Masking in Burgundy...

...more masking done in burgundy....fun!

Masking fun!!!

The big day is over and I hope that everyone survived the holiday without too much stress! I am here in my craft room once again after such a nice, relaxing day it was almost scary! Something I'm not used to at all...LOL. We have my niece and nephew for a week or so as of today, and that is our best Christmas gift we could ask for. We haven't seen them since they lived with us 1.5 years ago (and they only live 25 minutes away) due to a social services order and my kids were just pumped today! It's a long story, and one that I won't get into today - just know that we are so excited to have them for the week and my kids have just been jumping for joy all day and giddy with excitement and happiness! :o) I cried and told them I missed them so much and man oh man, have they grown!!! Crazy!

Today I decided to CASE these cards from Dawn at Dawn's Stamping Studio. Please be sure to check out her wonderful tutorials she posts...she's a great source for help and techniques! Thanks, Dawn - these cards are so easy and soooo pretty! I am going to do the same as Dawn and make them in Burgundy, Artichoke and Hunter next....then I will have my Christmas cards all done for January in Splitcoaststampers Christmas Card Challenge! Yay me!!!

Recipe:

Stamps: Lovely As a Tree, Winter Post, Best Yet
Paper: Night of Navy, Whisper White
Ink: Night of Navy
Accessories: Photo corner punch, large oval punch, dimensionals, glue pen, dazzling diamonds, sponge dauber, dotto (repositional adhesive), scissors

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas from the Turner house! It's been a nice, relaxing, fun morning here in central Alberta. The kids got Rockband from Santa this year *wink* and so we've been rockin' out all morning :o) I thought I'd do terrible at the drums, but turns out, I'm pretty darn good! LOL...I do, however, need to take singing lessons...hard to believe I was lead in our school choir! hee hee...Quint got the NHL Wii game, so him and Calvin are playing that now and Kimberly is playing with the kitties and their new treats that they got in their stocking (yes, our kitties even got treats)

I thought I would sneak in the craft room and just see what I could pump out - I found this card somewhere on SCS and I'm not sure who the credit goes to so I'm sorry as I can't find it again. I decided to make 4 of them since I am trying to get a stash of thank you cards built up for a lady in town. Thanks for poppin' over on Christmas Day! Have a good one....



Recipe:

Stamps: Wow Flowers
Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Bella Rose DP
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: choc chip ribbon, gold brads, gemstone, scallop edge punch, scallop circle punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches, dimensionals

Hip-hippo-ray!!!

Awww..I thoroughly enjoyed making this card! When I saw this style in the box of pre-embossed cards from Michael's, I knew I had to do something from Pun Fun! That set is so versatile...luv it! :o)

I stamped the cutie pie hippo in Black Staz On and colored her in with my Going Gray ink pad and blender pen. I also used Pink Pirouette and added red glitter with a glue pen to the balloon and her toe nails! Too cute! I added some Pink Pirouette ribbon and it still looked a bit stark up top, so my daughter, Kim, suggested putting some "bling" on some of the circles! What a girl she is sometimes...her and I were crafting together tonight and that was fun....so there ya have it - a VERY simple card in a matter of minutes....

We're off for now - the kids are wanting to open their Christmas Eve present and then it's time to get things ready for the big guy to come. This will be the final year that we keep it "secret." Calvin knows there isn't a Santa, but Kim is on the fence LOL...she's not sure. Still will keep the tradition going, but just won't be a secret anymore (the presents will be though *wink*) I guess that's all part of growing up :o(

Here's wishing you a very magical, peaceful, blissful night. Remember the reason for the season and be grateful for all you have in your life. Love and hugs. Merry Christmas!

Embossing with Craft Ink

I specifically ordered Bold Brights Craft Stampin' Spots this month so that I could do this technique that I saw Laura do on Scrapnextras. I CASE'd her card except changed which snowflakes I used, the ribbon and my sentiment. I used a variety of snowflake stamps from multiple sets since I don't own Snowburst and I embossed using Irridescent Ice embossing powder. Laura is right, this technique is FUN! Glad you stopped in.....stay warm!!!

Recipe:

Stamps: Snowflake Spot, Snow Flurries, Seasonal Icons, Snowflakes, Season of Joy
Ink: Pixie Pink, Green Galore, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Pink Passion craft inks
Paper: Real Red, Pixie Pink, Green Galore, Naturals White
Accessories: pink gingham ribbon, heat tool, irridescent ice EP, ticket corner punch, designer label punch, circle punch, curly punch, dimensionals

Bikerbabeabella.....

Isn't she just the CUUUUTEST???!!! I love the images from Stamping Bella and today I decided it was time I got them inky! This one is Bikerbabeabella and I had a lot of fun coloring her with my ink pads and blender pen. And of course, a bella has to have SOME bling on her so I added a gem to the wheel and the gas tank! I dug through my *stash* of designer paper and found this coordinating paper to go with her. The main card is an already embossed card from Michael's (5.5 x 5.5") in a box I have been storing away in my cupboard....thanks for looking!!

Merry Christmas!!

Make a Smilebox greeting

3 More Sleeps!!!!

OMGOSH I can't believe that Christmas is only 3 more sleeps away....it seems like it's just an average Monday LOL...but, it's not. The next couple days will be busy for us here at the Turner house, but I want to *try* to craft at least one thing each day throughout the holidays! Am I nuts? Probably...but, it seems to really help calm me down and keep me grounded....so that's my mission!

I got some "fun mail" today. Fun mail is anything other than bills and today I received my Verve order! Wahoooo! I went to the Verve website and case'd THIS CARD....I added glitter to the snowman, and used a different scallop punch for the tangerine tango...those are the only 2 differences...thanks for stopping by during this busy time of the holidays! HUGS!!

Sneak Peek....

Only a few more weeks until the new catalog is here! I'm so pumped...I can't wait to see what other goodies they have in store for us addicted paper crafters :o) Here is a sneak peek at one of the new sets in the upcoming catty...it's called Just Buzzin' By and it's sooo super cute! I love the little bees - their sweet little faces are adorable! Thanks for stoppin by.....

Recipe:

Stamps: Just Buzzin' By

Paper: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, More Mustard DP, Watercolor Paper, Whisper White

Ink: Timber Brown Staz On

Accessories: Scor Pal, circle and pinking circles Nestabilities, Big Shot, MS border edge punch, white gel pen, brown brads, earth elements watercolor crayons, water pen, chocolate ribbon, dimensionals

A couple new Christmas Carols...

My good crafting friend, Loretta, shared a couple poems with me via email and I just HAD to share...thank you so much, Loretta, you made me giggle! HEE HEE!! Merry Christmas!

"Rubber calls... are you listening?
Glitter falls ... bright and glistening.. .
We're happy tonight,
Our future is bright...
Wading through our Rubber Wonderland.I

n the scrap room we can stamp a snow card,
Send it through the mail to a friend;
They'll say did you make it, we'll say "Yeah, and...
You can stamp one too, yes, you can!"
Later on, we'll conspire,
As we sit by the fire,
To face unafraid the mess that we made
Wading through our Rubber Wonderland."


'Twas the night before Christmas, I'm glued to the tree.
I'm wondering what Santa brought just for me.
Could it be cardstock or chipboard or maybe some lace?
"Or a Cricut?" I said, with a smile on my face.
And that's when I heard him, "Hi Santa, " I said
"You know....good little girls should be in their beds."
"I know I should Santa, and now I've got caught.
But I was just so excited to see what you brought."
"Well, let's take a look in this room where you work.
He shook his head quickly, and left with a jerk.
I heard him exclaim as he put it in gear.
"You've got enough crap, I'll see you next year!"

Robert Frost and Verve....

I couldn't wait to get busy tonight after supper re-creating this card from Verve! I really *heart* their stamps...yep, a girl CAN have more than one source for wonderful stamps, right?! *wink* LOL...This is the original card that I CASE'd mine from. I started with a whisper white card base, adding a layer of chocolate chip, and then a layer of the Baja Ski Slope DP. I then used my Big Shot to emboss the smaller chocolate pieces with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing folder and added the striped Baja ribbon. The sentiment is stamped in chocolate chip over top of a baja sponged oval cut with my nestabilities...gotta luv those things! They are sooo fun :o)

For the final touch, I used my photo corner punch and added the smaller piece of the 2 punched out corners and added some half-back pearls from the Pretties Kit and added a knot in the ribbon on the bottom right hand corner. Walllaaa! What do you think?

Today I spent the day doing "other" paper work and getting my house tidied up...so I was due for a sit down at my craft table :o) I hope you are able to find some crafting time amongst all the rush and stress of the holidays....please let me know what you've been working on!! I'd love to hear from you. Night, night!!

Inkingly Yours,
Lori

Artichoke Sympathy

Good evening stampers! Yep, it's still *chilly* here in central Alberta...I guess winter has set in. We have to admit, we've been fortunate up until now with no snow and warm temps, so it's time Old Man Winter has come to visit :o)

Sympathy cards are ones that I don't make very often, so tonight I decided that I would tackle one or two. I made 2 of the same card tonight so that I would have some on hand. I found an idea on Paper Craft Planet but cannot remember whose gallery it was. Sorry! My DH left today for up north so I will be muckin' around in the craft room for a bit yet tonight....I *might* make one more card and post it tonight - stay tuned! :o)

Recipe:

Stamps: Embrace Life, Fine Lace, Close as a Memory

Paper: Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Creamy Caramel

Accessories: Always Artichoke marker, sponge dauber, chocolate felt ribbon, chocolate brads, dimensionals

~ Sweet Stems ~

Hello from a very cold central Alberta, Canada! The thermometer was at -40C this morning and now it's hovering around the -32C mark. Brrr! Great day to bake, do laundry, and paper craft :o) I completed the Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge from Wednesday using my new *preview* set, Sweet Stems, from the new 2008-2009 Spring/Summer Catalog that is coming out in January...such a cute set it is too :o) I also used new designer paper, Raspberry Tart, that will be featured in the new catty. I have more new sets to preview for you all...so stay tuned!

Here is the sketch challenged posted on SCS:

....and here is my card using the same layout:

I know I didn't follow the sketch EXACTLY, by adding the white ribbon, but I just felt it needed that little sumthin' sumthin' to make it complete! The pearls I got from Walmart in the Martha Stewart craft section...thanks for stoppin' by.

Recipe:

Stamps: Sweet Stems

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Raspberry Tart DP, Pretty in Pink

Ink: Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Pretty in Pink

Accessories: SU! circle punches, blender pen, white ribbon, MS border punch, MS sticky back pearls, rub on's

Off the retired shelf.....

I couldn't decide what to work on this evening, so my good friend, Leanne, told me to go and grab a set, any set, and we' d make a card together online...she's about 3.5 hours away from me. So...I took out A Touch of Nature (retired) and can you believe that I have NEVER inked this set up?!? *GASP!* I know....crazy. I enjoy all the images in it. I saw the idea in a gallery on SCS somewhere (I'm sorry, I don' t know who's - if you recognize the card, please let me know so I can give you credit!) and I knew I just had to make one...very pretty! Thanks for stopping by....

Recipe:

Stamps: Touch of Nature (retired), En Francais, Thank You Kindly

Paper: Perfect Plum, So Saffron, Mellow Moss, Very Vanilla

Ink: Perfect Plum, So Saffron, Mellow Moss, Basic Black

Accessories: purple ribbon, cuttlebug folder, big shot, ticket corner punch, sponge dauber, nestabilities

PS...50 MINUTES UNTIL THE RETIRED LIST COMES OUT!!!!!

Strong Enough for a Man...

...but "pretty" enough for a woman?!?! :)

Is this not the most elegant card you've seen?!? I CASE'd it from ncmorgan's gallery on SCS...CLICK HERE for original card. I didn't use the chunky glitter on my card like Nancy did, and I changed the cuttlebug folder to the argylle/dot. I also made mine Thank You cards...I just LOVE this card...very manly, yet pretty too! :) Thanks for stopping by....

Recipe:

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Thank You Kindly

Paper: Basic Black, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: cuttlebug embossing folder, big shot, 1/16" hole punch, black brads, dimensionals, black grosgrain ribbon

Chocolate Thank You....

Good afternoon crafters! The snow has been *gently* falling all day here in central Alberta creating a beautiful white dusting on the ground! I'm so happy to see some snow...I was starting to get worried that a brown Christmas was in store for us this year. Today I wasn't feeling the "stampin' bug" until I went and checked out Julee's BLOG...I saw her sketch challenge and knew exactly what I was gonna do...Julee's Mojo Monday #64 is as follows:



and this is my creation using the above sketch:



In the photo, the tree looks really red, but it's not - it's a mahogoney brown embossing powder. I really like it...looks better in person! LOL...

Recipe:

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree from SU!, Thankful Blossoms from Verve Stamps

Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze

Ink: Chocolate Chip, VersaMark

Accessories: Mahogoney Embossing Powder, heat gun, Martha Stewart border punch, dimensionals, baja breeze ribbon, swiss dots cuttlebug embossing folder

Thanks for looking! I'm off to fold some more laundry...I'll try and come back later to complete a few more challenges! Toodles!

Busy Bakers!

My kids are in a 4H Multi-Club and this is what they were doing yesterday after school and today ..... baking and decorating gingerbread houses! It was really neat to see all the different styles of houses each person made. They were all judged on their houses and everyone did a fantastic job! Here are some photos of the day.....

This is Kim (right) and her best friend, Isabell, cutting out their walls, roof pieces, doors etc.

This is Calvin, assembling his walls with toothpicks and royale icing....

This is Calvin's gingerbread house:

And this is Kim's gingerbread house....

They look scrumptious!!! LOL....

Holiday Trio....

I CASE'd this card from a lady in my upline group on Yahoo....her name is Shauna McGill. Thanks, Shawna, for such a CUTE card...I am going to use these for MY cards this year - very easily reproduced and they are so adorable! Thanks for looking!

Recipe:

Stamps: Deer Friends, Heard from the Heart

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Riding Hood Ribbon, circle punches, scallop edge punch

Another Ornament card....

Isn't it CUTE!?! I really am loving this new set, Ornamental Christmas from Verve Stamps! They are so easy to use and you can mix and match your circles to have different styles of ornaments....wheeee! I think I could stamp Christmas cards all year round! :o)

Recipe:

Stamps: Ornamental Christmas by Verve Stamps

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Holiday Treasures DP

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: scallop edge punch, rub on's, paper piercer, stickles

Cupcakes, cupcakes...how do I love thee?

Yep....today is Taylor's Cupcake Challenge! She gave this sketch and this is what I came up with....if you click on the image, you will see the glitter more up close:

























Recipe:

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Mellow Moss, Berry Bliss DP, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: markers, riding hood red ribbon, swiss dots cuttlebug folder, oval and scalloped oval nestabilities, big shot, dimensionals, glue pen, glitter, brads

Thanks for looking!

Inkingly Yours,

Lori

On a Verve kick....

I am totally loving all the new sets that Verve Stamps has been putting out. I just received *fun mail* yesterday and the new Ornamental Christmas was one of the sets in my package! I didn't have time to ink any of them up yesterday, so after returning home from a wonderful shopping day in Edmonton with Melissa and Tammy, I got right to crafting! I CASE'd this card from the Verve Blog HERE - be sure to check it out! They have such great samples to follow!





Recipe:

Stamps: Ornamental Christmas by Verve Stamps

Paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Wassail by Basic Grey

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel

Accessories: sponge dauber, riding hood red taffeta ribbon, martha stewart glitter, glue pen, old Olive marker

Another Stampalicious Year!!!!

I just *can't* believe that a year has come and gone so quickly...seriously, where DOES time go?!? I hosted a potluck/chinese exchange night for my Stamping Group last night and we had a lot of fun...we made some ornaments from the Star Bright kit in the holiday mini, we ate some delicious food, had scrumptious orange delight cake and mulled cranberry/apple cider.....mmmm......hee hee......here are a few pic's of the evening.....







Loretta and Raylean....in the midst of "stealing" and laughing during the Chinese Gift Exchange....





Aunty Sharon quite happy with her "loot!"





Miss Nancy and Melissa, who, by the way, is very good at avoiding eye contact when you're trying to steal her gift!!! :o)









Poor, poor Melissa......the look of defeat...and pouting....she lost her gift for the 2nd time! LMAO!!





Kari, Dawn Marie and Anita....poor Anita couldn't decide if she wanted to steal the gift bag that was on the floor by her partner, or pick a new gift! LOL....such fun!!!

On a more serious note...I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of my customers this past year. I could not have been so crazy busy without you! Even though some weeks were "trying and stressful" for me, I did enjoy every minute of it....really!! I am so blessed to have such an awesome customer base to "stamp and serve!" :o)

Here's to another stampendous year of craftivity ahead!!!

Inkingly Yours,

Lori

'Tis the Season....

....for parties, potlucks and get-togethers! I have 2 potlucks that I am planning for this week; one is tonight with my T.O.P.S. group and the other I'm hosting here in my home on Thursday evening for my Stampers Group. We are doing Chinese Exchanges for both parties and the food is ALWAYS incredible! Getting together as a group is always a lot of fun - a time to just reflect on the year passed and talk about exciting things to come in the year ahead!

I apologize for not posting anything crafty the past few days, but I've been busy getting presents made and wrapped, the craft room and house tidied up, and today the tree went up! I just finished putting the lights and garland on - now the rest is up to the kids. They love to put all the ornaments on...fine by me! I will do a check tomorrow to make sure they don't have 4 ornaments on one branch and all will be good! HEE!!!

Do you have a lot of Christmas parties to attend this year? Let me know about them and some of the traditions that come along with them....it's always neat to hear different stories about the holidays!

Take care...try not to stress...it's over faster than you know it!

Inkingly Yours,

Lori

Ya Gotta Luv IKEA!

My good friend, Melissa, and I went up to IKEA for some late night shopping on Wednesday and I found some nice little jars to put home made bath salts in...like the ones you will see below in other posts. I got a couple of different sizes...this one is quite a bit bigger. I put peppermint oil in the epsom salts for this jar. I decorated the jar with various ribbons and added chocolate rub-on's to the outside and top of the jar. I also used some white rub on's on a little red votive holder I got at IKEA for $1 - gotta luv IKEA!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great night!

Inkingly Yours,

Lori

more bath salts...

These bath salts are made from a combination of relaxing scents of Litsea Cubeba and Rosemary. Litsea Cubeba is one of my favorite blends right now.

I can't wait to give these away as prezzies! :o)

Thanks for looking!

Inkingly Yours,

Lori

A Relaxing Bath of Lavender....

I just finished making some home made bath salts. So easy! My office smells strongly of lavender so I'm going to post this and then go make some supper....I will be back later to make more with Patchouli, Eucalyptus and Peppermint! Thanks for stopping by!

Inkingly Yours,

Lori

A fresh start....

Good afternoon! It's been such a lazy, relaxing day....I slept in until 9:30, got up and had a splendiferous cup of Starbucks coffee, then headed BACK to bed to sleep until 12:30! OMGOSH, I haven't done that for years! Felt great except now I have a case of laz-eee-itis. HEE HEE...I baked some butter tarts, cinnamon-raisin tea biscuits and have been mucking on my new Blog in between baking :o)

So...here it is....my new piece of the blog world. I will updating soon...maybe even tonight - I will see how things go around here this afternoon/evening. I need to run and get some laundry done and supper planned out. DH might be heading out to play hockey tonight, so I will sneak back in to my *craft room* a bit later.

Inkingly Yours,

Lori