A former colleague and friend lost her father this past week. It is so sad- she was close to her dad. As a result, I've been pretty reflective today. I live very far away from my immediate family right now (due to careers). I've worked hard to get a career I love - but, on days like this, it really makes you wonder. Is it really worth it, all for career? Am I doing the right thing? I, too, am close to my dad and these type of events make me acutely aware how fast time is slipping by.... Sorry to wax philosophic... So, I figured I'd make a sympathy card to send our condolences. I used the colors from the My Time to Inspire Challenge hosted this week by Kristen Bueter. And, here's my card.... I absolutely love these colors! I wanted to do a fairly simple card, with not too much adornment, as it will be mailed to eastern Canada. Well, getting ready to visit the PTI forum - it's release night! Take care all. Thanks so much for stopping by! TTFN,

Had a weird situation arise today... went to Joanne's and as I was checking out, my credit card was declined. My DH and I are careful to pay it off every month and we had also checked the balance days previously so I knew it hadn't exceeded the limit. Weird.... So I call the credit card company and find out that my DH was 5 days late with the payment (a busy weekend and hectic week for him so it's understandable) and they froze our card!!! Only five days - crazy.... Anyway, we had made the payment 2 days prior but it hadn't gone through yet, so hopefully tomorrow. I mean, it's our fault completely but I'd never had that happen - maybe there's too many people with outstanding balances and payments due. Hard economic times... This policy was news to me but good to know from now on out... Anyway, I bought some new DP and a few other supplies such as Perfect Pearls (Aged Patina) while on vacation in VA Labor Day weekend. I couldn't wait to use both and I've got more plans for the Perfect Pearls (plus I'd love to buy a few more colors) :) I just love them - so pretty and a little certainly goes a long way. So I put them to use on a sketch challenge from Lauren Meader. On to my card.... The sketch with the frame screamed vellum window to me. I actually ened up doubling the vellum as one layer was too transparent. I stamped a flower from "Life" on the vellum in versamark then covered with the perfect pearls. I curved the sentiment (love that!) and stamped in scarlet jewel. The rest was pretty simple. It was a fun card to make and I love that new DP :) It's also preview time over at Papertrey ink - some seasonal stamp sets coming up. So exciting :) As always, thanks so much for stopping by! TTFN, -------------------------------------------- Ingredients.... (all PTI unless otherwise stated) Stamps: Life, Scattered showers (sentiment) Paper: Patterned paper (sorry, can't remember and is all the way up in my craftroom :)), ripe avacado, scarlet jewel, DCWAV textured blue cardstock, clear vellum Ink: Scarlet jewel, versamark Other: scarlet jewel buttons, nesties, green perfect pearls, gold brads, green saddle stitch ribbon (Michael's), twine

Hello all! This is my first Mojo Monday challenge! I wanted to make a card to send to Kate McRae. While visiting Jennifer McGuire's site , I saw her post regarding a card drive for this beautiful little girl, Kate, and her family. Kate is 5 years old and is fighting cancer. Jennifer McGuire and a few others (links on her site) are collecting cards to send to the McRae family. Links for donations to the family can also be made through Jennifer's site or through the McRae caring bridge site, prayforkate.com. The layout idea is based on a card by Betsy Veldman. I loved her version. I didn't have black Staz-on so I used Brilliance instead - it doesn't show up extremely well on the acetate so I outline the balloon baskets with black permanent marker. Not ideal by any stretch but had to use what was at hand.... Anywho, here's may card.... Anyway, I'll be thinking of Kate and her family and praying for them. I hope the cards make them feel encouraged and supported :) Take care all. Hug your loved ones and be grateful for everything in your life :) Thanks for visiting and TTFN, ------------------------------------------------- Ingredients (all PTI unless otherwise stated): Paper: vintage cream, ocean tides, raspberry fizz, striped and cloud paper (unsure as the brand has long since been cut off - bad me) Ink: raspberry fizz, black brilliance Stamps: everyday button bits, shapes by design (sentiment) Other: Nesties, embossing folder, clear rhinstones, vintage cream button, twine, raspberry fizz ribbon, paper piercer

What a day! So busy but, boy, am I glad to be home. I love coming home after a long day. My furry little babies great me so enthusiastically at the door. I can climb into some cosy clothes and just... be. Ahhhh...... On to the main event.... there's another color challenge from Dawn McVey: I L-O-V-E these colors! I was so excited to participate. I wanted to make a square card this time round. Soooo, here's my submission; I colored the leaves, cut them out with nesties, then popped them up on dimensionals. I was going to try the cracked glass technique posted on Heather Nichols' website. I think it's so cool - however, I have smaller grain embossing powder and it didn't work as well as I'd hoped. I ended up with a glossy finish I really like though. I have to get some of the Utee ultra thick embossing enamel I guess (or better clear embossing powder :P). I was also going to try using the chamomile ink (from the vintage duo) on the edges of the circles but when I apply directly to the paper from the ink pad, it comes out often harsh (meaning no soft edges) - does anyone have any suggestions on how they get a soft look when adding ink to the edges of cards and other projects? Any special techniques or tools that can help? I'm sure there's something I'm doing wrong :) I've seen a few people wrap twine on the cards in this fashion and I had to try it too - I really like the look. I was happy with the end result for the most part, however, I wish I had gone with a smaller polka dot for the kraft background - I think in retrospect it would have suited better. I'm in love with polka dot basics too - I seem to use that set all the time! I used three orange dew drops on the sentiment - I wanted to add a bit more bling but didn't have any rhinestones :) Anyway, it was a fun card to make regardless - and that's the point, now isn't it? :) Thanks so much for stopping by! TTFN, -------------------------------------------------------- Ingredients (all PTI unless otherwise stated): Paper: Kraft, summer sunrise, cream, dark chocolate Stamps: polka dot basics, leaves from Martha Stewart, 2009 autumn tags, background basics text style Ink: dark chocolate, versamark Other: threading water border punch, twine, vintage cream button, clear embossing powder, nestbilities, copic markers, orange dew drops

Second post of the day - my other post is also for a challenge (Lauren Meader's My Time to Create). I had a lot of fun this weekend - lots'o time in the crafting area :) Dawn has another yummy color challenge on her blog - Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #14. I LOVE the colors for this weeks challenge! So pretty... I had so much fun with these colors and will definitely use this combination again. Dawn's also got a new stamp set being released this month - Scattered Showers Additions. I love Scattered Showers and can't wait to purchase the additions - the clouds, sun and rain drop background as well as the additional sentiments are so exciting :) I have decided, although new to the game, I really need a photo tent. Even an inexpensive one. It's so hard to do the colors justice without one. I'm sure a lot of other people have had the same issues. I've looked online and you can easily find some reasonably priced sets including lights. The reviews for a few of the products are encouraging as well. Sorry, I'm rambling.... Here's my card...

I went back to a favorite set - Garden of Life. This set is a favorite due to it's versatility. Of course that's theme with all the Papertrey stamps :) I stamped them with versamark onto plum, scarlet and raspberry cardstock then heat embossed. I had to use my recently purchased text style background stamps; just "had to" :). It's easier to see in real life but I stamped behind the flower images with versamark for a subtle background. Got to use a lot of favs for this card so it was a blast to make. That's what it's all about, huh? Thanks for looking! Comments are always appreciated :) TTFN, Andrea ------------------------------- Materials (all PTI unless otherwise stated) Stamps: Garden of Life, Birthday Basics, Polka Dot Basics, Text Style Paper: Scarlet jewel, plum pudding, raspberry fizz, rustic cream Ink: Color box purple, versamark Other: Scarlet jewel ribbon, clear embossing powder, cream vintage button, scor pal, rustic twine, cuttlebug swiss dots folder

Well, still on my card making roll. I can't believe how often I've been able to craft in the last few days - it's been wonderful. I feel, however, that the trend is coming to a swift end. I've got a few projects lining up at work and a few other committments so time spent in my favorite little room will be a bit more limited. I inked up my faux ribbon stamp set for the first time since purchasing it a month ago. I only used it to make the patterned paper. I was also on a mission to use my recently purchased new leaf cardstock, ink, buttons and ribbon. I decided to pair it with dark chocolate and lemon tart. Dark chocolate is one of my favs! I love the new leaf buttons, ink and ribbon but I have a hard time using the cardstock - just finding the right combos. I ended up liking these colors quite a bit. The nice part about this card was how quickly it came together. Off to take care of some laundry... Thanks for looking! TTFN Andrea

Here's the list of supplies; Stamps: Inkadoo all occassion small sentiment, Inkadoo baby (can't remember exact set) Ink: Memento black, versa mark Paper: PTI dark chocolate, PTI stamper's select white, PTI sweet blush, DCWAV patterned paper Other: white satin ribbon (paper studio), nestabilities, copic markers (R20) and airbrush system, silver brads, corner rounder punch (extended to create scalloped border), clear stickles, silver embossing powder _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ After many (failed) attempts at weight loss and increasing my level of fitness, I joined a local gym and hired a personal trainer. I went nuts :) With such a poor track record, I figure I need the help with goal setting and actually achieving my goals. So far I am totally satisfied with the process - they're really thorough and friendly. And away we go.... In other news, my cousin and her family come next weekend and I can't wait. Lots of touring around and visiting attractions. My husband will get to act like the big kid he is :) Got around to making a card for friends that just had a baby girl. I love card making - it is such a great, relaxing pastime. The other new-found love in my hobby-seeking life is copic markers - how fun are they?!?!? Anyway, TTFN!