Today was a nice, lazy day.  Well I guess lazy isn't exactly the right word to describe it cause it did start with a visit to the gym where I worked out with Doug for almost 2 hours.  So invigorating to start the day like that.  We go to the Steve Nash Sports Club almost everyday -- it is an addiction!

Then when we got home, I took a very long nap -- almost 3 hours!  It was well deserved after such an exhausting (but exhilirating...!) workout.  The rest of the day was spent crafting away.  This is what I made.  First, the pieces to make the card.

 

This is the final card.  I used 2 stamps to create it.

 

I went with one of my favourite colour combos -- turquoise and red.  This card is quite simple, a look that I really love.  I do create more complicated cards with lots of layers.....but in the end I always go back to simple and classic.  It's just me.  Here's a close up.

 

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend....have a great week ahead everyone! 
 

Many of my friends and students ask me how I create cards.  There's no real good answer to that cause when I make cards, I just seem to go on autopilot....and I just do it.  Ideas come from many different things -- a magazine ad, a window display, a shirt I saw at the mall.....it depends!  So rather than explain how I create a card...here it is in pictures.

First I stamp the focal point backgound, below:
 

Then, I make my base card and add another detail to my stamped image above...in this case, it's a flower.  I like to test what colours I will use to colour in my image by scribbling on white cardstock and holding it next to my card that I've used patterned paper on.  For this card, I've used copic BG72, ice cream and then I watecoloured the inside of the flowers using Stampin' Up's chocolate chip reinkers.
 

And below is the final card.  I cut out the flowers and then popped them up using 3D dots on top of the flourish.  
 

Popping up the flower brings attention to it and further brings the eye to the focal point of the card.  Here is a close up.
 

Happy creating!

 

Yesterday was Halloween and it was a busy one for us!  Alyssa went trick or treating with her friends, Jordan was at a party and both Doug & I went to a party.  It's the first time in many years when no one was home on Halloween!  Here are some pics.

 
This was the display we had at work....the dry ice was so, so cool!

 
Science experiment, anyone???

 
Gypsy girl!  The necklace is just made out of gold metallic cardstock, using different sized circle punches.

 
Dracula was my date.   FUN!

I've started a yearly tradition: assembly line stamping!  Every year as I get ready for the holidays, my stamping style turns into factory mode.  I have so many people on my list who expect the same thing every year: a set of handmade cards!  I usually give everyone the same thing - a set of 8 handstamped cards.  This gift is a staple and one that is expected and valued more than anything I could buy at the store.  It is inexpensive for me to give, but expensive timewise.  It takes a lot of time to make the hundreds of cards for everyone who is expecting them -- I give all my sisters and my kazillion girlfriends this gift for Christmas every year.  They love it.  See below how the pieces to one card start off as.....

 

To save time, I make cards I've designed throughout the year for my classes.  This eliminates the designing part of the creative process as I'm just remaking previously taught cards.  For this card, I used the direct to rubber technique for coloring in the stamp.  Simply take a marker and colour in each parts of the stamp image in the colour you want....then stamp it.  So easy and people always ask, "how'd you get the different colours on one stamp???" ....(note: see how stained the wood is on my stamp.....that's how much I use my stamps....I always thought a stained stamp is a well loved  stamp!)

 

And this is the final card:

 

I made 30 of these last night.  Tonight I make 30 more of another design.  My hand is already tired just thinking of it.....

I was at the dollar store a couple of days ago and see what I found!

 

A calculator and ruler in one!  Just for $1!  And this one didn't even need batteries cause it's solar powered.  I was so excited.....further proof that as I get older, it really doesn't take much to excite me.  Aaaahhhhh....the benefits of age.

Have a good weekend everyone!
   

FALL: Fall has taken hold of Vancouver.  I love the way the leaves turn to many different shades of orange and brown this time of year.  I love the sound of the screaming kids when I drive by the school playground -- there is nothing that makes me smile instantly more than the sight of kids in a playground.  It reminds me of when I was a kid....and somedays, don't we all wish we were kids again?   

CELL PHONES:  Okay....when I'm at work I turn my cell phone to vibrate.  This way if I'm with a customer the ringing will not disturb us and I am still alerted to an incoming call, just in case it's one of the kids with an emergency.  But I've had the phone on vibrate for so long now that even when there is no one calling, I keep imagining that it is vibrating.  Why???  I'm constantly pulling my phone out of my pocket to see who it is that's calling only to see that there really is no one!  I think they should have a new ringtone that is slightly stronger than vibrate .... for people like me who have lost the ability to discern between a vibrating phone and non vibrating phone.   Perhaps a new option like electric shock or mild taser????

CAFFEINE:  About a month ago, I decided I would try to cut back on my coffee and drink a bit more green tea, or some kind of herbal tea. I even bought the disposable tea sacs and filter sticks to make my own tea from tea leaves at home.

I have started making some of my craft items that I will be selling at my upcoming craft fair.  Last night I made Christmas ornaments.

 

There are fun and easy to make.  You start with a clear ornament -- they come in many different shapes, but I prefer these round, flat ones.  Don't these look cool? The snowflake is stamped using Stazon ink and I also added some glitter....you can see the glitter better here:

 

Today is Sunday....and I am usually off today, but today I have to work to make up for some extra days off I took last week with my calf injury.  Wish I could stay home and craft some more!
 

There is only one word to describe this past weekend.  Delicious!  We were lucky enough to enjoy 2 thanksgiving meals, the first one on Sunday with my family and the second one today with Doug's family.  That means double the fun and double the calories. 

 
This was lunch at my sister's home yesterday.  We had a wonderful turkey meal with mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy -- the works.  Then we had a strawberry mango pie, almond cake and ice cream for dessert. 

 
And this was today's lunch at Doug's brother's home -- we had ham, stuffing, pasta, yams and salad.  So good!  I was truly spoiled this year, not having to cook a single thing and enjoying two thanksgiving meals!  

Having said all that....it is back to work tomorrow and I am in for a killer week at work as we gear up for the B.C. Creative Expo next weekend.  It's gonna be a hectic 7 days coming up.....hope I don't get sick.  Everyone I know seems to be coming down with some form of the flu and just this afternoon we were told that my nephew had to be taken to the hospital with pneumonia.  He is home again now, but he needs to rest and take it easy this week.  

I've also returned to the gym after a couple of weeks of being sidelined with a grade 2 calf strain.  I am back working out with my trainer again, but only doing upper body and ab work.  My leg still needs a bit more healing time.  I have also had to limit my cardio on the treadmill and elliptical and that is driving me crazy.  

For those of you that have been waiting for more card kits, please check out my kit blog here.   There's a new kit available now....but I have limited supplies, so if you would like a kit, please don't take too long to contact me! 

Here's a sneek peak!

 

 

This weekend we celebrate Thanksgiving.   With my family in the Philippines struggling to rebuild their lives after typhoon Ketsana hit, and knowing that any number of them could have lost their lives, there is a lot for my family to be thankful for.  Material things can be replaced, but the presence of those you love is irreplaceable.  Read about my family  here -- our local paper had a feature article about them, contributed by my nephew Marty.  The picture featured is one of my uncle, taken in front of his home.  I want to thank my friends who have generously reached out to me by donating clothing and money which we have sent back home to help in the daunting task of rebuilding.  On a personal level, I am thankful for my immediate family, for Doug, Jordan and Alyssa who fill my everyday with laughter and much love.  We will be celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow at my sister's home.  We usually have all our kids take a turn at saying what they are thankful for, before we eat lunch.  I treasure this time of year as it really brings home the true meaning of family.  I'll post pics.

I have this entire weekend off -- it will be a busy one, with Alyssa's dance schedule and with Jordan coming home to spend the weekend with us.  This morning I got up early to create some baby cards that my friend Janet had requested.

 

These are square cards.  The little gems I used come in packages shaped like litle flowers, but I pulled the gems off and used them seperately.  I like this cause the gems are all different sizes!

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!   I hope you have lots to be thankful for.  Don't forget to hug the people you love today...hug them everyday!
 
 

What an awfully wet 2 days we've had.  On Tuesday, the rain fell hard and in Granville Island where I work, small marble sized hail fell as well.  Today was also a rainy day and thankfully I have a parking pass that allows me to park anywhere on the island, so I didn't have to walk far to get inside the building I work in.  October is here, people!!  Goodbye summer....!  But the fall also brings good things....like the leaves turning colour (so pretty!), Thanksgiving (turkey with all the trimmings, yum!), and November.  Why November???  Cause it is my  birthday month!   I am always thankful when my birthday comes around....it means I've lived another year, healthy, happy and with my family who I love!  There is nothing more important to me than family.

It's been busy at our house.  October and November will be heavy travel months for Doug who will be travelling to Italy and Japan for work, aside from the usual regular trips to Montreal, Toronto and Calgary.  When the kids were younger, these trips were tough on me, but now that both kids are older, and with Jordan being out of the house and on his own, it is much easier.  It doesn't remove the fact that I miss Doug when he's away, but it is so much easier than before.  It's a fact of his job and in this economy, a job is a good thing!

School is coming along for both kids.  Jordan wrote a couple of midterms this week -- for Chemistry and an English essay which he says he is confident he did well at.  He studies like a madman.  I sometimes wonder if this kid is really mine!!?    He works so hard at school.  I am a lucky mama!  Alyssa is also doing good, but needs a bit more prodding from me.  Today I got a phone call from her as she was getting a ride home from a friend.  She said to me a) she left the house keys in her  locker at school and b) she burned her hand in foods class.   So she had to go home to her friend's house till Doug could pick her up after work and I checked her burn when I got home.  It wasn't too bad, but I had to talk to her about making sure she tells her teacher about ANYTHING that happens like this in class, cause she told no one....she simply ran her hand under cold water then carried on with her day.  I told her she MUST always tell the teacher about any accident in the future.  So now she knows.  All is good, though. 

My family back in Manila are all doing okay...trying to get everything cleaned up after the flood.  We still worry for them and continue to send help and pray for more good news, rather than bad amidst the threat of yet another storm on its way as I type this.  Please pray for everyone there and for all others in other parts of the world who have been struck by the recent disasters including the tsunami in Samoa.  Too much bad news.....let's hope for some good news soon!

I have received emails from people about the card I posted a couple of posts prior to this that revealed a gift card inside.  I have redone this card as I wasn't too pleased with it to begin with and here is the new revamped version.

 

 

To get on my email list for future classes taught out of my studio and to learn about my card kits, send me an email by clicking on the "email me" link on the left sidebar.  

Have a good and safe weekend everyone!
 
 

This weekend brought me a reminder to be thankful to the powers that be who keep my family safe, both here in Canada and all over the world.   While my immediate family is all here in Vancouver, B.C,  my mom still has siblings living in the Philippines.  And this past weekend brought them the worst typhoon that they have encountered while living there.  It was like New Orleans when Katrina hit, though while there was no levee breaking this time, the rain that poured in a matter of hours equaled the amounts they would receive in a month.  Read about it here and here.  The second link has video that will show you the devastation. 

I say I am thankful because while this natural disaster has hit my family hard, no one lost their lives.  Here is a pic of the street that is right outside the homes of my family back home.  This was after the flood waters subsided -- everything is destroyed!

Their homes are ruined, all their clothes and possessions have been lost, but they are alive.  Thank God for that!  Others were not so lucky.  My brother still has an apartment in the Philippines and he was there when this happened but he is in a high-rise so he is fine.  He has been busy the last 2 days trying to find our relatives, having to walk through waist deep water and trying to get gas for his car and food to them.  I am so proud of him for doing this.  He has a heart of gold, so much like my Dad.  We have reached out to them, sending money to help and clothing as well.   I ask that you all pray for everyone there, the ones who lost their homes and the ones who have lost loved ones.  Hug your kids.  Everyday.  And give thanks.  For everything that you have, specially friends and family. 

Summer has been lingering and we've had our share of lovely sun this past week, but today there is a definite coolness in the air and it seems that fall is slowly starting to make its presence known.  

We can't complain, though.  We've had a wonderful summer here in Vancouver, B.C.  I am so lucky to live in such a beautiful city!

Last weekend Doug & I travelled to Montreal to visit Tina & Chris.  Tina is Doug's sister and since her twin boys were born 2 years ago, I haven't yet met them.  So I was extremely excited to be able to go with Doug this weekend to meet them for the first time.  They are so adorable and I wish they lived in the same city so I could kidnap them on weekends....(and then give them back at night!).

 

This is Tommy -- he's the outgoing one....always ready to give hugs and kisses.  Even when I first arrived and they had no idea who I was, Tommy was the first to warm up to me.

This is Matty.  Matty is more reserved and more shy.  He took extra time checking me out before deciding that it was okay to give me a hug.  He is so funny, though....always blaming his brother Tommy for anything and everything that they (or he)  does that could get them in trouble.  No matter what happens, if you ask Matty "Who did this???", he will say "TOMMY!!!"  So cute.

I had a great time getting to know these 2 cuties and hope to be able to visit them on a regular basis back East as they grow up.

I went to visit Jordan at his apartment yesterday.  I miss having him home!!  But being so close to UBC helps him so much.  The commute is shorter which leaves him more time to study.  He has decided that he is going to try to get into Medicine.  Competition is tough, but he has set his sights on this lofty goal.  Good for him....I am so proud of his drive and ambition.  With this decision comes the realization that I will probably be working well into my old age to earn the money to put him through school....but when he's a doctor he better buy Doug & I a nice house to live in during our old age!

Alyssa is also doing well at school.  So far so good.  Her homeroom teacher knows her well as he was Jordan's basketball coach all through High School.  Yesterday he told her that he thinks she should join the field hockey team, so she is mulling this over.  She is so busy with her dancing, however and this is her true passion, so I doubt she will agree.  I think she is just trying to think of a way to politely say no!

On the crafting front....well, haven't had much time to do much of anything!  I am in the midst of designing more classes and will have scans of a new Winter Snow class in my next post....promise!  In the meantime, here is a scrapbook page I did last year of Alyssa....thought it was worth a repost!  Enjoy.