For Dad

Well my Dad is having a few medical problems lately and unfortunately is back in hospital.  The real bummer is that I've been sick (just a bad cold) and have not been allowed to visit.  I got to skype with him yesterday though from his hospital bed - how cool is that?!  (Thank you Steve Jobs...)

So here's a card I made for my father who I'm sure will feel just like this picture once he's home doing all his favorite things.

Stamp is Art Impressions (love their funny images!) and the sentiment is Verve.  Coloured with Copics and used my MFT dies for a border.  (love those SU! corduroy buttons Vicki!!).

Here's the inside:

Oh - almost forgot... it's (Canadian) Thanksgiving!  I'm very thankful for my family.  We're actually going to celebrate next weekend when we can all hopefully be together.  Enjoy your turkey!!

A quote on "Courage"

I love that special quotes have become so popular.  Everyone uses them on Facebook, on t-shirts, notepads and picture frames.  Before computers changed our lives, I used to write them down on scraps of paper (I still find them in old purses).  Since then, I've always collected my favorites and would keep them in a folder on my computer - I accumulated hundreds that either made me laugh or touched my heart in one way or another.  I always thought, "that will make a great card".  I obviously didn't have a good quote about "backing up your computer" because I lost them all last January when my computer crashed.   Thank goodness for Verve and their beautiful quote stamp sets.  I love this one about courage.

Paper is Fancy Pants Honeysuckle.  Dies are Spellbinder & MFT.  Love the cordoroy brads from SU!

Cutting this short - off to watch Big Brother.  Rachel has got to go!!  =)

For The Birds

Hi again!  I made a couple of cards using the new Spellbinder die "Bird Santuary".  What a great set!

As you can see I used a few MFT dies as well as Spellbinders and even the Martha lattice edge punch.  I love that flourish die from MFT in the 2nd card and it cuts like butter!

Well that's it from me again... the sun is coming out which means I'm off the computer!! 

Back soon!
Carla.

Friendship

Well it's been a while.  All I can say is, "great summer!".  I did manage a few cards over the last month, but time just never seems to expand to include blogging them.

For this one I used the Just Rite sentiment for friendship.  I really like the wording.  The DP is Fancy Pants Designs - love the tiny print and of course being a brown-fanatic I bought tons.  I used a combination of MFT and Spellbinder dies. 

Well I'm looking forward to posting more regularly now that summer is (mostly) over.

Back soon!!
Carla.

For Another Happy Couple

And yet ANOTHER happy couple this summer.  Love making wedding cards!

I had to use more of this gorgeous Pebbles designer paper (glad I bought lots!) It's just so elegant and perfect for this kind of card.  Sentiment is Verve and I used my Spellbinder & MFT dies once again, dew drops, lace & seam binding... and of course a little glitter.  (What's a wedding without a little glitter?)

I went to this particular wedding and it was one of the nicest weddings I've ever attended.  Such a beautiful couple... inside and out.

Okay folks - that's it for wedding cards for a bit.  I'm missing my Copics and need to do a little colouring....... back soon.

Wedding Post - Part Deux

I promised I'd be back shortly with another wedding card so here it is:

This was fun - I went with cream instead of white and it matched so nice with this American Crafts paper.  Sentiment is Verve and the usual combination of Spellbinder & MFT dies (love my dies!). 

Here's the inside:

Enjoy your weekend all!  Hope you're staying cool...I personally love the veggie section at Costco........ so wonderfully cold!!

It's Wedding Season!

I've had a few requests for wedding cards this summer and I love making them.  Love indulging in all the pearls, ribbon and lace.  Here's the first one:

Isn't this Pebbles paper gorgeous?  I used a mixture of Spellbinders & MFT dies, a little sewing, lace & flowers.  Sentiment is from Verve.

The inside:

Sentiment on the inside is Penny Black - I love the beautiful font.  Back tomorrow with another wedding card!

Just Because

I don't remember how, but I stumbled across a graphics site that shared images.  I chose this bird nest and today put it into a card.  I seem to be on a bit of a bird-kick lately......

I was meant to be making 3 wedding cards, but I had this sheet of 6 little birdnests that I printed and they were just hoping for a little Copic love. 

Sentiment is Verve, paper are various small pieces from my stash.

Back to the craft room to make my wedding cards........  lol.

Life is Sweeter when shared with Friends

Happy Sunday y'all.......quick post today.  Wanted to share another card I made using the Pebbles paper.

I coloured this sweet Mo Manning image with copics & added the Hero Arts sentiment in a Spellbinders Labels 20 die.  Lovin my MFT dies too - I used 3 in this card...  left border & both rolled flowers. 

Thanks for your comments - makes my day!  Off to grab some groceries for the week..........

Thinking of you today.

How about this little rustic flower window box by Stamping Bella?  Isn't it the sweetest?!!  I love it.  After colouring with copics I added glitter and then liquid pearls to the flower centers for a little texture.  Sentiment is Stampendous & cut out with Spellbinders Labels 20.

Now I am crazy over this new Pebbles paper. I love the small delicate print.  Plus you know that part on the 12x12 that has the info and the bar code?  Well on the opposite side it gives you a strip that will match both sides of your page.  In this card, it's the strip that goes directly beneath the flower embellishments.

Enjoy your Saturday everyone!  I'm pretty sure there's another Pebbles paper card in my very near future... like, I just need to make a coffee first!  lol

Love

Isn't this a pretty verse?  And so true, eh?  I think this would be a lovely sentiment for a wedding card.  It's from a Verve set called "Love Story".  I paired it up with Just Rite "Kindness" and layered the Spellbinders Labels 20 & Fancy Tags 3 for the center.

I wanted to stay with soft colours so this Girls Paperie "Vintage Whimsy" paper was perfect.  I added a little texture with the Swiss Dots embossing folder and used a MS punch & Spellbinder Parisian Accent to give it a border at the bottom.

A little stitching, some ribbon and viola. 

A short post today... but wanted to pop in quickly with a card.  I don't want to lose the momentum of posting!!  =)

From my lips to Verve's ears...

It would be so hard to pick a favorite stamp line in today's market... simply because there are just so many "must have's".  I have my favorites at MFT, Flourishes, SU!, Kraftin Kimmies, Stamping Bella, Quietfire Design, Just Rite and of course Verve.  But when I look at which ones I use the most, it ends up being Verve.  I just love their beautiful fonts, clean lines and useable themed sets. 

So from my lips to Verve's ears.........

This sentiment is from a set called One Person by Verve.  Love it!  The paper is from American Craft,  Spellbinders used are Nesties 10 & 18 along with Fancy Tags 2 & 3.  How did I ever do a card without Spellbinders before??   I also used one of my all time favorite dies from MFT at the bottom.

So back to work for me tomorrow.  I've had a lovely break from work and did lots of walking, reading, napping and even a few cards.  Just total bliss.

Thanks for visiting!!!

Whoops - missed the month of June...

But I've got July right at the beginning!  Looking forward to making lots of cards and doing lots of posts... (right... famous last words).

I'm on a wee little bit of a holiday at the moment and took some time out yesterday to make a card when my friend Gabriela and I challenged each other.  I'm late in posting mine, but here we go.........

Sentiment is Verve and this gorgeous Fancy Pants paper is full of inspiration.  I only wish I had distressed the edges... but forgot.  :(

Wanted to quickly mention that I am missing out on posting on some of my favorite blogs... but I'm having a computer issue that needs looking into.  I try in vain to leave a comment and then when I do, I get bounced back to google log-in and asked repeatedly for my user name and password.  This is so frustrating that I just stopped until I can find a solution.  Only a very few blogs allow me to post comments.  Wanted to explain since I haven't been posting any comments anywhere recently.

Awkward........

So I making a card with my 8-yr old niece yesterday and singing along to Lady Gaga's "Born This Way". Quite understandably, I jump up & break into this amazing dance and think I'm impressing her beyond belief. She stares at me and says, "Awkward...." (lol!!)


So here is my Lady Gaga inspired card.  I think the little spray of glittery flourish really does it - lol. 
 

All the paper were scraps from my stash.  As much as I love cutting into a brand new sheet, I love the inspiration my scrap drawer gives me when I open it up and see certain papers overlapping others and think... "there's my card".  I hadn't put my vellum away yet, so I added a little with my new Fancy Tags 2 die.  The beautiful flower I received from my friend Gabriela and the sparkle flourish from Michael's were a nice finishing touch.
 
I'm honestly not very good at listing all the products I use.  I try but it just doesn't come to mind when I'm flying through whatever project.  I'm amazed & envious when other bloggers are so detailed in all products they use, but I just never think about it until I'm sitting at the computer.  Maybe it would be easier if my craft room was close to my computer room... so there would be no running up and down the hall looking for the name of this and that (as I type).  If there is ever anything you are wondering about, please ask.  I always read my comments (thank you!!) and I will definitely respond with 'where I bought this' or 'how I did that'. 
 
Back to my incredible dancing..................  (awkward!)  lol

A Little Chocolate...

Okay, mojo is not completely back but I dit manage a little card over the long weekend....

A recent post by Becca Feeken (Amazing Paper Grace) inspired me to get out some vellum and use with my Spellbinders (Parisian Accents, Parisian Motifs and Labels 21).  Sentiment by Verve, DP are scraps from my stash and I added a bit of zig-zag sewing, buttons & pink baker's twine.  Probably a bit over-the-top in the busy department, but can you blame me...???... haven't made a card in ages and wanted to use everything - lol!

APB

Posting an APB for my MOJO. 

It has been missing for a few weeks now.

I've looked everywhere.

If you have seen it, please return it. 

Thank you,

Carla.

Mom

Happy Mother's Day!!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful Moms.  This is the card I made for my Mother.  She's pretty spectacular.  8)

In Sympathy... Hope, Friends and Love

Hello everyone.  Spellbinders Labels 20 & Just Rite Kindess strikes again!  Can't get enough of this combo.  Guilty as charge.  Whatever.  Lock me up already.  (lol)

and the inside...........

Sentiments from Verve.  Patterned paper from American Crafts, SU Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Marigold Morning.  Swiss dot embossing folder.  Paper roses from Michael's.

I'm looking forward to some crafty time this weekend.  I have to make myself do some exercise first though (ewwww............).

Thanks for stopping by - glad you did.

My Sister's Birthday

If we can't tease our sisters, who can we tease?  My sister is a nurse and for her birthday I was dying to use my Art Impressions stamp - isn't she gorgeous??  And now some of their stamps are unmounted... and I'm all over that!!

Anyway, because I'm 4 years older, the "sister-law" allows me to tease her about her age but does not allow her to tease me about mine.  (The older sister always makes up the laws.)

I coloured the image with copics and used my Spellbinder ovals & lacey ovals to center it.  Patterned paper is from The Girls Paperie "Vintage Whimsy".  Ribbon is SU, pearls from stash.

I did the inside up on my computer.  Let me know if you're aware of any good "age-teasing" stamps... I'll need something for next year.  LOL.

But truth be told, she's not a Botox girl.  She's all natural and a beauty.  Happy Birthday Denise!!

Because of YOU

How I love Verve Stamps and their simple & heart felt sentiments... but I should probably change my blog name to Labels 20 & Just Rite Kindess - because that's all I use anymore!!  LOL

I also snuck in the Labels 19 nestie as well as the new foliage die.  I used the MFT rolled rose die to make the paper rose (dunked in glitter) and the felt roses as well.  I also used the MFT dizzy border die overlapping a brown piece of satin ribbon. 

So that's it.  A bit of sewing, distressed the edges and finished the inside to match:

Beautiful weather here today in Kingston, Ontario.  Nice way to start a long weekend.  Looking forward to getting a few more cards made.  Hope you are enjoying a nice Easter weekend with your family & friends. 

Until next time.

Maya Angelou

Who doesn't love a good Maya Angelou quote?  I think I even have a little book of her quotes somewhere that I bought when she was on Oprah a lot.  8)

This set comes from MFT and the patterned paper is from The Girls' Paperie (Vintage Whimsy) and I absolutely love it.  I mean love it like I had to buy 6 sheets of it.  It has the softest gingham (on inside picture below) on the reverse too.  Anyway, this lovely paper inspired me to use Maya Angelou's quote.  (It's a shame I covered most of the DP up - LOL!)

I used (my new favorite!) Spellbinders Labels 20 and cut the birdhouse out.  I just cut the quote to fit because I didn't have a die that would accomodate.  (I regret not "jazzing it up" a bit, because the center quote seems a bit plain).

Made the roses with MFT dies and added the yellow one from a package I bought at Michael's.  Can you tell I'm on a distressed edge kick?  haha.

Well Friday is here and the weather is great and I couldn't be happier.  Boy I love seeing the back of winter!  Wishing you all a enjoyable, relaxing & fun weekend!!

STAMPER'S DREAM BLOG HOP!!

Hi everyone!!! Big Day!! I'm so excited to be part of the Stamper's Dream and Friends Blog Hop!!Details are below for the TWO PRIZE PACKAGES AVAILABLE TO BE WON (leave a comment and you could be a winner!!).

I love this new paper from Jilibean Soup (Dutch Mustard). I just love the small print & how easily it distressed for me. I used my new Labels 20 & Fancy Tags 3 along with my oval die to create the center. Did some sewing and added the rose flower die from MFT. I love how the Labels 20 and the Just Rite Kindness set go together... it's... well, it's a Stamper's Dream!! LOL!!

Here`s a list of supplies from Stamper`s Dream that I used on my card:

DUTCH MUSTARD SOUP 6 x 6 PAPER PAD by Jillibean Soup
LABELS TWENTY NESTABILITIES by Spellbinders
KINDNESS CLING MOUNTED STAMP SET by JustRite Stampers
SNOW WHITE PEARLS - SELF ADHESIVE PKG OF 50 by Kaiser Craft
SINCERE SENTIMENTS CLEAR STAMP SET by Stampendous
MINI ROLLED ROSES DIE-NAMICS by My Favorite Things
JUMBO SCALLOP DIE-NAMICS by My Favorite Things
CLASSIC CREST SOLAR WHITE 80 LB SMOOTH CARDSTOCK by Neenah

Here is the blog hop list. What a terrific bunch of talented designers, eh!? Be sure to leave a comment for each and every one of them when you visit their blog post today. TWO have hidden blog candy, and you are required to comment on their blog post for a chance to win!

Becca Feeken
Michelle Rodgers
Jerri Kay Jimenez
Amy Sheffer
Denise Marzec
Arlene Cuevas
Leslie Miller
Cindy Lawrence
Kellie Fortin
Tosh Leyendekker
Jeanne Streiff
Mariana Grigsby
Joan Ervin
Lea Lawson
Frances Byrne
Christina Fischer
Carla Murphy (you are here)
Teresa Kline
Carol Longacre
Gabriele Divine

And here are the two prize packages from Stamper's Dream - one for each lucky winner!

The winners will be announced here Thursday evening, April 14 as well as on the blogs that had the hidden candy! So be sure to check back to see who the two winners are....it could be you!

Kind Words...

Hey all!!  Well I finally got a new card done.  I've been very busy at work lately and have had no energy left at the end of the day, but today I had a card request so I got right to it!

Made this for my friend to send to the hospital staff in Newfoundland to say thank you for their special care of her father while they look ed after him for a year (he's now gone to a home).  I chose this sentiment from Verve (and the one on the inside too...).

I distress all the edges and used the MFT dizzy border & rolled rose dies to pretty it up.  Hard to see, but I also added a small piece of dark brown felt behind the sentiment.

That's it for me.  Just a flying visit!!  Must get ready for work in the morning.  Night all!

A Big Hug

Very quick post!  Did a little stamping and experimented with my new MFT rolled roses & dizzy border dies.  Love them!  I'll definitely be using these in many more cards to come.

I love this new paper by American Crafts.  This one is called Peachy Keen "My Darling".  The bit of green DP is from my stash and I don't have it clue what it is.  I used PTI Sweet Blush Luxe Satin ribbon under the dizzy border & even tried my bow-easy for the first time.  It took a few tries, but I got there in the end (why is it called "Easy"?)

Sentiment is from a cute little clear set from Stampendous called "Sincere Sentiments".  What a great set this is - really sweet down-to-earth and straight-from-the-heart sentiments.

The inside:

Well that's me done for this evening!  Onto finishing up some housework & laundry.  You'll notice where my priorities lie and what I managed to accomplish first - LOL!

A New Artist on the Stamping Scene???

Must show you some new art work made by the daughter of my dear friend Gabriela (Gabi with an Eye).  She's multi-talented in many areas... piano, swimming... the list goes on!... but she also loves to draw (especially cats!!).  My siamese cat Bailey (who incidently will be 20 years old in November)... was an unknown subject for Madisen and I was thrilled to see what she had drawn.  I immediately made a card for her using her image:

I didn't even have to colour it - she did that as well!!  So as you can see my little Bailey-miester is at the far right with a very "I'm not so sure about you two" look on his face.  So she even captured his personality!! 

Here's the inside:

Because I made this card for Madisen to surprise her with her own artwork in a card... I wanted to put a personal message for her on the inside, "You're destined for greatness" just about sums it up for this amazing young teenager.

Now I learn this morning that her Mum Gabriela has created several cards using this image as well.  You must check them out here!!  And of course you should visit Madisen herself here!!  (Be sure to also see her animations as well - unbelieveable!)

It was fun sharing this today - hope you all enjoying your weekend.  We have beautiful sun shining days here in Kingston and no more snow!!  Wishing you the same. 

Heart & Soul

Well happy Saturday to you all.  Just popping in quickly with another Just Rite card.  I used an embossing folder by Crafts Too on the Whisper White cardstock.  I really like the affect.  With cards that have minimal colour, I like to add another dimension or texture just to make it a little more interesting. 

The ribbon is PTI & SU, DP is Little Yellow Bicycle. Spellbinder oval & square & MFT border edge.  Oh - and of course Martha Stewart edge punch too. 

I used Verve on the inside:

I have such a busy day planned but my goal is to get back home and try another Just Rite card.  Pouring rain & cold here today - hope you have sunshine!!  =)

Feelin' Just Rite!

I received my Stamper's Dream blog candy & order in the mail and had to try a card right away!  This is my first try with these stamps and they are more then just rite - they are just fantastic! 

I used the Thinking of You set as well as Kindness for this one:

Those cling stamps are a dream as well!!  Oh - and speaking of dreams.. Stamper's Dream... I want to thank Michelle Rodgers very much for the wonderful blog candy that I won and received in the mail.  What a dream she is to deal with!!  And I love every last bit of it.  (Love candy that has no calories...)

Sentiment on the inside is from Verve, pattern paper from Basic Grey Marjolaine. 

I have a sneaky feeling my next few cards will Just Rite.  =)

Saved by Flowers & Lace...

Ever make a card that you're just not happy with, so you set it aside?  You don't hate it quite enough to can it, but it just doesn't seem worth finishing at the time?  Well that's what happened with this one.   Made this one a while ago and it got pushed aside & forgotten.

Well I didn't really feel like doing anything when I walked into my craft room.  I was just sort of walking around in a stuffy-head-cold-daze.  Went in, plopped down & picked it up and thought.... if I distress the edges a bit, add a bit of lace and flowers & low-and-behold I liked it again! 

This is one of my most favorite Mo Manning images.

If I remember correctly I think the patterned paper is MME.  Aren't those little sheer ribbon flowers pretty?  My friend Gabriela sent them to me a while ago and I've been hording them until now.  I added a bit of sparkle to her slippers and to the leaves under the rolled flower.

The inside sentiment is from SU, I thought it paired nicely with the image. 

Well that's it from me.  This weekend was a bit of a bust - missed all my "weekend favs" like Saturday morning coffee with the family at Tim Horton's and 2 visits with my nieces.  Can't risk letting them get sick.  I've slept most of today away, no laundry or housework done... but my parents delivered groceries which was really nice!  I can live without certain things... but my 19 year old Siamese cat Bailey is not about to go without.  Thank goodness for them or I would have had to go out.

Well I've rambled on enough - going stir crazy and desperate for a chat I guess - lol. 

Have a great week all!
Carla.

Irish Blessing

I found this wonderful free digital image at Waltzing Mouse Stamps HERE.  I love it - what a fantastic image for St. Patrick's Day!  Or even to just wish someone good luck. 

I coloured with Copics & SU's Certainly Celery with Little Yellow Bicycle background paper.  Both EK Success & Martha edge punches were used.  The felt rolled flower was an afterthought as was the bit of glitter to the shamrocks.  (Real shamrocks have glitter, don't they?  lol)

I kept the inside simple.  I'm certainly going to try a few more cards with this beautiful shamrock bouquet.  But before that... I'm going to try something else that's green.  A NeoCitran.  =)

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone.

Dance

This is one of my all-time favorite images from Mo Manning.  Isn't she sweet?  After colouring her with copics, I layered the image with a scrap of Basic Grey cut out with my Nestibilities Labels 8 die.  I added the largest Fancy Tags die directly beneath her... just to add a little extra pizzaz (not that she needed it).

I love this paper from American Crafts (Dear Lizzie).  I bought it ages ago and forgot I had it.

Here's the inside with a quote from Verve....

Well I'm so glad the weekend it here, but unfortuately I'm sick with a dreaded head cold.  Time to get caught up on some DVR shows!!  Have a wonderful weekend everyone - thanks for stopping by!  =)