And the GIU winners are

Hi everyone,

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend! If you stopped by to see who the lucky two winners are of the twenty five stamps from Unity Stamp Company then I won't make you wait. The winners are:

From the Day 4 post: heidiscoll
From the Day 1 post: Teresa Doyle

You both have two weeks to send me your snail mail details (there's an email link in my sidebar) so I can pass it along to the fine folks at Unity.

I figured I'd wind up the GIU winners announcement post with a few more cards featuring stamps from Unity.

I'm playing along with the current Unity {Be Inspired}Challenge with these.

Here's the photo for the colour inspiration challenge:

And here's my card:

Here's the card sketch challenge:

And here's my card:

card #1 details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, white card stock base
• stamp: "Happiness will find you", flowers coloured with Copic YG21, YG23, V000, V01, V04, V06
• patterned paper: My Mind's Eye "Up and Away"
• card stock: CTMH "Thistle"
• embellishment: fabric butterfly from my stash
• layout: Freshly Made Sketches #187
• tools: Stampin' Up Ticket Corner Punch

card #2 details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, white card stock base
• stamp: "You make me ... mushy". I paper pieced the mushrooms.
• patterned papers and embellishment: Basic Grey "Herbs & Honey" (a perfect paper collection to go with these stamps. Thanks Tanya!)

As always, thanks for stopping by! Hope to see you again soon!

A reminder of just how old I am

Hi folks,

Just thought I would share the card I made for my baby brother. We share a birthday month (March). His birthday is at the beginning of the month and mine is at the end. So, every year, I get a reminder 4 weeks before MY birthday that I am soon going to be another year older - thanks to my little brother celebrating HIS birthday a few weeks before me.

Well, this year, he has a milestone birthday so I get to point that out to him on his card.

Of course, I am the OLDER sister so I'm allowed to comment on his aging <grin>. I'm sure he will chuckle when he gets this card.

card details:

• finished size: 5.5 x 5.5 inches, kraft card stock base
• patterned paper: My Mind's Eye "Handsome Boy"
• stamps: Unity Stamp Co "Damn You're Old", coloured with Copic Markers (Y21, Y23, Y32, Y35, Y38, YR21, W0, BG11, BG13, Spica Clear)
• layout: Viva La Verve February 2015 Week 1

Challenges for this card:

• Unity Friends with Flair Friday
• Sister Act Card Challenge #94: Anything Goes
• Seize the Birthday: Anything Goes Birthday

As always, thanks for stopping by!!

Celebrating A Certified Sommelier

Hi folks,

Well, it's been three years in the making but my dearly beloved graduated from his Certified Sommelier program! Yay!

This is the card I made for him. No surprise - it uses one of my many wine-themed stamps from Unity Stamp Co.

card details:

• finished size: 5.5 x 5.5 inches, black card stock base
• patterned papers: My Mind's Eye "Cowboy"
• stamped image: Unity Stamp Co. "Let's Uncork"
• embellishments: CTMH Black Shimmer Trim & Black Acrylic Stars

challenges for this card:

• Sister Act Card Challenge #82: Anything Goes
• Pile it On: Special Occasion

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Handsome Boy Thomas

Hi folks,

Just thought I would share the final birthday card for the third nephew. It's been a busy couple of months for family birthdays!

And yes, I realize I wasn't very creative - I used the same papers and a stamp from the same set as the first two.

card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, kraft card stock base
• patterned paper: My Mind's Eye "Handsome Boy"
• stamped image: The Greeting Farm "Twisted" Creeper Collection "Thomas", coloured with Copic Markers (E000, E11, E93, E01, E00, E13, W1, W3, W5, W7, W6, W4, E30, E35, E31, E33, C1, BG15, BG18, BG49, YR15, YR16, YR18)
• stamped sentiment: Verve "Doodled Occasions"
• Spellbinders: Deckled rectangles

Challenges for this card:

• Sentimental Sundays #231: Anything Goes
• Seize the Birthday: Anything Goes Birthday (orange topping)
• Papertake Weekly: Anything Goes
• Loves Rubber Stamps #125: Anything Goes

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Another Handsome Boy Happy Birthday

Hi folks,

Back again today to share another family birthday card. This one is for my nephew who was 14 on his birthday yesterday.

card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, kraft card stock base
• patterned paper: My Mind's Eye "Handsome Boy"
• stamped image: The Greeting Farm "Twisted Creeper Crew Collection 2" - Twin Jerry. Coloured with Copic Markers (E000, E00, E01, E11, E93, E30, E31, E33, E35, E43, E44, E47, E49, E74, Y21, YR12, YR15)
• sentiment: Verve "Treasured Words"
• layout: The Pink Elephant #269

challenges for this card:

• Seize the birthday: Anything goes birthday
• Sister Act Card Challenge #79: Anything Goes
• Come and Get it: Child's Play

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!

Happy birthday handsome boy

Hi folks,

It's October and the birthdays keep on coming. This is the card I made for dearly beloved's nephew's birthday. The family celebration will be this coming weekend - when we all get together for Thanksgiving. I'm in charge of his birthday cupcakes AND the maple cream pie for thanksgiving dinner! Yummy!

card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, kraft card stock base
• patterned papers: My Mind's Eye "Handsome Boy"
• stamped image: The Greeting Farm "Twin Marko" from the "Twisted Creeper Crew 2" Set. Coloured with Copic Markers (E000, E11, E93, E01, E00, E13, W1, W3, W4, W5, W6, W7, E21, E23, E25, E27, BG11, BG13, BG23, YR00, YR02, YR04, YR16, YR15, YR18)
• sentiment: Verve "Treasured Words" stamped in CTMH Lagoon

Challenges for this card:

• Loves Rubber Stamps #121: Anything Goes
• Papertake Weekly: Anything Goes
• Love To Scrap #39: Anything Goes
• SisterAct Card Challenge #77: 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!

Age and Glasses of Wine - again!

Hi folks,

Uh huh. I'm using this stamp from Unity again. What can I say? It's perfect for so many of our friends.

card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, kraft card stock base
• patterned paper and brad: My Mind's Eye
• stamp: Unity Stamp Company "Age and Wine", stamped in CTMH Lagoon Ink
• butcher's twine from my stash
• layout: Splitcoaststampers #495

challenges for this card:

• The Pink Elephant #270: Anything Goes

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Motorcycle Momma

Hi folks,

Just popping in to share the birthday card I made for dearly beloved's Mom.

Cute, huh?

I decided last year to give up my motorcycle. I had a cute little white Honda CBR 125 as my learner bike but just couldn't get over feeling uncomfortable in traffic. So, when I said I was getting rid of it, dearly beloved's Mom said she would be delighted to take it off my hands. I was happy to see my little baby go to someone who would enjoy the little ride. She's had her motorcycle license for years but had given up riding when dearly beloved's younger sister was born (30 years ago!).

So, I thought for her birthday this year I would make a card using this image coloured up to look like dearly beloved's Mom on the bike. I hope she likes it!


card details:

• finished size: 5.5 x 5.5 inches, black card stock base
• patterned paper: My Mind's Eye "Meadowlark"
• stamped image: Kraftin' Kimmie "Going Places", coloured with Copic Markers (B0000, B000, C1, C3, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, E000, E00, E01, E11, E93, B21, B23, B24, E97, E08, E09, E19)
• sentiments: Verve "Small Phrases", "Because of You"
• layout: Kraftin Kimmie/Kit & Clowder Sketch Challenge
• Spellbinders: Petite Ovals
• Close To My Heart Black Shimmer Trim

As always thanks for stopping by!

Birthday Wishes - Viva La Verve July Week 2

Hi folks!!

So...do you remember this card I made for my niece? Well, I decided to make a masculine version as I needed a birthday card for a friend of my dearly beloved. He is quite the traveller and I REALLY wanted to make a card for him using these papers.

card details:

• finished size : 4.25 x 5.5 inches, black card stock base
• patterned papers: My Mind's Eye "Traveler"
• stamps: Verve "Borderline"
• dies: Verve "Mini Classy Label"
• black satin ribbon from my stash
• layout: Viva La Verve July 2014 Week 2

challenges for this card:

• Seize the Birthday: Anything Goes Birthday

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Birthday Wishes for my great uncle

Hi folks,

Today I'm sharing a card I made for my Great Uncle who has a birthday today. If I am not mistaken, today he is 89 years old.

I have fond memories of when he would come to town to visit my grandfather (his brother) and my grandmother as they lived next door. He always had interesting stories to tell. I haven't seen him in a few years but he is never far from my thoughts.

card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, kraft card stock base
• patterned papers and embellishments: My Mind's Eye "Be Amazing"
• stamps: Verve "Borderline", stamped in CTMH Lagoon
• dies: Verve "Banner Bundle"
• layout: Splitcoaststampers Card Sketch 496

Challenges for this card:

• Crafty Girls Challenge #22: Anything Goes
• Simon Says: Spots and Dots
• Curtain Call: Anything Goes

as always, thanks for stopping by!

Summer fun with Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 227

Hi folks,

Stopping in today to share a card I made for one of my nieces to celebrate summer vacation. I usually make a card for each of my nieces and nephew every summer to commemorate either the end of the school year, summer vacation or the start of the new school year. This year, it worked out that I did summer vacation cards - it took THAT long for my mojo to work itself into gear!

card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, CTMH Baby Pink card stock base
• patterned papers: My Mind's Eye "Dolled Up"
• stamped image: The Greeting Farm "Miss Anya Summer", coloured with Copic Markers (E000, E11, E01, E00, E02, E30, E31, E33, E35, E37, B91, B93, B95, B97, R81, R83, R85, YG03, YG05)
• sentiment: CTMH D1291 Celebrate Canada, stamped in CTMH Pink Carnation
• layout: Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge 227
• gorgeous metal flower from my crafty pal, Rinne!

challenges for this card:

• TGF Farm Fresh Friday: Stripes or Plaid
• Tuesday Throwdown #204: Take us on vacation

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Mojo 346

Hi folks,

Today I'm sharing a card I made for a co-worker who retired on Friday. He realized he didn't really NEED to work any longer so ... he isn't! He's retiring from the work force and planning on enjoying his summer and all that life has to bring. I though the sentiment I used on his card was perfect.

card details:

• finished size: 5.5 x 5.5 inches, kraft card stock base
• patterned papers: Carta Bella "Giddy Up", edges distressed
• stamps: My Mind's Eye - Find Your Wings and Fly "Up and Away" stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa
• embellishments: CTMH Brads
• layout: Mojo Monday 346

challenges for this card:

• Simon Says: Anything Goes

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Sister Act Card Challenge #58 with Eureka Stamps

Hi folks!

It's Friday so that means it is time for me to share my latest creation for our weekly "Anything Goes" card challenge over at the Sister Act Card Challenge!

As you probably know by now, the rules for joining in our 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 - Eureka Stamps! I can't wait to check our your fabulous creations!

The design team members were given the opportunity to choose a digi with which to work this week and I chose this cute Baby Animals digi.

Friends of ours are expecting their first child in June - a baby boy - and I thought this image would be perfect to celebrate his arrival.

card details:

• finished size: 5 x 5 inches, white card stock base
• patterned papers: My Mind's Eye "Handsome Boy", distressed edges
• digital image: Eureka Stamps "Baby Animals", coloured with Copic Markers (E15, E17, E18, YR21, R83, C00, C0, C1, C2, C3, C5, C6, C7)
• Spellbinders Classic Rectangles
• EK Success Scalloped Scallops Border Punch
• embellishments: Hug Snug Seam binding, baby carriage charm, embroidery floss, CTMH Lagoon buttons
• layout: Viva La Verve May 2014 Week 2 Sketch

Challenges for this card:

• Love to Scrap #30: Anything Goes

As always, thanks for stopping by! I look forward to checking out your creations this week!

My heart belongs to you

Hi folks,

I recently picked up a bunch of stamps from Unity Stamp Company. Some cute, some snarky, some lovey dovey.

I used one of the lovey dovey ones to make a card for my dearly beloved to commemorate our fourteen years together.

card details:

• finished size: 5.5 x 5.5 inches, black card stock base
• patterned papers: My Mind's Eye "Sunshine", edges distressed
• stamp: Unity Stamp Company "My Heart Belongs {itty bitty}"
• Spellbinders Labels Four
• layout: one of my own.

challenges for this card:

• Creatalicious Challenges #63: Frame it

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!

Viva La Verve May Week 1

Hi folks,

Well, I figure it's about time I started getting some of the huge back log of cards photos that I have made recently.

I HAD planned on posting this ON Mother's Day but the time got away from me and I am just now getting around to sharing a few cards I made for that occasion using the Viva La Verve Week 1 Sketch for May.

The first two cards, I did as landscape cards.

And for these two I stayed a little more loyal to the sketch.

card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, kraft card stock base, white mats
• patterned paper, washi tape & enamel dots: My Mind's Eye "Up & Away"
• stamped image: The Stamp Barn - Sunshine Designs. Floral set CR5058 CU LG. Coloured with Copic Markers (R12, R21, R22, R24, YG21, YG23)
• sentiment: Verve "On Occasion"
• brown washi tape from my stash

additional challenges for these cards

• One Crazy Stamper May Challenge: Anything Goes and an Embellishment
• Tuesday Throwdown #195: Spring Blossoms
• Corrosive Challenge #199: Banner Day
• Clear it Out Challenge: Mother's Day/female Stash: flowers (my images and some of the papers)

As always, thanks for stopping by!/

Pssst....did you notice the new badge in my side bar? I'm now an independent  consultant with Close To My Heart. Feel free to check out my online shopping portal right here. In the coming days, I'll be posting more details!

Sister Act Card Challenge #49

Hi folks!

It's Friday so that means it is time for me to share my latest creation for our weekly "Anything Goes" challenge over at the Sister Act Card Challenge!

As you probably know by now, the rules for joining in our 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 - Digi Stamp Characters by Heather Ellis! I can't wait to check our your fabulous creations!

My card creation this week features a very cute Easter image from Heather's Pure Innocence line

card details:

• finished size: 4.25 x 5.5 inches, kraft card stock base and mats
• patterned papers: My Mind's Eye "Howdy Doody"
• digital image: Digi Stamp Characters by Heather Ellis "Pure Innocence 033", coloured with Copic Markers (E000, E00, E01, E93, E11, E23, E25, E27, Y000, Y00, Y02, Y04, Y06, Y17, R11, R12, BG34, BG10, BG000, BG0000
• sentiment: Verve "Hoppy Easter", stamped in CTMH Lagoon
• Prima flower from my stash
• EK Success Diamond Lace Border Punch
• layout: Seize the Sketch #13

additional challenges for this card:

• Lacy Sunshine Challenge #29: Anything Goes
• Paper Players #187: Clean and Simple with a "Spring" Theme (for me, Spring and Easter go hand in hand)
• Bearly Mine March Challenge: One for the girls
• One Stitch at a Time #204: Use a Digi
• Sentimental Sunday 198: Cute and Cuddly
• Crafty Creations Challenges #259: Holiday
• Hiding in my craft room #141: Color it

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Sister Act Card Challenge #46 - with Stamp 'n Create

Hi folks!

It's Friday so that means it is time for me to share my latest creation for our weekly "Anything Goes" challenge over at the Sister Act Card Challenge!

As you probably know by now, the rules for joining in our 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 - Stamp and Create! I can't wait to check our your fabulous creations!

My creation this week is a birthday card for a dear friend. We had been friends in high school but lost track of each other over the years as our lives went different routes. Well, through the magic of Facebook we found each other AND when she moved a little town on the outskirts of Ottawa, we reconnected. More than 20 years later! Isn't that fab?

card details:

• finished size: 6x6 inches, CTMH Breeze (I think) card stock base
• patterned papers: My Mind's Eye "Market"
• stamped image: Stamping Bella "Uptown Girls Felicity & Blair", coloured with Copic Markers (E000, E00, E01, E93, BG10, BG11, E21, E23, E25, E27, E50, E51, E53, E37, R00, R21, R22, R24), background sponged with CTMH Breeze
• sentiment: Verve "Doodled Occasions"
• doily & pompom trim from a Verve goody bag
• half-back pearl brads: The Girls Paperie
• Spellbinders: long rectangle, petite circles

additional challenges for this card:

• Seize the Birthday: Anything Goes Birthday
• Simon Says: Anything Goes With Pearls

As always, thanks for stopping by!