Playing with sketch challenges

On so many occasions I have come across the same layouts on numerous blogs and read about a concept called sketch challenges. These are layouts posted by particular individuals on specific days of the week. This particular card is a bit of a take of this particular challenge on splitcoast: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=358255 . I didn't follow it exactly as I was mad that I was going to have to cover up one of my squares that I'd done. (notice that teachers are able to give instructions but rarely able to follow them:) For some reason I have an addiction with this colour combo of Groovy Guava and Really Rust. I'm not sure how I'll cope in 6 weeks when my Groovy Guava is gone! The other card was done with Blue Bayou and Soft Sky, the Live Your Dreams stamp set and the Afternoon Tea Party Paper. I use the stamp set for everything! (Yes, Carousel Notes ladies, these are the stamps we used:) Unfortunately as of June 3oth that's it on those! If anyone is dying for this set or the Afternoon Tea Party paper remember to let me know before Monday! My goal for the summer will be to complete more of these challenges and submit them on time (teehee)

Back to the land of the Living!

Well, as of today the school year is officially over! I can't believe what a blur this year was, or how hard it was to say goodbye to an amazing group of Grade Sevens. I cried like a baby at their farewell ceremony; they all looked so grown up. I managed to finish all of the cards for my sons' teachers, 25 students, as well as the cards for the 6 students receiving special awards. I also decided that as my sister does my childcare for about 7 days a months that we needed a special thank you gift for her. I had seen a box of gift cards done on Jackie Topa's website which I cased. I would love to write more description, but tonight my body has decided that it is done! I just wanted to post again as I felt like I was in withdrawl. I can't wait to get back to my nightly "play" session. :)

Definitely not for my hubby!

I came across this card as well on Jackie Topa's website; she is a master of the 3-D! I had to try it, but all the time knowing I couldn't use it for Sean. You see my husband is a firefighter, and I probably see him in a suit once a year! Now my dad on the other hand is a suit man so it looks like he'll be the recipient of this one:) Anyone notice a problem after reading both this entry and the last one, I have nothing done for my husband who happens to be the greatest father in the world! The boys and I will have a busy day getting ready on Saturday as Sean will be doing the Relay for Life.

Is anyone else's dad hard to shop for?

Every year I struggle with what to buy my dad for Father's Day; my husband is a breeze as his list of tools that he wants is bigger than the Sears Wishbook:) Anyway, I was visiting Dannie Graves blog (as usual) and I came across this wallet that she cased off of a woman named Lorri Heiling. Dannie has even posted a video on how to produce it yourself! This is my finished product! I think that I fill it with gift cards from Starbucks, Indigo, and possibly his favourite restaurant in Vancouver, The Cannery. I think that where cash would normally go I'll put some lottery tickets as that would be a common find in my dad's wallet.

Finally, a plan...

As we approach the end of the school year, I have been at a loss for what to get for the boys' preschool teachers. We have been so fortunate this year in that both of my boys have loved going to school and their teachers have played a huge part in that enthusiasm. I wanted to get them something that truly showed my appreciation but I was at a complete loss. I came across a note card holder on Dannie Graves blog the other day. It was perfect. I adapted it slightly as she used postcards for the inside but the actual format of the notecard holder is the same. I wanted to use my Afternoon Tea Party DSP and my In Colours, and this is what I came up with. I had done the card with the ribbon originally, but the knot makes the card too thick. I was only able to fit four cards and envelopes in, but I also wanted them to be really nice cards. Now, I only have three more note card holders and 12 cards to make:)

More Thank Yous (Is this even a word?)

Well, I got my 3 X 3 thank you cards done and dropped off, but for my grandmother, aunt, and mom and dad I can't mail a 3 X 3 envelope! Lastnight I decided to look on Splitcoast for some ideas for the Spring Solitude Hostess Set. I came across a sample done by "Silli". If you hold a workshop of $525 or more right now, not only could you get this set for free, but you could also get the new Fresh Cuts stamp set and note cards for free! You also earn $50 in free merchandise on top of that! I love the green and brown combo, but I particularly liked that I was making use of the In Colour Wild Wasabi again! I did this on a 5 3/8 X 5 3/8 card so that it would fit in the medium sized square envelope.

Thanks Tons!

With all the lovely gifts that Joe received for his birthday, I decided that I 'd better get on the thank you notes. I made nine of each of these colours tonight in under an hour! They are an adorable 3 x 3 size that fits in the Mini Square Envelopes! I used my Thanks Tons hostess set for the background and then my Prints Pack hostess set for all of the print paper! These were great for using up all of the scraps of paper that starts to accumulate as I make larger projects.

Movin' On Up It Is

Well ladies, thank you for your suggestions for names for the Grade Seven Year End at my school. It was well received by the other staff involved in planning. (Meaning they were just pleased that they didn't have to think of something:) I played with some cards and colours tonight that I cased off of Splitcoasts' PattyLynn, but nothing has really grabbed me yet. (so my darling Grade Sevens who are reading this... this is not necessarily your card!) I was listening to a song as I was doing these cards tonight that explained my sentiments for these children exactly, Rascal Flatts, My Wish.

My only problem is that I'll cry like a baby as this is being played.

Life in the Jungle

It is my neice's 4th birthday party today so I was looking on splitcoast for some ideas lastnight and came across this one done by strappystamper. My neice loves animals so I decided to try out my Wild About You stampset. I also loved using my prints pack hostess benefit! It's hard to see it from the picture but there are a ton of dimensionals in this photo! Now that I'm looking at the photo I think I'll go and add a 4 in the top right corner next to the brads!

Scraplifting!

Last weekend at the Flea Market, a lady gave me a word that I've decided I like far better than casing, scraplifting! I found this card on Splitcoast done by someone whose screen name is skdeleeuw. I loved the Wild Wasabi and Certainly Celery together and I also loved that it used the Cuttlebug for the background. The pattern goes perfectly with the Spring Silhouette Designer Series Paper! I am also determined to get a ton of use out of my In Colours before they are discontinued at the end of August!