cream & gold

Playing along with Color Hues #3 - gold and cream.  I was inspired by this card from the CAS guru Jen. One thing I realized with this card is that gold is really hard to photograph!  LOL.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my Canadian friends - a little strange this year! A bunch of my family were together last year and this year we'll be having a Zoom get together on Sunday - family from BC to Ontario.  Looking forward to it!

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Glenda

Card details:

hello friend - 4.25" x 5.5"

Stamps: Ellen Hutson/Julie Ebersole Totally Random Sayings 2, Taylored Expressions/Lori Craig Field Notes

Ink: VersaMark

Paper: cream and black card stock, A Muse gold shimmer 

Accessories: Concord & 9th Butterfly die, Cuttlebug Swiss Die embossing folder, Nuvo dots, gold embossing folder, vellum

Challenge Me a Christmas Card with Michelle Lupton

Hey crafty friends... I know it's far too early to be talking Christmas but not when it comes to Christmas card making! I'm playing along with the fabulous crafter and fellow science nerd Michelle Lupton again this year. Thanks so much for having me again Michelle!

I challenged Michelle to do some watercolouring with Distress Inks.  This is what I came up with on my end.  The Distress Inks used are Candied Apple, Twisted Citron and Shabby Shutters. I don't have poinsettias around my house at Christmas but this stamp from Avery Elle just shouts watercolour to me.  The sentiment is from my days on the Skipping Stones Design design team.  Using a French sentiment reminds me that I need to practice my French more... hoping to go to Quebec next year and 6 years of high school French won't get me far since it was so long ago! Added a bit of sparkle just for fun. Hope you like it!

Be sure to check out Michelle's blog for more Christmas inspiration!

Thanks for stopping by.

Glenda

Card details:

Joyeux Noel - 4.25"x5.5"

Stamps: Avery Elle Holiday Bouquet, Skipping Stones Design sentiment

Paper: SU! Real Red and Basic Black, Canton watercolour

Ink: Distress Inks - Candied Apple, Twisted Citron and Shabby Shutters; Versafine Black, Archival Black

Accessories: glitter, SU! ribbon

happy anniversary to mail it monday!

Wishing Mail It Monday a very happy 2nd anniversary! If you aren't familiar with Mail it Monday, it's goal is to "grow a community of card-mailers, not just card-makers." Although I do have a large stash of cards, going back several years, I also mail a lot.  My hubby jokes that I keep the post office in business! One thing I do to help me to remember to mail birthday cards is put a calendar reminder for a week before peoples' birthdays.  It is somewhat successful... haha.

The card I made for today is inspired by this card of Kimberly's. I made it for a crafty friend who loves rainbows. (Confession - I have been hoarding this paper for a looooong time). She sent me a very sweet 'miss you' card recently... we live on different sides of the continent so don't see each other often. I miss her a lot too... hope she likes this card. Since the theme today is mailing cards, I made a matching envelope. I always want to do this but rarely get the chance since I am usually grabbing a card to mail at the last minute. ;)

To complete the Mail It Monday theme, I'll be popping this in the mail today. :)

Congrats to Kimberly! Check out the festivities all this week and maybe try to mail a card to friend this week... just because.

Thanks for stopping by.

Glenda

Card details:

You Add Color to my Life - 4.25"x4.25"

Stamps: Paper Smooches I Heart Art

Paper: Making Memories patterned paper (retired), white card stock, confetti paper (envelope)

Ink: Versafine Black, SU! Lucky Limeade

Accessories: sequins, We R Memory Keepers envelope punch board

Tie one on!

Happy Thursday crafters! Hope life is treating you well. We are having some wonderfully warm weather here... however, there is also smoke from all the forest fires in our province.  Here's hope some rain arrives soon for those areas.

We are "tying one on" at Seize the Birthday this week. No, we aren't sitting around getting tipsy - although I have been known to have a glass of wine or a cocktail while I craft!  I played around with some twine to make my card look like a little present.

If you feel so inclined, you can add some ribbon or twine and tie some bows or ribbon on to your project. Be sure to stop by the blog to give some love to Lindsey and the DT... all the details on how to play along are there as well.

Must tell you the most exciting part of my week!  Head STB crafter Nancy was here for a visit and we got to meet up!  She is just as amazing as I expected and she has an awesome family as well.  So great to meet up with fellow team mates.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a terrific day and a wonderful weekend.

Glenda

Card details:

It's your day - 4.25"x5.5"

Stamps: A Muse (retired)

Paper: SU! patterned paper (retired), cream and blue card stock

Ink: SU! Old Olive

Accessories: May Arts twine, MFT tag die, A Muse pearls

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Happy 10th Blogiversary Jenn Shurkus!!!

Happy Tuesday and welcome! I am super excited as I am getting to participate in my good friend Jenn Shurkus' 10th Blogiversary! She has been celebrating all month long.  If you don't know her (or even if you do), be sure to stop by her web site to her amazing cards and mixed media creations.  She is an amazing teacher... which I was able to experience first hand back in March.

Jenn introduced me to watercolouring and, if you are a regular around here, you'll know I've been playing around with it a lot lately.  Here's one of my favourites of hers....

I created something similar with some slightly different Distress Inks and some Hero Arts stamps. It is so fun!  I want to improve my blending so will keep practicing... this isn't the last time you'll see this technique on my blog.  She demonstrates it really well in this great video tutorial.

Jenn has some great giveaways happening!  Some amazing sponsors have donated terrific prizes!  You can get in on all the fun by entering your creation inspired by something that Jenn created over at the Blogiversary Link. Take a look at the Pinterest board of Jenn's creations, something is sure to inspire you! 

Just have to include a picture from my most recent visit with Jenn.... she is so fun, talented and super inspiring!  So lucky to have her as a friend.

Thanks for stopping by and please run over to check out all the fun happening at Jenn's. Have a terrific day.

Glenda

Card details:

hello - 4.25"x4.25"

Stamps: Hero Arts hello stamp & cut

Paper: Canson Watercolour paper

Ink: Versafine Black, Distress Inks - Fired Brick, Rusty Hinge, Forest Moss & Mermaid Lagoon

Accessories: Stickles, Freckled Fawn enamel dots, A Muse white embossing powder, heat gun

Travels, friends & a card

Happy Thursday! Before I get to the card for today... a slight diversion.  I have to talk a little bit about a little trip I took recently.  As some of you know, I used to teach card classes for A Muse.  As part of that, I met and got to know an amazing group of women.  While teaching for A Muse is no longer, the friendships I made during that time have lasted.  Well, some of us were lucky enough to get together for Jenn Shurkus' Art Loft Retreat in Providence, RI on the last weekend of March.  Jenn is a former A Muse girl herself and now runs art retreats, teaches and designs (be sure to check our her website - amazing stuff there). I can't describe what an amazing time we had but it reminds me that this hobby has done so much more for me than just give me a creative outlet.  It has given me some truly amazing friends and I am so glad they are still in my life.

Donna, Tracy, Dawn, Cheiron, Sherry, Lyndsay, Liz, Jill, Me and 

our 'creative chick' hostess  Jenn (in front)

Here is a few snap shots of what we made:

***

---

Now on to the Seize the Birthday challenge for this week.  The option for this week is 'tall and narrow' but remember, the only real requirement is 'birthday'!

Found this note card in my stash - it's old but definitely serves the tall & narrow purpose!  Hope you can play along this week.  All the details are on the blog - be sure to check it out and give some love to the rest of the team!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Have a terrific day and a wonderful weekend.

Glenda

Card details:

Happy Birthday

Stamps: Unity

Paper: SU! note card, A Muse striped paper

Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  washi tape, EK Success binding edge punch & corner rounder punch, Tim Holtz tiny attacher, button, Jillibean Soup twine, SU! ribbon

Ocean Love

Happy weekend!  I've been been on a couple of mini vacations over the last week or so. Definitely feeling relaxed.  We've had a crazy busy and somewhat stressful time over the last six weeks so we definitely needed the down time.

First off, I must apologize for the lack of a Paper Made Bakery post on Friday.  My kit still hasn't arrived!  Dang post office!  I will be missing this Friday too as I am away for work this coming week.  Many apologies.

So, one of my mini vacations was to visit my fabulous friend Jill in California.  We have soooo much in common.... really wish we lived closer.  However, I'm just so happy we got to visit for a couple of days.  We got some crafting time while the guys went off to do... something.  I was able to get 2 cards done... just for fun!  It's been a long time since I made a card that wasn't for DT work or a publication call. I did a card for the Paper Smooches Sparks Trend Watch Challenge - Ocean.  Well, you know how much I love the ocean (well, maybe you didn't, but know you do) so couldn't resist playing along.

This next card is... just because.... ;) .  I'm using it for a friend who is turning 40 next week.  She is so fabulous but not feeling fabulous about turning 40 so hope this brightens her day.  I know fussy cutting out two of those flowers did not brighten my day. ;)  A few curse words may have come out of my mouth...

I wish I had made more to share.  I was just having trouble with finding inspiration.... had to pour over my trusty Crafty Goodness Pinterest gallery to find some.

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Glenda

Card details:

Happy Place - 4.25"x5.5"

Stamps:  Paper Smooches Get Outta Town & Wicked Nauticool

Paper: kraft card stock, Glitz Uncharted Waters

Ink: A Muse Studio Slate & Ocean, VersaMark

Accessories: Freckled Fawn blue waves washi tape, corner rounder punch, The Twinery Ocean Baker's Twine

Just Because - 4.25"x5.5"

Stamps: Simon Says Stamps Flower Friend

Paper: white & kraft card stock, Studio Calico May 2013 card kit (patterned paper)

Ink:  Memento Dandelion & Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Doodlebug gem, Hemptique twine, corner rounder punch, vellum leaf

Smile! It's Shark Week!

I think it's absolutely fabulous that the Discovery Channel devotes a whole week to my favourite creature!  Now, no judgements here... sharks are amazing creatures... immune to viruses, they (and all fish) have a lateral line that runs the length of the body and detects movement in the water,  have ampullae of lorenzini - additional pores on their faces that are the electrical sensors, some females can reproduce without help from a male (how cool is that - it's called parthenogenesis) and are essential to the ecology of the ocean.  Without them, the ocean ecosystem would collapse.  They are not the big bad monsters often portrayed in the media. In fact, the largest fish (not mammal) in the ocean is the beautiful whale shark (I particularly love these gentle giants) which feeds on plankton. Sadly, as a human population, we have decimated sharks (some by as much as 90%).  Hopefully Shark Week helps educate people about the value of these magnificent creatures.

Ok, so I stepped down off my soap box and am now at my crafty table.  My fabulous friend Jill, who (somehow) loves sharks even more than I do challenged a few of us crafty gals to make a card and have a Shark Week blog hop! As an added twist, she challenged us to use two of three elements in the card (1. a turqoise washi tape, 2. a stamped image of a little shark, 3. the phrase "jawsome").  Unfortunately the jawsome stamp didn't arrive here in time but I thought 'smile' would be just as appropriate for sharks.  I know they always put a smile on my face.  There is some glitter on the shark but it's hard to see in the photo.

Be sure to check out what the rest of these JAWSOME women have come up with for Shark Week:

Cheiron Brandon {My Crafty Life} 

Dawn Stein {Lavender Giraffe}

Jenn Shurkus {Creative Chick}

Jill Grace {Creative Grace} 

Stacy Koscielniak {Stacy Cakes}

Tracy Falco {Crafty Insomnia}

Thanks so much for stopping by and hope you get a chance to watch a bit of Shark Week!  Have a JAWSOME week!

Glenda

Card details:
Smile - 3.5"x5"
Stamps: Butterfly Fly Shark, Hero Arts Smile from Be Happy
Paper: white card stock, Echo Park Paradise Beach
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: glitter, washi tape, scallop blade for Marvy Trimming Buddy

Friends - Inspirational & Triumphant

Once in a while, I decide to get a little personal and philosophical (a.k.a non-crafty) on my blog.  You know what that means... LONG POST (don't say I didn't warn you!).

I've had a few friends go through some really difficult times recently... well, over the last couple of years actually.  It's all come together in my mind recently, how lucky I am to have such amazing friends... strong, brave, inspirational, funny, talented, determined and beautiful (inside and out).  Everything they have gone through is a reminder to me... to be grateful for my life.... my health, my home, my partner, my (newish) job, my friends and family.  I'm going to share a few of their stories with you... because they are a constant source of inspiration and strength to me.   I'm adding a few descriptors beside each name but all of the above mentioned qualities apply to all the wonderful women listed below.

Alli - determined, beautiful, inspirational.  Super talented Alli and I met through crafting and became instant friends.  She is always so positive, always has a smile on her face.  Over the last year, she has gone through a number of challenges including a significant knee injury, her son being diagnosed with Autism (a long, hard road) and numerous family challenges.  Through all of this, she has persevered, making big changes in her life and becoming super strong and healthy.  Her and I ran the Victoria Goddess Run 5K together last Sunday and it was fantastic!  It was her first official run and I was there to support her and do a 'fun run' (as much as running can be fun!).  She finished strong, coming 19th overall (I was a wee bit behind her at 24th - a mere 15 seconds)... the story of the run and our friendship can be found here.  Note:  all of sweet things she said are equally true of her.

Anudeep - brave, beautiful, funny. A relatively 'new' friend in my life but a very cherished one, nonetheless.  We met at work and quickly realized we had a lot in common, including yoga, running, food and craftiness.  Two weeks ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, two months before her wedding. Pausing for the tears to reappear... she is in her early thirties and of Asian descent... a 0.43% chance of getting breast cancer.  She's super healthy too. What the hell (stronger words come to mind but I will refrain)... ranks pretty high in the 'life isn't fair category'. She has been so strong about it... and has kept her amazing sense of humour.  Cancer is a solo journey in so many ways but I will do whatever I can to support her.

Emily - funny, talented, strong. A 'virtual' friend... we know each other through blogging, email (many, many, many emails), and Skype.  I think our friendship started out after I replied to a comment she had made about a green cupcake on my blog. The emails have not stopped since and I feel like we've known each other for years. Earlier this spring, emails were going back and forth making me thing something was 'up' but never did get a straight answer.  Turns out Emily was pregnant... but I didn't find out until she miscarried.  Having never been pregnant, I can't pretend to know what it's like but I can just imagine the devastation.  Through it all, she maintained her strength and sense of humour.  Two qualities in her I really admire.  She has bounced back quickly (or so it seems to me) and is back to her funny, talented self.

Gillian - strong, inspirational, determined.  How does she inspire me?  Let me count the ways... 1) selling her condo, taking a leave of absence from her job and travelling (with her partner Jason) around the world for a year, 2) leaving her comfort zone (a.k.a. here - Victoria, BC - I really miss her and Jason) to move to Calgary (it snows there... ick... you know my feelings on that) to shake up life and move towards their goal of living overseas, 3) staying strong through the death of her and Jason's father last year (within two weeks of each other, right before Christmas).  She writes an amazing travel blog and always has these amazing insights on life that never cease to amaze me.

Jill - talented, strong, funny. We first met at A Muse training in Seattle a few years ago and became instant friends.  We have a lot in common - science geeks, child free, crafty addicts, love of food & drink and sarcastic sense of humour.  Jill finished her Master's degree last year (still on my to-do list).  This, in itself, is an accomplishment but Jill did it while being a full time middle school science teacher.  I've been to her class room and heard about all of the amazing things she does so this makes me admire her even more.  She works sooo hard at being an amazing teacher.  She even does a forensics unit... wish I could sit in on that!  In addition, she has mini teaching gigs in the summer and in the evenings.  Never a dull moment at her house! Not sure how she breathes sometimes... In addition, she recently received an award for her Master's thesis!  Wow!  I was so impressed but not surprised.  She works so hard yet still maintains a great sense of humour... although I'm not sure when she sleeps.

I chose to share these few stories because these lovely ladies have shared their stories on their blogs.  However, I know many other friends and family members who have gone through numerous challenges over the last few years too... divorce, family upheaval, breast cancer, prostate cancer, multiple miscarriages, 100+ pound weight loss, death of a parent, job loss, major illness... I think that list is long enough with out me continuing on. So next time you are a bit cranky because the price of gas is too high (pricey in the US, pricier in Canada, priciest in Europe), your kids didn't pick up their toys and you tripped on them (I only have myself to blame when I trip on stuff because I'm clumsy and it's my stuff I'm tripping over), your spouse didn't pick up their clothes off the bedroom floor (that would be me at our house), you didn't with the latest contest, you didn't get published in the latest (crafty) magazine, you had a bad day at work... remember, there are regular people out there overcoming significant challenges and keeping a smile on their face.  I am grateful to know a few of those amazing people and to them I say... "thank you for the honour of being your friend and keep on being a phenomenal human being".

ETA (courtesy of Jill):

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle - Plato 

Thanks for 'listening'... hope you are having a great weekend.
Glenda

Card details:
You are so amazing - 4.25"x5.5"
Stamps: Paper Smooches Chit Chat
Paper: white card stock, SEI Sunny Day
Ink: Stampin’ Up! Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango
Accessories: A Muse Studio Sugar organdy ribbon, EK Success 1.5” circle punch

Friends... through the good & the bad

Hey friends... hope you are having a great day!  I'm having 'one of those days'.  I've gone from having a really great day to having a really crappy day.  I celebrated this morning with this as well as finding out that my friends Cheiron and Jocelyn made the top 20 at Paper Crafts' Gallery Idol!  My day went for $#!& when I found out a good friend (younger than me... way too young) has been diagnosed with cancer.  The emotions and expletives are far to extensive to get into... I hope my words of encouragement today were helpful... so hard to know what to say.

My anger management therapy is to make a card for Unity's Friends with Flair and Moxie Fab World's Splatter Challenge.  Pretty basic but even this was an effort tonight... and right at the last minute for FWF.

I was chatting with a friend tonight about how much cancer sucks and she told me about Little Life Preservers, a service which sends cards to women with breast cancer.  It's a wonderful service, by the sounds of it.

That's all I've got my friends.
Take care and thanks for stopping by.
Hug someone you love,
Glenda

Card details:
be your own beautiful - 5.5"x3.75"
Stamps:  Unity Stamp Co. Be Your Own Beautiful
Paper: white card stock, Jillibean Soup note card
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories:  Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Graphite & Pomegranate, gems, Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Butterfly die

Friends

Recently, one of my BFFs had a 'big' birthday (the same one I will have this summer).  She was not looking forward to it, unfortunately.  :(  So, I wanted to get her something really special for her big day but it was really tough to figure out what to get.  Her and I are crafty friends so I gravitated towards something crafty for her.  A light bulb went on one day and I decided to call upon my crafty friend Jenn Shurkus to help me.  I picked an amazing art canvas from her Etsy store and told her what words I wanted on it.  She also does custom orders, if you don't see exactly what you want in her shop.  This is what she sent....

It was absolutely perfect and my friend loved it (so did I).  I was so grateful to Jenn for doing exactly what I wanted.  I whipped up this card for her.

I'm going to enter this in the Scrapbooking Adventures 'Tape It' challenge.  Really tried to keep this clean and simple. It's a bit of a different colour combo but I think it works.

Hope you are having a great weekend!  Thanks for stopping by.

Glenda

Card details: 

Friends - 4.25"x5.5"

Stamps:  Hero Arts Be Happy

Paper: white card stock, Echo Park Walk in the Park

Ink: SU! Elegant Eggplant.

Accessories: washi tape, Spellbinders Wavy Rectangles Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, A Muse Studio Cranberry and French Roast buttons, May Arts natural twine

You are amazing

I made this card for my friend Cheiron, who has been very inspirational to me lately.  She loves rainbows and washi tape, so this is what I came up with.

ETA - I love my Paper Smooches so was thrilled to see this... :D

Hope you are having a bright and cheerful day.
Glenda

Card details:
You are amazing - 4.25"x4.25"
Stamps:  Paper Smooches Chit Chat
Paper: white and black card stock.
Ink:  VersaMagic Mango Madness, Memento Pear Tart, SU! Tangerine Tango
Accessories: washi tape, A Muse Studio onyx pearls

Crafty Collaboration

A couple of weeks ago, during my work break (which coincided with my hubby's trip to Southern California), I was fortunate enough to visit with my great friend, fellow science geek and crafty gal, Jill Grace (and finally meet her sweet hubby Ray!). We were able to squeeze in some crafty time and decided to whip up a card for another good friend, Dawn Stein.  Dawn has been very sweet and supportive to both Jill and I over the last year or so.  For Jill, it was during the time of doing her Masters' thesis.  For me, it was during my time of being out of work.  So, this is what we came up with....

Dawn is loves pelicans so we couldn't resist using my Surf & Turf set from Paper Smooches.  I have to confess that Jill did 95% percent of this card all on her own (including the absolutely BRILLIANT pier).  The only thing I am responsible for on this card is the little yellow fish and the bubbles.

Jill also added this special return address....

A big thanks to Dawn for being so fabulous and supportive and to Jill for being so brilliantly creative and making cocktails while we crafted! Jill and Ray were great hosts during our visit to Southern California.  Of course, big hugs to both of them for being such great friends, even though they both live far away.

Have a fabulous day and give a friend a hug.  If they are far away, call them or send them an email.... let them know you are thinking of them.

Thanks for being my blog reading friends.  Big hugs to all of you.

Glenda

Card details:

Hey gill-friend - 4.25"x5.5"

Stamps: Paper Smooches Surf and Turf

Paper:  kraft stock, A Muse Studio Clouds, Woodgrain (retired), Bermuda polka dot & Sugar

Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa

Accessories: Copics, twine, sanding block, A Muse Studio twinkle stickers, Fiskars Boundary Waters Border Punch

Interrupting the regularly scheduled programming...

{for a note from the field}

Some of you may have seen this post about my friend Jenn's ocean themed month on her blog.  One thing I didn't mention (as I wrote that post several weeks in advance), it that Jenn is having a silent auction for all of her items as well as some of her friends' items (including my card).  Jenn's friend Christy's mom was just diagnosed with stomach and lung cancer.  It is in-operable... So if you would like to bid on my item, as well as a bunch of other crafty art projects, please go here and make an offer.
Thanks for stopping by.
Glenda

Simply *wicked* ocean

My *wicked* awesome friend Jenn Shurkus is posting every day during the month of July (wow! I was in awe of her before and now I'm even more so). She asked a bunch of her crafty friends (me being one of the lucky ones) to play along with her one day out of the month and today is my day (in more ways than one...*wink*).

The theme is summer/ocean. I love summer - the sun, being outside, hanging with friends. I love the ocean just as much - the sound of it, the look of it, the creatures that live in it, the beach that it crashes on to, all the great stamps that are created about it (hee, hee). So an ocean themed card it was to be... but which stamps to use (I have several...surprise, surprise)? I decided to dust off some older ones and pair them with one of my favourite colour combinations....and this was the result....

ETA - you could get your hands on this card and donate to a worthy cause.  Jenn is having a silent auction for this card as well as a bunch of other fabulous crafty art projects.  For all the details see here.

Hope you like it- actually quite happy with it. Thanks a bunch for stopping by. Hope you are having a *wicked* summer.

Glenda

p.s. it is mere coincidence that this colour combo is so similar to the Summer Card Camp Colours... I whipped this baby up almost a month ago...

Card details:
simplicity - 4.25"x5.5"
Stamps: DeNami Starfish, Scallop Shell, Sea Shell, Unity Stamp Co. gratitude=joy (simplicity sentiment)
Paper: Gina K white and kraft pure luxury, Bazzill Basics Mudpie
Ink: SU! Early Espresso and Real Red, VersaMagic Wheat
Accessories: SU! hemp twine (thicker), May Arts twine (in the buttons), A Muse Studio buttons (Cranberry & French Roast), SU! button (white), Cuttlebug & Distressed Stripes embossing folder

Just for Jill

My girl Jill, who I love to bits and I never get to see (because she lives in California), is really busy right now finishing her Master's thesis. She asked for some help to keep her blog 'busy' and of course I said 'yes'. This is my guest card over at Jill's blog, Creative Grace. Remember Jill, the pink is just for you...

Click over and give Jill some love and encouragement! Thanks for asking me girl... always happy to help.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Glenda

Card details:
hugs - 4.25"x5.5"
Stamps: Technique Tuesday Petal Pushers, Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler
Paper: A Muse Studio Sage & Watermelon, Stampin' Up! Whisper White, Echo Park Springtime - Floral Fun
Ink: VersaMagic Pink Grapefruit, Tea Leaves & Mango Madness
Accessories: The Twinery Baker's Twine - Lemondrop, A Muse Studio Pearls - Sugar and Lime, Slice Elite & Seasons Design Card, Martha Stewart glitter

Happy Birthday Mr. Harley

Ok, so this is a first for me... I've made a birthday card for a cat. Not just any cat, my girl Jenn Shurkus' cat Mr. Harley. This is probably the only cat I will ever make a card for...because he is a special guy.

I've never met Mr. Harley but keep up on his life through Jenn's blog and facebook page. Jenn rescued Mr. Harley from the SPCA three years ago and they've been roommates and best friends ever since. I figured Mr. Harley may have watched and/or chased a bird or two in his time so figured he would appreciate this bird card.

So Happy Birthday Mr. Harley! Hope you get lots of empty boxes to play in (I've seen many a photo of him sitting in boxes)!

Glenda

Card details:
Happy Bird-day - 3.5"x5"
Stamps: There She Goes Clear Stamps
Paper: SU! River Rock, Bazzill Diablo, A Muse Studio Winter Sky, SU! striped paper
Ink: SU! Night of Navy
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Seeing Spots Cuttlebug embossing folder, SU! bird punch, Doodlebug brad, Marvy blue oval punch

Taking a small bite out of the big apple part II

(for those looking for my crafty challenge, last week's is still going)

Today, over at One Giant Step, I am doing a guest post about our recent trip to New York. Gillian is a good friend and she asked me to do some travel themed guest posts for her while her and her partner Jason (also a good friend) settle into their new lives and new jobs in Calgary. We are going to miss having them around to eat and drink with but wish them all the best in their new adventures.

I thought I would do a quick supplementary post about another part of our trip to New York... the crafty shopping. My girl Cheiron teaches at The Ink Pad and we decided that we must stop in for a visit. I mean, how could we not...

Oh my gosh, I don't think I have seen so many stamps in one small space. The photo above doesn't do it justice. There are stamps wall to wall! There was so much to see (read 'buy'). Anna, the owner and one her staff, V, were so much fun! It's a good thing we didn't stay long or it would have been crippling to my bank account. As it was, here are a few things that I couldn't leave without purchasing. Have been using my new goodies a lot... here's one... the City.

I highly recommend checking out The Ink Pad if you are in New York. Check to see if Cheiron is teaching! I decided I should use some of my purchases in my card for today. The note card (Jillibean Soup), the stamped sentiment (Unity - Le Chic) and red tape (Washi) are all from there.

Be sure to do a cyber run over to One Giant Step to read about the rest of our trip to New York. Photo highlights can be found here.

Thanks for stopping by.

Glenda

Card details:
happy, happy, joy, joy - 4"x5.5"
Stamps: Unity Stamp Co Le Chic
Paper: Jillibean Soup kraft note card, Bazzill Squash, SU! Tangerine Tango & patterned paper, A Muse Studio Vanilla
Ink: SU! Real Red
Accessories: Washi tape, A Muse Studio French Roast pearls & Chocolate buttons, EK Success corner rounder punch, Slice Elite.

Happy World Card Making Day (pssst...there's blog candy!)

Happy World Card Making Day! (When I told him, my hubby said "Really? I guess there is a day for everything!") Be sure to make at least one card today! I'm busy with a bunch of other things today (will try to make one card at least) so had my friends Joanna and Liz over last night and we had dinner and made cards. Just celebrated a bit early! Got a few cards made and had lots of laughs, thanks ladies! Be sure to keep reading this whole post to find out about some blog candy you can win!

This first card is for Betsy Veldman's Card Creations Inspiration Challenge (I picked Julie Cameron's card on page 126 and turned it into a Christmas card), the Moxie Fab Word Jolly Holly Challenge and for the Moxie Fab World Offset Scallops Challenge. Thanks to Betsy and Cath for great challenges!

This is for the Embellish Magazine Stamped Background Colour Challenge. I went for a subtle VersaMark background using the A Muse Clear Frames Set. One thing that the picture doesn't show is the shimmer on the white shimmer couture paper. It looks amazing with the dry embossing!

Teri Anderson also put out a challenge on Facebook to use orange or yellow on a thank you card. Splitcoast Stampers has Hope You Can Cling To Challenges for Breast Cancer Month and this one fits for Lori's 'Bring in the Brown' Challenge. I love the patterned paper on this next card, even though it has pink (not my favourite colour) on it. This is also based on Teri's sketch on page 9 of Go-To Sketches Magazine.

ETA - I actually got time to make a card today! It's for SCS Inspiration Challenge 252 (I was inspired by the pattern on this wallpaper) and Rae Barthel's WCMD sketch. Now I have to clean up and get busy with my other non-card making stuff!

Now....in celebration of World Card Making Day....if you comment on this post, you can win some A Muse blog candy from me! You have until tomorrow (October 3rd) at midnight Pacific time to comment!

Have a great day! Check out the WCMD Blog Hop courtesy of Paper Crafts Magazine! If you are looking for some inspiration, check out my challenge from Monday, this month's A Muse Lounge Challenge, and this week's Color Dare!

Thanks for dropping by!

Glenda

Card details:
Merry, Merry, Merry- 4.25"x5.5"
Stamps: A Muse Elegant Winter Clear Set and Lots of Flakes Bl, PTI Communique Curves (designed by my good friend Alli Miles)
Paper: A Muse Natural White and Espresso Shimmer Couture, Bo Bunny (red), SU! Wild Wasabi and Kraft
Ink: VersaMark, Memento Rhubarb Stalk, Bamboo Leaves and Rich Cocoa
Accessories: A Muse Ivory pretty pearls, paper piercer, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Embossing folder, Cuttlebug, SU! Scallop edge punch

Thanks script - 4.25"x4.25"
Stamps: A Muse Clear Frames Set and thanks script
Paper: A Muse White Shimmer Couture, Papaya, and White, SU! Basic Black and Basic Grey
Ink: A Muse black dye ink, VersaMark
Accessories: A Muse white and black sheer ribbon, EK Success corner rounder punch, D'Vine Swirls Cuttlebug embossing folder, Cuttlebug, Basic Grey buttons

Big Thanks - 4.25"x4.25"
Stamps: A Muse Big Thanks
Paper: A Muse Natural White, Crate Paper (patterned paper), SU! Chocolate Chip
Ink: SU! Tangerine Tango
Accessories: A Muse French Roast sheer ribbon, A Muse chocolate chip pretty pearls, Basic Grey button, EK Success corner rounder punch, 7gyspies Avignon tissue tape

Thank you for everything - 4.25"x4.25"
Stamps: A Muse Thank you for everything
Paper: A Muse White and Swiss Red, Basic Grey Wander
Ink: Memento Bamboo Leaves, SU! NIght of Navy
Accessories: Making Memories button stickers, SU! natural hemp twine, brads, sponge, Scallop blade for Marvy Trimming buddy, SU! mini library clip

Fabulous Friday

Why is it so fabulous you might ask? I have a list...

- I am playing along with two fabulous challenges today

- I have fabulous friends who send me cards

- I have a fabulous hubby who took today off so we could have an extra long weekend together

- just because it's Friday, the end of the week and beginning of the weekend!

I am playing along with the CAS-tastic challenge #10 this week (which is a sketch) and the Splitcoast Stampers Clean and Simple Challenge 73 (blue, green and orange).

Over the last little while I received some beautiful cards from some of my amazing A Muse girls. I'm so fortunate that being on the A Muse team has given me some wonderful friends. Fellow scientist Jill sent me this fun card because I was bemoaning the lack of sunshine here. She was a Moxie Fab World Trigger Target because of this card.

Jenn sent this simply beautiful card because I sent her a CD of Canadian music (which I sent because she sent me a bunch of lovely Tori Amos music).

Last, but definitely not least, Cheiron sent me this adorable card, just because she's a fab friend.

My photos are a little wonky today. I'm playing with my camera (shutter speed, white balance, aperture) and I'm not totally happy with anything. I don't have a photo tent or the right lights and the lighting is wonky in my house. Kudos to my hubby for helping me and putting up with my grumbling.

My hubby and I spent a cloudy Canada Day afternoon at Pacific Northwest Raptors. Wow, what a cool place. We are both amazed by big birds and loved the flying demo we saw. If you live on Vancouver Island, I highly recommend checking it out. We saw eagles, hawks, owls, falcons and more. Got some fabulous photos too. Funny enough, we had a little flying demo over our house today when four bald eagles decided to soar overhead for a while. Way cool

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by. Glenda

Card Details:

happy birthday - 3.5" x 5.5"
Stamps: Happy birthday MG and Leaf frond
Paper: A Muse Ocean shimmer couture, Sage, Orange Petite Gingham and white
Ink: Memento Tangelo and Pear Tart
Accessories: A Muse white polka dot sheer ribbon, SU! button, paper piercer, Scallop blade for Marvy Trimming Buddy