Rose Knit 'Infinity' Scarf

**Edited.  I found out a few minutes ago that today is actually TUESDAY and not WEDNESDAY. Ahahahaha - can you tell I'm on holidays?  Ahh well, I'm leaving this post up for today AND tomorrow. Sheesh.  I was SURE today was Wednesday.  ;-)

I finished the 'Infinity' Scarf,' and thought I'd share the pictures here for my 'Warm and Wooly' Wednesdays. It was made from an artisan yarn, so it's not overly soft  -- but it is pretty! Because it's not chunky or bulky, it can be worn in the Spring and Fall.

The original post, showing the loom and yarn I used is HERE, and an updated photo on THIS post.
For the pattern, I used Robin McCoy's "Summer Spirals' stitch. Her pattern is for a lightweight hat, done on a KISS loom (on my wish list, ha ha).

The scarf turned out really good - it was tricky, and I had to pay attention to the pattern repeats - but I'm so glad I tried it. And it was great to use the loom I got for Christmas!

 In this bottom photo, the pattern looks like it is straight rows, but you can see in the other two that it does form a diagonal line.

It's not a true Infinity Scarf, as it is a full circle. I believe an Infinity scarf is knit as a flat panel, with the ends joined together in a circle after you twist one of them around. Like a mobius twist!

Thanks for stopping by today.

3-d Congratulations Card

Last year, our son not only won the Dean's award in his apprentice program, he also won Apprentice of the Year (in his field).  There was a big awards ceremony in Edmonton which we drove up for and this is the card I made for him. I'm posting it today for my Masculine Card Monday.

I used my Cricut and the 'Beyond Birthday's cartridge to cut the CONGRATULATIONS. The black layer was attached to the shadow with foam tape. There is lots of foam tape on this card, since I was going to be hand delivering it.

The card stock (except the black & white) is lovely textured stuff, that I got from the Stampin' Up clearance rack. I love that stuff.

The word stamps are by Verve and they were stamped in teal ink.

Thanks for stopping by today!

February Christmas Cards

Today I'm sharing 2 of my February Christmas cards for the 2012 Christmas Card challenge at Splitcoast. I signed up for 5 cards a month.

These were quick and easy cards to make, as I used a MME card kit. I cut down the green & red patterned card, which gave me 2 printed panels for the white A2 card bases. The label strip and embellishment were also in the kit.

I added a flat sticker 'gem' to the center of the circle sticker, and then attached that to a scalloped punched piece (SU). This gives me two more Christmas cards for my 2012 stash!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Black and Cream Card

Back when I had my old blog, I made a series of black and cream cards. This is one that didn't get posted, and after yesterday's photo-heavy post I thought it would be a good day to share this one.

The black and cream patterned paper is by K&Co, and I added a cut from the Heritage cartridge. At least I think that is where it is from. The black pieces on the cut were embossed with a Cuttlebug damask embossing folder for some added visual appeal.

And you know I used foam tape!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Vintage Tag

Today, for a 'Fancy Card Friday' post, I have the tag I sent to Sue for our February 1st exchange. For those that are new to my blog, my friend Sue lives in a city a couple of hours away from me. We pop something in the mail to each other the first of each month - since we both really appreciate the efforts that go into something hand-made.

Now, with the wedding etc Sue gave me a pass for February. Which was totally sweet of her. But - I NEEDED to think about something other than wedding stuff, so I spent a few minutes when I could in my studio and came up with this tag:

I used the Tim Holtz tag die and some vintage ephemera from my stash and made an EASEL TAG. Easel card have been around for awhile, but I've never made one. Simply because people would wonder what all the folds were and I doubt they would know to stand up the front without instructions. If I have to send instructions with a card, I'd rather do something else. Something CAS.

I knew Sue would know what to do with it.  :-)

I made the easel base a little wider than the tag itself (artistic liberty) using kraft card stock, and added inked patterned paper panels to each section. The beautiful bookplate die is on the same one as the tag and I was happy to have the opportunity to use it again. I love that cut.

I inked the patterned paper butterfly oval with Distress Inks, then clear embossed it before attaching it behind the patterned bookplate. The buttons come from Papertrey Ink and were attached with Crystal Effects.  It was popped up on the panel with foam tape, so the tag bottom can tuck in at the top edge and it keeps the tag 'standing' - thus the name Easel Tag.

Here are a few more shots:

I hand trimmed some of the ephemera (Hot Off The Press), and used one of my Tattered Flowers from the baggie of stockpiled blooms I mentioned earlier this week. Two of the images I hand trimmed were inked and tucked in behind the paper flower.

I did decide to take Sue up on her offer of a free pass though - for March. I will have to come up with another cool idea for her for April first though!

Happy Friday everyone - thanks for stopping by today. 

Pretty Birthday Card

 

When I first got my Tim Holtz Tattered Flower die, I made flowers. Lots and lots of flowers. Where they sat in a baggie.

In my quest to Use Stuff Up - I pulled out one of those flowers and used it as a focal point on this birthday card. 

 

The flower has buttons and glitter glue added to the centre, and the label is a SU punch. The words (Verve) were stamped with Momento brown ink, and the papers were from my scrap bin. With a whole baggie of 'Card Candy flowers', I should be able to make up quite a few similar cards very quickly. 

Should the need arise - I wouldn't want to deplete my hoarded stash too quickly. ;-)

Thanks for stopping by today!

Sparkly Baby Cards

 

Hopefully you can see the raised, sparkly words on this printed paper. It is so pretty, I thought I'd use it to make up some baby girl cards. The cards are 5 x 6.5", and the paper was matted with pink card stock then wrapped with pink footprint ribbon before attaching them to the card blanks.

Easy Peasy, but still sweet. I can add a small tag to the bow with a little safety pin when I go to use the cards - or send them as is.

No stamping on these ones (unless I add the tag mentioned above and stamp words or a tiny baby related image on it), but they still fit my New Years Resolutions by NOT being an A2 sized card. 

Thanks for stopping by today!

Masculine Get Well Card

I have a quick One Layer Card to share today for my Masculine Card Monday:

Two stamps and a recessed panel card, coloured with good quality pencil crayons. Done!

Word stamp - Stampin' Up (Discontinued), Sick Man stamp - Art Impressions. Both I've had for quite  few years.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Noel Card

When I first bought the NOEL die by Tim Holtz, I had to try it out as soon as I came home. There was just something about it that made me happy.

Sitting on my stamping area was a piece of heavy bronze Stardream (think pearlized) card stock, so that is what I used for my test cut. Gorgeous. Then, into the pile it went.

The rest of the card was put together using other bits and pieces from that 'scrap' pile, and the pretty green is also pearlized card stock! The scallops were cut with my Cricut.

Another card for my 2012 Christmas Card stash!  Thanks for stopping by today.

Butterfly Journal

While our Craft Sale is long over, I still have some photos of projects that I haven't shared yet. Today's post is a Butterfly Journal.

 

Most of the journals I made for the sale had a ribbon bookmark attached, with a bead at the end. This one didn't need any other embellishments.

Both the papers and 3-d stickers are by K&Co. The label was cut with my Cricut and embossed with a Sizzix embossing folder before inking. These were 5" square journals, with not-so-nice chipboard covers that were just begging to be altered. I love a nice heavy cover, ha ha.

 

Thanks for stopping by today!

Spiral Pop Up Card

I have another masculine card today - early for my Masculine Card Monday, but I just have to share.

Today's card was also inspired by the new interactive dies at Papertrey Ink.  When I saw their die to make this spiral pop up, I immediately thought of my Sizzix die. It is supposed to be used to make 3-D flowers, but it works perfectly for this application too!

 

I started with a 4-1/4" square card (which fits into a standard A2 envelope). The star is a Sizzix die, and I ran it through the Big Shot with a Swiss Dots embossing folder. The teal strip (which looks blue in the photo) was textured with a SU embossing folder. 

The circle was stamped with teal ink and punched out with a SU 1" circle punch. Then the pretty fabric brad was attached through all the layers. The tiny tag is a Tim Holtz die. I hand wrote 'Happy Birthday' on it and tied it around the brad with orange Bakers Twine.

Now for the fun part ... the inside!

 

Just look at all those floating stars!   Now this IDEA isn't new at all, but I haven't made one of these in years and years. It was really fun - and I'm so proud of myself to do something other than butterflies or snowflakes. Both of which I immediately think of when I see this type of card.  I am going to have so much fun with this idea -- and want to try cutting the spiral out of clear acetate which would REALLY make the attachments float.

The word is a Gina K stamp (stamped in teal), and the label is a My Favorite Things die. This card is being packed away for our SIL's birthday next month. While it's a little juvenile, I think he will enjoy the cheery colours. And then he will hand it to our Granddaughter who will love playing with it until it's a heap of scraps.  :-)

Thanks for stopping by today!

Spinning Butterfly

Papertrey Ink has some FABULOUS new dies and stamp sets being released today, but I cannot order any new hobby stuff for a month or two. Sigh. I love the idea of interactive cards, and their new dies are going to make it so easy to make them!

Inspired by those dies that are now on my ever-growing PTI Wish List, I decided to use what I have and come up with a spinning butterfly card.

The label was cut and stamped (My Favorite Things die and stamp set), and the SU Word Window punch forms the channel for the spinner. The SU 3/4" circle punch is on the back side of the label, layered with 2 regular sized hole-punched circles punched from a chipboard coaster. A third hole-punched circle is on the back of the Martha Stewart punched butterfly, which is on top of the label.

If you are not familiar with spinner cards, when the card is tilted the butterfly rolls and spins across the channel. Totally Fun.

The butterfly was stamped with a Hero Arts vine image, as was the Ocean Tides panel (PTI), and the seam binding is by Martha Stewart. The little green patterned paper panel is from my stash. Wordsworth makes the tiny word stamp and I added flat stickers to the butterfly to give it some shimmer without the bulk of adhesive gems.

Thanks for stopping by today!

It Can Be Done

It can be done.

In this city of over a million people, where weddings are Big Business and all wedding related prices are hugely over-inflated, one can pull of a beautiful wedding on a budget.

It can be done, by avoiding as many wedding related things as possible! Lovely candle centerpieces can be made with items from a local dollar store.

Beautiful flowers can form 2 bouquets and adorn all nine tables - in glass vases - for under $120. No, I didn't miss a zero on that flower cost.

A wedding dress doesn't have to cost thousands of dollars. Or even $500. And it can be stunning.

It can be done with only a month to plan it.

It can be done when the venue you choose goes above and beyond to help your wedding day be extra special (Thanks, Heritage Park, Jackie and Scott).

It can be done, when the photographer is willing to leave her young family at home on a Saturday night, to come and use her talents to capture the special moments for us.
(Thanks, Christina - of Christina Dawn Photography).

It can be done when out of province family members drop everything and book a flight to come and celebrate.

It can be done when all the people you care about, are as surprised that It Can Be Done as you are. And they are as happy about it as you are. And they surround you to share in the special day.

When a FRIEND of the bride and groom can perform the ceremony. (Thanks Oren).

When your future Son-In-Law's parents are willing to fly half way around the globe to a continent they have never been on without knowing any English.  Who don't give up even when they are stuck for 26 hours in the London airport and are unable to leave the terminal to find a hotel.

Who come even though it's colder here than anywhere they have ever been. Who said they would be here even if they had to walk. Who are wonderful, and may never really understand how happy we are to have them here.

It can be done, and it was truly a lovely wedding.

Truly Lovely.

It can be done, but I am glad it's behind us now.

I Am Really, Really Tired.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Deer & Trees Birthday Card

I was thinking I wouldn't have time to post anything today, with hosting the rehearsal dinner and several overnight guests on Friday night, the wedding on Saturday, AND hosting a brunch here for 25 people on Sunday. So, I scheduled this post last week and used the new Papertrey Ink stamps/dies for my Masculine Card Monday:

Their "In the Meadow" die set, to be more specific. The hills were the main reason that I placed an order with PTI in the first place - I can see so many possibilities for them!

I also purchased the matching stamp set, and - while it's mostly a Christmas set - the tree and deer stamp/dies can be used for other occasions.


I didn't pop up the 2nd layer of ground, since I was already popping up the tree and deer, but I want to try that next, and tuck a tree in between the layers. Fun!  This is a 4.5 x 6" card.

PTI also makes the large birthday word stamp - such a nice change from the smaller ones I usually use.

I'm not sure when I will have pictures from the wedding to share, but I will pop back on with a regular post later in the week to share an update at least.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Heart Valentine Card

I'm back with another scheduled post today to share another Valentine card.

 

The heart was Cricut cut (I can't remember which cartridge), and stamped with the top of a swirly tree stamp for the flourishes. It was popped up on a red Stardream panel, which was attached to a ribbon wrapped flourished patterned paper panel. The whole thing was then attached to the front of a folded A2 card.

The heart was sprayed with glimmer mist, which gives it a nice shimmer and coordinates nicely with the pearlized red panel.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Heart Flowers

It's the days before the wedding and things are hectic. So, last week I scheduled a couple of posts so I'd have something to share with you this week. Awhile ago, I found a box of polymer stamps at Walmart. It was a bulk purchase, limited time only, and this heart flower was on one of the sheets.

 

I used a pale grey textured 4.5 x 6" card for the base. The image was stamped on white card stock, coloured with Copic markers, and matted on a red scalloped piece. I'm enjoying my stash of Bakers Twine on cards recently as well!

I couldn't resist adding Stickles to the flowers. Once all the bling of Christmas is over, I find it hard to put away the glitter glue.  :-)

Thanks for stopping by today!

Lotsa Hearts Valentine Card

I had SO much fun making this Valentine, and the card came together in relatively short time. I knew I wanted to use the SU heart punch, which was in their Clearance Blitz. I'd had my eye on it for a long time, and when it came up in the Blitz I added it right to the shopping card. Score!

The patterned hearts were punched out of the patterned mat, as I knew the Top Note die cut would hide the heart shaped holes. The bottom half of the white die was embossed with a Sizzix plaid embossing folder, then lightly sponged with red ink. I traced over the stitching lines on the top half with a red pen.

The metallic heart in the very center was added with my iRock tool and I like the shimmer it adds the card.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Skunk Valentine

This is the card I made for my my hubby for Valentine's Day.

 

I'm very pleased with it, mostly because I didn't think I'd have time to make him one this year. This paper stack was next to the black and white one I've been working with for the wedding items, so I had a quick peek through it and this skunk paper jumped out at me. Now that I have such wonderful square envelopes to work with, I'm seeing my papers with fresh eyes.

It's a 5.25" square card, and I cut the red patterned paper at 5". The metallic heart was attached with my iRock tool, then I tied a black satin ribbon around the top edge.  The ribbon was out because of wedding items or I might not have thought of it!

The whole thing was attached with thick foam tape to the card.  Below is a peek at the inside, using a stamp from Gina K. I thought it worked well with the skunk image having open arms.

I used my SU heart punch again, and punched a scrap of the off-cuts to pop up inside.

It was a fun card to make, and "just what the Dr. ordered".  :-)

Thanks for stopping by today!