Inspiration....

Sometimes I seem to find inspiration all over. In 2009, I tried my hand at quilting for the first time. (See above). I wanted to make my bf a quilt for Christmas to show her how much I love her (after swearing I would NEVER quilt like the rest of my family). But, I went to the dark side, bought the material and did a small easy wall hanging. She of course, loved it and loved the colours. While waiting for the clerk to cash me out, I took a look around the store and fell in love with these shelves. Beautiful colour combinations, and I just had to take a picture as the colours and fabrics inspired me. I also sometimes look to quilt patterns to give me some creative inspiration. I kept the pictures on my computer and look to them every once in a while just because the colours make me happy and remind me to never say never, because one day you just might be doing the one thing you swore you would never do!

Always on My Mind, Forever In My Heart....

This is for a friend. She is someone very important to me. She links to my past and to my future. She is beautiful inside and out and she is honestly always on my mind and forever in my heart.

Recipe:  Stamps, Ink, Branch Punch - Stampin' Up, Pearls- Basic Grey Opaline, Ribbon - Martha Stewart, Patterned Paper - My Mind's Eye 'Stella Rose', Cardstock - Bazzill, Edge Distresser - Heidi Swapp. 

Christmas in February?

Is It Christmas already?

I am trying to get Christmas cards done this year as early as possible. With our schedules being as crazy as they are, it is often difficult for me to get the time I mentally need to unwind and craft. I decided that atleast once a week, I would sit down and make a Christmas card. That way, I am getting some down time, but am also accomplishing getting Christmas stuff done so I don't feels so rushed come fall. It feels a little weird working on Christmas in February, but since it is my favorite holiday, why not celebrate all year?!

Recipe:

This little guy and the donuts are from Stamping Bella. Isn't he cute? He reminds me so much of Peanut! I used the large square Nestabilities. The ribbon, white paper and sentiment stamp is Stampin' Up. The patterned paper is "Old Fashioned Candy Canes by Karen Foster. Cardstock is Bazzill.  To add a little something I also used Pebbles Ink Chalk and Sparkly Fluff. 

Copics Used: R59, R89, E00, E01, E08, E09, E11, E29, E27, E57, E97, YR14, YR24

Winter Warm Up!

I love this image! He is so cute. Last week when it was cold and really blowing, I thought I needed a winter warm up. So, I decided to grab some hot chocolate, and while waiting for the milk to simmer, I got inspired and coloured this guy. I think everyone knows of the snowman soup poem, generally used at Christmas, but figured why not use it all of the time? So, I made a couple different ones, with some vanilla stir sticks and marshmellows and hot chocolate to go with some cookies that I made for a couple of really special friends.

Recipe:

Stamps: High Hope Stamps (Love this company!)

Snowflakes are from Hero Arts, Flowers are Fancy Pants, Patterned Papers are the Merry January line from We R Memory Keepers, the library clip, the ribbon and the Whisper White paper are Stampin' Up, Glitter Ritz (Purple Highlight), Bazzill cardstock (Saguaro), the stitching is done on my sewing machine and I used Copics to colour in the image: W6, W7, BV000, BV00, B60, BG72, BG75, YG91, YG93, YG95, E35, E37, E42,E97, E99.

Our little Miss PIggy...

For our travel group! Quhyn has several nicknames... Miss Q~, purdy girl, and most notably Pumpkin... but lately we have started to call her Miss Piggy. Not for obvious reasons, although she is eating us out of house and home. But, mostly because she is our little ham. What a turn around for China and the weeks proceeding the trip. You wouldn't believe the turn around and what a happy girl she is. (No worries though, she is still stubborn and wants her way --ALWAYS!) Only about 4 weeks ago did she really start to open up and become animated. Her personality shines more and more with each day and we are eternally grateful for the path we followed that brought us to her. As any parent of a child with albinism will tell you, picture taking is difficult. They anticipate the flash, even if you take precautions not to have one. Getting them looking at the camera, without blinking or shying away, or grimacing is hard enough with a child, but add in vision and light sensitivity issues, and it is a whole new ball game! So, these are rare. We snap as quick as we can, without much of a heads up to her. Except, she has gotten wise and big brother has taught her to say Cheese! (Although, it does come out more EEEZEE!) I just have to learn to be quicker, or camoflauge my camera so she doesn't see it coming.

A Bunch of Drafts....

I have a bunch of posts in the draft column due to computer issues. My macbook is so full and my back up system has been having issues that my IT guy has not been able to solve thus far. So, I haven't been able to save pics to the computer. Enough of that! :) I deleted some movies and made a little room in the hopes of getting some pictures posted... finally. So, expect to see a few posts over the weekend!

This is a little something I whipped together for a friend last week. She is having a rough time as 2 very close family members are battling end stage cancer. Sometimes when life is challenging us, a little something simple and from the heart means so much. It is no secret that I love to cook and bake and make jam. So, I made a loaf of whole wheat bread (it was actually still warm when I took the picture, hence the steam!) and gave her some of my peach jam I made this past fall. Just something for a quick bite when coming or going to the hospital.

All of the papers and punches, iSave Nownk and stamp is stamping up. Just used a little baker's twine to tie the bag closed and to put the fabric on the jar.

1st Round of Valentines.....

I was able to spend some quality time in my scrap room last night to get a few things done. The first thing I started was a card for my grandparents. They have been together for 65 years and have taught me so much about marriage and working together as a couple. I wanted to send them a "I love you" Valentines. It is not perfect yet, so I will post later, but I was able to get 10 of these Valentines's done for Aidan's teachers/support workers/daycare providers/friends. I am really hoping to get some more done tomorrow, but work first, play later -- sadly! I have to do ones for his class and daycare too, so here's hoping I can get it all done.

Recipe:

Stamp from Kraftin' Kimmies, Punches from EK Success, Bazzill Papers, Heart pins from Maya Road, Ribbons and white paper from Stampin' Up, Pattern Paper by Bo Bunny. There are 3 Bella dots. Prismacolours and Paint thinner are also used. Copics used: R46, RV21, RV23, E09, E19, E29, E25, E27, E37, E39, E57, E59

You know too much!

I have a very good friend, my best friend from home, who has an uncanny sense of when I am hurting and knows exactly what to do about it. A couple of weeks ago, I went down to the mailbox and found a card in the mail from her for absolutely no reason, except to say that she loves me and wanted to let me know that. She also told me how much she misses me and that she is very proud of me. It caught me off guard (and it shouldn't of because she does random things like this all of the time!) and I got a little weepy. So, I promised myself that I would make her one to let her know what she means to me. This is what I came up with a few days ago because she really knows too much!

Recipe:

Copics- B21, B23, B37, B39, E99, E19, E09, E01, E00, E53, E11, E27, E25, E39, 0, Y38, R83, W7, W6, W5, YG17.

Prismacolours and paint thinner, Mo Manning Stamp (Front), Inkadoo (Inside Stamp), Stampin' Up Ink and Button, Miscellaneous twine, Thread from Micheal's, Patterned Paper by Bo Bunny "Pet Shop Words", Cardstock Bazzill, White paper Stampin' Up, EK Success Punch, Deckle Cutter (unknown).

While J is not a crafty girl, she can kick but with any saw or electric tool and know she will enjoy this one!