My hubs thinks I'm a bit of a freak.

Why does he think I'm a freak? Because I made 32 of these Halloween goodies for the wee ones at my kids daycare. He can't understand why I would go to the trouble for a bunch of kids that'll just rip them open to get at the goods. After all this time, he still doesn't understand that it's the millisecond of someone saying, "WOW! Is that ever cool!" that makes me want to make and give these crazy papercrafts to people. He just smiles and nods at me. I love him. He's a bit thick, but I love him. JUST JOKING, mon amour! T'est le meilleur et je sais que tu me soutiens au fonds! Je te love!

Bedtime...gotta get up early to dress up! Ske-doosh.

stamps: fetes diverses, sock monkey accessories

ink: bblack

paper: ??? whatsitcalled? spooky sumthin'?

accessories: small and large tag punch, window punch, crimper, aartichoke ribbon

Lorie "Awesome" Ames...

Look at the beautiful RAK that my wicked awesome blogging buddy, Lorie Ames sent me (100% ON TIME...LOL!) for Thanksgiving! Totally go check out her blog. She's a great source of inspiration and is also part of a few of design teams. It's always a hoot to open your mailbox and have something waiting for you. You made my day, Lorie! Thanks a bunch! Ske-doosh.

WSC #63

This card just seemed to keep getting worse the longer I worked on it. It's not one of my faves. Ah, well. Such is life. This is why I think I'm going to take a bit of a break this week. I've got a lot on my schedule and my brain feels full. I'll stalk the blogs and galleries and maybe some inspiration will overcome me.

This card was made for a challenge that my friend, Cindy threw at me. We had to use our ugliest paper we had and try and make it look good. Keeping in mind that my idea of ugly may be entirely different than someone else's. So, if you have this paper currently sitting at your workspace and you're super stoked to start creating with it, all the more power to you. I, however, think it's butt ugly and don't know why I ever bought it. Ahem. Check out Cindy's card here, and Laura Fredrickson's from Scrapnextras, here. They both did an exponentially better job than I. I had fun making it but it made me realize how much I love SU! for our coordinating colors! LOL! Let me know what you guys think. Ske-doosh.

No recipe today, ladies. I'm knackered.

Don't look, Ma!!!

OK, Mom. If you don't want to ruin your surprise, DON'T SCROLL DOWN TO THE NEXT POST!!!

I made this mini photo book (designed by Angie Tieman) for my Mom who has recently had a few health problems. This'll cheer her up as she loves anything I make with my own two hands. She's one of my biggest fans even though she never comments on my blog. I'm sure she would if she could figure out the Open ID thingy. I'm sure she's grumbling right now as she reads this because, as well as I know my mom, she TOTALLY scrolled down and ruined the surprise. Busted, Ma!

It should have 2 pages in the middle but I had modified it a bit to include a few more photos and a wee magnet to hold the flap down (which is glued down in the tutorial). Since I'm a layering FREAK, my second chipboard page ended up being too much for the album to stay closed. I don't want it to be too bulky because I'm sure she'll carry it around in her purse and annoy thousands of people by showing them how much better HER grand kids are than THEIRS. She rules. I wouldn't have it any other way! Much like most mini albums, it's WAY cooler in real life. Them's the breaks 'o bloggin'. Hey, remember when I said the next time I saw 2 a.m. that I was gonna kick him in the nards? Well, he's writhing on the ground clutching his boys as I type. Ske-doosh.

stamps: all in the family, family phrases, totally tabs

inks: rred, tturq, mmustard, wwasabi, bblack

papers: east coast prep DP, rred CS, bblack CS, wwasabi CS, mmustard CS, wwhite CS

accessories: chipboard coasters, jumbo eyelets, corner rounder, keytag, boho blossom, round tab, and window punches, filigree brads, vintage brads, generously donated by cindy major big shot letters that I can't remember the name of right now.

A gift for my friend, Annabelly...

I hemmed and hawed over whether or not to post this. It's not one of my photos (it was taken from a magazine called La Semaine here in Québec) but a photo from Heidi Hollinger. If I put her name as the owner of the photo in my watermark, is that OK? Let me know what you guys think.

My good friend Annabel is quite the fan of Alex Kovalev, #27 of the Montrèal Canadiens (GO HABS GO!!!) and so am I. I made this for her to hang in her bedroom. I also made it because her husband, Pete, is also a good friend of mine and I like to stick it to him whenever I can. It says:

my darling, Annabel,

I await the day that you and I will be together.

all my love,

Alexei

That should give Pete something to grumble about. Ske-doosh.

WSC #62

I had to quickly make this card because I've been a bit of a procrastinator this weekend. I've got 2 classes this week (on Tuesday and Thursday) and don't even have it all cut yet!!! Ahhhhgggh! I hate when I do this to myself!! Self-discipline is not one of my fortés. With that being said, this is the card I made while I should've been working. The scallop snowman is a little magnet to put on the fridge! I love it! Sometimes I'm smarter than your average picnic basket.

I've got some exciting news!! I've been invited to be a Control Freak Swapper and I couldn't be happier!! Just thinking of all those beautiful cards...garghhhhle...makes me drool like Homer for a donut. I can't wait to sign up for my first swap with this amazing group if artists. Can I get a WOOT WOOT?

Skyler had the stomach flu all weekend. I can't get the smell of barf out of my nose. Poor little guy is really toughing it out. Phil is going to stay home with him tomorrow so he doesn't contaminate his little daycare buddies. I wish it was me staying home so I could catch up on some cutting while he naps! Narf.

K, gotta get to bed. Ske-doosh.

stamps: mes cerfs amis

ink: cchip, ttango, kkiss

papers: kraft CS, cchip CS, ttango CS, kkiss CS, hawaiian papaya

accessories: scallop, 1 3/4", 1 3/8", 1 1/4" circle punches, mat pack, cchip 5/8 gg ribbon, 3 d's, basic grey magnets.

Gimme a Z! Gimme an I! Gimme a...

I can't believe how much fun it is to play around with stamps and ink in this style! I wish I would've tried it sooner. It looks kinda scary but it's not! I'm thinking of having a t-shirt made for my kids that says: My Mama went down to her scrap room and all I got was this awesome card. I think those bad boys would sell like hot cakes. Ahem.

I'll be taking a break from blogging for a few days as my housework seems to have crept up on me and quietly thrown up all over my house. There is more laundry to finish than I know what to do with. The kitchen floor would make Chef Ramsey gimme a kick in the pants. Whu? Dusting? Whut iz dis "dustink" zat yoo speek off? I also have 3 classes to prep for. It's not that I don't adore you ladies but I can no longer turn an inked eye to the mess that is my house. See y'all in a few days. Ske-doosh.

stamps: upsy daisy, cute and curly?

inks: nqnavy, oolive, ssky, bbaja, bblack, versa mark, ppoint

papers: nqnavy CS, bblack CS, urban garden DP

accessories: boho blossom punch, curly punch, clear EP, jersey shore ribbon (retired), earth elements brads, assorted clips, 3 d's, sponges

Thought I'd give a Zindorff a try...

I saw this post on Michelle Zindorff's blog the other day and it has been stuck in my head ever since. I dreamt about it. I swear. So I figured I'd try my hand at her amazing style. A Zindorff masterpiece, it is not. But, I'm SUPER happy with the way it turned out. Really fun to do but very time consuming. She amazes me with her artwork every time I go to her blog. She is unbelievably generous with her time as she has a seemingly never-ending stream of tutorials on her site. I highly recommend checking it out!

Sorry ladies, but I'm too knackered to post the recipe. You can all drive up to Chibougamau, Québec, Canada and gimme a kick in the pants if you'd like. Ske-doosh.

Club stuff...

Here's the two projects that my stampers clubs have done this month. I saw the KitKat purse on JennD's blog a few weeks ago and she got it from Angie Kennedy Juda. You can find the link on Jenn's blog. It's super cute, hey? The Christmas card was a hit from my stamping ladies. Nothing like a little iridescent ice to make an x-mas card even more x-mas-y. Yup. I'm too tired to be clever this evening...ske-doosh.

x-mas star card-

stamps: scandinavian season, mots chaleureux

ink: craft white, versa mark, bblack

papers: alpine ski DP, wwhite CS, bbaja CS, kkiss CS, rhred CS, nqnavy CS

accessories: ticket corner punch, kkiss ribbon, small and large oval punches, small star punch, blue ice bling brads, 3 d's

x-mas purse-

stamps: joli trio

ink: versamark

paper: rhr CS, alpine ski DP, kkiss DP, silver CS

accessories: silver EP, scallop square, rhred ribbon, window punch, corner punch

Stamping with Miss Cindy...

This weekend while I was in Québec City visiting the rellies I stole away to go stamp with my wicked awesome upline, Cindy Major. A sweeter person you could not meet. She is laugh out loud funny and sharp as a tack. Top that off with a healthy does of stamping talent and you have Miss Cindy. Check out this BEAUTIFUL card she made while I was there! She says it's the pretties pin that makes the difference so I kicked in her in the shin and told her it's the WHOLE CARDS that makes the difference. (OK, I didn't really kick her in the shins...) I had a great time spending the day with her. I tried to convince her that coming up to Chibougamau to be a guest speaker at one of my Stamper's Clubs is a really good idea. Her skepticism did not go unnoticed. I think she has something against evergreen trees...;)

Cindy let me play with her bigshot!!! Now the fact that mine won't be shipped until at least the 20th of October is killing me. Killing me, I say. I also got to play with her Prehistoric Pals set which I don't have and now MUST have. Did I mention it's because of her that I put in a $200 pre-order? Ahem. She is an enabler of the highest order. At least that's what I tell my hubs.

I've got some serious blog stalking to do. I've neglected my blog duties this weekend, fo' sho'. Ske-doosh.

dino card
stamps: prehistoric pals, canvas BG
ink: ppie, rhred, bashblue, black journaling marker
papers, washington apple DP, ssaffron CS, rhred CS, bashblue CS, bblack CS, wwhite
accessories: BIGSHOT!!!! naturally serif, slit&window punches, black brads, ice bling circle brads, cutter kit , rhred ribbon

sunflower card:
stampers, mots chaleureux, flower for all seasons
ink: ssaffron, kkiss, ttango, bbrown, rhred
papers: hawaii papaya DP, ttango CS, kkiss CS, cchip CS, wwhite
accessories: small&large oval punches, fire bling circle brads, mat pack, cutter kit, signo pen, cchip marker

Beate's WSC #61!

Guess who's layout is the springboard for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge? MINE! It's from this card shown here. Go have a looky-loo here. I feel like a total ROCK STAR! LOL! If you guys partake in the challenge, would you all mind coming back and leaving the link to the card in a comment here on my blog? I'd appreciate to know who you all are that have been making blogging such a pleasure for me! I'll be in Québec City all weekend hanging with the in-laws so no new posts for me for a couple of days. I'm stamping with my upline, Cindy Major this weekend, too! Can't wait! Have a great turkey day weekend for all you Canucks and just a plain ol' great weekend for the rest of you guys! Ske-doosh.

Sign Language flashcards...

My friend Cynthia came over today and look what we made!! Cynthia is giving this to her sister who is due with her first child in 3 months. It's a sign language flashcard ring to keep in the diaper bag for the Grandparents, babysitters etc. to be able to decipher what the wee one is going to be signing. Her sister is going to try baby signing and I hope for her that she'll do better than I did when I tried it! It's HARD! LOL! There are 35 images and the meanings handwritten underneath them. Cyn was super stoked with the end result. Me too! I wish I could be there when her she gives it to her!

Something else I'd like to mention. For those of you that have never heard of Card of the Week, I encourage you all to check it out. Susanna Boyd does an amazing job of compiling the most beautiful projects from a TONNE of blogs though out the week. I say that with a bit of a blush because recently she has chosen a few of my cards. She deserves a big ol' THANK-YOU for her amazing site. That's it for tonight! Ske-doosh.

stamps: none

ink: cchip marker, signo white pen

papers: kkiss CS, cchip CS, ttango CS, hawaiian papaya

accessories: base ball card holders, ticket corner punch, boho blossoms punch, trio flower punch, key tag punch, on board lots of letters, cchip 5/8" ribbon

Fuzzy Monkey & KWerner CI # 24 (substitute Ppie for Ttango)

I feel horrible because I saw this technique on someones blog and I wrote it down in my little blog journal that I made so I could give credit to the awesome stamper that i cased this from...only to write a phone number down on the other side, tear it out and then lose it. So if anybody has seen this on her blog, could you let me know? TIA.

OK. What technique am I babbling on about, you ask? The Fuzzy Monkey technique! (the lady whose blog I saw this on even has a tutorial with PHOTOS!!!...I'm such a meat head...) Basically, you just run your desired CS through your handheld crimper a bunch of times in all different directions until the fibers loosen enough that you can peel them apart. Then you stamp on the "fuzzy" side and there ya go! I LOVE IT! My sock monkey has never looked better. The actual layout of the card is kinda bugging me. Tell me what you think is missing. (that's not just a fish for comments...I swear I want to know what you think!)

It's a P.D. day at school tomorrow and as that I'm a teachers aid and not a teacher...HA HA!!...I get the day off! My hubs is going down to QC with his X-country runners for a competition so I'm flying solo with the chillins for the weekend. Ask me if I feel guilty about sending them to daycare while I stay home tomorrow and stamp my butt off...go on, ask...NO! I don't!!! LOL! Gotta go post on SCS and Kristina's blog. Ske-doosh.

EDIT: WE HAVE A WINNAH!!! My blogging buddy, Carmen at Stamping Addiction is the one that I got the technique from! Good, good, GOOD! I feel so much better now. Check out her blog HERE, but also check out the tutorial for the fuzzy monkey technique HERE.

stamps: sock monkey and accessories, curly label stamp artwork

ink: cchip, cchip marker, kkiss

papers: frosty day DP, vvanilla, ttango, cchip

accessories, crimper, curly lable punch, cutter kit, alpine felt ribbon, 3 d's, twine

I caved...

I was not, I repeat, NOT going to go over board on the mini. I held back and didn't pre-order anything because I was going to stick to my guns about not over spending this catty. I, uhhh...'ow do we zay in Eenglish... CAVED! Happy, happy, joy, joy. I even got BOTH Valentine's sets!! WHA? Get a grip, Wiggins! The first card started out a molten hot mess. I think I saved it though. It's not my fave but it'll be sent anyway. The second one was thought of at 4 a.m. when I couldn't sleep. It's Julie Ebersol-ish. She's a minimalist stamper that makes amazing stuff. Like I need to tell any of you who she is! LOL! Once again, it's way too late. Bed time for Big B. Ske-doosh.

mitten card-

stamps, scandinavian season, scandinavian wheel, joli trio

ink: cchip, versamark

papers,: alpine ski DP, kkiss CS, rhred CS, bbaja CS

accessories: ribbon from the mini...uhhh...ya, styled silver HPH brads, silver brads, silver eyelets, iridescent ice EP, silver thread (braided), 3 d's, ticket corner punch, square scallop punch

tree card-

stamps: season of friendship

ink: cchip, bbaja, kkiss, ttango

papers: wwhite

accessories: snips, bbaja ribbon, filigree brads, wcw, slot punch, 3 d's