As seems to be my usual, my blog has once again been long neglected, but my creativity has not.  Here are a few snapshots of some of the year's more memorable projects...

Firstly, here are some of the jewelry projects:

There were also many, many cards

All in all it's been a pretty good crafting year so far with a fair amount of daily life taking over things. I have been released from my neurologists care, as my stroke recovery has gone quite well.  I am in the midst of looking for new work now that my contracts with the government have ended...why is that looking for work is such a drudgery?  I have taken the time between job searching and interviews to embark on the HUGE task of trying to simplify my life and get rid of all the little bits of stuff that accumulate into giant piles of clutter.  So far I've cleared out 3 boxes of books, and 4 bags of clothes to donation...small steps.

I'm still struggling managing, without a proper camera, and using my iPhone camera for all my picture taking needs. It works.

Thanks for checking in...

Warm Winter Wishes...a test.

The next couple of weeks I'll be participating in an Online Card Class - 'Holiday Card Workshop'.  I am really looking forward to learning new techniques, being inspired by so many talented designers, and most of all having a lot of fun.  I offer up my latest project....photographed using my iPhone.  I know the quality isn't the best. I am still learning all the ins and outs of the iPhone camera. Any advice for better photographs using my iPhone camera gladly accepted.

Paper:  PTI Stamper's Select White Cardstock, Lawn Fawn Fa La La La Patterned Paper.
Stamps:  Lawn Fawn - Let it Snow, Winter Fox.
Ink:  Tsukineko Momento Inks in assorted colours, Copic markers for fox image.
Embellishments:  Ranger Stickles

Hello...again.

This blog has been long neglected, something I said I wouldn't do.  However life has a way of creeping and changing.  I have been back to school, graduated, and working...and all the while keeping up with my crafting.  I don't have a digital camera, but I do have an iPhone and will be trying to use it for documenting and sharing my creative endeavors here.

Challenges Galore!

While surfing the web I found this blog: http://looking4blogchallenges.blogspot.com/

 OH MY GOODNESS!  I could do challenges for a whole year at not repeat one I think.  And....they have this adorable little button too :D:D:D

Inspired By & Playing in Paradise!

Yep. Another two for one...my second attempt at creating 1 card for two challenges.  This is the second Inspired By challenge...I was also able to participate in their first one.  I'm loving the images that Laurel finds for us to be inspired by. This week's was postively delicious.  I was loving all the presents wrapped non traditional colours.

The challenge for Playing in Paradise #45 was to use a tree in our project. 

I started with a Vintage Cream card base, adhered some patterned paper...and then matted some complimentary patterened paper with the pastel green cardstock.  I die cut and stamped the tree from 'Tree Trimming Trio from Papertrey Ink.  The ornaments were fun and easy...I put some 1" score tape onto some cardstock, punched 1/2" circles, peeled the backing off and applied microfine glitter to them. Sparkly! I die cut the little slide that the sentiment was stamped onto from a cuttlebug die set. Threaded a ribbon through it and attached a button off to the side.

 

Doesn't that cake look like fun! I love all those packages in the assortment of non-traditional Christmas colours.

Paper: Vintage Cream Cardstock (PTI), Patterened Paper - Nana's Nursery Baby Girl (DCWV), Pastel Green Cardstock (Bazzill Basics)

Ink: Rose Petal Chalk Ink (S.E.I.), Razzberry Pigment Ink (ColorBox)

Stamps/Dies: Tree Trimming Trio (PTI), Tag Slide (Cuttlebug), Sentiment - Christmas Classics (Flourishes)

Embellishments: Ribbon (Michael's) Microfine Glitter - Fair (Barbara Trombley's Art Glitter), Floss and Button from my stash



Fall to Layout #170

I simply adore the Clean & Simple Stamping blog...I lurk on there often for inspiration.  Finally, this week instead of reading, I've decided to participate in their challenge.  The inspiration sketch looked fun and of course simple. Which can be a trick...sometimes I find myself challenged in keeping to simplicity.

Here is my card...which I have to say I really had a lot of fun making!  Aren't those ornaments adorable?  I die cut them from the Vintage Ornament set (PTI), stamped and embossed them.  I love how they turned out.

Paper: Kraft Cardstock, Vintage Cream Cardstock (PTI) Red Cardstock, Brown Cardstock (Bazzill Basics)

Ink: Frost White (ColorBox), Khaki Green (ColorBox)

Embellishments: Clear Embossing Powder (Stampendous), Ribbon (Offrey), Maraschino Twine (The Twinery)

Playing in Paradise Challenge #44

This is my first time participating in this challenge...and I love that it's monochromatic! The most difficult decision was choosing a colour.  My morning coffee was perfection on this snowy awakening...and the inspiration for my choice of a vintage sepia through to a rich cream.
 

Here is my card for the monochromatic colour challenge:

Paper: Vintage Cream Cardstock (PTI), Brown Cardstock (Bazzill Basics) Patterned Paper (Making Memories - Paperie Rouge & Mocha 6x6 stack)

Ink: VersaFine - Vintage Sepia (Tsukineko)

Stamps: Tea for Two set (PTI)

Embellishments:  Circles (Spellbinders), Tea for Two Die cut (PTI), Ribbon (American Crafts)