wild Roses. I will be sad to see it go...........but on the bright side there will be a brand spankin new catalogue in August with new sets to love.

I will have a sneak peek in July as soon as I get my preorder.

Here is the retired list http://www.stampinup.com/ca/documents/Retired_Lists_0608_CA_N.pdf

If any sets that you want are on it you need to get them soon as of Aug 10th they will be here no more.

It has been a really busy couple of weeks. Finally after a few years of waiting....... my DH gutted and redid my (our) kitchen and took it from ewwwww to wowsa!!!

I love my new kitchen, bright, cheery lots of room and loads of storage space. He did everything himself and he did an outstanding job. ( He's earned his reward, he can go out and fly his planes)

This is the view as you enter the kitchen. My dishwasher is in the island , under the cupboards ...easy breezy to put them away. :) The floor is turquoise tile and the paint colour is orange chuckle by Debbie Travis, but groovy guava is the perfect accent colour.

This is looking past the island..... loads of storage, lots of counter space and the counter tops are so pretty. They are silestone, and they have little pieces of broken mirror in them, so when the light hits it they sparkle like diamonds. I love sparkle. (big grin)

We had to build the fridge into the doorway into the hall. A minor inconvenience , but it means I get a walk in closet for my craft room. Have i said I love my DH!!!

He also did the powder room and it is so pretty too! He added a shelf over top of the fridge for a tv and vcr. I guess he likes my cooking and wants to keep me in the kitchen.

This looks out to my eating area. I have a double wall oven now.....colour me happy! Sorry about the construction debris in the doorway, I can't make the poor man work to hard.

It is hard to imagine I can't find a before picture and by the time i thought to take one there wasn't much left. Setting the scene this is a 200 year old house. The previous kitchen was built by someone who was not a carpenter. The counters were unglazed terra cotta and the paint was gray and maroon. It was small, dark, poorly laid out and well plain and simple ugly and depressing. Now it is shiny and inspiring.

So of course I had to make something. I altered this clock I used Afternoon Tea papers by Stampin' Up! The butterfly is from the set Spring Swirl by Autunm Leaves. I stamped it in Chocolate Chip craft ink and embossed it with glassy glaze. The sentiment is one I just picked up and it reads " My Garden is where my prayers are planted and my dreams are born" the stamp is by inkadinkado. The chipboard numbers are from a set called dreamer by fancy pants designs. The chipboard was inked with chocolate chip craft ink and had 2 coats of glassy glaze applied. I stuck them to the clock using crystal effects.

This is my final picture sorry it's dark but my battery died. :( Any way it shows the clock on my wall and my really cool storage cart/baking center.

So if you can't find me....I'm probably in my kitchen.

This card challenge was to make a simple card. It was a limited supply challenge. You could only use a couple of items. I love this stamp set and can't wait to use it more. It really lends itself to simplicity. I think I pierced everything I made last weekend. I find when my tools are out, I use them more than if I put them away. It's also a good way to rationalize a really messy work area.

What could be better than spring? Ok, other than stamping in the spring. Well things that make us think of spring of course. This project i made for VSN makes me think of spring.

Find the tutorial for making these bags here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ee/index.php/resources/tutorials/genie_bags/

The object of the challenge is to make a purse. I used Groovy Guava , Soft Sky and the beautiful designer paper Afternoon Tea. It's so pretty. I used craft ink to stamp the sentiment and then embossed it with clear ep. This makes it raised and shiny. I faux stitched around the edges to mimic the stitching on the ribbon. Very fun and easy gift bags using a paper lunch sack.

I made a matching card because I loved the look when I made the gift bag. It was done using the same colours and papers all I added was the shiny silver hardware that I have been hoarding.
I hoard way to much stuff, saving it for a rainy day i guess. But the time has come to use it or (shock) I can't get anything new. I know I need to say it like I mean it. Thanks for stopping by and have a good day!

The challenge for this card, was to use red and another neutral. I choose to go with Real Red and Basic Grey. I used my handy little cuttlebug to do the paisley background. I water coloured the flower which is from the Bloomin Beautiful set. This is a must have set. At least it was for me.
All in all a pretty simple card but it looks very striking in real life.
I am working on my photography skills, I think the pictures are getting better. Hopefully! :)

This is another VSN card. I absolutely love the technique, it does take a little more time but it is well worth the effort. It is the cracked glass technique. It is achieved by layering several coats of clear ep or glassy glaze ep and heating with a heat gun. For extra glitter I threw in a layer of clear ep that has glitter in it.
I had forgotten just how pretty Bashful blue and Pretty in Pink look together. I chose the stamp set Bloomin' Beautiful. I can't resist a Hydrangea.this is such a pretty stamp.
I water coloured it with Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink and Lavender Lace. On the Bashful Blue background I stamped it first with chocolate chip craft ink, and when it was dry I ran it through the cuttle bug using the distressed stripes folder. I finished it off with some pretty Taffeta ribbon I don't know why I waited so long to buy it, it's sooo pretty. I also used some of my silver hardware from the new mini catty. I am a hardware hoarder. It is so hard to use it cause then it will be gone and the catty only runs til May 31st. Hopefully it will be in the new catty in August.

It was time for VSN again over at Splitcoaststampers. I always love VSN to get the mojo going.


This is my favorite card from VSN it was a sketch challenge. You can find all of the challenges here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=338125

This is the sketch pattern. Really fun! It gave me a chance to try out the new carousel Notes from the SU! Occasions Mini.

My sample is a 6x6 card, I cut it from Wild Wasabi. The carousel note is in Groovy Guava, I used a lid to make the Whisper White circle. The stamp set is Live your Dream and the designer paper is afternoon tea all from the new mini.

I used my paper piercer and pierced just about everything. I used my quickie glue pen and added glitter to the circular piece and topped it off with a crystal brad.

I used a blender pen and Guava and Wasabi reinker to add colour to the stamp. The background and sentiment are both stamped with craft ink Chocolate Chip and embossed with clear ep.

I have not made a square card before but I really love the look. I will be sharing more projects this week. see ya then.