Just Breathe

Just playin..

2012-02-13T18:46:00.000-08:00

Managed a couple of Valentine cards...not enough to sell at work but that's the way it goes sometimes!! This is what I managed:

But i've been able to get some other creating done too! Like this farewell card for a co-worker leaving the country:

I snagged some of the bakers twine from work and added it to the card so she'd always have a piece of the place while she travels.

And then this card for a swap I'm in - theme was 'heartstrings' and layers.

And lastly, inspiration came from Pinterest. Saw a wonderful branch covered in origami cranes so I pulled out my Cricut and cut a few butterflies to throw at my wall

Adds a bit of colour to dull brown walls :D

till next time,

Hugz, Sandra

2012 - Ready or Not!!!

2012-01-15T10:28:00.000-08:00

Christmas is packed away, studio is cleaned (not sure for how long) and I'm creating again. Soooo many things I want to try my hand at. I joined a friend's Yahoo group specializing in Altered Art and created an ATC (Artist Trading Card) tryptich for my first swap. I enjoyed the process and stepping outside my box for a change. Each panel is 2.5 x3.5 - easy enough to do.

Think I might have to make a larger one for Ron's den but shhhh, don't tell him ;)

Also working on some Valentine cards to sell at work - I'll be sharing those in the next while.

For now, back to the work table to see what I can accomplish today!!

Hugz, Sandra

Christmas cards

2011-11-21T08:11:00.000-08:00

Been loving getting my fingers all inky again - and all the inspiration out there from so many talented people to get me going. Thanks to all!!

And yet more cards!!

2011-11-17T22:34:00.000-08:00

For the most part all of these cards were inspired by other consultants in one way or another - either a direct copy or even as I reminder of "hey, I have that stamp set!! Enjoy!!

2 more cards!!

2011-11-13T10:49:00.000-08:00

These two were inspired by fellow consultant Maureen O'Sullivan. Using up some old Aspen paper.

wintery white

2011-11-11T22:37:00.000-08:00

Wanted to play with white on white today - no snow yet here but it's coming fast I'm sure!! Here's my attempt at an all white (ish) card.

Just a wee bit of bling and some silvery vellum for contrast. Enjoy!!

Hugz, Sandra

still crafting, just not posting :(

2011-11-06T10:02:00.000-08:00

But I do have a couple cards to share today. First one inspired by a box of chocolates ;) second from wrapping paper I saw at Jysk yesterday. Loving the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge!!!

Enjoy

Close to my Heart and Cricut together at last!!!

2011-07-16T01:04:00.000-07:00

CTMH and Cricut have joined forces to create an Exclusive cartridge matching many of our stamp sets. Available August 1st with the new catalog. Take a look at this video for some cool ideas!!!

July Special ~ Bang for your Buck

2011-07-07T07:46:00.000-07:00

When you make a minimum purchase of $50 from the Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book, you can add a bonus item for just $1. Choose from five items, each valued at $8.95 US/ $9.95 CAN or more (limit one bonus item per qualifying order). To qualify for this promotion, items purchased must be from the Spring/Summer Idea Book.

Eligible $1 Bonus Items:

• Creative Basics
® Mistletoe Collection (original retail: $9.95)

• Creative Basics
® Animal Cookies Collection (original retail: $9.95)

• My Originals
® Bits & Pieces Card Kit (original retail: $14.50)

• My Originals
® It’s Your Day Card Kit (original retail: $14.50)

• My Originals
® Around the Holidays Card Kit (original retail: $16.50)

For more details or to place an order, email me at

Hibiscusdreams@live.ca

Last Chance...

2011-06-29T23:05:00.000-07:00

...to get your free Studio J digital scrapbook layout JPEG. If you've never digi scrapped before, now's your chance to give it a try for free. If you have, why not check out the wonderful layout templates, papers and accessories. Offer ends Thursday at midnight...

http://www.studioj.com/

First Digital Layout

2011-06-20T21:38:00.000-07:00

Just had to try my hand at digital scrapbooking since Close to my Heart is offering a free JPG of a layout. Played around with the paper and layout choices for a bit and then after that it was easy to add embellishments, journaling and just play around. I'm still a big fan of my paper in my hands, using my stamps and moving things around physically but was still lots of fun just sitting at the puter creating. I just might have to do that again!!!

Til next time...
Sandra

Ya, that's right, I"m back...

2011-06-13T21:18:00.000-07:00

After a wee life adjustment, change of plans, future looks different now, break from scrapping, I'm going to try and get myself back in gear and be creative again. Signed back up with Close to my Heart last month. Was hard not having my hands on all those goodies!! I don't have a CTMH website yet but plan to soon so my long distance friends can still get their hands on these wonderful products. For now you can view the catty online at http://www.closetomyheart.com/ . New one soon to be released. I myself cannot wait!!

Til later...Sandra

2011-06-13T20:24:00.000-07:00

DURING OUR STUDIO J® FREE-FOR-ALL IN JUNE, WE’RE GIVING EVERYONE
a FREE Studio J® JPG file—no purchase required! Simply log on to Studio J,
create a layout, then order one JPG file of your layout. It’s as easy as that!
Download and save your file so you can post your layout online, email it to
family and friends, or print them.

If you have a Studio J or a MyCTMH® account, just log in and start creating.
If you don’t have an account, creating one is easy. You can access Studio J
through your Consultant’s MyCTMH website or at studioj.com.

Discover how quick and simple scrapbooking can be with Studio J—and get
your FREE JPG layout in Free-for-All June!

A Moment in Time

2009-03-04T22:38:00.000-08:00

I decopaged a clock and made a little desk calendar for Sorority yesterday. Both projects are made using That's Amore paperpack. Finally had an opportunity to use a wee bit of ribbon I bought at Costco a year ago - it just doesn't match any paper well!! Hope you enjoy!

New Layout

2009-02-28T16:28:00.001-08:00

This is a layout I did recently and will be having as a class Saturday March 7th or Monday March 9th. Just drop me a line if you are interested!

I'm done movin...

2009-02-28T16:21:00.000-08:00

I am getting tired of setting up this space and never getting anytime to play with the paper!! I'm going to enjoy it while I can before I have to give it up for some strange reason!! I thought I should finish cleaning up the table before I took the picture but that's not the "real" me anyways!! Now where did I put my trimmer???...

What's old is new again...

2009-01-20T17:32:00.000-08:00

Sort of. Over Christmas we moved - and back to the house on Kimta. So busy packing and trying to find space for all our stuff. I almost have the scrap room set up, almost...! Soon I will be ready for classes, until then, I will see you at Wendy's crop at the end of the month!!

January brings the release of our new catalog and idea book. It is full of yummy papers, stamps and embellishments. Cost is $5 and comes with a coupon for $5 off your first order of $50 or more.

And January is also Paper Crafting month. Close to my Heart has an amazing special for their Heart of Winter campaign. It is called Key to my Heart and is a beautiful paper pack and a large stamp set. Spend $160 and get the Key to My Heart kit FREE!
Spend $90 and the kit is yours for just$25. Purchases also qualify for Stamp of the Month at a discount or Free!!

Once we are settled I will post more often (what else is there to do when it's freezing out!!)

Happy Scramping
Sandra

Calendars Complete.

2008-11-30T16:41:00.000-08:00

Me and a few of my friends have been working on this project in some manner since July. Lots of time co-ordinating it, lots of time doing the work, and still there I was at 2 am last night trying to get mine finished. We did 2 months each, 6 pages of each month and swapped them out today. I love how different all the pages are. No one company is featured more than another - the whole idea was to use your stash cuz you just know we have too much of everything. So there they are, in all their splendid glory. Next year, recipe books and another calendar.

Christmas centre piece

2008-11-27T20:25:00.001-08:00

So the question is, is it papercrafting if you are using wrapping paper??? I saw this neat idea at a craft fair (sorry, it's just the nature of us crafters to "lift" ideas). I used gift shirt boxes and redesigned them to these shapes. Picked up a few decorative things to cut, pull, and tear apart to use however and added to the stash I have collected over the years. Stuck it all on a charger plate and voila! neat center piece. Of course hubby wanted to know if the gifts were for him lol.

Happy scramping.

HUGZ

Sandra

Holidays are a comin'

2008-11-17T14:28:00.000-08:00

It has been a mad house around here, mostly cuz I am insane when hubby is away lol. He is home now and I am back on track for paper crafting. Here are a couple tags I created for a swap
I am in with other consultants. The first tag is O Christmas Tree using the sentifment from Magical Season (CTMH) While the cardstock, ribbon and stamp are CTMH the incidental beads and brad are from my stash. The second tag is all CTMH with the image being from the stamp set Gloria. I actually enjoyed just sitting back and using my markers to colour it all in while watching TV. I heat embossed the intire image in clear 3 times so it would be nice and thick. Now I have to finish cutting paper for tomorrows class and then assemble my calendar for a friend swap I am in. Til then...

HUGZ

Sandra

Where's the time go

2008-11-05T21:19:00.000-08:00

Holy moly I have been busy doing nothing!!! Actually I have been cutting paper for upcoming classes mostly and did put together this layout for the class at the end of the month. The class is on Monday Nov 24th at 7 pm OR Saturday November 29th at 1 pm. Cost is $5, please bring your own adhesive. RSVP by November 22nd.

I joined a swap with other CTMH consultants working on gift tags. I am trying to come up with a WOW idea or two and have been using the new Gloria stamp set for the first time. Will post a pic when I get it figured out ^^

Hubby is away hunting and it is always hard to get motivated to do anything, cook, clean, function (lol) and never make it to bed at a decent hour. Only 10 more days and he will be home - of course that's when the work begins making sausage!!!

HUGZ

Sandara

Mammogram complete and Blog Candy Winner!!

2008-10-20T20:14:00.000-07:00

I had decided yesterday I wanted to add a second draw - just cuz!! The second prize is a 1" stamp and block and a chunk of pink ribbon. So who were the winners?? Had hubby pull the names and first place went to Manny and second place went to Anonymous who said "You are so busted - your new nurse friend does the mammo clinic promotions! Your girls will be reminded to be squezzed yearly now!" Since I know my new nurse friend is Debbie L you will pick up the second gifty!! I will get you ladies your gifts PDQ!! Thanks for supporting me and keep checking back - you just never know what I might give away next time. Ciao, Sandra

Breast Cancer Awareness and Blog Candy...

2008-10-15T19:49:00.001-07:00

Cuz you just know the two go together!!

This little group of goodies will go to one lucky winner and all you have to do is either subscribe to this blog or leave a comment by Monday October 20th. Now why Breast Cancer Awareness??? Well this is Breast Cancer Month and I am finally going for my very first mammogram. I know, sad at 46 to be going for my first but at least I want to celebrate about it and share some goodies with my friends. These goodies include; corner rounder, rub ons, 1" stamp and block, foam tool, metal tokens, and 3 cards using CTMH silhouette paper. Now it's your turn, if it's time for you to get one, go for a mammogram!!!

Ciao,

Sandra

6 CARDS

2008-10-13T20:58:00.001-07:00

These are the 6 Cards we will be making in October 22nd at 7pm. Please RSVP by October 17th and bring your favorite adhesive to class.

If ever there is a class you see you would like to take but the dates don't jive with your life, drop me a line and we can alway work something out.

Ciao,

Sandra

Croppin the Weekend Away....

2008-10-05T00:17:00.000-07:00

I swiped all these pictures off of Coral's (DIL) facebook pages!! She is an amazing photographer - maybe not so much for the clarity of the picture but definitely captures the moments! I love the shadows of Adreanna on the wall - used the Notebook bulk paper for the layout. There is more I will add but of course I did not drag my entire scrap room to the crop...ish lol. The colours in the Whoop si Daisy paper pack totally matched Adreanna's sweater. I cut out the edges of the flowers and used them as photo corners. My favorite picture above all this weekend is of my son Josh. Coral did an amazing job of getting his picture in the rear view mirror. I used CM paper for the background and matting - and CTMH Dimensional Elements for the scroll and brackets. There is one more day to the crop but I think I will work on upcoming card workshops. Happy papercrafting everyone!! Ciao, Sandra

Perfect Day Desk Set

2008-09-29T02:04:00.000-07:00

With huge thanks to Dannie Graves and her amazing tutorial on Youtube I was able to make this great Desk set. It holds a nice assortment of tags, gift cards and envelopes and some standard size cards. There's a little note pad and space for stamps. I got a chance to use the Perfect Day bulk papers and the September Stamp of the Month. It did take the better part of a day to create this (note the current time) but some design time is included in that. I'll be shipping this off to my mom for her birthday - hopefully she will get some use of it.

Ciao, Sandra

The new studio

2008-09-26T22:28:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago I showed where I was moving my stuff to in the basement. This is me moved in:

I don't use the bottom cupboards for storage, Chuck still needed space for some of his smaller tools and honestly, if I put something behind closed doors I would forget I had it and go buy more lol..

The space still needs tweeking, always will, but it sure looks better as a scrap room than a wood shop that wasn't getting used!! I love what a little bit of paint can do to change a room!!

Catchin up...

2008-09-26T22:18:00.000-07:00

Well my oh my where has the time gone? I had full intentions of keeping this updated but somewhere between taking the pictures and getting them uploaded I lose my focus lol. This is the layout I have planned for October 27th and November 1st. The layouts hold a 6.5 x 4.5, 3.5 x 4 and 3 - 3.5 x 5 pictures. The cost is $7 for the class and you will get to keep the remaining rub ons from the 6 x 12 sheet we will be using. There is also a bit of ribbon and bling. You can see the bling on the corners of LOVE. They are tiny things so grow your nails. Don't forget to bring your favorite adhesive to class. Ciao, Sandra

Hey Cupcake!

2008-09-16T15:46:00.000-07:00

So I broke down and bought a cupcake stamp set since they are all the rage.

I was hoping for a larger image but this set was all Michael's had at the time. The bright pair and the muted pair are the exact same cards. The bright set was scanned and gives better details like the randon stamped backgrounds. The muted set show the true colours. It's hard to see but I used Liquid Applique for the whipped topping, heated it up and now it is nice and fluffy. Before heating I stuck in some random sparkly stuff that has been around for 100 years. The youngest son and me mudder have birthdays coming up so they'll probably get these. I have been playing around in the studio like crazy and since I never clean up before I start my next project I think I should do that now. Ciao, Sandra

Adreanna in the Summertime

2008-09-11T12:55:00.000-07:00

These are the layouts I worked on last night. I kept tripping over the Magic Moments Scrapbooking Kit I thought I should open it up and see what was inside. I knew then that I would be swiping the pictures off Coral's facebook and putting them on these papers. Of course with a face like Adreanna's we could mat her pics on brown paper bags and they would still look awesome!!

Ciao,
Sandra

Beautiful Things

2008-09-09T17:16:00.000-07:00

Had a chance to play with my SCHTUFF last night and worked on this card. It was inspired by a similar one by Michelle Zindorf. I think what I like most about it is I feel a wee bit like I am painting again only using inks now. The stamp set is Beautiful Things and it has quite a variety of trees, rocks branches and scenery type stamps.

Then and Now workshop

2008-09-08T22:54:00.000-07:00

Here is the sample of the 2 page
layout we will be creating on
Saturday September 20th at 1 pm or Monday September 22nd at 7 pm. Cost is $5 and please bring your favourite adhesive. We will use Majestic Blue bulk papers. For more info please email me at canadascraps@yahoo.ca

Back to sorting that mess in the basement. Ciao
Sandra

Be careful what you wish for.

2008-09-05T06:33:00.000-07:00

So I have spent the last while bugging Chuck to pack up his wood shop if he isn't going to spend the time right now building things. I thought maybe he could use the space for bullet building or something.
You can see it is (was) mostly a dumping ground for spare parts, wood and the likes. Mostly my dumping ground since Chuck is way better at putting things away than I am. Well I finally wore him down and we cleaned out the space. But we cleaned it out for me. It will be my new scrap happenin' zone and I am thrilled (I think). I have been furiously painting away with what ever spare leftover paint from other projects I could find.
As soon as Chuck saw it painted up he wanted it back lol. We broke down and bought some floor paint, very stinky stuff, and now the spot looks awesome. I need a bit more MDF for the counter top to make them level/flat and of course need to move everything over once the floors dries (hopefully by the time we are back from PG today).
I did get a shipment this week with the new ink colours and cardstock, a new paper pack and stamp set. I can tell you once I get moved to the new space I will be doing a little paper crafting with the new stuff!
Ciao for now - Sandra

MIght have been the whiskey...

2008-08-27T22:22:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not keeping up to date lately - trying to get the last few bits of summer in before the snow starts flying. - yes, I said snow!!

Chuck and I spent a fabulous weekend at the Morfee Mountain Music Festival and had the time of our lives!! It was the first time in years I saw 4:30 in the am - 2 nights in a row. And I do not think I have partaked in so many "spirits" in years. The crowd was great - the bands were out of this world, and I think we got to meet just about all of them!! And since I am a "groupy" at heart, it was right up my alley. Here is a link the the festival's site where you can take a look at who was there and what they sound like. http://www.morfeemountainmusicfest.ca/lineup2008.htm My fav's were Julian Austin and WIL and Five Alarm Funk had everyone up and dancing!! Since Chuck and Lyle were manning the tables every now and then Chuck would buy a CD and then I would buy the same CD. It just so happens we have an extra Five Alarm Funk CD to give away. For everyone who comments on my blog I will put their name in a hat and on Monday Sept 1st will randomly draw a name and send you out the CD. (North America Only Please) Check out the photos below of some of the performers - cannot wait to scrapbook those!!

Ciao, Sandra

Deja Vu but of another colour

2008-08-06T23:54:00.001-07:00

Just had to give one more shot. This and the last one were made using left over patterned paper (and there is lots of it still). Colours Ocean, Breeze and Vineyard Berry, Stampset With Love. Ciao

Sandra

Random stamping

2008-08-05T02:41:00.000-07:00

Just a little quickie post to show what I have been up too. It is a group of 9 from 1 cards using Blooming Flourishes and random stamping an 8.5 x 11 sheet of cardstock. The 9 from 1 isn't really so - it take 4 sheets plus your card bases to make the cards but you only stamp on ONE sheet of cardstock. It is fun though and the looks are limitless. I have another group in progress and will get it posted tomorrow. Till then, ciao

Sandra

What a mess!!

2008-08-02T12:00:00.001-07:00

So there I was about to sit down and work on some more cards and I just knew I couldn't do it without a major overhaul of my space. I stayed up until 2 am but it's now ship shape and I even found a stamp set that I was sure I had bought but could never find - and it was exactly what I needed to begin the next group of cards I plan on working on. So the first picture is as you walk into my little area - computer to the left, sewing machine to the right along with my home made paper rack. As you can see I love to use the floor for storage/garbage.

This picture is taken from dh's side of the basement. You can see both of my work spaces totally covered in junk!! As part of this process I even sorted my scraps by colour into a small file folder system. Should make paper crafting just a wee bit more cost effective and organized. Well I am off to see what kind of damage I can do in the space today. Ciao Sandra

So little time

2008-08-01T11:18:00.000-07:00

Where do the days go?? Between painting the outside of the house, staging the inside, building a card workshop for some friends, and planning some classes for the fall I just cannot seem to get caught up. Here are a few of the cards using sasparilla papers and assorted different stamps sets. The designs for the cards come from CTMH as well as all the supplies. Back to the scrap table for me (it's too cold to paint, the furnace is on - um it's August first!!) Hopefully I will have something creative to post later, Ciao

SAndra

For a friend - sort of...

2008-07-22T23:01:00.000-07:00

Hey there...while visiting a friend yesterday at her work she reminded me of this stamp set we have (and papers et al). While I do love how the papers are in the pinks and browns, I wanted to try a totally different colour combo. And of course I am lovin the heat embossing and brayering lately so had to incorporate that. I started by rolling a little Parchment ink on white cardstock, stamping my image from the Adorable stamp set with Versamark and heat embossing with clear powder. Then of course the dramatic roll with Moonlight ink and start building the card. On the base I used the same stamp and Moonlight ink on Moonlight cardstock. I included both flash and no flash image - the true colour is somewhere inbetween on my moniter. So while I say this is for a friend - maybe she will get it, maybe she won't - but she did inspire me to do it - Thanks!!

Sorry for the zany layout of pictures - I am still figuring this out and not sure how everything lines up once I post.

Sandra

Paper Garden

2008-07-20T22:30:00.000-07:00

While at work today I thought about building this card but wasn't sure which paper pack I was going to use but was definitey about the stamp set. I did end up using Paper Garden although in my head the design was brighter. It'll do for now but I think I will play around with it a bit more with different paper packs.

Everything used is CTMH

Paper - Paper Garden

Stamp Set - Playgul Petals

Inks - Petal, Sweet Leaf

Marker - Petal

Brads - Garden Green

Brayered fun

2008-07-19T23:40:00.000-07:00

Here is a little card I am giving a few people with their recent orders. I started with white cardstock and brayered Buttercup, Honey and Goldrush along a piece of torn post it notes. I then sponged some Cranberry ink right along the edge. Remove the notes, sponge New England Ivy on the remaining white, stamp your images then mat and attach to a card. Soon with enough practice I hope to be able to brayer without leaving any lines!!

Gettin 'er done

2008-07-17T00:34:00.000-07:00

Mike you darling up on the scaffolding throwing on a coat of primer. I will be so glad when this outdoor painting is done (me and my big ideas). It'll be great, we just need to get there before the snow flies...

We were interrupted by a light and sound show which worked out fine for me since I was able to go to the basement a work on this card. It is inspired my Michelle Zindorf of Split Coast fame. Here is a link to her tutorial. My card is just a tad dark - we'll be working on that. http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2008/07/08/isc-flutterby-tutorial-blog-candy/

The wedding dress

2008-07-15T09:27:00.000-07:00

First I must now learn to keep better records of who's artwork inspires me to create. I spent a few hours one day looking for designs to make a card for a bridal shower. I found a pattern and then I found a similar card finished. The label says "mayodino" so I am gonna guess May is the owner of that particular card. For the one I created here I used Delight in Everything stamp set (CTMH) and heat embossed the skirt with a mixture of white powder, prisma glitter and a touch of silver glitter. The way it shimmers just doesn't show up on the scan but it sure looked good. The card ended up about 5x7 so I needed to create my own envelope and that took longer than the card - go figure.

You may notice on the side bar a few dozen blogs listed. A big chunk of them are Close to my Heart consultants with amazing artwork and designs. A few just inspire the pants off me and I can look at their stuff forever!! It's small wonder I create anything I spend so much time looking around. So grab a coffee and spend a few minutes (hours) checking them out. You will be wowed I am sure!!

Monday continued.

2008-07-15T00:05:00.000-07:00

Well that is the image I have tried to load all day to go with the last post. This pic is 2 1/2 years old and in need of some updating. Since I have to work tomorrow I promised myself I would not stay up past midnight. Um it's 12:08 - time to go pop a movie in the player and lay my head down. Dang I don't like night time with Chuck away fishing (lucky bum). Tomorrows objective: upload artwork. Ciao...

Scattered to the Wind

2008-07-14T16:57:00.000-07:00

I wish I could say it is like a revolving door - but mostly it is just a great big exit sign at the edge of town as a multitude of moving vans head out loaded with the life of Mackenzie. Ok, I admit, that was a tad dramatic and a large part of the population is still here with no immediate plans to leave, but I guess that since I am now affected I don't like it. Them thar boys be a leaving and I am not impressed. Josh and Mark seem to have a great opportunity in Grande Prairie and I hope it works out, there is lots of training to be had and potential for a future. Mike has come home after a month or so to regroup and re-evaluate. It is a bit tougher for him without a drivers license. Just the same, this mother hen is not that good a letting go it seems. But realisticly it is the best thing that could happen. Chuck and I were much younger when we headed out and we went way farther than a 5 hour drive. They need to have the opportunity to spread their wings and that is tough to do living a block away and sharing multiple meals a week. The nice thing is that when Chuck and I left home there was no internet so you called or wrote home (at 8cents a stamp). Now with email/facebook and the like we can have almost instant contact at no extra cost. I think it just might be time to co-ordinate a new family picture before the wind carries them all too far away.

2008-07-13T23:09:00.000-07:00

Here I am...I think. So new to this but desperately want to do it. Not that I have much to say of real significance - just the rambling meandering of a middle age gal with big plans and dreams and little motivation - read "lazy". I hope this becomes a little about who I am, what I like, my creative side, my greatest love and them darn boys (who would prefer me to call them men now I am sure).