Happy New Year

Happy New Year one and all!

It's been quite a while since I posted here on the blog. To say life got in the way of my hobbies last year was an understatement. I'm hopeful that there will be more opportunities to partake in my hobbies is 2021. 

The card I'm sharing today uses papers from the Serenity collection by Close To My Heart, gold glitter paper, and the Star shaker Thin Cut die. 

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter Everyone!

Hope your day is filled with chocolate bunnies, eggs, and marshmallow peeps!

Just thought I would share the Easter card I made for dearly beloved -  he is, after all, my favourite peep!

And this is a pint-sized container I decorated to hold a big bag of Lindt mini eggs for him (just a small portion of his chocolate Easter goodies).

And, yes - the Easter bunny really DID come by for a visit bright and early this morning.

After making all his deliveries overnight, he stopped by for a wee snack!


card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, white card stock base
• patterned paper: CTMH Penelope
• stamped images and die cut: CTMH Spring Critters stamp set and thin cuts. Image coloured with Copic markers (Y00, Y02, Y04, Y06, Y08, B000, B00, V05)
• layout: Mojo Monday 440

challenges for this card:

• Cute Card Thursday #418: To die for

pint container details:

• CTMH pint sized container
• patterned paper: CTMH Penelope
• stamped images and die cut: CTMH Spring Critters stamp set and thin cuts. Image coloured with Copic markers (R000, N0)
• embellishments: CTMH Green Shimmer Trim, Flamingo Dots

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Growing in Unity Blog Hop

Hi folks,

So glad you were able to stop by today as I am one of the stops on today's Growing in Unity Blog Hop!

If you are here by way of Renee's post, great! If you missed the earlier stops, then you can start from the beginning at the Unity Stamp Company blog.

My card today features the Angie Girl stamp set "Cherished Moments"  from the April 2015 {New Releases}.

I love how this set makes it so easy to whip up a sweet wedding card. Image and sentiment for the front ...

and a heartfelt sentiment for the inside.

Now, in case you missed any of the other stops, here's the full list so you can pop over to see all of today's wonderful creations. Be sure to leave a comment on each post as there will be two winners drawn from all the comments!

1. Unity Blog
2. Lucinde
3. Laura
4. Brittany
5. Renee
6. ME!!
7. Tara
8. Angela
9. Maria
10. Jen 

Happy hopping! Tara is your next stop but be sure to leave a comment before you go for your chance to be one of our two lucky winners!

For those of you who are interested, here are the details on the card:

• finished size: 6x6 inches, CTMH Slate card stock
• stamps: Unity Stamp Co "Cherished Moments". Image stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black and coloured with Copic Markers (E000, E00, E01, E21, E23, E25, E27, BG0000, BG000, BG01, W0, W1, W2, W3, W5, Spica Clear) and Gelly Roll Clear Star. Sentiments stamped in CTMH Glacier (front) and Memento Tuxedo Black (inside).
• patterned paper: CTMH Zoe
• embellishments: CTMH Stuck On You Puffies and a paper doily, flowers, pom pom ribbon from my stash.

challenges for this card:

• Daring Cardmakers: New Beginnings

Cut Above™ Thank You Card Kit Variations

Hi folks,

Just thought I would pop in to share a set of cards I made using the Cut Above™ Thank You Card Kit from Close To My Heart.

Here's a shot of the suggested card design and the contents of the card kit.

Of course, I like to play around with the kits, making my cards a little different. Sometimes I throw in a few extra bits and pieces.

Anyways, here are the cards that I came up with using the kit, an extra half sheet of black card stock and some black enamel stars.

This first card sticks fairly close to the original design - with the addition of some of those black enamel stars.

And here I went with a different orientation and scattering my stars about. I may have gotten a little carried away with the stars.

And then I started making birthday cards....


Added a little pop with some additional black card stock (and those stars!)

Here I decided to flip over the banner piece and use the plain side for something a little different.

Love this hostess rewards set! The derby, the glasses, the 'stache.

With Father's Day coming up, I thought it might be nice to make a couple of Dad's day cards.

One for a Dad....

And one for a brother.

Or they could be used for birthday cards as well, it's just a matter of the sentiment stamped or written on the inside.

card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches
• papers and twine from the CTMH Cut Above™ Thank You Card Kit
• additional embellishments: black enamel stars
• stamps used: CTMH "You Mean the World To Me" (B1467), "Hats Off" (C1593), "Wonderful Friend"(D1422) and another set (possibly from Michaels) that I picked up years ago for the "Brother" stamp
• White Daisy Pigment Ink for the chalkboard effect on the banners

As always, thanks for stopping by!

A Day Out

Hi folks,

Today I'm sharing another family birthday card. This one is for my niece who was 10 years old on her birthday - yesterday! It's funny - between us, dearly beloved and I have THREE nieces who are the same age.

card details:

• finished size: 5x5 inches, white card stock base, red card stock mats
• patterned paper: My Mind's Eye "Love Me"
• stamped image: The Greeting Farm SSSC #9 - Day Out, coloured with Copic Markers (E000, E11, E01, E00, R21, E21, E23, E25, E27, B52, R81, R83, R85)
• sentiment: Close To My Heart  #30yearsofhappy (CC1030), stamped in CTMH Crystal Blue
• embellishment: CTMH Silver Shimmer Trim (Z1799). I love this stuff. Glitter without the mess!
• Spellbinders Petite Circles
• layout: The Deconstructed Sketch #168

additional challenges for this card:

• The Greeting Farm Farm Fresh Friday: Anything Goes
• Seize the Birthday: Anything Goes Birthday
• Sister Act Card Challenge #78: Anything Goes

As always, thanks for stopping by!

This wish is late

Hi folks,

Since I've been a bit late getting cards in the mail lately, I figured I should actually make a belated birthday card.

The inside of the card has the second half of the sentiment "so that you can celebrate your birthday longer".


card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, kraft card stock base
• patterned paper: My Mind's Eye "Handsome Boy"
• stamps: Close To My Heart "Belated Birthday" (B1442

Challenges for this card:

• Seize the Birthday: Anything Goes Birthday (topping pennants/banners)

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Building the card stash

Hi folks,

Wow. I realized that I have an incredible back log of cards that I have not yet shared. Here are three more that I put together to have in my stash.

card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, kraft card stock base
• patterned paper: Bo Bunny Timepiece, edges distressed in CTMH Vineyard Berry
• stamps: Close To My Heart "You Mean The World To Me"  (B1467), stamped in CTMH Vineyard Berry.
• Spellbinders Labels One, Petite Circles. 
• Filligree die cut (I'll have to come back with the manufacturer name) as it escapes me right now.

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Welcome Baby - Mojo Monday 354

Hi folks,

Well, on June 30 my sister gave birth to a new baby girl. I realized that, despite the many hundreds (maybe even thousands) of stamps I have, I don't have a BIG collection of baby stamps. And I also don't have a lot of "baby girl" papers that my sister hasn't already seen (this is her fourth daughter!).

But I did finally get around to making this card to welcome my new niece.

card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, CTMH Baby Pink card stock base
• patterned papers: CTMH Topstitch (retired)
• stamps: Verve "Love Monkey" (retired), "Small Phrases"
• Spellbinders Petite Circles, corner rounder punch
• CTMH Chocolate Ribbon, chocolate and baby pink buttons from my stash
• layout: Mojo Monday 354

Challenges for this card:

• Simply Create Too #66: For a Child

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Sister Act Card Challenge #63 with Bugaboo Stamps

Hi folks!

It's Friday so that means it is time for me to share my final creation for the weekly "Anything Goes" card challenge over at the Sister Act Card Challenge! Life is getting crazy busy for me these days and I figured it was time to wind up my design team term. It's been a fantastic experience and a wonderful opportunity to work with digital images from so many fabulous sponsors week in and week out. A special thank you to Trish and Jenn for the wonderful opportunity to be a part of the team.

As you probably know by now, the rules for joining in the weekly challenge are pretty simple - anything goes as long as it is a new card of your own creation! Just join in the fun by linking up to your blog post featuring your lovely creation and you will be in the running for the prize offered by this week's sponsor - Bugaboo Stamps!

psst. Every Friday, Bugaboo offers a freebie image that is available all weekend. Just add it to your cart, check out and it's there for you to download!

I didn't get a chance to create a card with a Bugaboo image this week, but I DID play with some new supplies I STILL had on my desk from making this card for the challenge THREE weeks ago!

A co-worker is retiring later this summer and he is an avid fisherman so I thought this card would make for a fantastic send-off - particularly since I picked up a beautiful fly-fishing print for him as a retirement present.

card details:

• finished size: 6 x 6 inches, CTMH Chocolate card stock base, Kraft card stock mats
• patterned paper: CTMH Timberline, edges inked with CTMH Chocolate
• stamps: CTMH D1580 Catch You Later, stamped with CTMH Ponderosa Pine
• embellishments: butcher's twine and a brad from my stash

challenges for this card:

• Simon Says: Anything Goes

As always, thanks so very much for stopping by for a visit! 

Mojo 349 - Happy Father's Day

Hi folks,

Stopping in today to share the card I made for my Dad for Father's Day. It's another of my clean and simple cards - no colouring!

Once again, using the CTMH Timberline collection. Perfect for masculine cards don't you think? If you are interested in purchasing this or any other items from the current Idea book, I recommend you stop by the online portal sooner rather than later! The retiring product list has been released and loads of products from the current Idea book are slated for retirement. The new ANNUAL - that's right, ANNUAL book will be released in August with loads of new crafty goodies!


card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, CTMH Chocolate Card stock base
• patterned paper: CTMH Timberline
• embellishments: CTMH chocolate ribbon and brads, CTMH Timberline Complements
• layout: Mojo Monday 349

challenges for this card:

• Incy Wincy Designs: Something for the men in your life
• Craft Your Passion #217: Father's Day/For the Boys
• Papertake Weekly: For the Boys

As always, thanks for stopping by! Hope you all have a fantastic weekend ahead! I'm about to go start laundry and do my daily hour of exercise. Then I hope to get in some craft room time (working on my colouring class from Alyce Keegan at Kit and Clowder). THEN I have to head to Perth to pick up my kilt for next week's 8km kilt run!!! Busy day!

Viva La Verve June 2014 Week 1

Hi folks

With Father's Day just around the corner, I figured I should share a couple of the cards I made for the occasion.

This one is for my brother. I'm sure he will get a kick out of the tile with the moose on it - since he lives in my home province of Newfoundland which is OVERRUN with moose.

The second card will be given to dearly beloved's Dad. I thought the plaid pattern would be great - not quite the family tartan colours but.....

If you are interested in purchasing the CTMH products used on these cards, just stop by my online portal and search for Timberline!

card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, CTMH Bamboo card stock base
• patterned paper:  CTMH Timberline, edges inked with CTMH Chocolate ink
• sentiment: Verve "Purely Sentimental", stamped in CTMH Chocolate ink
• embellishments: CTMH Timberline Assortment
• layout: Viva La Verve June 2014 Week 1

Challenges for these cards:

• Papertake Weekly Challenge: For the boys
• Tuesday Throwdown #199: Special Man
• Verve June Diva Dare: A Man's World

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Mojo 347

Hi folks,

Can you believe it? I'm back for the third day in a row to share a couple more cards that I have made with the Close To My Heart "Free to Be Me" paper pack that is a special promotion available only during the May National Scrapbooking Month. It's been a good week for getting crafty!

For these two cards, I even dug into my stash of other CTMH supplies!

I'm loving the look of these funky papers against the white cardstock bases. It really makes the patterns and colours pop!

card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, white card stock base
• patterned paper: Close to My Heart "Free to be Me"
• stamps: D1529 set from the Cricut Artiste Collection stamped in CTMH Lagoon Ink on pennant tags that are included in the Dimensional Elements Awards (Z1792) (which is included in the Cricut Artiste Collection (Z1790).
• embellishments: CTMH Lagoon ribbon and brads from the retired Lagoon Mini-Medley set.
• layout: Mojo Monday 347

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Viva La Verve May 2014 Week 4

Hi folks,

I'm back today to share a couple more cards that I have made with the Close To My Heart "Free to Be Me" paper pack that is a special promotion available only during the May National Scrapbooking Month.

For these two cards, I used different papers from the pack than I used on yesterday's featured cards.

Check out the gold cardstock. Notice the embossed pattern? Groovy, huh?

And of course the feathers and arrows are totally on trend.

I wanted these cards to be not so bulky for mailing so I omitted the embellishment that is included in the sketch on the sentiment panel.


card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, white card stock base
• patterned paper: Close to My Heart "Free to be Me"
• stamps: Close to My Heart Cricut Art Philosophy D1497
• Spellbinders Petite Ovals
• embellishments: white brads from my stash
• layout: Viva La Verve May 2014 Week 4

challenges for this card

• Simon Says: Anything Goes

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Viva La Verve May 2014 Week 3

Hi folks,

Well, after running my first 10km road race on Saturday, I rewarded myself with some play time in my craft room with some new Close To My Heart goodies!

Since the "Free to Be Me" paper pack is a special promotion that is available only during the May National Scrapbooking Month, I thought I would create a few cards showcasing the pack in case anyone was interested in placing a qualifying order and snagging this bright, dynamic collection of papers.

Without even planning it, these particular cards feature the three different types of specialty papers that are included in the pack. Can you spot them?

You got it! Both of these cards feature the red AND teal UV coated card stock (you NEED to feel the embossed texture of these papers), the white feather vellum and CTMH's signature high quality patterned paper.

I don't know about you but these papers just give me such a retro vibe. What can I say? I was born at the end of the 60s so I grew up with the fashion and colours of the 70s - gold, orange, avocado. Bold patterns. LOVING IT!

Be sure to pop back tomorrow when I'll be sharing two more cards I made with this paper pack!

card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5, white card stock base
• patterned papers: CTMH "Free To Be Me"
• stamps: Verve "Birthday Bash", "Remember This", CTMH Cricut Art Philosophy stamp set (D1497), stamped in CTMH Lagoon Ink
• dies: Your Next Stamp "Whimsy Star Layered Die Set", Verve "Banner Bundle Die Set"
• Embellishments: red jute twine, CTMH Lagoon brads (from a retired Mini-Medley pack)
• layout: Viva La Verve May 2014 Week 3

additional challenges for these cards:

• Seize the Birthday: Anything Goes Birthday (with the Tag option!)

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Have a sweet day!

Hi folks,

Hope you are all having a fabulous weekend! I've been puttering the days away, going with the flow. I HAD planned on playing in the craft room today but got side-tracked by the critters outside. In particular, by THIS intrepid chipmunk.

That bird feeder hangs about three feet or so off the ground from a shepherd's hook. This little chippie spent rather a lot of time running back and forth from the family burrow to the hook. (S)He would then climb the hook, size it up and then leap across to the feeder. Every time a success. I spent the better part of an hour trying to capture him/her in this action shot (thank goodness for digital cameras)!


Anyways, even if I didn't go the craft room it was a good day to spend outside, patiently waiting for my chipmunks.


I figure, though, if I'm not in the craft room, at least I can share a recent creation with you. This is a card and matching gift card case I made for dearly beloved's niece for her birthday. I like decorating these little cases and tucking in some birthday $$ for the kidlets. The family is planning a big trip later this year and I thought it would be nice if the kids could have some extra spending $$ for their trip for some memorable outings or treats while they are on vacation.

Here's an up-close photo of the card itself.

And one of the decorated gift card tin - personalized for the birthday girl herself!

card and tin details:

• finished size (card): 5x5 inches, white card stock base, brown card stock matsy 
• patterned papers: Jillibean Soup "Homemade 6 Bean Soup"
• stamped image: Some Odd Girl "Tiny Baker Tia", coloured with Copic Markers (E000, E00, E01, E02, E11, E93, E23, E25, E27, E33, C00, C0, E04, R29, R20, R21, R22, R24)
• embroidery floss and CTMH buttercup buttons from my stash (on the tin). I think the chipboard letters are Basic Grey.
• layout: MFT Wednesday Sketch 170

challenges for this card:

• One Crazy Stamper May Challenge: Anything Goes + Embellishment
• Seize the Birthday: Anything Goes Birthday

As always, thanks for stopping by.

Mojo 342

Hi folks!

Hope it's a beautiful day wherever you are! Here in Ottawa the sun is out, shining brightly early this morning.

Well, it looks like my resolve to be better about posting my backlog of cards fell by the way-side -  yet again! Busy, busy! Keeping that in mind, it is almost a week later and I'm sharing the last two Mother's day cards I made this year, base on the Mojo Monday 342 sketch from back in April.


For the first card, I remained fairly faithful to the layout.

But for the second one I decided to play around a bit with the orientation and elements. I REALLY like this one.

card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, kraft card stock base, white card stock mats
• patterned paper and enamel dots: My Mind's Eye Up and Away
• stamped image: The Stamp Barn - Sunshine Designs. Floral set CR5058 CU LG. Coloured with Copic Markers (R12, R21, R22, R24, YG21, YG23)
• sentiment: Close To My Heart "May Word Puzzle" (retired)
• Spellbinders: Petite Circles
• EK Success Scalloped Scallops Border Punch

Challenges for these cards:

• Clear it Out Challenges: Theme: Mother's Day, Stash: Flowers
• One Crazy Stamper: May Challenge: Anything Goes + Embellishment

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Exciting News!

Hi Everybody!

Well it's been a busy couple of weeks for me and I finally have time to sit down and tell you all some exciting news!

If you are a regular follower then you know that the annual Light the Night walk in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma society is a cause near and dear to my heart as my Mom is living with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

For the last couple of years I have been toying with the idea of hosting card making workshops as a way to boost the fundraising done by my team Star Bright.

Well, this year I am buckling down and getting serious about it. So serious that I have signed up as an independent consultant with Close To My Heart! 

I'm hoping to save $$ on the cost of the supplies I will need to host the workshops AND I will be donating 100% of my consultant commission on any purchases made from my CTMH portal to our fundraising effort.  I have always loved CTMH products and figure this is a great pairing!

Feel free to browse through my online shopping portal and place an order for some new crafty supplies! 

If you have any questions about what you see, just drop me a message at the email link you see on the portal!

You will be seeing posts on this blog from time to time about the products available, current promotions, my card workshops and of course, what I'm creating with all my new CTMH goodies. I'm probably going to be doing a few giveaways as well!

If you would like to see some of my past creations with Close to My Heart products, just search the blog using the search box to your right. Type in CTMH or Close to My Heart and you will find plenty of posts!

And just thought I would share that May is an excellent time to take advantage of two concurrent promotions.

With a minimum $50 purchase, you can snag the May stamp of the month set for just $5 AND the special "Free to Be Me" paper pack for another $5!

Here's a couple of the official photos from CTMH showcasing those two promos. 

First up, the "Free to Be Me" Paper Pack in celebration of National Scrapbooking Month.

And, of course, the May Stamp of the Month - You've Got A Friend

There are more details about these promotions available through the shopping portal as well.

So, I hope you are all as excited about this news as I am! Feel free to share the news with your crafty pals who might be interested in supporting my new venture!

Mojo Monday 341 - 20th Anniversary Wishes

Hi folks,

Well, I am back today to share the THIRD card I made using the Mojo Monday 341 sketch from last week.

Friends of ours celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary last week (in Jamaica) so when they return I'll be giving them this card.


card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, kraft card stock base, cream mat
• patterned papers: Authentique "Hope"
• stamps: Verve "On Occasion", "Calendar Countdown", CTMH Solos "4"
• layout: Mojo Monday 341

challenges for this card:

• Addicted to Stamps #91: Anything Goes

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Inspired by Mojo Monday 340 - Take One

Hi folks,

So, when as I mentioned in my previous post, I actually cut out the bits and pieces to make four cards based on the Mojo Monday 340 sketch - but I wound up putting them together differently on each of the cards.

Today, I'm sharing one of them - a 50th birthday card for one of the guys with whom my dearly plays Dungeons and Dragons.

card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, kraft card stock base, white and red mats
• patterned papers: Carta Bella "Well Played"
• stamps: Verve "Birthday Bash", CTMH Solos "Zero", "5"
• black twill ribbon from my stash
• Spellbinders Petite Circles

Challenges for this card:

• Verve Diva Inspirations April Challenge: Chevron Chic

As always, thanks for stopping by!