Cat's Creations

Sheesh....

2011-11-29T08:07:00.001-08:00

Where does the time go? We are in the middle of "Take this house and sell it" renovations and somewhere is my desk with partial Christmas cards on it! Hopefully, this will end soon and I can get going and mail them out.

Cathy

Lest We Forget....

2011-11-01T11:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Hallowe'en

2011-10-31T15:24:00.000-07:00

It has been quiet on the western front. Wedding over with and it was awesome. I just have to finish the Thank You cards and then it is on to Christmas cards.

Just a quick note as my work day is almost done and I am heading home to get ready for my youngest grandson to go trick or treating with us. Our subdivision is isolated and we have hoards of kids show up and we hand out hot chocolate with a fire works display for the kids.

Isn't he just the cutest little dragon?

Hope you all have a safe fun-filled evening.

Cat

Greetings....

2011-09-09T08:20:00.000-07:00

First...I do not like the new blogger. If it ain't broke why fix it! I hope they do not make the changes permanent...Facebook did it and it sucked!

Second...I am here! Life has a habit of getting in the way. Grandbaby turned one and the other turned two....a new one on the way (please, please a girl this time)! I am not holding my breath though...nothing but boys on both sides...oh well...I will accept healthy and perfect!

Wedding...favor tags done, table numbers done, templates for programs, escort cards, place cards, and menu cards done...all ready for printing and putting together. I only have two weeks to pull this off...yikes!

Lots of camping this summer....beautiful weather, great friends...good times. We are off again this weekend with the RV club we belong to. I was "volunteered" to run the craft class at the rally. Nope...not cards this year...too easy! How about tissue box covers? What was I thinking? Fiddly, fiddly, fiddly...to make up two kits for 15 people. Oh well, it should be lots of fun.

Hubby should be back any second with the motor home and it is time to load up and head out for a great weekend of sitting poolside with a cold rum & coke and later sitting around a fire with a spiced tea!

Have a great weekend!

OMG...I won!

2011-06-27T09:33:00.000-07:00

It is a bitter sweet win....I follow "Making Our Mark" blog and one of the resident artists, Guy Gondron has throat cancer and MOM held a fundraiser for him. I love his images and a lot of them have come across my desk as freebies. It was a no-brainer to support him....well, I won the grand prize! Can you believe it?

Because of this, an opportunity is coming my way and I am seriously debating it.....making blog videos! I have one technique I am having so much fun with and I am really, really considering it....just have to research what kind of video camera to use.

Hope the sun is shining your way!
Cat

Graduation....

2011-05-29T12:41:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year and we have three graduating...two from high school and one from college. When I spotted this card I just had to make it for Jake, our nephew...it is so him! I wanted to change it up a bit so I turned it into my first easel card...not bad for my first attempt.

He is not a fussy, frilly kind of guy so I did not put the usual sappy sentiment inside...all it says is, "What...expecting something profound?"

My two nieces are the other two...Angela from high school and Nicolle from college (she is going to be a lawyer).

I have been really busy trying to finish my first year of Copic classes with Suzanne Dean and I finished my last homework last night...I am impressed with myself. I have gone from wanting to scream and through these markers out of the window to complete frustration (it was the paper) to having an absolute blast! These are my final pictures for the class...thanks Suzanne, I learned a lot.

I hope your day is sunny and relaxing.

Cat

They did it again...

2011-05-14T07:50:00.001-07:00

Thanks Glitterbabe's for the laugh..

today's words of wisdom.....

What is Celibacy?

Celibacy can be a choice in life, or a condition imposed by circumstances.
While attending a Marriage Weekend, Frank and his wife Nancy listened to the instructor declare, It is essential that husbands and wives know the things that are important to each other.�
He then addressed the men. Can you name and describe your wife's favorite flower?
Frank leaned over, touched Nancy 's arm gently, and whispered, Gold Medal-All-Purpose, isn't it?
And thus began Frank's life of celibacy...

I think this is hilarious!!!

2011-05-04T15:28:00.000-07:00

I was "blurfing" my usual blogs and found this on Glitterbabe's website. I couldn't find a way of linking directly so...I copy/pasted it.

"today's words of wisdom... THE LAST CONFLICT....

The Israelis and Arabs realized that, if they continued fighting, they would someday end up destroying the whole world. So they
decided to settle their dispute with an ancient practice: a duel of two, like David and Goliath. This "duel" would be a dog fight.
The negotiators agreed each side would take 5 years to develop the best fighting dog they could. The dog that won the fight would earn its people the right to rule the disputed areas. The losing side would have to lay down its arms for good.
The Arabs found the biggest, meanest Dobermans and Rottweilers in the world. They bred them together and then crossed their offspring with the meanest Siberian wolves. They selected only the biggest, strongest puppy of each litter, fed it the best food and killed all the other puppies. They used steroids and trainers in their quest for the perfect killing machine. After the 5 years were up, they had a dog that needed steel prison bars on its cage. Only expert trainers could handle this incredibly nasty and ferocious beast.

When the day of the big dog-fight finally arrived, the Israelis showed up with a very strange-looking animal, a Dachshund that was 10 feet long! Everyone at the dogfight arena felt sorry for the Israelis. No one there seriously thought this weird, odd-looking animal stood any chance against the growling beast over in the Arab camp. All the bookies took one look and predicted that the Arab dog would win in less than a minute. As the cages were opened, the Dachshund slowly waddled toward the center of the ring. The Arab dog leaped from its cage and charged the giant wiener-dog. As he got to within an inch of the Israeli dog, the Dachshund opened its jaws and swallowed the Arab beast whole in one bite. There was nothing left but a small puff of fur from the Arab killer dog's tail floating to the ground. The stunned crowd of international observers, bookies and media personnel let out a collective gasp of disbelief and surprise. The Arabs approached the Israelis, muttering and shaking their heads in disbelief. "We do not understand," said their leader, "Our top scientists and breeders worked for 5 long years with the meanest, biggest Dobermans, Rottweilers and Siberian wolves, and they developed an incredible killing machine of a dog!"

The Israelis replied. "Well, for 5 years, we have had a team of Jewish plastic surgeons from
Boca Raton working to make an alligator look like a Dachshund."

hugs and smiles,"

Have a wonderful day!
Cat

Copic Swatch Book...

2011-05-01T11:43:00.000-07:00

I have been working on this for some time. I am a visual person and I have accumulated lists and lists of Copic blending families from my favorite guru's but, never could visualize them.

One day I was in my LSS... Be Creative in Pitt Meadows, B.C. and Lisa Strahl had hers there. I thought what a wonderful idea! So...I began.

I started with 4-1/4 by 5-1/2 but the pages were going to be too small and the book would be too thick so I started over and went with half-sheets. I decided to use my stock of Gina K Pure Luxury as: 1) I was not a fan of the paper (I know people rave about it but, I have way too much trouble blending on it) and 2) It was nice and thick with no bleed-through to the other side....perfect for my book. I got all the paper cut to size, my binding coil at hand, my Cinch ready to bind and I picked up a sheet of heavy-duty acetate/mylar stuff...cut it in half and it was perfect for the front and back protective covers.

I started at the internet with digital clip art. I could have stamped it all but, I am such a newbie at stamping and there were so many images to do....I decided to go with digital instead. I searched until I found the images I wanted to represent my swatches....blank faces, hair, flowers, leaves, etc.

I created my templates and printed off all my pages.....sat down one night with my Copics and colored the pages in. I split each section by color and representation. I was not concerned with the actual representation of....say a leaf or a barrel but, with the laying down of my color blending families.

I am really, really happy with it. I can sit down now...open the book...look for a color family I want...see the main color, the highlight and the shadow....grab my markers and color. No more guessing!

Have a wonderful day!

Copic Airbrushing....

2011-04-01T09:34:00.000-07:00

Eurika....my first airbrushed image! This card is for my baby (baby?...the kid is turning 26!) and he is such a dragon fan. The inside says "Meddle not in the affairs of dragons; for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup". This saying is so much my son!

Have a great day!

Ok, can I please, huh, can I?

2011-03-26T19:36:00.000-07:00

Oh I just have to...I mean, I really need to....I mean, oh please can I, can I? I can't hold it in...EEEEEEEEEE......I GOT MY COPIC AIRBRUSH SYSTEM! Is life any better? Do you have any idea how much fun it is to spray flower patterns to practice? Do you have any idea how wonderful the soft hiss of the compressor is?

The only thing wrong with it....it's not pink! I mean Bosskut has taken me to the "pink side" with the Gazelle. Even The Cinch binder is pink!

OMG, I am going to have so, so much fun!

Have an awesome day!

Wedding...wedding...wedding...

2011-03-26T16:11:00.000-07:00

Finally...caught up on my blog. Last thing is the wedding invitations I have made for No. 2 son and fiancee who are getting married in October. Amanda (future DIL) approached me about making them and could I do something like this?

One small(?) issue...they are copyright protected! I contacted Marleine at Paper Olive to see how I could accomplish this without infringing. I hope I have done it okay!

The first thing on my list was to search the internet until I found the correct damask. Then I had to create a pattern from that damask and use that pattern to create my own damask paper. That took considerable effort in my graphics program! I then isolated one of the damask images and made a monogram from it. Each of the monograms has a crystal glued in the heart of the pattern.

The next project was to find all the black paper and take it to a print shop and have them cut it to size! My nephew's were done by hand and I was not measuring and cutting and erasing pencil marks again! It was cheap too - $11.00 for all the cuts!

I cut out squares and then halved them into triangles to form the pockets. The right pocket has a slit in it and two holes at each end of the slit....how professional...I impressed myself!!!

I made one template with everything "damask" but I found it way too busy...so, I made a second template with just the damask image at the top and sent them off for approval. No. 2 son (bless his heart) liked the invitation in the centre with the full damask and the inserts for Directions and Menu with the damask monogram at the top. Of course, keeping in the theme, the reply card was full damask pattern....and...there were crystals in the damask monogram too!

There was no way I was going to try to cut out 150 damask frames and...since I had a digital cutter (yeah Gazelle!)...I located and purchased the perfect cutting file. With a lot of help from Terri at Bosskut I managed to get them all lined up and cut out perfectly.

I wanted to have the invitation matted like a picture frame but the damask paper was too fragile and it kept tearing. I was stuck cutting them all out and layering one on top of the other. Man was I going through glue rollers! I said, "Enough"...took my trusty coupon in hand and headed to my local M's and picked up an ATG....can I say AWESOME? Way, way easier and cheaper! You can see my little pink toy in this picture.

All the components nice and tidy and ready for securing and stuffing!

Man the picture does not do these justice....the plum, the black, the white, the damask, the crystals- rich, rich, rich!!!! The whole room sparkled!

My future DIL loved them and they are in the mail. Now I just have to do the place cards, programs, name tags and personalized menus!

Have a great day!

Be still my beating heart....

2011-01-31T08:54:00.000-08:00

OMG...it is enough that Beate from Fresh & Fun took the time to view my little blog and send me a comment (she is my hero....gosh I adore what she does!) but I happened to glance down and saw the number of people who have viewed my blog....almost 11,000!!! Man I find that hard to believe!

I have been so busy working (bookkeeping and I have 5 year ends and tax season all at the same time) I haven't had time to post. I did get my Christmas cards out...barely! For the life of me I can't find the blog where I got my inspiration from (okay, okay...I cased it...it was so simple and I was out of time to make my own up!). I went with Elizabeth Craft peel-offs and used her Merry Christmas ones. Man, this was fast and so simple and so elegant....love it. Whoever you are, thank you, thank you for your quick and simple design.

The latest craze around here right now are tissue box covers. I made a bunch for Christmas gifts and of course, I neglected to take pictures. However, I just Googled images and came across this website here. She has some awesome samples of what we have been up to. Perfect for those embossing folders I just had to have and never used! Diane Zechman has the tutorial and video up on Splitcoast Stampers and this is the link. They are so much fun and really, really simple to do.

I made two in baby colors using the Cuttlebug Birthday Bash in lavender and yellow and one in blue and yellow...they were so adorable. I also made one for my brother's bathroom in his new house. He decorated it himself in red, black and gold...and man, it looks awesome. One of the pieces he had in it was a three foot tall bamboo painted a high glossy oriental red and he has dried flowers and reeds in it. It is sure the focal point of the bathroom. I used the Oriental Weave embossing folder set. On the front I used Tim Holtz bird cage die and I think it looks stunning.

Have a wonderful day!

Aha....an update....

2010-11-07T21:53:00.000-08:00

Man, I have been busy...so, grab a coffee or tea and sit back...this is going to be a long post.

Weddings...my nephew got married the September long weekend and I volunteered to make his wedding invitations. Surfing the internet looking at ideas I came across this website and she was a fountain of information.

These were so simple to make but man, did they really look elegant! I really suck at stamping so the sentiment and the monogram were done on my laser printer. I love the little crystal in the "H" on the monogram and I put a matching crystal in the "T" of Thank You, too. Black and white card stock was on the usual sale and I stocked up on the ribbon when it was on clearance. What was nice was that I really over bought and I got to return what I didn't need to the store (always keep your receipts, girls).

Of course, there were cards for the attendants also. Michael's wanted an arm and a leg for their dimensional stickers and I found a website (Scrapbookingcafeonline) where I got all the stickers I needed plus shipping for the price of one...yes I said one...sticker at Michael's. So...why would I ever buy a sticker there again!

My niece-in-law sent me pictures of her bridesmaid dresses and I so happened to have the exact Copic markers....so, I colored the white dress and ribbon sticker to match. This was pretty close to the flower girl dresses. I just had to add the ribbon that spanned across the width of the dress.

He is so cute! This is just a clip art I got off the internet. I colored his coat, tie and the heart with Spica pens. I added a gem for his button and two jump rings for the ring pillow.

This was another find on the internet. I was searching for tuxedo cards and came across this website. It took a bit to figure everything out...and, everyone loved their cards!

I had been reading and looking at 'explosion boxes' so...I thought I would try to make one for my nephew and niece-in-law.

I "borrowed" pictures from their Facebook photo album and got to work. I did two layers...one layer black and white photos and the other layer with colored photos.

The following weekend my receptionist got married. She was having a cupcake tree and I asked her if she needed cupcake wrappers, "Nope", she said. "Yes, you do", I said. When they came over on the weekend to put things together I met her and her fiance at the door with a plate. On one side was three mini cupcakes with no wrapper and three on the other side with wrappers....she got my point! Besides, I finally got to play with my Gazelle.

That was another issue...I really haven't had a chance to play with my pink machine and I was just trying to wing it. Along comes Terry Mouw from Bosskuts....without her invaluable help I would not have done this at all (even though I really, really wanted to do this).

Her cupcake tree looked so awesome! The cupcake wrappers made a huge difference and it just gave it a "finished" look.

Of course, I volunteered when she was having trouble with her printing. I scanned her wedding invitation (damask pattern) and created her wine bottle label and favor tags in the same pattern.

Now, I guess I really do not have any spare time on my hands because I offer to make her attendant cards. Back to Scrapbookingcafeonline to get more stickers. A Spellbinders Nestability Label 10, white velvet and black gems later I have this awesome card. I included the small easel stand with each one so they could stand up properly.
This sticker was identical to the flower girl dresses. It wasn't until I was at the wedding that I realized I forgot to color the ribbon black. Oh well, I managed to get one done correctly. One of the girls lost her card and was devastated. I had a spare sticker so I made her one to replace her lost one and....this time the ribbon was black!

And no, I do not sleep! At least, around this time it sure felt like it. I wanted to do another explosion box. I was surfing one day and I found this website. I picked up the Sizzix Bigz Cake Die and proceeded to put this together. I am so pleased with how it turned out!

Back to Facebook for photos again and I printed two layers...this time, all black & white. I slit one card stock layer and this made a great spot for a gift card. See the little butterfly...tug on that to get the gift card!

My friend's daughter was having a baby shower (see the Burnished Velvet heart invitations from last year) and I of course, volunteered to make the shower cards. I don't have a picture of it yet, but it is a pink version of the one I made for my daughter's baby shower. I made baby booties for party favors and I just had to make another explosion box.

This one is in the baby's nursery colors (yep, it's a girl). The pink paper used to form the sides of the box lose their detail in the process...it is embossed with little bears etc....just darling!

I think that is enough for now....my next project is wedding invitations for "Number 2" son. I made up the template and I am waiting approval from the bride. I will post them when I make the final version.
Between crafting...dealing with water in our ductwork since March...we are on a cement slab and water managed to find it's way into our floor heating vents. We finally, finally found the problem....water main leak - yeah, house insurance.

Christmas cards next weekend....man, this never ends! Have a great day.

Cat

My first challenge...

2010-10-02T15:23:00.001-07:00

I did it...I did it. I finally found a spare minute to make a card that I could enter into a challenge.

Oct. 1 – ssnotime159 – Three is the Number – Today’s challenge calls for us to think in 3’s. Your project should incorporate 3 panels (as in background panels) OR 3 images (as in the focal point). Things always look pleasing to the eye when grouped in 3’s, so let’s see what kind of eye-pleasing trios we can come up with today!

Well, it is a friend's birthday and while I was putting together her card for tonight I noticed that it fit...so, here it is. I love the Lazy Dayz 3d sheets and this so suits my friend! Now I just have to figure out "Mr. Linky"!!!

Still here....

2010-09-08T11:41:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy with weddings and baby births....yep, I am a grandma! Bouncing baby boy Dezmond Alexander Gunn arrived on the 19th of August...weighing in at a whopping 9 lbs. 11 oz. Healthy and happy and mom, dad and baby are doing just fine.

Number 1 grandson, Nolan turned 1 year old on August 31st. I can't believe it has been a year already.

Anyway...back to work. I have pics and stuff coming in the next little while.

Have a great day

New cards....

2010-06-26T14:05:00.001-07:00

I have been busy working working and working on a surprise for someone. I took some down time last night and whipped up two cards.

Before I get to that...I saw a card on Scrap Bitz blog and....as I had just picked up the Karen Lockhart stamp she used it was a perfect opportunity to make a card for dad and get it mailed off to him.

I found a poem on the internet from a daughter to her father and I used it to make my own background paper. I love the English leather-like paper and the royal blue is a glorious colour. I used Diamond Glaze over the ocean to give it some gloss, used Stickles (for the first time ever - hoarder!) on the sun rays and, after a quick trip to the fabric store...twill ribbon.

I am so proud of my colouring (thanks Suzanne Dean for your Copic Class) and how this card turned out. Dad called and he was really touched.

Now, for the other two cards! One is for a friend's daughter who is finally pregnant. I waited until I knew everything is just fine and in her third trimester (no tempting fate here). I found a tutorial on the internet how to get perfect circles and this card just blossomed from there.

This one I found on the internet and fell in love with the simple, but elegant, design of it.

Last night a friend asked me why wasn't I on Etsy and selling my cards. I told her I can't sell my cards. 99.9% of the time they are "cased" (seeing someone else's work on the internet...falling in love with it... and copying/modifying it a bit for personal use). I know of some people whose cards are being sold as that person's idea and I find this practice totally reprehensible.

I am so brain-dead when it comes to having an original idea. I call myself "paint by numbers". I know I have made some cards that a store really wants to sell and they are my original idea....I just can never seem to find the time to work on them. Oh well, by the end of the summer all my craft promises will be fulfilled and I can devote some time to them.

Until then, I hope everyone sees sunshine.

Cat

Copic Marker Storage...

2010-06-26T13:55:00.001-07:00

I have been searching, it seems like forever, for a Copic marker storage solution. I know a lot of posters like the "cubby" style of storage but, I like my markers in colour chart order --- and portable. I was keeping them in the standard Copic marker container...but, I have three of them and that meant multiple trips if I wanted to work in a different room.

One day I was blurfing and I saw a post how one person likes hers in a storage crate. Well, off to Michael's I go and ....no storage crate. However, they did have a beautiful basket that was perfect in size. I put some of that non-slip material down and it holds all three of my copic containers. All my colours are in perfect (for me) order and I love that I can just carry it from room to room now.

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Storage....

2010-06-05T18:53:00.000-07:00

I am really on a "tear" organizing my craft area. I am liking the way it is going!

Up until now, I have been keeping all my small dies and embossing folders in a binder. However, I seem to have outgrown it. My hubby says to stop shopping and my response is, "WHAT...are you nuts?"

I "googled" and found one poster on Splitcoast Stampers who stored hers in a wooden crate. Off to my local Michael's...no crate...but, they did have the cutest storage boxes that work perfectly. In fact, I grabbed a bunch of them as one now holds all my Thomas Kinkade stamps, one holds my Tim Holtz and Sizzix dies etc. They are about 6-1/2" wide and 12" deep --- perfect!

As everyone seems to be coming out with 5x7 embossing folders (and I am accumulating some now) I wanted to create the file dividers (8" x 6-1/4") and cut "1/3 cut" tabs. The dividers end up being 7" x 6-1/4". I typed labels for them and then I cut three 8"x6-1/4" coloured dividers to separate the brand (i.e. Cuttlebug, Sizzix, Crafts-too-you). I like this better as I can keep the sets together now (i.e. Sizzix Wedding Set).

Gee....I am so organized! Next project: I picked up the Tim Holtz tag die and I am going to cut out a bunch of tags on cheap cardstock, emboss each tag with a different folder and put them all on a ring to create a swatch. This way, I can bring out my swatch to see which folder I want to use and then I can go to the box and get the folder....simple!

Okay, off to find something to eat. Then I am going to set down and play with the new Cuttlebug Quilling kits. These are so addicting....

Oh, the sun is shining!

Photo Tent

2010-06-01T10:06:00.000-07:00

I got really tired of having to photoshop all my photos...trying to find a good setting...and, tired of waiting until a sunny day to take pictures of my cards etc.

I "googled" DIY photo light boxes and tons and tons of ideas and instructions appeared. I went with the one here. It was not difficult at all and I think my photos are turning out great.

I modified it a bit by opening up the box on one side so it laid flat, sprayed glue on it and glued white poster paper on top of it. This way, I had a perfectly white interior. I then cut out the window holes, put white medical tape (all I could find) around the window edges and corners of the box where the brown of the box shows and taped tracing paper over the edges. I then cut poster board to fit the inside and I now have a light box. I also bought blue, black and gold so I could change my background if I wanted.

I bought two cheap ($10.00) lamps from Canadian Tire and the daylight true colour light bulbs for it. I am playing around with having my standing Ott lamp shine down on the top to see more about shadows. Given time, I think I can end up with professional quality photos for my blog.

This picture is not so great as I took it with my broken camera but, it is good enough that you can see the setup with my new camera.

It gives you an idea of what it looks like.

Hoping you are having a dry day!

Cat

It's raining...it's pouring....

2010-06-01T09:28:00.000-07:00

Okay, enough already. I feel like I should be in the yard building an ark! On the good side, we have no leaks in our duct work....we are dry, dry, dry! I guess flushing the existing weeping tile system, digging a trench away from one corner of the house and putting a rain barrel under the other drain pipe worked.

I have been a busy bee creating something --- I can't say anymore about it because I know someone reads my blog and it is a secret!!! I will post pictures etc. when I can.

My daughter is due towards the end of August and we are having a baby shower for her in Kelowna on July 31st. I "googled" the internet and found a pattern for a "onesie" and this is what I ended up with....

I did not have the Stampin' Up 1-3/8 punch the pattern called for so I used my Marvy 1-1/2 punch and I think it turned out just fine. The card is an A2 size and it is adorable.

We got a phone call from No. 2 son and he and his girlfriend announced their engagement. No details on the wedding date etc. but, we do know, it will not be this summer. Thank heavens as it is turning out to be a really busy one....with camping, a party for my daughter's marriage on Vancouver Island, a motorcycle trip, the grand baby's birth (both moms are going to be in the delivery room) and our other grandson, Nolan's first birthday a week or so later. Sheesh, busy, busy!

I do not have any "girlie girl" friends or family and when Ray announced his engagement, I let out a "Yippee" because Amanda is a "girlie girl". She loves ribbons, bows, flowers etc. and I sat down and made a card for her. I found the idea for it on Becca's blog (Amazing Paper Grace) and I immediately drove to Michael's to get the punches. I did not have the Just-Rite stamp for the border so, I cheated until my order comes in (new releases). I found a picture off the internet, sized it, traced it with my light box, altered the colour etc. in my graphics program, added the sentiment and hit "Print". I coloured the flowers and leaves with my Spica pens. Now I need to get it into the mail.

I pulled a rib bone under my shoulder blade (don't ask me how...I have no idea) and it has been a couple of days of chiropractor and massage therapy and no work (which means no pay cheque, of course). It has been a struggle to type and I am glad I am now done.

Still raining here and still hoping you are having a dry day where you are.

Cat

Ribbon storage solutions....

2010-05-16T16:39:00.000-07:00

I am tired! I am sore! I am done!

I have spent the past week and all weekend (minus a few shopping sprees) cleaning and sorting and organizing my craft room. I have let it go to pot ***pause while we wait for the cat to figure out how he is going to lie in front of the monitor***. I was busy making wedding invitations for my nephew and niece-in-law and the room got away from me. Plus, I was making purchases and not putting them away.

I like to have everything detailed in a binder because my hubby calls me "the Queen of returns". I have a tendency to purchase more than one of an item. I now have a binder with all my dies, folders, pens, inks, punches etc. listed so I do not buy two again. However, buying things means putting the details into the binder and.....as I was lacking in energy and time doing so, they sat on my work table until I finished last night.

I also admit to being a ribbon hoarder and I ran out of room. I had my ribbons sorted into colors and stored in shoe boxes but, I was up to ten shoe boxes and no room left for more purchases or storage. Along comes Becca from Amazing Paper Grace and an organization tip from her.

I searched until I found the proper 3-drawer storage unit and I wrapped and I wrapped and I wrapped until all ten boxes were now confined to one small drawer unit....which.....inspired me to reorganize and resort what I did have.

This is the ribbon system I now have.... Hubby says supper is ready so, I am off!

I won, I won, I won....

2010-05-04T21:07:00.000-07:00

I have been searching forever for Stamping Up French Script background stamp. I usually find them after the sale is over. I finally found three again...all listed on Ebay. I start bidding and some person keeps upping the bids and I lost out on the first one.

I was not about to lose out on the second one...so, I waited and I waited and I watched the time count down. I figured....she/he always ups me by $.50 so....I would go one further and go $1.00. I watch the time tick down....I entered my amount in the bid box....I kept my mouse on the button....when the clock said only 5 seconds left...I hit the button....and held my breath.

Nothing happened! I hit the refresh button and, and, and I won...I beat them out. I have my stamp. Now I have to wait for it to come in the mail. Tap, tap, rattity-tap (those are my fingers tapping). I have no patience...I want it now. I have a stamp to go with it....I have a card idea and I really, really want to make this card!

On the down side...our house is on a cement slap (no basement) and it has been raining so hard lately. Monday, I heard gurgling like water running and I followed the sound....got down on my hands and knees....knelt by the register and there is water in there!!! Our floor vents are full of water. Hubby has been pumping them dry with his shop vac but it is not keeping up to the water flow. I now need to find a general contractor to tell me what my next step should be. I want to rent again!!!

It is supposed to be hot and sunny for the rest of the week into the weekend....so, I hope we dry out and we can figure out what is going on.

I hope the sun shines where you are.

Cat

Time....

2010-04-19T22:44:00.000-07:00

I will be so glad when tax season is over! I did four year-ends and I have three more to go before I am free!

I enrolled in Suzanne Dean's online Copic classes....you can find all the information here. I have taken a couple classes locally and by the time I was out the door, the information was out of my head. Here, I have a year to complete the course, videos to download and watch and keep to remind me and, after watching one of her videos, I finally get it about the numbering system.

I printed the Copic colour chart on each kind of paper I have and coloured them all in (to see the different effects paper has on the colours) and, while I was laying down my little colour blocks, I could see and understand why.

I was Googling for Copic totes and found some neat ideas. I stopped by Michael's after work and I found a very strong basket, leather trim, handles, straight sides and.....it fits all four of my Copic containers (I like having them in the original rack and in colour chart order). I am so pleased.

But, the good news is.......I bought a Bosskut Gazelle cutter! I can't wait! I posted on the Bosskut user forum about testing the double-sided sticky tape/cardstock/tape sandwich and a wonderful lady named Terri offered to try it out. Well, she also sent me the die-cuts so I could see for myself. I love it, I love it, I love it!

I have also been surfing for collapsible photo tents so I can have better pictures on my blog of things I make. I have found a couple of ideas and I picked up two lights from Home Depot that I hope will do the trick for lighting. I will post the results!

I went to my daughter's prenatal exam at the end of March and I got to hear my grandson's heart beat...yep, it is going to be a boy! I have some ideas for shower invitations and I get to work on them as soon as my last tax return is done!!!!

I haven't been too crafty lately....working and surfing. Hopefully I will have something to show soon....lots of ideas....painting 'scapes with Pan Pastels, new dies etc.

Have a great day and I hope the sun shines where you are.

Cat

I hear the call....

2010-02-17T18:48:00.000-08:00

Dustin Pike posted on his blog a call to readers to send a card to 10-year old Delia in Denver Colorado, who was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He generously offered one of his digital stamps free to anyone who wished to participate.

She loves...no, adores owls and that was what the stamp Dustin donated was ---owls. She has been inundated with owl-based cards from around the world wishing her well. I never seem to find the time but, I really wanted to do this.

So, I got my stamp...brought out the dreaded Copics (which I still have such trouble with) and did my best. I found glorious pink glitter paper to match the blue, brought out a Martha Stewart Edge punch (finally broke into my hoarded stash), added a computer generated sentiment, mounted it on a Spellbinder's tag, a matching bow and a jewel.

Sitting there last night watching the Olympics I thought ...okay, Owl...you are sick...you need bloodshot eyes. Then today I added Glossy Accents to the eyes. I think it looks pretty good myself! The inside is just a note telling her that good wishes are winging her way from this corner of the world.

Yesterday, I had some down time and as I surfed around on Becca's blog "Amazing Paper Grace" I saw what she did with an owl made from Nestabilities. I just had to do it!

Right after work I headed to Michael's to grab a note pad and I spotted this 5x7 hot pink journal. I couldn't wait to finish supper and out came my Big Shot, Nestabilities, paper, Distress Ink and stuff. As I did not have the Stamping Up punch for the head I had to "Google" an image of the die cut> print it out on my computer> cut the cardstock> trace it onto my paper and cut it out. Then I die-cut the other required pieces, did my very first distress-look, glued everything together and finished with adding googly eyes.

I really hope she likes it. Now, I just have to package it all up and stick it in the mail. I heard they released her from the hospital and she is resting at home now.

I have been so busy working that I really have not had time to think and I still have the wedding invitations to make by the end of the month. Then....I plan on digging out my Marianne Walker manual and figure out how to use these dreaded Copics without bleeding everywhere. I know it is me because I am using Prism paper and I am using Neenah Classic Crest paper everyone raves about and I still bleed.

Oh well...six medals...Go Canada Go!!!

Updates.....

2010-02-04T12:10:00.000-08:00

Phew...it has been awhile since I last posted...busy, busy, busy! Our first grandson arrived this past August and I just had to make birth announcements....man, why else have I been buying and hoarding all this stuff!

The kids had come for a visit and Jen and I sat down and she pre-picked out the announcements...we just had to wait to see if it would be pink or blue. In the meantine, I ordered the tiny clothespins off the internet and tried to find the perfect paper. I searched high and lo and could not find anything I liked or even looked remotely like the picture in the book.

So, back to creating digitally. I created the paper I wanted and just waited to see what colour I was going to use...simple! Same thing with the feet, I tried to find a stamp but again, on the internet and readily available in the US but, I live in Canada and getting US based card creation products up here.....good luck! Back to the computer....look for clip art....change the colour (gotta love my graphic programs!) and I had just what I wanted. On the inside - basic birth announcement but, I added tiny punched out baby feet as an embellishment.

My brother-in-law's father passed away and I wanted to send him something simple, but masculine. I saw this technique on another blog and I immediately thought of it for him. I searched until I found a clip art of a Thomas Kincaid painting...printed two copies, one black and white and one in colour. Using my Nestabilities I die cut the colour picture and used a black marker to outline the die-cut. I then, carefully, matched it to the black & white printoff, printed a computer generated sentiment, mounted it and added two eyelets for the string to go through. I lined the envelope to make things more special for him.

Christmas cards (I know, I know...a bit late but, better late than never).

Baby's First Christmas...when I spotted these 3D sheets I just had to do one for our new grandson. I had not done one before, even though I have tons stored (alright, hoarded!) and I have wanted to do one.

My camera sucks...hopefully, in the near future I can replace it. The colours are so much richer...I used green velvet mounted on gold mirrored paper and then mounted on red velvet. The sentiment was printed on my laser printer and then die-cut, the ribbon was beautiful
Christmas ribbon threaded through each end.

I only took pictures (me bad) of one of the Christmas cards I sent out this year...and I did four styles. Debbie, who taught the Prisma colour class and the Copic class always says to photocopy the originals and use the photocopies on your cards...man, after colouring twenty cards I sure see her point and will most definitely do that in the future! If I find the time, I will recreate them and post them here...I am so proud of them!

This one I used a 3D Pointsetia sticker on acetate, double-sided tape, red glitter and cut each piece out to form the flower. I then ran the background through my CB embossing folder and my Scor-Pal to form the base for the sentiment. Again I used stickers but, this time the gold "Merry Christmas" was on two lines so, I very carefully cut the welding to use it on one line...some glittery ribbon and a small bow to finish it off.

Man, I have had this 3D sheet in my computer for a couple of years looking for the first opportunity to use it. Lo and behold, we get an invitation to a birthday party! My "nephew of the heart" is turning 50! Yeah, I get to use this sheet and I get to roast him at the same time....life is good!

Again, my camera sucks and the green paper colour does not come though! It is a glorious, rich yellowish green and really rocks with the deep colour of the blue. There is five layers to this 3D sheet and I had to cut them out individually, man my wrists are still hurting! A simple die-cut with Nestabilities circles to form the "50", Spica to the shorts and dumb bells...and I have a perfect card for Shayne!

Valentine's is coming up soon and as I wanted to make a card for Nolan....Hey, I can make lots of holiday cards for him....Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter etc. and, to top it off, we have another grand baby on the way! Both babies will have birthdays pretty close to each other, just one year apart! More birth announcements, more baby cards...yahoo!!!!

Another free "print your own" 3D sheet from the internet (and, thankfully, there are thousands of free sheets out there), sat down to cut out the layers while I watched TV and I have just the right card for our grandson. The hearts in the corners are from a punch and I used Spica on them plus the bears, flower graphic, around the heart and the writting on the heart.

I absolutely love 3D sheets and I can't wait to make some more but, I think the pre-printed ones are so much easier to use. I will still use the free ones on the internet but, I will try to pick out ones that are easier for me to cut!

Well, I have more to do so I will try to get them posted sooner rather than later. I hope everyone is having a great day.

Cat

I want blog candy....

2009-12-15T18:41:00.000-08:00

I needed to post a link to Digital Doodling in order to enter for their blog candy.... I have been a fan as I adore digital stamps. However, this was not an easy task. I got "Mr. Linky" to work on her blog and linked to mine....I know how to get the properties for her image to link but, that is where it ended for me. Google help was no help....Blogger help was no help....so, I called my daughter and after a few moments and crashes she got it going for me. Sheesh, I had better with this stuff!

See the link to blog candy on my sidebar!

Cat

Gosh....

2009-12-15T14:51:00.001-08:00

I am surprised to see how long it has been since I have posted anything. I am still here....it's just, just, just...it's just Christmas cards and gifts and decorating that is getting in the way. I have been so busy I did not stop to take pictures of my cards. Me bad! I will have to re-create them and then post the pictures.

So...if I don't get a chance to post again before Christmas I wish you and all yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Cat

Took me long enough....

2009-10-22T08:48:00.000-07:00

Before I go any further....I really, really need to express my gratitude to Sharon Johnson of No Time To Stamp for the inspiration and ideas she imparts on her blog. If it wasn't for her I would still be purchasing cards and staring at all my toys with no idea what to do with them!

Weddings, weddings, weddings....I made invites for a friend's daughter and now I am making my niece-in-laws and of course, my daughter is getting married in March so I am making hers.

My friend's daughter asked what could I do...I told her to "Google" what she wanted and I would see if I could make them. She came back with a picture and, after a lot of searching, I made a template and she really liked them. I know I posted pics quite awhile ago...but, here is the whole collection:

The Invitation and Thank You card....the paper is from Europe, black velvet strips and red "burnished velvet" hearts. The invitation wording is printed on vellum with a photo of the bride and groom underneath.

The gift card....my Scor-pal, Cuttlebug Textile embossing folder, cutting die for the envelope and on the inside of the card, sheer ribbon from Michaels and my Nestabilities. All of my sentiments and inside verses are printed on my laser printer.

The attendants cards...the Flower Girl is clip art from the internet. I colored her hair black with my Copics as the flower girl was Asian....I went over the hair garland, waist ribbon, flowers, shoes and sporadically on the dress with my Sakura Spica pens to add some glam! The Maid of Honor and Bridesmaid dresses are coloured with my H2O's, outlined with a gel glitter pen from a 96-set I scored at Costco and I glued Swarovski crystals where needed.

The Ring Bearer (hence the bear) was another clip art from the internet. I glammed his bow tie and the heart with Sakura Spica and I made two wire rings which I attached to the heart to form a ring pillow. I also inverted the scoring to differentiate from the girls cards. The Best Man and Groomsman cards were stickers I purchased from Michaels and they were so rich looking I didn't have to do anything to them.

Then it was off to Kelowna for my sister's 25th wedding anniversary.....Scor-Pal again, a picture from her wedding album, mirrored cardstock for the sentiment, Cuttlebug and Nestabilities, the Bow-Easy, sheer silver ribbon and a wonderful brad to wrap around the knot.

For my daughter's Save The Date cards it is back to the internet for inspiration and then off to Michaels for papers. She had a friend take pictures and I put them together to appear to be from a photobooth...a magnetic strip on the back side and presto...one fridge magnet to remind people of the upcoming wedding!

I have a couple more cards to post including a birth announcement for our brand new grandson but, that can wait for another day!

I wish everyone happy crafting and I have told everyone I will not be crafting during the month of November....I need to get my Christmas cards done!

Cat

Time flies....

2009-10-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

Just a note to say I have not forgotten my blog.....BUT, there have been wedding invitations to make, birth announcements for my brand new grandson to make, wedding invitation templates to make up for my daughter and niece-in-law. I have not had the time or energy to post anything.

I do have pictures to add and I do have stuff to say but, it will have to wait for another week. I wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving (for the Canada viewers).

Cat

Abby....

2009-08-27T09:17:00.000-07:00

Have you ever looked into someone's eyes and seen no fear....I mean...eyes that say they are past fear...past hope?

That is what I saw when I first held Abby in my arms. Abby is a spaniel/terrier(?) cross. She is around one year old and we just adopted her. We heard about her from my niece-in-law. We were sitting around the table at my sister's house and talking about a show we saw on Animal Planet about a lady in Las Vegas who was hoarding dogs. The dogs had to be taken away from her and the pleas for help went out. Her local rescue group answered the call and was at the local pet store earlier in the day with six dogs. I was shown their website and I fell in love!

Abby is a miracle...actually, if it wasn't for the fast thinking of the rescue group, Abby would not be here. They went down to Las Vegas to pick up six dogs. One of the dogs was unable to travel and they saw Abby and included her in the mix. You see, Abby was at a "kill shelter" where they can only keep them for three days.

Abby was a stray...she has had a litter of puppies...no one knows where she came from, how she came to be lost and where the puppies are. She was picked up on Saturday...Tuesday the rescue group showed up to get the dogs and Wednesday Abby was slated for euthanasia. She most definitely has a guardian angel.

She was so matted she had to be shaved and her fur is growing in patchy...she had an ear infection and she clawed her face so bad she is on antibiotics and has a cone to keep her from scratching (but, she is healing nicely). She has been spayed so no more puppy mill problems for her!

We went back to my sister's on the weekend to visit Abby at the shelter. I got to hold her and we even got to take her back to my sister's house for a few hours. You need to understand this...my sister does not like dog hair...she is allergic to animals. Abby got to ride in her fancy truck...she took one look at Abby and started calling herself "Auntie" and telling me "You just have to take her, she is your dog, you can't leave her behind". That's the power this dog has over people!

Abby carries a "stuffy" around like a baby so you can imagine she misses her puppies. It is difficult with the cone but she picks the "stuffy" up and rests it on the cone and walks around with it. She sits, walks on a leash, is incredibly gentle with children and even plays fetch.

I can hardly wait until Sunday when she arrives at our home and can finally grow into the beautiful dog she is meant to be...we call her our "Vegas Showgirl"!

I wish everyone a sunny day and that you may have wonderful ideas.

Cat

Finally....

2009-08-05T20:12:00.000-07:00

Talk about being busy!! Also, the heat wave here was brutal...I mean, it was 105 degrees last Tuesday. This was enough to send us to the Okanagan for the weekend to sit in my sister's pool for three days.

Before I left I attended my friend's daughter's bridal shower. This is the card I made for her (another Sharon Johnson "No Time To Stamp" inspiration). This is a 6x6 card and the ribbon is black satin with pearl embellishments. The dress is a Peel Off sticker on Be Creative Tape. I used Martha Stewart Crystal Glitter on the dress and I glued crystals on the necklace:

Also, as Jen and Rob bought their first home I made this one for them too. A "Home Tweet Home" stamp by Impression Obsession, some Copic coloring, Cuttlebug embossing folder and voila! Don't look too closely...when I blew this up I saw some places where I colored out of the lines...that's what I get for doing this at 4:00 in the morning and in a hurry! Thank heavens it was a small picture and went unnoticed!

And...then it was her mother's birthday so...I had to make her a card also. This is another Peel Off Sticker and I followed the pattern from Elizabeth Craft Designs and painted the butterfly with a mix of Sakura Metallic and Stardust pens. The dark spots were done with a Quickie glue pen and Microfine glitter. I used the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder on the bottom half and the ribbon was a "find" at Michael's:

Well, I am off to make some more wedding invitation templates and cards. A friend has been diagnosed with cancer and just had surgery. I think she could use a pick-me-up card!

I hope the weather is better where you are and the forest fires are aways away from your homes!

Cat

Update on my dad....

2009-07-25T22:38:00.000-07:00

Some doctors should have their licenses revoked!!! Not a thing wrong with him...his idiot GP can't read cat scans correctly and he scared my father (not to mention the rest of us) almost to death. It took the tests being sent to a specialist here in Vancouver (who can read these) to tell us there is nothing wrong this him.

I have been working on cards for a bridal shower and birthday. I will post pictures of them as soon as I can.

I have also been busy buying, buying, buying! I am now the proud owner of 148 Copic Sketch markers! I am addicted!!! I love them to pieces and I just enjoy so much sitting down and coloring with them.

I also took a Stampscapes course on Wednesday...for those who feel the urge to "Google" what this is - proceed at your own risk! Man, I thought Copic was additive. I can't wait for the second class on using this technique with Thomas Kincaid stamps!

I hope everyone is having a great summer.

Cat

More cards....

2009-06-27T21:00:00.000-07:00

It has been really hectic around here. I ended up working a full week as our receptionist was on holidays...not used to that one!

MSN messages have been flying back and forth between my sister and I as our father is pretty ill and has major heart issues. We are just waiting word on the arrangements to have him air-ambulanced from his home to here for surgery. I am really glad I spent the time to make him a card for Father's Day. I spotted a website on origami shirts for Father's Day cards and I just had to try it out.

I had so much fun I also made one for our receptionist for her father...

During my usual day spent at Be Creative hanging out with Heraldine and the crew doing "Make 'N Take" for Father's Day, we were proudly informed that her son Kyle graduated from BCIT in the field of Robotics...Of course, Kyle modeled his grad hat for us and we oohhed and ahhed over the grad pictures. He was so wonderful to me (the Copic-challenged person I am) I thought I would make him a "congratulations on your graduation" card.

I spotted this idea somewhere and I had filed it away for future reference. As I was scanning my computer for card ideas I came across this one and thought it would make a perfect graduation card for him.

I tried to find houndstooth paper but was unable to and I figured "what the heck, do a Google search". I found a nice .jpeg of houndstooth, saved it to my computer and made my own digital paper. I seem to be doing that a lot lately as what I see in my head is not sold in stores!!! A simple gate-fold (love that Scor-pal) with black Bazill base and a strip of houndstooth on one flap. A very classy card!

I hope everyone is having a great summer.....

Cat

Spring is here....

2009-05-31T08:57:00.000-07:00

I drive by this house every day on my way home from work and I have admired and admired her wisteria plant. This year I finally stopped and took some pictures. If I can find this stamp I am ready to Copic it.

I just love how this looks. There is a wisteria tree with yellow flowers on it that I may stop and "snap" one day.

I hope the weather is sunny and warm wherever you are.

Cat

Emily's card...

2009-05-26T18:00:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it? To mail a card from Canada to Australia cost $4.10! The post office says because the card didn't fit through their little template slot it had to go a different method. Apparently the bow I put on the card is too thick for their slot.

She asked if I wanted to open the envelope and remove the bow I put on it.... Hello? Are you nuts? No, I do not want to remove the bow. Sheesh. Anyway, it is on it's way to Australia.

I took the second Copic class on Saturday. I came home so energized I went right to my little stamped pieces that I tried to Copic on and fixed them right up. I am so pleased with them. When I am finished I will post a couple of them.

Finally, sunshine today instead of the crappy rain I had driving to work this morning. I hope the sun is shining wherever you are.

Cat

On a sunny day...

2009-05-22T15:29:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous weather, nephew and fiance on their way here for the weekend to see the man who is supposed to be his groomsman. He was injured in a MVA and is paralized....not good.

I belong to the Wishblade user group (I own a Silhouette) and a poster by the name of Michelle has a niece Emily who, at 17 is a very active young lady. She has been hospitalized with a serious problem and could be facing major brain surgery. Michelle has asked the other users to send Emily a "get well" card and this is the one I am sending to her:

I got my Bow Easy and it sure was easy to make the bow. Thanks to Kyle Wingfield I managed to get the mouse "Copic'd" and just the way I wanted it to look and I used my Scor-pal to mark the grid-look.

I spotted this card at Be Creative and even though I do not have the pastels that were used I did it anyway. I think this will make a great anniversary card to the "Tweetest" couple I know:

I used Glaze pens for the birds and watered down Marvy Markers for the background. It was a lot of fun and a different technique for me to use.

I sat through Heraldine's demo today on the Big Shot (even though I have the Cuttlebug) and I learned a few things I want to try with my Nestabilities.

Have a great day
Cat

Rats....

2009-05-21T22:13:00.000-07:00

I didn't win the Copic contest at The Pen Addict but, congratulations to Yogi from Calgary, Alberta who was the lucky winner.

Maybe next time....

Cat

My Entry Into The Big May Copic Giveaway

2009-05-16T18:51:00.000-07:00

I was this close....I am serious! I was this close to throwing out all the Copic markers I have purchased. Man, I was up passed midnight last night struggling with bleeding colors. It didn't matter what paper I used or ink (embossed or archival) my colors still bled. In my head I went over everything I learned in my Copic Lesson and I swear, I was doing what I was supposed to.

I dug out the binder where I have every single Copic Posting (took three printer cartridges) from Marianne Walker (I Like Markers blog) and I read and read. I was doing exactly what she said to do. I was doing exactly what Debi said to do - nope, not even close to the same result.

I quit! I give up! I HATE MARKERS!......I packed up my markers and my little bits of test papers and I marched over to Be Creative to natter at Heraldine. If it didn't matter what paper or ink....then the problem was with me. What was I doing wrong?

Of course, in my hour of need, Heraldine had left the building (so had Elvis but he would have been no help anyway). Iris was there...but even better! Kyle Wingfield, the Copic Guru, was there! Okay, okay. In my best attempt to duplicate what I have learned I was over-saturating the paper. I mean, doesn't Marianne say to "Saturate, saturate, saturate"? I think Debi said the same thing too!

I took what Kyle told me, went home, dug out my paper, markers and digital stamp and started anew. This time I went slowly and carefully and lo and behold I have a picture that only bled a tiny, tiny bit. Not bad for my second attempt.

So, why am I pulling out what little hair I have left out? Why am I stressing myself out so much? Why am I snapping at a poor defenseless DH who has broken his wrist? All because Marianne Walker posted a link on her blog to "The Pen Addict"...and like a puppy I followed the link and got caught!!! Her friend has a blog and I got caught here like a fish on a line!!!

There is a contest to win a Copic package.....all I have to do is to do three things:
1) Prove I will put these Copic markers to good use by showing I have a blog ---can do!
2) Create an original artwork ---yeah right, who is he kidding (see above)?
3) Write a blog post why I want these Copic markers ---again, can do!

Hey, two out of three aren't bad!

This is my blog, here is my artwork:

My reason why I think I should win? After the day I have had I deserve them! AND, if I can do this card using Bics, Sharpies and Copics (because that is all I have and the rest of my Copics have not come in)...think what I could do if the whole picture was done with Copics!!!

The card is a "get well" card for a friend who has ALS (man this disease sucks royally). I did not want a traditional, sappy card. I wanted something simple and tasteful for him and Dustin Pike (see here) came through again for me with a perfect digital stamp. This simply states inside "Hang in there! We are thinking of you".

I hope I win. I hope everyone had a better day than I did. Hey, it can only got up, right?

Cat

Just because...

2009-05-08T09:10:00.000-07:00

Sitting here in the quiet waiting for a sick hubby to wake up and thought I would jot down a few thoughts.

I took my birthday money (it was on Wednesday) and shopped for Copic markers and Copic paper. I then printed my colour chart on the Copic paper and started to mark in all my colours. I was really surprised to see I had almost 36 markers!

This is my first Copic/Bic/Sharpie project:

The stamp is "Flower Bear" and is a digital stamp from Dustin Pike and his website is here. I just love his whimsical stamps.

I now have a full sheet of my stamps printed out and I am looking forward to coloring them in!

Hope everyone has a great day.

Cat

You know....

2009-05-01T08:15:00.001-07:00

When I started this blog I didn't think anyone would be interested in what I had to say. I am amazed that over 1,500 have read this blog and I am grateful for that.

My old drafting lamp that I have had for over 25 years finally packed it in - man was that investment of $140.00 worth every penny. So....now I need to replace it. The Ott-lite is way overpriced in Canada (as is a lot of other products) and even with the 40% at Michael's, it was out of my price range.

Hubby (who can be very useful at times) suggested I look at the Save-on Foods rewards...I have been eying this lamp for years and I went in on Sunday and ordered it...a whole 39,000 points (which I have a lot of) for the DayLight Table Lamp. When I got home from work there was a message on the answering machine that my lamp was in. Wonderful! I have two cards to make this evening and the new lamp will come in handy. Mind you, the old lamp still worked----just buzzed like an under-oiled saw!!!

I didn't really want a table lamp as I am space-constricted and I wanted a clamp-on like the old one. I sat down on the kitchen floor with a feeling of Christmas/birthday (my birthday is on Wednesday so this was fun) and unpacked the lamp (even came with a magnifying glass attachment). I went to my work station and sadly packed up the old one. As I was placing the new lamp I noticed that it had to be inserted into the base...hmmmm...will it fit in the old lamp clamp? YIPPEE!!! It fits!

Man, it was like going from night to day (no pun intended DayLight). My old lamp was 13 watt and the new one is 18 watt. I sat there working on cards until 1:30 in the morning and my eyes did not hurt. I was not overheated from the lamp...It was wonderful.

So, cards....When I was making the engagement card for my friend's daughter I screwed up one and I hung on to it. I clipped the corners wrong and so when I found out my nephew just became engaged I dug it out> put flowers in each corner with crystal centers and presto...good as new.

We are heading up the the Okanagan as my niece is celebrating her 16th birthday...man it seemed like yesterday that my brother phoned to say she was born! I sure love the card that Sharon did on her blog "No Time To Stamp" and the layout seems to be my favorite at the moment.

Sheesh editing the rotation of photos - I am just now starting to get the hang of it. Just wish I had the option directly in the "composition" area of the blog.....

Anyway, to whoever reads this...have a wonderful weekend.

Cat

There are times...

2009-04-28T22:05:00.000-07:00

You know, there are times when being a Canadian really sucks!

I have been all over the internet surfing for paper compatible with Copic markers. Quite a number of blogs recommend Georgia Pacific - I have one sheet left from a very old package. Staples used to carry it but no more. Apparently Georgia Pacific is no longer in Canada. I suppose I could order it off the internet but we all know how much the shipping is going to be - I think not!

Back to the internet - ok, Prism Papers is also preferred. Again, no one locally sells it - I mean I thought Vancouver was a major city!!! I could get it back east but the shipping....

Back to surfing the internet - ok, Neenah Paper. Wonderful, there is a local supplier> give them a call> talk to sales> "oh, you only deal with wholesalers not retail. What's that? Staples can order it for me?" - off to Staples - "what, they are not one of your suppliers?" This is ridiculous.....

I have one more place to try tomorrow. I do not want to spend a fortune on my hobbies. I know there are alternatives out there but I really resent the price being asked for some products. Right now it ranks up there with the price of gas!

My rant/vent for the day. I feel a bit better - I would feel a lot better if I could find reasonably priced paper tomorrow!

Go Canucks Go!!!!

Hope everyone has a great day and the sun shines in your neck of the woods.

Cat

No! I refuse to feel guilty anymore...

2009-04-23T17:59:00.000-07:00

I can't afford to buy a lot of stamps and nor do I have the storage room for them. I find some stamps outrageous in price, so....I used to feel guilty----no, actually I felt as if I was doing something to be looked down on by "stampers". I admit it, I use clip art! Now I find there is actually a name for it - Digital Stamps!!!

I was making cards using my graphics programs long before I even knew about the "stamping world". I was also making digital scrapbook pages long before I knew that was what I was doing.

This all came about when I spotted a card I just had to make on No Time To Stamp. Trying to track down the supplies used was next to impossible - then I found out how I had to get the stamp, how long it would take to get this stamp and how much it was going to cost me! Hello, this is Wednesday and I need this card for a week Monday morning! I was hoping to work on this card over the weekend. I am used to instant gratification!

I contacted every stamp store around here looking for a damask stamp - nope - that was last year's stamp. Pardon me! Michaels had an Inkdinkadoo stamp set that seemed like it would work and so did Clipper Street. Be Creative had a pretty one that might work too. Now I had to track down pink ink. Good luck with that one! We have a couple of stamp/scrapbooking stores open until midnight around here and, with the picture of Sharon's card off I went. I found pink ink in Langley (and of course other stuff) and I hurried home with my parcels ready to start early in the morning stamping the damask stamps with the pink ink I found AND hoping I would end up with the same effect as Sharon got. Nope, not even close.

Now I know I am not the greatest stamper (two gibbled wrists and lack of talent and knowledge - did I mention I was a "paint-by-numbers" person and I was creatively challenged?) BUT, how hard was it to take a stamp pad> dab, dab, dab on to the stamp> take said stamp and place it directly onto paper> lift carefully> examine image...I mean, I don't think I am an idiot but this is a question I have avoided asking my friends....So, why was the image partially inked? Ok, let's try the other ink pad...same result...third ink pad..same result. Give me a break here! Three different ink pad, three different stamps and the same result - really crappy images!

Let's go shopping and let's come home with pink embossing powder - do you know what cheese is like when it is over melted - you know, that greasy, yucky look? That's what I was getting. I know I am not over heating because I was getting the same result with not one ink, not two inks but, all three inks! This is Momento, VersaMagic and Brilliance we are talking about. Ok, lets try different paper...same result. I felt a bit better when my friend Deb said I probably got a bad batch of stamps and/or ink pads. Another thought was that the stamps were the clear ones and I have never, ever had a problem with red rubber. Have I mentioned that Murphy is my guardian angel? No matter, I QUIT! Do you hear me, I QUIT! I don't need this card anyway, but I sure am interested in bringing out the rum!

Monday - I have slept on the problem. I remember what Marta said about her cards and how she mixes actual stamps etc. with digital images and boy, are her cards gorgeous! I decided to come from this at another angle. At lunch I contact my BFF, "Google". Up comes the internet> "Google" damask> search images (I am really good at finding exactly what image I need for projects)> up comes close to a million images and there, right in front of me, is an almost identical damask> enlarge it as big as it will go> check for watermarks - none> check to make sure it is free clip art - yep> right-mouse-click "Save as" "Damask" to my Desktop> close internet> right-mouse-click on "Damask"> "Send to mail recipient"...done!

Now I can hardly wait, my heart is pounding, my palms are sweaty and I find myself watching the clock...this is a long day. I get home, get supper on, clean the kitchen up, scratch the cat and have our usual conversation ('Jinks is a real talker, not DH) and finally, I get to the computer> open email program> open email from myself> right-mouse-click on the image and save to my Desktop. Ready to get creative here....rats....damask is black - card is pink.

I want pretty, soft, luscious pink like Sharon's card (at this point notice I have not started swearing at Sharon yet?). Now what do I do? Hold it...I have graphics programs, remember? Open up Print Shop> create new document> insert "Damask" clip art> "Effects" drop-down box> select "Color object"> locate pink and presto, the damask is pink. "Effects" drop-down box select "Tint" and now the damask is pretty, soft pink. I did it!!!

Ok, now to size the picture...get the ruler from the bulletin board...get the picture of Sharon's card...now what? How do I figure out the image size? Wait a second, Sharon mentioned her ribbon was 1-1/2"...this is easy! Take ruler and the ribbon size in the picture is 1" ergo 1" equals 1-1/2". I said I was creatively challenged not brain dead! So, I want my graphic to be resized to 3" with the aspect ratio selected (this means that if I resize the height the width will automatically resize at the same time)> print. Awesome, awesome, awesome - I am a happy camper!

What this all means to me is that I can, and will, meld computer graphics with stamps etc. and not feel guilty anymore. I am done with it. I love how the card looks, others have posted they liked the card, even Sharon said she liked the card!

So, with my BFF "Google" I have been doing some cyber-surfing "digital stamps" and I have found another world. I found a few digital artists who are selling their work as digital stamps and there is one in particular I have fallen in love with - Dustin Pike (http://dustinpike.blogspot.com/). His work is whimsical, darling and so, so much fun! I purchased all of his bear collection today and I can hardly wait to start "Copicing" them! Imagine eight digital images for the price of one rubber stamp!

I will no longer feel guilty because I am using digital stamps. Never fear, there is great satisfaction in dabbing ink on a rubber stamp (as long as the stamp and ink work)> placing the stamp on paper> lifting the stamp and seeing a perfect image....If I see a beautiful rubber stamp I will buy it...If I see a beautiful digital stamp I will buy it.

Now, I am facing a brain freeze creating a grad card for my niece...that is for another day!

Hope everyone is having a more creative time of it than I have lately. Happy stamping!

Cat

Hallelujah.....

2009-04-20T17:35:00.000-07:00

Apparently some viewers have been unable to post comments, sheesh and I have no brain to pick about this either. I went over my settings and changed some options (why is there no live guru to help with this?) and presto I now get comments. I do have the option selected to approve or disapprove them - this way I get no spam showing up. We all love spam don't we?

Also, thanks to Mel of Mel Stampz I how have my pictures of the inside of cards displaying properly. I guess cyber waves somehow changed the format of my pictures from landscape to portrait when they transferred over....glitch, gotta love that word!

Anyway, things are doing good and I can hardly wait until tomorrow. I have four more Cuttlebug embossing folders arriving on my doorstep. I am making a graduation card for my niece and I need the Congratulations folder....

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day...the weather is gorgeous here and the day got better and better.

Cat

New cards added...

2009-04-19T17:43:00.000-07:00

Finally got my camera downloaded to the computer and I have uploaded pictures of cards I just made.

I was spending my usual Friday at Be Creative (for Bob's cookies and the coffee) and Heraldine mentioned the Artist Trading Card day would be happening and was I interested in that. I had never heard of it so, I went home and "Googled". Not much information was available and after a bit of research I think this is an area that I don't know if I am interested in. I guess I need to do more research. I do, however like making the little cards and I will be making more as gift cards. Here are three that I have made so far:

It seems sad news is all around me lately. Our daughter-in-law's mother passed away. It is really tough on her as she is pregnant right now and really misses her mom. We can't be there physically for her, but we have been keeping in contact giving her daily "cyber" hugs. I came across this picture of a teddy bear crying and I just had to put it together in a card for her: I QUIT! I have tried and tried but I can't figure out how to get the inside of the card to show landscape and not portrait!!!

Then my boss's friend lost his wife. His daughter is also a friend of our receptionist - of course, I offered to make a card for her. I had just seen a card on "No Time To Stamp" http://notimetostamp.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2009/04/15/cas-monochromatic-sketch/ and it inspired me to create this one:

Have I said "I love my Cuttlebug"? Well, I really, really, really love my Cuttlebug. I am having so much fun with it!

Okay, I have a friend whose daughter is getting married and I, of course offer to make her wedding invitations. She says "what do I want?". I tell her to "Google" the internet, find a picture of what she wants and I will see if I can make it. So off she goes and lo and behold she returns with a picture of what she wants. Alrighty now!!! How do I make this heart? I try foil - crap and looks like crap too! I buy red satin - nope don't work. What do I do now?

Hold on, what is my favorite technique right now - Burnished Velvet? What excuse do I need to use this technique - NONE! So off to Google we go for heart clip art. We find what we need (with a bit of tweeking by a graphics program) and it works.

Uhmmm, lady you have two gibbled wrists...and you are going to create 40 - 60 hearts and cut them out by hand? I know I posted earlier "I love my Silhouette, I love my Silhouette" so I do not need to go into that story again. Here is the finished product:

Well, that is enough for today. I still haven't eaten supper! I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

I like markers....

2009-04-13T18:30:00.000-07:00

I took my first Copic class at the end of March. Copic pens were something I wasn't too sure I wanted to get into. I am "creatively challenged"---oh, don't get me wrong---I am creative but I am just a copycat. I call myself a "paint-by-numbers" person!

I came across the video from After Hours Stamper about using Bic and Sharpies like Copic. I thought I would give it a shot and so I loaded up on all the colours Bic and Sharpie put out. I took the first class and practiced later on my first Artist Trading Card (which I will post later) - and another topic.

I love it so much I just spent the past two days copying and printing every lesson from the blog I Like Markers by Marianne Walker (the queen of Copic). I went through three ink cartriges in my printer, a ream of paper and a very sore wrist (which is gibbled to begin with) and if I ever do "copy paste" again it will be too soon!

BUT I have all the lessons and I am looking so forward to reading and using what I will learn. She even does a lesson showing my very first stamp - Stamps Happen Lavender Flower Fairy (this one is going to be on the cover of my Swatch Book). She also does a lesson on fur and, it so happens, I just picked up that stamp too (Craft Lounge crafy clear stamps the bear and the adorable elephant)!

I even got to spend the day with Els van de burgt who is a designer for Peel-off stickers. She was doing a demo at Be Creative in Pitt Meadows. Els showed us how to use Sakura Metallic and Stardust pens...thanks to Els and Heraldine I had an absolute blast! Now I know what to do with all those Peel-off's I have been hording!

I have lots to create and more pics to post but that will have to be for another day. Hope everyone had a great Easter and the bunny left tons of goodies.

Cat

Really, I am still here...

2009-03-22T16:43:00.000-07:00

Feeling tons better. Antibiotics got my white cell count back to normal. Heart and kidney ultrasounds came back normal. All I have to do now is to have a test once a month, for three months, to see if the bacteria has left my system.

I have been working on the wedding invitations for my friend's daughter. I can finally post a picture of it as Jen has seen the final version and given her full approval. I am also in the process of making an engagement card for her (which I will also post the picture when I am done).

Had a great weekend with my brother and sister-in-law who came from the Okanagan to see the "Humdinger" RV show in Chilliwack. We spent the day going through every camper, trailer, 5-wheel and RV they had there. Man, were there a lot and was I bushed at the end of the day. Home for a hockey game and food and more company. Slept the whole night for the first time since I got sick!!!! Up early and out for brunch and after some hugs they were off to go back home.

The sun is shining, hubby got in a quick run on the motorcycle, I balanced our check book and it was a super day. Back to work tomorrow - crap!

Oh well, hope everyone had as wonderful a weekend as I did.

Cathy

Still here....

2009-03-01T19:21:00.000-08:00

It all started with hubby's brother developing lung cancer at the tender age of 48. When he was transferred to hospice care we decided to take a trip to visit him. It was a wonderful visit with two other brothers surprising us being there. The four brothers joked and visited and it was a wonderful day. We were half-way home when we received the call on our cell phone. Patrick had taken a turn for the worse. We continued home and it sadly, became a death watch. Patrick passed away in the small hours of Wednesday morning and the service would be the following Saturday.

Not to be outdone - while visiting Patrick I picked up some bacteria that caused a bad case of the flu and went straight to my bladder and then on to my kidneys. By the time we arrived on my sister's door step Friday I was severley dehydrated and pretty sick. While hubby attended the funeral I was at a local doctor's office. My sister was correct - severe dehydration, kidney infection and after blood samples I was put on antibiotics.

Nope - I don't do things in half measures! The bacteria I picked up was not known for going to the kidneys but to heart valves! Wonderful...lovely news. So, after two weeks of trying different antibiotics I am finally responding...though still really weak and tire easily. Now I have to wait for the ultrasounds on my kidneys and my heart to see if there is any damage...

I have looked at a couple of books - but still no strength to do much else. I have wedding invitations that need to get made so, hopefully, I will feel better soon.

Hope everyone else is having better days than I am.....I refuse to give up. I will be back card making soon.

New card....

2009-02-05T19:05:00.000-08:00

Sheesh...all I wanted to do was to add the Christmas 2008 card I made. What a smozzle! Finally, it posted okay into the slideshow. This card was a lot of fun to make - lots of double-sided tape. With all the layers it was a heavy card. Canada Post gave me a Christmas present and delivered it with only a basic stamp on it!

Anyway, hope everyone is having a great day
Cat

My first Cuttlebug card...

2009-02-02T21:07:00.000-08:00

Finally broke out the Cuttlebug (other than playing around), got serious and made an actual card. With Valentine's around the corner, a party to go to that night, I thought I would make a few cards for the friends that will be there.

If I could change anything, it would be to punch little holes in each of the white scallops to make it appear more like lace. Oh well, at least they are done. I do like the effect of the Textile Embossing folder on the heart.

Hope you have a great day...

Cat

Silhouette, silhouette, silhouette....

2009-01-26T21:28:00.000-08:00

I think they had a song with lyrics similar to this!!

Anyway, hubby went and picked up my Silhouette for me today. I got home from work, took care of the banking stuff and then began to play. I made my first cut and boy, is the machine a bit noisy. It also came with a downloadable card so I could buy some templates etc.

I am making wedding invitations for a friend and I have to cut out 60 hearts to "burnish velvet" on them. I was not looking forward to that at all. The Silhouette even has a heart template almost identical to what I am going to use - with a bit of modification - voila! I will have the perfect heart template and the machine will cut 60 for me.

I have a few more chores to clean up and then I can finally get around to posting this year's Christmas cards!

Hope everyone is having a great day!

Craft room area

2009-01-24T12:55:00.001-08:00

My new Silhouette has arrived - small glitch. The post office in Point Roberts is not open on Saturday so I have to wait until Monday to pick it up. Wahh! I want to play!

Oh well, at least I finally finished my craft area. Some crafters are lucky to have a separate room - I have the dining area. Mind you, I don't mind being close to the hubbub of the family and not isolated. I spend a lot of time either on the computer or at my craft table and I like being close to everyone at the same time.

Wall #1 -

Wall #2

Wall #3

Happy crafting and I hope everyone has a great day!

Cathy

Scrapbook Paper Shelf is finally finished...

2009-01-24T12:02:00.000-08:00

I am so excited....so excited...

2009-01-19T12:15:00.000-08:00

I just bought a Silhouette Digital Craft Cutter! I never heard of the machine until Saturday and I went home to "Google" what this machine was....I just had to have one!

Thanks to an MVA my wrists are shot and I have lost most of my fine-motor skills...so, cutting little things is very difficult - no longer! I can't wait, I can't wait, I can't wait - hold it, do I sound excited? I should never have opened the fortune cookie Saturday night - it said I should buy a new product....

Prices ranged from the ridiculous in Canada ($446.00) to very reasonable (even with the exchange rate) in the US ($181.00). This was right in my budget and shipping was free to the parcel drop box just across the border (love living so close).

Now I have to wait for a week or two to get it....but, I do get to play with all the Cuttlebug stuff that came today from Crop Shop, and my newly organized papers, and my Nestabilities...

I hope everyone is having a great day!

Cat

Scrapbook room...

2009-01-16T15:48:00.000-08:00

I have finished my paper storage system and I am in the middle of re-organizing my craft area (aka unused dining area). I have been taking photos and I will get them posted as soon as I have finished.

I picked up another member of the "Nestabilites" - this time the large and small label set. I can't wait to finally be able to play with them.

Have a great day!

Scrapbook paper storage....

2009-01-13T09:45:00.000-08:00

OUCH! I have got my shelves together. Watch out for those zap-straps! I have cuts on both hands from these things. I finally got smart (after I got two cuts), went to the garage, raided my hubby's tool box and came back with pliers and cutters. I used the pliers to pull the zap-straps tight and then I cut them.

What the instructions didn't say was to do one complete row at a time and make sure all straps are really tight before cutting them off.

As soon as I have the mess (papers, books, tools etc.) cleaned up I will post pictures of my shelf and new crafting area.

I should never have started "Googling" crafting areas. I only wanted information on how to store punches - which led to "how to store stamps", which led to "how to store ink pads", which led to "how to store paper" and it snowballed from there. However, I am really excited with the progress I have so far.

Only one problem - I will be going to all this trouble when it may need to be dismantled in a couple of months if we decide to sell and move!

Oh well, at least I will have a few months of happy crafting before that happens. Hope everyone is having a great day...

Blog Candy!!!

2009-01-08T20:29:00.001-08:00

Never heard of it before tonight. Glad I continued surfing until Gray's Anatomy comes on.

Here is the link to the blog candy offered by Lim:

http://lim-thevoicesinmyheadlimblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/hanglar-and-whipper-snapper-blog-candy.html

Scrapbook paper storage solutions...

2009-01-08T18:11:00.000-08:00

Man, I have spent two days "googling" for a stacking system to store my paper. Thanks to Michael's "3 for 1" sales I have quite a selection and running out of room. There are no shortage of ideas and products except for two things: 1) The price is outrageous or, 2) The shipping charges to Canada are more than the product.

I came across a blog and, with Emilie's permission, I am posting the blog and putting a link under "My Blog List" to her website. Thanks Emilie, both for the permission and the incredible idea. Trust me, I will be shopping in the next day or two for the wire cubes. However, this is Canada and not everything makes it across the border!

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Make Your Own Paper Storage Rack

Here's a tutorial I posted over at Craft Critique and thought I would share with you fabulous blog readers as well. Let me know what you think!

If you're a scrapbooker you know about 'Scrap Spaces'. You've seen the scrap rooms of the Scrap Celebs. In magazines, online, on blogs...these amazing rooms with custom built-in shelves for each little brad and eyelet. Skylights. Endless work space. Cute little inspirations.

I love seeing these rooms, but they are far from my reality. With two kids and a husband in Masters school, I spent my nights scrapping in a dimly lit, damp and cold, unfinished basement (read: Dungeon) and my scrap storage consisted of whatever I could find on the cheap and make work! Then I stumbled onto this fantastic paper storage solution that improved my organization by leaps and bounds! This is a great solution for anyone....not just the starving college student!

By slightly modifying white wire storage grids you can create a personalized paper storage system which will hold any amount of 12x12 papers in an efficient and very organized way. And it's wicked cheap. I'll go through the steps of making your own here.

What you'll need...
1 box Wire Storage Grids (available at Target and Walmart) cost: $15-20
1 package Zip/Cable Ties (available at any home improvement store) cost: $1-2
1 wire cutter or seriously heavy duty scissors

{Make sure your grids measure at least 12" square so your paper will fit. Mine are 13" square...perfect.}

1. Start by throwing out the weird little white plastic clips that come with the cubes. You won't be needing these.

2. Build a basic cube (leaving one side open as shown above) by attaching the grids together using your zip ties. Make sure the little square nubbies are facing towards the outside of your cube so they don't catch on the paper. (photo below)

3. Next take the remaining white shelves and slide them into your cube and attaching them at 1 inch intervals where the grid already exists. If you need a larger slot for some paper sets just make it a 2 or 3 inch interval instead.

Make sure when you slide a shelf in that the wire grids are on the underside so that you get a slight lip on your paper tray. (photo below)

4. Use your wire clippers to remove excess plastic end from zip ties.

Fill with paper sorting by color, manufacturer or whatever makes you happy! Voila! Isn't it genius?!! I made 3 separate cubes out of 2 boxes of these grids and had some grid pieces leftover. I have even given these cubes as gifts to fellow scrapbookers with rave reviews!

Pros:

Inexpensive
Customizable to include large and small shelf heights

Cons:

May be hard to see certain papers since there is no graduation.

At just around $30 for two boxes of these I think they are a steal! And a great solution for organizing a craft area on a budget. I would love to know your thoughts!

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Greetings from a rookie...

2009-01-06T19:05:00.000-08:00

My first blog - my first post.

A friend told me that we needed a hobby, so - a few dollars later we started making jewelry. I wish Michael's took Air Miles cards - I would be able to fly anywhere in the world for free!

Debbie is a die-hard "scrapbooker" and she had tried for years to get me into it - I am more into the computer graphics end of things. However, last year I bought a rubber stamp, made my first Christmas card and it took off from there. I now have quite a few stamps, made a number of different cards, took a glitter course and now I am off and running.

Christmas I got a Cuttlebug and two sizes of Xyrons - my hubby says I am a "tool junkie"!

I look forward to learning how to use these and posting some of my efforts.