BFF Award

I was tagged by Renée for this award and I'm super flattered because she's an amazing artist. I shall walk around today with a somewhat swollen head. ;)

The Rules:

1. Only 5 people allowed.

2. 4 have to be dedicated followers of your blog

3. one has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.

4. you must link back to whoever gave you the award.so, who do I nominate ...

1. My dear friend, Marika Lemay- a more talented stamper, there could not be. She ALWAYS has something positive to say about my work (even the hot messes).

2. My wicked awesome upline, Cindy Major- she assures me that I'm starting to be just as crazy as she is. We have matching, long sleeved, white jackets that tie in the back.

3. The talented Lorie Ames- I'm guaranteed to be inspired by her blog at least once a week. I love her work because she uses all different kinds of stamp companies so there is a feeling of non-repetition. (and she's wicked nice to boot!)

4. Sarah (a.k.a. sairabee on SCS)- She recently started checking out my blog (and me hers) and she rocks. She always has something nice to say and she's got beautiful stuff on her blog!

5. Michelle (a.k.a. mybelle101)- She is also relatively new to my blog but she deserves a serious WOOT WOOT! She rules! I love her blog and she creates amazing papercrafts.

I won't be letting them know that I've tagged them because my hubs is giving me the stink eye. I told him (not promised because I know it's not realistic...) that I would take a break from blogging while we're on vacation. Husbands just don,t get it, right?

Have a great day, ladies!!!

DTGD Challenge (Laurie) vellum

I hope everyone had a great week! I'm sad that I wasn't able to do more Dirty Challenges. How fun was this week? What a talented bunch of ladies! I'm at my in-laws for a week and then we leave for a rented cabin on the St-Lawrence river for a week. Hence, (what a word, right?) my posting will be quite irregular for the next couple of weeks. I'll try to post some of the cards I'll be making at my dear upline's house today!! Anyway, here's the vellum challenge. I didn't have much inspiration going as I was trying to back and organize everything pretty much at the same time. I felt a bit like a druggie, stealing away for minutes at a time to cut, color, glue and such. My hubs would catch me and I'd make up some excuse...'I'll be right there, honey. I've just got to stick this on and I swear I won't do it again...' Sad. ;)

Slater skaters.

DTGD Challenge (Julie) White

This card had so many mulligans, it's insane. By far the hardest challenge I've ever tried. I've gotten so used to layering like a maniac that going back to basics was really difficult for me. After the fourth try (no, I will not be posting the atrocities I made before this one! LOL) I came up with this bad boy. I love it. Nuff said.

Hey, go check out this ribbon weave card by Michelle! Holy cow, is it ever nice!!! She's as wacko as I am!

DTGD (Christine) Watercoloring & SC186

I can't tell you how happy I am with the way this card turned out! I'm REALLY bad at water coloring so I took Christine's advice on this challenge and went nice and slow. Not too much water, not too little, and LOOK! I shall walk one foot taller today. LOL! I'm totally loving these challenges. Go check out a few of them at Renée's site. I see Dirty Dozen in her future! Kay, back to packing. Ugh. I'll be back later on this evening to post another one. Slater skaters.

EDIT: here's the link to the WC-ing tips that Christine giave in her challenge:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=363920

If you haven't signed up to be a member of the SCS Fan Club already, get on it, man! It's a great source of inspiration and it keeps SplitCoast Stampers alive!

Dare to Get Dirty Challenge (Jody) Ribbons

I don't have much time so I'm doing a quick post and dash. This is for the dare to get dirty challenge on SCS. We had to make a card showcasing ribbons. I thought it would be a good idea to say a proper farewell to our beloved In Colors '07. I got the idea from Kristina Werner' MACM on weaving. I'm having one heck of a time with my computer today so I don't even want to attempt a link. I'm SO in need of a new computer. You can get to her site by the link on the left. Slater skaters.

La Logique de Skyler

I sent this page off to a few publications and never heard back so I'm posting it for you lovely ladies. The photo was taken by my friend Manon Dufour who owns Bobarbo. She's a woman of amazing talents and I'm beginning to think she never sleeps. I encourage you to go check out her site, blog and products! I'm having trouble with my scrapbooking lately. It takes me a lot of effort to think of ideas and such. Card making seems to be my mojo lately. The weekend coming up is going to be a hoot! I'm going to QC and will be spending a few hours scrapping with Cindy Major who is in my upline. We've never met she's kindred spirit and a fellow redhead so I'm sure will have an awesome time together. The pressure is on as she is super-talented! LOL! I laugh but I don't know about you guys, but when I scrap with talented people I feel more inspired.

I'm going to try and prepare a few things ahead of time so I have stuff to post while I'm away but there may be a bit of a break while I'm on vacation. I'm sure you guys will live without me!! LOL! I'll be back!

Pears and berries!

We have wild strawberries on our lawn. Every year when they come in, Logan sits outside on the lawn and has a little feast unto himself. You should've seen his knees. I think he crushes just as many as he eats! The thing that grosses me out is that kids don't mind what they eat, right? I'm not going to lie. There were bugs on a few of these. Ewww. I said, "Logan, maybe we should wash them first..." He said, "No, Mama, you'll wash the flavour off." So buggy strawberries were the snack of the day. This, my friends, is a scrapbooking page if I've ever seen one.

This card reminds me of Cesar. Narf. I realized that I never use my oval Coluzzle so I whipped this bad boy up. It's pretty different and I'm not sure if I like it. I honestly don't say that to pander for positive comments. I really like the tag and I guess it could pass for a masculine card. Ok, I like it. It's on those Notecards that come in a pack with their own envies. 3 and a half by 5 inches. Great size!

This afternoon I'm going to a friends cabin with a group of girlfriends. Only the chiquitas! It's going to be a hoot! We're sleeping over and my hubs is going to bring the kids tomorrow to pick me up. I told him to come in the late afternoon because there is a LARGE chance that there will be bevvies of one kind or another consummed and I may need my beauty rest...LOL! No, I'm not a big drinker but I've been known to enjoy a café Bailys or four...

I won't be posting until Monday or Tuesday. I hope you all have as a great a weekend as I'm planning on having!! Thanks for stopping by!

The Office

This is where the magic happens, bay-bee. Narf. I'm SUCH a cheese ball. Yup. This is my "space". I wish I had a before picture of my workspace. Your jaw would drop. I had an old kitchen table that was a completely weird shape and, in turn, completely useless. No storage space, a bed right behind the table, kids toys mixed in for good measure. In short, no order. I am a woman of order. I'm by no means a perfectionist but I can't be creative when I have no order. How anal retentive does that sound, right?

So, when my dear hubs gave me the go ahead to

change things up a bit, I...went...to...town. All very inexpensive changes but what a difference. I got the wall shelving for free from Phil's school and bought the pine shelving for super cheap from Zellers. I took ideas from a bit of everywhere to make my dream space a reality. The best idea was from the Stampin' Success (can't remember which issue) Magazine that all demos receive (now excluding us Quebecois. %/"&! language laws...ahem.)

that showed using inexpensive towel racks to hold our punches! Love it. I need to buy 2 more to hang directly underneath the first two as I've accumulated every punch in the catty and am so looking forward to the Curly Cue one that was sneak peeked on the SU! website in Video Tutorials. I a Punchaholic if you guys haven't noticed already. What else. Oh. I bought these great tables from Ikea for only...wait for it...$39 a piece. Gasp. I can place them so they make a large square and when i have classes at home, I make a long rectangle out of them. My customers love it because there is so much room to work. The best part about my space is that the kids playroom is right in front of me and my husbands Playstation2 as well. We've spent many a relaxing evening in here. It's my paradise. So if any of you find yourselves in Northern Québec (and I do mean waaaay northern...Google Chibougamau and you'll see just HOW far north) and you'd like to stop by for a stamp session or even a wee bit 'o scrappin', you're MORE than welcome! Thanks for stopping by!

KWerner Color Inspiration no.16

Would you believe that I can't can't find the number symbol on my gall darnit french keyboard? That's why it's the KWerner Color Challenge no. 16. Yup. Does Kristine Werner not just rock? I love how she can single handedly get a bunch of chicks all over the world super stoked about COLORS! She rules. I guess one could say that I'm liking the Fab Flowers set right now. I had to stop myself from getting out of bed a 2 a.m. to go and make this card. I used what little self control that remains in me and waited until morning to make it. Line up here to give me some pats on the back...It's midnight and I'm going to bed. Thanks for stopping by!

SCS SC185

I have officially lost my mind. This card took more 2 hours to make! Cutting and cutting and cutting. I started sewing with the idea that there would be a nice straight line around the card...then I slipped. So I went a little bit nutso with the sewing. I'm really getting into the sketch challenges on SCS. I find they really improve my card making. I love the new In Colors soooo much. They...are...gorgeous! This card turned out really nice. I'm super proud of it. My friend Marika asked me if the reason I'm blogging everyday is because of the rain. Yes. Yes, Marika. It is. I'M SO SICK OF THE RAIN!!! It's great for papercrafting but not so good for being enclosed in a very small house with two cranky children. They were announcing nice weather today and it's just as grey and overcast as always. Looks like a scrap/stamp/nap day. Would that be a scrnap day...?

Hey, speaking of Marika Lemay, I just purchased her Third Hostess Club Planner! Really, really worth it! She's got everything planned from A-Z! You'd have to contact her to beg her to translate it to English...LOL! Sorry Marika! She a super talented artist and it's worth your time to check out her site. Thanks for stopping by!

My Blog Journal

I found these little note books in the dollar store in Québec City and I should've bought 10 of them! I made this one to keep beside the computer so I can start jotting down sketches, challenges, CASEs, e-mails and basically anything else that will help me keep track of stuff I find while blurfing. I would never want to take credit for something that is not my own! I used an adhesive spray by 3M for the first time while making this. I love it! Makes a nice professional hold.

We're back to nice crappy weather here in the great north of Québec. I can't tell you how sick of the rain I am. I think I saw Logan's toes starting to web together last night in the bath. Hopefully, when we go down to Trois Pistoles on vacation, it'll be nicer than this! If not...I guess I'll just keep complaining like the little whinger that I am. Ahem. Thanks for stopping by!

Coucou, Isabelle!

I made this card this afternoon because one of my customers wanted to see the spotlight technique in action. I had my sewing machine out for another project so I did 'er up riiiight. I'm really happy with the way it turned out. I've come to terms with a fact about myself. My name is Brandi and I'm a Layering Addict. Sometimes my cards weigh more than my son. I'll live with my addiction in silence...

We replaced the window in the living room today! It looks fantastic! I can't wait to change the rest of the windows in the house. Anyone out there have an extra 6 grand they're not using? LOL! I had a migraine today so my dear hubs did all the clean-up by himself. What a man, what a man, what a man, what mighty good man. Remember that song, ladies? That's it for today. Thanks for stopping by!

Pink is my nemesis...

I don't know why I have such a hard time using pink in my cards. They always come out looking kinda cheezy. Anyhoo, this is a CASE from a card I saw on SCS by, I think, Pam Downs? I could be wrong. I gotta start writing this stuff down. Hey, I know! I'll make a little journal thingy to keep beside the computer! But first, a nap with Logan. He's about as pleasant as a heart attack today. My fault. I put him to bed waaay too late last night. We had friends over for supper and he was having such a good time that I didn't have the heart to swoop in and declare bedtime. Ok. Where was I? Oh, right. Nap time. It's hard being me.

KWernerDesign Color Challenge

I know that I'm late with this but I really love the color combo so I thought I'd give it a whirl just for poops and giggles. It's a similar layout to a couple other cards on here but it's a goodie so, why not? I love the heart from Always! It makes cards look like a WOW! It's another rainy day here so I'm going to scrapbook a bit. I made a really wicked awesome page the other night but I can't post it because I'm crossing my fingers to see if I can get it published...

We're going to have a garage sale next weekend so maybe I can start reclaiming some of my space from all this baby stuff we still have. I can hardly believe that Skyer is alomst 15 months old!! Ack. I'll try to keep posting this week but I may be pretty busy prepping for the garage sale. I've GOT to start going to bed waaaay earlier. No more 3 a.m. stamping sessions for big mama. Uhhhh...I'm hungry. Thanks for stopping by!

Uhhh...I dunno.

This card was a challenge from Tegan on Swiftly Created
She just started doing challenges on her blog and, as it happens, I just started doing challenges, period. This one took me so far out of my comfort zone that at first, I really didn't like the card. I added a few things and it turns out that I really like it. It's not my first choice of colors but that's what challenges are all about! I encourage you to go check out her blog. Going to the park before the sun decides to take a hike! Thanks for stopping by!

Pokin' around...

...where no one shoulda been 'a pokin'. LOL! I had to pass some tests at the hospital this morning. A gastroscopy and colonoscopy to be exact. I can think of better ways to spend my day...Like posting a card for you guys! This is a card I sent to my 3rd level upline, Cindy Major, who totally rules. She's always full of encouragement for me and she has a tonne of talent.

So, I'm going to have a nap this afternoon as I didn't have the greatest nights sleep. My in-laws are still here so I don't feel the least bit guilty about ditching my kids! LOL! Thanks for stopping by!

Welcome to the world, Reed!

My buddy Sheena in Alberta had her baby a couple of weeks ago. He's in the hospital still as he aspirated some meconium when Sheena was in labour. Poor little buddy is having a rough time of it but in a couple of weeks he'll be home. My friends are constantly in my thoughts right now so I made a card last night for them. I miss them like the dickens (dickens?...what the front door is a dickens?).

I don't even know how many layers this card is (do we count the metal plate?) but I can tell you it's going to cost me more than a regular stamp to mail this bad boy! My mother-in-law was watching me make this card last night and I think she'll have a better appreciation of the cards I send her from now on. LOL! Have a great day, you lovely Chiquita's! Thanks for stopping by.

Shiny!

I've got visitors this week!!! My in-laws are here and, man, am I happy it wasn't us that had to travel. It's so nice when people come up here and spend the week. When the time comes to leave, it's not us that has to pack up and drive home! Wicked nice. Of course, Skyler hasn't been sick for months and as soon as his grandparents arrive, bang. He woke up last night with a temperature of 39 degrees. Poor little buddy. So he's about as entertaining as a kick in the head today. I'll put him down for a nap and hopefully he'll wake up fresh as a daisy.

Here's a card I made for my husbands aunt who recently gave us a bunch of really nice, fluffy, white towels. Can never have enough of those, right? How much do I love heat and stick? A tonne. I never really used the container that I bought a while ago until I saw the video on how to use it on the SU! site. It rules! Now I have to order the chunky sprinkles! I tell ya, SU! sure knows how to keep us spending. So that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by!

Craft on Kraft

I cased this card from my friend, Marika Lemay. I added some color and changed the dimensions but it's pretty much the same sketch. It's a great card to demo because I think I used every punch we have in the catty! LOL! Sell, sell, SELL!

I'm feeling rather blue to day as we had 2 nice days of weather and are now back to overcast and rainy. Is one week of summer too much to ask? So, I'm going to clean the house as my in-laws arrive today. Why do we, daughters-in-law, feel the need to clean every inch of our already clean homes when the MIL is coming? It's not like she brings a white glove and starts inspecting!!! Chill out, Wiggins!!! I love them and am so happy to have visitors come HERE instead of us going elsewhere. Logan is over the moon that Gramama and Grampapa are coming! He loves the attention, for sure!

Gotta run. Have a great day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

edit: Hi Cindy and Marika, you wicked awesome stampers! I used classic inks and blender pens to color the flowers.