Christmas is done...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I had my dear kids here for brunch and we had a great day, lots of laughs and good food.

We all got Olympic Mittens from Grama and Granpa Cady - Jamie and I were game to wear ours but we had to convince Adam to join the picture. Derek insisted on just being the cameraman. So - we got this funny picture and were albe to send it to the grandparents to show we love our new mittens!!!

We had a theme this year for gifts amongst us it seems - all had to do with babies and soldiers, go figure!

My son the soldier made this Build-a-Bear for Jamie and Adam's little unborn boy. Of course, his name is G.I. Joe. Derek said he felt like a bit of a creep going into that store - hehehe.

Jamie and Adam wrote a book for the baby bean, called "My Uncle Wears Combat Boots". This book was Derek's gift from them - one copy for Derek and another for the baby.

The theme continues... I found a cute little camo fleece set for the baby. Derek got me a custom Starbucks card with "Grandma Heather" and a baby carriage on it. Jamie and Adam got me a wall tile that says "Grandma's make life more beautiful".

Yes, this baby is bringing lots of joy to his parents, his uncle and of course his Grandma long before he's even born!

more yarn

I finished the last scarf commissioned for Christmas last night - wahoo! I have one more to make for Sharon, but that can be after Christmas. Here are the latest confections. So now that I've got my name out there and used up some of my stash, the cost gets more realistic. I practically gave these away at the show for $10; I really need to sell for $20.

Scarves

Two special orders done, both in the blue family. Both the same style, but the colour choices make such a difference.

I have four more to finish this week so they are done in time for Christmas gifts.

Christmas Sale

Here are all the photos I took at today's sale:

That's right, I left my camera at home on the counter. With a freshly charged battery. So much for taking photos of my table once it was set up! The sale actually went pretty well in spite of the weather. It was -30C today, yep that's damn chilly. And because of that weather --- the afterthought (take my crocheted scarves with me) ended up being the hit. Sold most plus have special orders for six more in time for christmas.

Over and out - time for bed early.

Getting ready for a sale...

So I'm starting a little bit of a mild panic while I assess how ready for a Christmas sale I've got in a couple of weeks. My pal Kari says I should have about 30-40 pieces to have a real show, and I think I'm 2/3 of the way there. The sale is all about my beading, and I'll throw in a couple of scarves I have as well. More items the better I figure.

I'm now working on the presentation side of things. I want things to be easy to view, and easy to take away. Here is the packaging I've come up with for wine charms and earrings. Of course, my business cards are the same design for that continuity. Next - figuring out display for necklaces and bracelets.

I forgot one...

These are the first two cards i made yesterday - how could I fortget the picture? Silver embossing powder on the reindeer - love this stamp! It was an SU special. I like the second one better than the first - gonna play with the stamp a little more. I love the antlers!

Holy Scrappin' Day, Batman!

Yesterday was our monthly Stampin' Up Day... it was a great day, very productive for card-making. I have been working on a UYS (Use your stash) challenge this month, and yesterday took me to the end of my challenge... not that I will stop working. There is alot more to do this month! Here is a look at what I did:

I made these using the Cricut DesignStudio software. I used the George font, and welded together the letters and a rectangle sized to fit the card. I've left it plain for now. Still undecided... should add ribbon at least I suppose.

I got a pile of mini-prints from dear Kari last year. Love the non-traditional aqua/pink/red print on this one.
I like this one - again, non-traditional colours. SU soft suede cardstock, snowflake stamp embossed with irridescent ice.

Love these gift card holders. Thanks to Laurette for the dimensions. One strip of paper, 4 1/2 x 11, scored at 3, 5 1/2 and 8.

Again, used the Cricut DesignStudio. THANKS is from George. Snowflakes are from Home Decor. Used Cuttlebug numbers on white core paper, sanded after embossing. SU caterpillar will be flocked. Inside is complimentary stamp "Sending worm wishes on your bugday" - corny, but a little boy will love it!

Love these - just free-cut the printed paper snowbank, then used MS snowflake punch to cover the seam.

Kept this very simple - I LOVE this background paper, couldn't bring myself to cover it up at all. Instead, just put the sheer ribbon on it.

I do have a couple others half-started from yesterday. Now that I've got my mojo going I will get them done, and the rest of my Christmas cards, this week.

Gift Tags

I wanted to make a box of assorted gift tags for my Mama Bear for Christmas. I made her some last year when i was first learning to play with my Cricut. I've gotten a bit more practice and a bit more sophisticated over time, so wanted to impress her a little bit more.

The lightbulb and snowflake were designed using DesignStudio software. These ones below were made with the Stretching Your Imagination cart. Aren't they adorable?

Waterfall cards.

We did this at a Technique Tuesday at my SU rep and buddy Sharon's last month, and I forgot to post them. I love the style of this card - will be making a series of them I'm sure!

It's a fun card to make, and looks way more fussy than it is! Cut all the pieces first, then assemble away. All you need is your paper, a couple of brads, ribbon for the pull, and your stamps.

There are lots of instructions out there for waterfall cards - three or four flap, different sizes, have fun with them!

invitations done!

Jamie came over Saturday and we had a wonderful time talking, laughing and assembling. Invitations for her wedding cocktail party are done, treat boxes well on their way, it's all coming together. The invitations were purchased as a precut card. I used my MS snowflake punch on each panel, then glued in the red CS and white printed CS. Added the red ribbon and snowflake brad and we're done, very simple. Put the envelope flap through the snowflake cuttlebug embossing folder, made the envelope seal using SU punches and a snowflake stamp, and finishing touch stickles to add some glitter.

Card swap

Another card swap - and I'm done 2 of 3 items a month early, wow! I'm also using both in a "use your stash" challenge --- bonus points for using orange in your projects!

First up - a sympathy card. I prefer "thinking of you" cards because they're more versatile. Orange tri-fold card, ribbon woven through the front piece of printed cardstock, then attached this little metal butterfly to the scalloped circle. I love these SU punches, one of my fave purchases. Inside the first flap, a brown shimmer paper that I just love. Open the second flap and you have the whole card to write in.

Men's b-day card. Hard to see, but TSN is springing from the TV and Have a great day is stamped under it... yes boys, you can watch sports all day, it's your birthday!

Birdcage veil ingredients

More goodies for Jamie's wedding. I made her earrings some time ago - pearls with swarovsky crystals, very purty. Now it's time to make a little birdcage veil. Jamie isn't a fan of roses, so got this flower instead, looks like a gardenia. Add feathers and french netting and we're good to go.

But wait - we have a treasure... you can't see them very well, but in this second photo are some crystals sprinkled on the netting. Mom gave me a a cute little plastic heart container last time I visited, saying maybe we could use these for Jamie's wedding somehow. We're going to use them to make the center of the flower sparkle. The finished veil for Jamie will be a combination of Something Old and Something New. I can hardly wait to put this together!

H1N1

Today, my daughter and I got our H1N1 shots. What a journey! We got in line at 7:30 this morning for an 8:30 start to the clinic, and got our shots at 2:30 this afternoon. Good thing it was a mild morning (7 degrees) because we were outside until 11:30 --- and it was damn chilly after the first hour out there! We went to the high-risk clinic --- set up for people like us... Jamie pregnant and me with a chronic health condition. My UC is worth something today, let me tell you!

On the news tonight it was announced the Alberta H1N1 clinics have been suspended "until further notice". I believe our Alberta government has determined - after a week if craziness - that their setup is not working. Um... duh?!?!? Making people wait in line-ups all day, turning people away because the lines are full, sometimes before a clinic even opens for business. Seniors, preggers, little chillun's and sickos (oops - sickies) standing - unless you were smart enough to bring a chair - for hours on end.


So - time will tell, I'm curious to see how they get it together over the next few days. Perhaps now they will supply the vaccine to the doctors to administer to their patients, particularly those high risk. Perhaps now they will supply the vaccine to the school board, which has stated it would be willing to administer to the students. Perhaps now there will be monitoring of who is getting vaccined to ensure those in the high-risk categories get their shots first. Perhaps if Mr. Ed or Top Doc had to stand in a line for eight hours or perhaps get turned away due to large crowds 3 days in a row (like the woman beside us in line today) this would have been fixed before it became a week-long growing problem. However - let's see if they get it right this time. Good luck, boys...

How to charm your wine...

Seaside Set.

Le Frog set - made in honour of my dear french friends the Ouellette's!

Cat Chase Bird set.

Getting ready for Sharon's Christmas Sale in mid-December. I figure you always have to have stocking stuffers to sell, so i've made up some wine charm sets. If I have time after getting the jewelery done might get a couple wine journals done too...

i'm the visitor, not the patient!

Well, for a change I got to go to the hospital for someone else! Jamie fainted on the bus to work Monday. It was standing room only and she got overheated. Also, we've had a chinook going on for two days... I think that was a factor because she was one of FIVE women who were in emerg for fainting - three of them pregnant. Anyway - a day of rehydration and lots of tests, she's back home and feeling a bit better after the IV.

Drill Seargant Adam is now hovering over her with a perpetual water bottle to stay hydrated. Oh, and Jamie says the baby is "so grounded" already for making her sick and putting her through all this fun...

Happy Bday Adam

The son-in-law just turned 23. It's always a little more of a struggle to make a guy-card - I want to impress the recipient by trying to make it manly and personalized. Adam is a fly-fisherman, so of course that had to be my theme.

I found this fly-fishing cartoon on the internet and printed it on white cardstock. Popped it up from the other layers. I used Stampin Up Old Olive ink to edge the papers and pressed a white strip into it. I roughed up the edges with my finger - though learned a new technique yesterday, doing that with edge of scissors. Thx to new woman at our Stampin Day for the fish sticker bottom left, it really finished the card!

Queen Anne Lace Scarf

Because I just cannot do one thing at a time... I found this pattern for a one-skein scarf (decorative scarf) and have to try it out. Looks beautiful and lacy. I'll do it in between working on a blankie for the upcoming grand-baby, Derek's Europe scrapbook, and Jamie's wedding stuff. I love multi-tasking :)

So - here is the pattern and a photo sample. I'll post my own once it's done.

Queen Anne’s Lace Scarf:

1 skein of Red Heart Super Saver and a size “J” hook Chain 6 and join into a ring.

1: Chain 3,work 13 dc into ring. DO NOT JOIN! Chain 1,turn. Work a sc into next 2 dc. *Chain 4,sc in next 2 dc. Repeat from * five more times (6 loops). Chain 6,turn.
2: Slip stitch into the 1st free ch4 loop. Chain 3,turn. Work 13 dc into the ch6 loop. Slip stitch into the the 1st sc of the 1st motif,chain 1,turn. Sc in next 2 dc. *Chain 4,sc in next 2 dc. Repeat from * five more times (6 loops). Chain 6,turn.
3: Slip stitch in 1st free ch4 loop of adjoining motif,chain 3,turn. Work 13 dc into ch6 loop. Slip stitch in next free ch4 loop of adjoining motif,chain 1,turn. Sc in next 2 dc. *Chain 4,sc in next 2 dc. Repeat from * five more times (6 loops). Slip stitch into next free ch4 loop of adjoining motif. Chain 6,turn.
4:Repeat step 3 for desired scarf length. I worked a total of 50 motifs and got a 60 inch scarf. End off and weave in ends.
This pattern can be done with just about any yarn, but I wouldn’t recommend a boucle or textured yarn,as that would take away from the lacy effect.

Blog Candy

I love blogging... I click on BBTB, that takes me to Jamie Lane's site, and that takes me to Twinkles Glow With Stamps... which shows off an amazing bit oh goodies for grabs - check this out... not one but two prizes. Here is a shot of the first one.

Go enter - how nice is that of me showing you how? Okay fine, that is how I'm eligible too :) Good Luck!

more bobbles...

Prep for jewelery sale. Kari says I should have at least 30 pieces. Jewelery, wine charm/journal sets, maybe whip up some beaded wire bookmarks for stocking stuffers.

Here's what I've been playing with this week...

Bring the outdoors in...

My daughter is getting married in January. They are going away to get married and returning to a casual cocktail party reception. Being a winter party, she wants to bring the outdoors inside, without the cold. White and blue, snow and ice. The venue, compliments of my son's friend, is going to be like a winter lodge - wood burning fireplace, slate floors, and lots of windows to the great outdoors.

So how do you create a winter wonderland on a tight budget? You haunt the dollar stores weekly hoping for new items. And you have a wonderful sister-in-law who gives you a BIG box of vases to use from the last family wedding. Vases to fill with candles and cranberries, among other goodies. Here are my latest purchases - toulle, shiny fabric, feathers, crystals. These will be used to decorate the buffet table.

And this idea Jamie and I fell in love with - thanks to Martha Stewart for the directions for large pom poms made from crepe paper. These will be our snowballs hanging from the rafters, along with large snowflakes I got from the dollar store.

doctor day

I had an appt. with my GI Dr. Coderre today. He just returned from a six-month sabbatical and I am glad he's back. He's been my strength in this long journey with my health. He has always provided me with holistic care. We discuss my gut, my head, and my heart. I was feeling antsy and anxious and a bit pissy these past few days. My health issues are a kick in the ass. Literally. Ha! I am so glad I saw Dr. C this morning. Once again i feel grounded and that's what I needed. Now I'm ready for what's next. Surgical appt. in three weeks, will be booking my next surgery for fistual repair. Discussion about the big surgery after that. One step at a time, one surgery at a time, one recovery at a time - one foot in front of the other, one step forward, two steps back, THREE steps forward!

Oh no, it's an EXPLODING BOX!

Once again I've done a project based on one of my watched sites. This was featured on Christmas with the Cricut today - although i didn't use my Cricut for it... just my Stampin' Up punches. Dear friends of mine both celebrate their 50th birthday this year, so I made this combined gift for the two of them. We go back a dozen years, so I had a few old shots with recent ones. What a fun way to display memories!


Paper is Rockstar, compliments of Winners - great place to for good-and-cheap paper and cardstock. I check every time I'm there because, well, it's Winners - it's always changing. Here is the box once exploded - what a cool surprise!

Tri-shutter card

A friend posted a card on facebook today using this tri-shutter style, which I hadn't seen before. I fell in love instantly and had to make one. Here's a 50th birthday card for my dear dear friend Jo...





I made the standard tri-shutter. There is also a full-front style - that will be tomorrow's project! There are great tutorials at the following:
Tri-shutter card
Full-front tri-shutter card