Snowman gift tag

This cute little card was on top of the gift I received from my hubby this Christmas. And he made it himself!!! Yes, he actually stamped AND coloured it!! (He had a little help from my daughter finding everything he needed). I am impressed!! I was a little concerned at first when I found out he was going through my stuff, I mean, wouldn't you be?? There's kind of a lot of it! But he thought it was all really neat! Not sure if that's good or bad.

That's a funny one!

I read this on a blog and wanted to share it with you....because I think we can all relate! "My husband lets me have all the scrapbooking supplies I can hide!!" Aren't husbands wonderful! Have a great day!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you all! May you have a beautiful day with family and friends as you celebrate the birth of our Saviour Jesus!

Thank you for stopping by my blog to see my creations and for all your wonderful comments and encouragement! It is so fun to share the love of this craft with so many of you!

I loved making this card! I wish I could take credit for the design, but I cased it off Splitcoast. It is done with SU Pocket Silhouettes in purely pomegranate. I ran the white background not quite all the way through the CB leaving room for the sentiment.

I look forward to some time off after New Years which I hope to spend in my crafting space which has sadly been neglected since I finished my Christmas cards.... just too busy with work and everything else.

Again, thanks for visiting my blog, and have a Blessed day.

Love, Joyce

Happy 50th!

Yeah! My 50th post! Happy 50th blog day to me!!

These cards are two more using the skaters stamp I love so much. I did one in white and ruby red, and the other in real red and white. Used the snowflakes and swiss dots CB's and ribbon. Raised the skaters slightly because I find it sticks better over the ribbon. I am also sending this card to my Uncle and Aunt celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. I'm sure they did some pairs skating in Holland, way back when!

I hope you are all enjoying getting ready for Christmas, whether it be by making cards, baking, shopping, listening to the wonderful music, and quietly meditating on "Jesus, the reason for the season". In my devotional this morning I read how one mom wrapped up the baby Jesus from her nativity scene and put it under the Christmas tree with all the other gifts. She gave it to one member of the family to open, to remind the family that among all the other gifts under the tree the Gift of Jesus is the greatest gift given, and one we have to share with everyone...not just now, but all year long.

O Christmas Tree

A quick post this morning. This lovely tree is from SU Scandinavian Season, stamped with versamark and gold embossed. The paper also SU last year's Ski Slope pack, some brads and ribbon, and another card done. I enjoyed making Christmas cards this year for a change...although I agree with my friend Anja, need to start earlier next year. Have a wonderful day, and thanks for stopping by. Joyce

Skating in a winter wonderland

I just love this skaters stamp from the SU set Winter Post. It sort of has that nostalgic feel about it...days gone by. When we were growing up we knew without a doubt that every winter there would be lots of snow for building forts and snowmen. My Dad would make a patch of ice in the yard for us to skate on, or we would visit the nearest frozen pond. It has been a long time since I have skated outdoors on a pond. Now the winter weather is so unpredictable,... like today. It's Dec.14 and it's.......raining. A good day to get some shopping done. Thanks for stopping by.

Pretty and Simple

Happy snowy morning to all my bloggin friends! After that wildly windy rainy night, it's nice to wake up to see little white flakes blowing around instead. Looks like it is still cold and windy, though. Brrr...! This card is cased from a blog I like to follow 'Rosemary Reflections'. I needed some simple cards to make with a friend who is making a box of cards for her mom for Christmas. Since I wanted to make this one anyway it served double purpose. We had a lovely afternoon stamping and chatting. I am also happy to report that my Christmas cards are done!! Now to write and mail them. A good job for this evening after work. Although I can think of a few birthday cards that also need making. Thanks for stopping by, enjoy your day!

Elliot the Moose

Happy 1st of December! My first Christmas card! This poor moose is so cold he had to put on his knitted leggings....isn't he cute! I named him Elliot after a TV show I used to watch with my girls when they were little. When I saw this image that was the first thing that came to mind...'Elliot moose....is on the loose'.

I watercoloured with markers, and then outlined the image with a light grey marker. I saw this done on someones blog, and thought it made the image stand out just a little bit more. DP is last years Stampin Up. Some snowflakes and gems to finish it off.

Hope this little moose will warm your heart...or your legs!

Thanks for stopping by.

Enjoy your Day

Good morning! Just a quick, simple card for today. I just had to have this double sided paper when I saw it! Love the colours and the design. I didn't want to cover it up, so I chose a simple layout, used both sides of the paper, folded the ribbon so it wouldn't look too plain, and stamped a sentiment in a scalloped circle. It works for me. I should be working on Christmas cards, but the past couple of evenings I have been watching the first season of Lost with Kristen. We have been following the show since it started and are anxiously waiting for the final season to start. I don't remember much of the first season, so it's interesting. Anyway, enjoy your day...I plan to enjoy mine.

Cute little Pixie

This cute little pixie is another stamp from CC Designs. 'Apple Emma' from my blog post yesterday is also a stamp from this company (at least this pic turned out clearer). I also coloured her with the prismacolour pencils and blended with gamsol. It was so fun to stamp and colour these images with the prismas, since I usually use my watercolour pencils or markers. This is one of those cards that I just want to keep! Thanks for looking. Have a great day!

Say 'Appo'!

First of all I apologize for the blurry picture. This card is for my daughter Brittany, who I spent a lovely morning with yesterday. "Apple Emma" is so cute and I just had to send it to her as we have a family joke about apples from since Brittany was very little and just learning to talk. Apple was pronounced 'appo' and we would encourage her to say it over and over, louder each time, just because it was so cute to hear her say it. So this card included all the 'apple' cliches I could think of....the most important being "you are the apple of my eye!", and my other favorite, "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree!" I made this card during my 'stamping therapy' time last week at a friend's house, since she has the stamp and the wonderful prisma pencils to colour it with. Thanks for stopping by. Oh, and have an apple today, I hear it keeps the doctor away!

Botanical Blooms

A couple of cards to share from my lovely afternoon of stamping yesterday. Just me and some great Christmas music, with some Michael Buble thrown in for fun. I suppose I should be making Christmas cards, but I saw this layout on splitcoast and just had to case it. Tried a couple of different colours....I like the ruby red and olive, Kristen likes the teal and apricot.

But since they are going in the mailbox shortly, I will have to case myself and make a couple more.

Thanks for stopping by. Make it a great day!

a "Dad" card

Last week I finally had some serious 'stamping therapy' with a friend. My mojo really needed a boost to get going again. This birthday card is for my Dad. It looks like the kind of card he would buy, the whole country church scene. I think he actually sent Christmas cards like this one year, but with a more wintery look. Maybe I should add some snow, since his birthday is in December.

Thanks for stopping by, and not completely giving up on me....it has been so long since I have posted. See ya again soon.

You know you're sick when....

We've been dealing with this miserable flu at our house for almost 2 weeks now. First my daughter, then my hubby, and now me. Not fun. All this free time, and no energy to stamp. Bummer!

Just bloggin

Today was a beautiful fall day. As we drove to Woodstock to visit family, I really took notice of the changing colours. I tried to look at them from a stampers perspective...mmm....what colours would I use, how would they blend together. Interesting how one tree stands stripped of all its leaves, and others still glow with shades of gold and red. The drive home was beautiful too. Instead of cursing the setting sun being in my eyes all the way home, I noticed how it peeked through the trees casting interesting shadows on the ground. It was setting, yet the sky was still so blue, the clouds still white. A feast of colour before my eyes. The family visit was a birthday get-together for my brother-in-law. It was the first time most of the family has been all together since my Father-in-law passed away a couple of months ago. It was different, of course I knew it would be. I missed his smiling face and laughter. It will be easier next time..... And so I begin another week...in awe of God's majesty in creation, and so thankful for time spent with family. Brittany's profound statement of the day, "in order to be able to 'be not of the world', we must learn what is in it". I like that. She is a smart girl. I miss her....but she is growing, and growing up.

What's Up...!?

My first Clear Dollar stamp...couldn't resist this cute horse!! I found some great paper in my stash, it has kind of a bandana look, don't you think? I used watercolour pencils on the horse, some twine, some brads, and.....voila! It's hard to see in the pic, but the tail is raised with a pop-dot. Thanks for looking...hope things on your end are looking just great!!

Classic Car

This stamp is another of my great finds at the garage sale....love that old car! Reminds me of the classic old movies I've seen. The sentiment is one of a set of seven, also from the sale. Inside is stamped Happy Birthday in the same script. One card is done with the canvas background stamp from SU, stamped on grey.....and yes...that stamp I also got at the sale for $5!!! Too much fun! This is such a great guy card, especially for those older gentlemen in my life. Have a wonderful day, and thanks for stopping by!

Think Pink!!

In honour of October Breast cancer awareness month, I have noticed many blogs I follow are encouraging their followers to make a card using pink. Now, anyone who knows me, knows I don't do pink! But I decided to give it a whirl. So this is for my friend who loves pink, and loves this stamp....you know who you are!! This is my $2 stamp from my terrific garage sale finds at Scrappin Great Deals on Saturday morning. I liked the way it turned out, may make a few more in different colours. To all the women I know who are breast cancer survivors, you are a walking witness to us all. To those who have lost loved ones, or are presently fighting their own battle, or watching a loved one battle, may God give you strength for each moment of each day. Thanks for stopping by.

Thanksgiving

A fall quilt to share with you today. This is a table cover I made a few years ago when I was more into quilting, and not so much into card making. It was also before I started having to wear glasses for reading and such, and found it frustrating when I couldn't thread a needle without them. Ahh, the many pleasures of growing older. Anyway, this quilt was hand-pieced and appliqued and then hand quilted. I love hand piecing and quilting...it takes longer, but I find it very relaxing....at least I did.....when I could see. I love the fall colours, and even if you visit my home in the middle of summer it will probably still be on the table, because it is one of the many quilts I actually kept for myself. I would love to start a new quilting project, or maybe finish up some old ones, but first I need a new prescription....you know, so I can see to thread a needle.

Hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends.

Thanks for stopping by, Joyce

Favorites

The sketch for this card was saved in my favorites where I have umphteen other sketches saved, so I don't remember where I originally found it. I think it is one of the prettiest sketches I have seen. So back to my favorites box I go to see what else I have saved in there and forgotten about. Have a great day. Thanks for visiting my blog, and for your many kind comments on my past creations!!

Turning Two

This card is for my nephew who turns two today!! He is my youngest (and probably last) nephew (or niece). He is such a little clown and keeps us laughing with all his little antics. It is so true that they grow up too fast. This trick is to enjoy it all, even, or should i say especially, when they drive us crazy...and we've all been there~! Anyway, back to the card....I used another of my CB folders, and the tricycle is from SU Life cycles. Not a lot of razz-ma-tazz, because he won't really care, but it was fun to make. Thanks for looking. Make it a great day!

Pretty

This is such a pretty stamp, I just had to have it. Unfortunately I gave it away to my daughter, but had to stamp a few images with it first. This is also the first card I made using my cuttlebug. I left the card blank so I can add a sentiment later as needed. I have been experimenting more with my other cuttlebug folders, and will post more later. Time has just not been on my side lately, when it comes to card making and posting. Maybe if I spent less time shopping and more time creating....!!! Ahhh, there's the solution! Thanks for looking, enjoy this beautiful day.

A bit too busy?

Just a quick post and then I am off to work. I made this card a couple of weeks ago but never got around to posting it. It is just a blank card, may add a sentiment later, but I think it is already busy enough. Anyway, gotta go and sell some gouda! Enjoy your day!

More PB & J

Another Penny Black sticker. I hope you are not sick of seeing them yet, because I have a lot more! I used Bazzill paper and just punched out a bunch of circles for the background. It gives some texture and dimension without embossing. But now I will have to do some experimenting with my new cuttlebug!

"Cuttling" up with my new 'bug'!

What an exciting day! Today I purchased my Cuttlebug and 3 embossing folders! Need I say more!!

A Wonderful Morning

Last week I spent a wonderful morning with my friend Anja, learning some new techniques. The rose card was done with alcohol inks on glossy paper and then stamping on acetate and layering on top. The picture of the card isn't as pretty as the card itself. The other technique is a staircase card which was fun to make since I don't have a cuttlebug (yet). You can check out Anja's cards at her blog stampinganja.blogspot.com. She makes beautiful cards and is a real inspiration!!

PB & J

Normally this would stand for peanut butter and jam, but today it stands for Penny Black & Joyce. Another cute Penny Black sticker! I added the grass and blue background with ink and a sponge (actually a balled up piece of paper towel, but that sounds so unprofessional in the world of stamping). Another fun and easy card! Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!

Wishing you...

I am not a big fan of this humid weather, so I prefer to stay indoors and do something productive like housecleaning, laundry, and this! I still have a bunch of Penny Black stickers, and I think they make such cute cards. This says 'wishing you a day bright with sunshine'. Hoping you are having a sunshine-y day, and have found relief from the heat! After all, no one likes a hot, grumpy wife when they can have a cool, happy one, right!!!!

Screen Door Welcome

An elderly lady who comes into the store where I work, brought the latest issue of Country Woman magazine to show me this really neat card. I knew right away I had to give it a try. It is always fun to try something new and different, and fun to share with my stamping friends too!! I will have to make a few more of these, and definitely send one to the lady who gave me the idea. Thanks for looking, and 'don't slam the door!'

Sharing in your Sorrow

A sympathy card for friends who recently lost a husband, father and grandfather. The image is Penny Black stamped in black and sahara sand on white background sponged with sahara, blue bayou, and close to cocoa, mounted on black. Paper is blue bayou and basic grey, a ribbon and some gemstones to finish it off. Thanks for looking.

Coffee with Heart!

Now why would anyone take pictures of their coffee cup? Ahh, but this coffee cup had special meaning on that day. This week I went to sweep my daughter away from camp on her days off , for some shopping and down time in Barrie. The first thing we did at Georgian Mall was grab a coffee at the first coffee place we came to, County Style. I love how the cup says 'it's going to be a good day', but then on the other side were neat little reasons why you were enjoying that coffee. This was Kristen's cup. She showed me and then asked for a pen so she could check the first box and then wanted to take a picture of the cup before she threw it away. This was one of those 'Awww' moments!! It just perfectly described the cherished time we spent together those couple of days! I still have that cup, and will probably keep it forever.

Poppy Lover

Time to get serious and make a pretty card for my friend, celebrating a birthday, who loves poppies. My attempt to watercolour using markers, I usually use watercolour pencil crayons. This is the SU Oh so lovely set, using sahara sand, old olive, pumpkin, ruby red and summer sun markers and paper, and black versafine. I am happy with the way it turned out and am sure she will love it as she loves homemade cards. I will have to try a few more and brush up on my watercolouring. Thanks for looking and enjoy your day.

News from afar

Yesterday was the best day! Well, it didn't get good until about noon, when the mail arrived. There was a long envelope addressed to Ron Knapper and family, and I said out loud (yes, I talk to myself) 'what is this?' It looked like a child's handwriting....and it was.....my child!!! You can't even imagine my excitement when I opened it and realized it was from Kristen! I jumped around singing, 'I got a letter from Kristen...I got a letter from Kristen..! (yes, I talk to myself). She writes the way she talks, full of expression and excitement. Oh, but that's not all. Around 8:00pm the phone rang....would I accept a collect call...? "Hi Mom" the sweet, familiar voice said. Oh my goodness, a letter and phonecall on the same day! She'd had a few crappy things happen, she said, and just wanted to call her mommy. Awwww! So good to hear her voice and how much she is loving her job there, and how many great people she has met. So good to hear she is happy with her decision to work there for the summer....but hey, this is Kristen. She is a 'wherever-you-go, go-with-all-your-heart' kind of girl! Hearing her voice, just makes me want to jump in the car and go see her and give her a big hug. It's the 5 hour drive there that's holding me back. So a simple 'love you and miss you' will have to do for now. And I rest in the peace that God is there with her and loves her even more than I do.

Fun Summer Cards

It would seem the overall theme of my cards lately has been "FUN"!!! I mean really, frogs, hedgehogs and now ladybugs! Oh wow...as I just glanced out my patio door, I saw a chipmunk race across the deck, mmmm, I wonder if I have a chipmunk stamp or sticker??....I will have to look. These ladybug cards are cute and simple, and hopefully will bring a smile to your day.

The colourful nine-patch card was a bit more labor intensive with lots of measuring and cutting, but I saw it in a magazine and just had to try it. It is a great way to use up scraps. The sentiment on the flower says 'happy thoughts'. Thanks for looking and I hope you have a day filled with happy thoughts!!

Miss You

Well, I'll give you 3 guesses as to who this is for....and the first 2 don't count!! Easy and fun card to make...the flower was cut from the piece of 12x12 patterned paper I used for the background. Great layout for any sentiment. If you are missing someone today....send them a card and tell them so....and it doesn't even have to be homemade!! Have a happy day!

Hedgehog Happy!!

This cute little hedgehog stamp is also a Penny Black. I just realized that all the cards I've made lately have been from stickers, patterned paper and acrylic stamps. All my stampin' up stamps sat tucked away in the drawer feeling lonely and unloved. I saw this idea in a magazine and liked the way the card was folded and scalloped. So I made a couple like this, using watercolour pencil crayons. I was happy with the way both of the cards turned out. Thanks for looking...enjoy your day!

The Bucket Frog

Another great frog sticker card, this one for Kristen. I think it is safe to post, since she doesn't usually read my blog anyway. She is away at camp and her last email said "send me mail!!!"....and I always do what I am told........................ I remember being a leader at Christian Horizons Camp when I was younger and it was always great to receive mail. .....and I really don't need a reason to make more cards, but this is a good one.

Hoppy Froggy Birthday

Brittany and I have been having great fun the last few days making lots of cards...I decided I should put to use the frog stickers from Penny Black that I purchased a couple of months ago. This happy frog is going to wish my nephew Caleb a very happy birthday. He turns 4 today! ... and he is the cutest little boy on the face of the planet...yes, yes he is!! My Dad, Mom and I are going to Goderich today for his birthday party - the adult one. Cause you know, he first needs to have a party with his little friends!! I can't wait to see him and give him a big wet zorbert!!! Thanks for dropping by, stay tuned for some more posts from our card making extravaganza!!

Sunshine and Laughter

My sunshine and laughter has gone to bring sunshine and laughter to others. I'm not very good at sharing.

Many Thanks

The employer of my good friend Frieda, asked if we would be interested in making some Thank You cards for her kids school teachers and music teachers. Since we love to get together and make cards anyways, we thought 'why not'. Her boss provided these stamp sets she wanted us to use. It was a bit of a challenge, but thanks to some ideas off splitcoast we were able to make these cards....a few of each design for a total of 18 cards. She was thrilled with them! Thanks for looking.

Biker Birthday

A card for my brother. He likes to bike....rode in the Sea to Sea four years ago. I hope he likes the card. I don't think he would get far on this ol' thing though.

Beautiful Sunrise

Ahhhhh...........the ocean...............can you hear it ?

Early one morning, at the beginning of our holiday week, my hubby went out to catch the sunrise. His inner clock, having not yet adjusted to vacation mode, woke him earlier than usual. I think I remember hearing "......I'm going ....... sunrise ....... camera ...." My bed was just too comfy. Look what I missed! From the rising of the sun, to the setting of the same ....... How great is our God!

Sun and Sand

Hello....yes it's really me! No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth. My daughter pointed out that the novelty of blogging has already worn off. Not really...just busy with work and other distractions. One of these distractions was a lovely week away with my hubby for a much needed vacation. We went to our favorite resort at Mrytle Beach. Before we left, the weather forecast did not sound too promising...mostly rain, cloud and thunderstorms. But...we were blessed with 5 days of glorious sunshine with only 10 minutes of rain on Friday afternoon, and temperatures of 25-28 degrees C!! I think it rained mostly inland, and not along the beach. Listening to the ocean...the waves rolling in...is the most calming sound. I love being near the ocean...odd for someone who can't swim and doesn't care much for boats...but I did say 'near' the ocean, and not 'in' it. I miss our oceanfront balcony....now we sit on our deck and look at the green lawn...but, hey, that's okay too!

...In Ages

My goodness, I have not blogged in ages. First of all, Happy Mother's Day to all you amazing mom's out there!! I had a lovely Mom's day...received two beautiful cards from my daughters, they always write such nice things inside. I am blessed to have such great relationships with them both...different with each one, but great! I loved the children's message this morning at church. The leader asked the kids to name some of the places our moms take us...hoping, of course, someone would say church. I started thinking about that...I mean, how else would I know of the love of God and my Saviour Jesus. I remember talking with a girlfriend a while back about how her relationship with her dad was not so great and she didn't have much good to say about him. Someone challenged her to think of at least one good thing she could say about him. She said, 'he took me to church'. Thanks, Mom (and Dad) for taking me to church. I have done the same with my girls, and know they are two beautiful Christian young women. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Pr.22:6

Messy Creativity

Yesterday morning it was very rainy and dreary so Brittany and i made some cards. As you can see it is an absolute must to make a big mess while creating. Not only was the table covered, but the chairs, the piano bench, and most of the floor! Yes, we have too much stuff....so...we had lots of fun!

I made a couple of these cards to send to two women who have had surgery recently. It reminds me to be so thankful that my family and myself are all healthy. This card was made with SU Thoughts & Prayers stamp set, rose red, certainly celery, and a drop of stickles in the middle of each flower. Oh...and some ribbon too.

This is the inside of the card. I was quite happy with the finished product.

Thanks for looking.................................

Now go make your own creative mess!!

Now for something completely different...!

After supper last night the girls both decided they wanted a banana with peanut butter for dessert. I was in the kitchen loading the dishwasher and wondered what all the laughing was about in the other room...i mean really, what could be so funny about eating a banana with peanut butter. Ah, but then you don't know Kristen! She was very intently 'playing' in the jar with her knife. Looking up briefly she stated " i'm making a town..see these are the roads ". Yup, that's my crazy daughter, who never ceases to make us laugh! Did i ever tell you about the time we played Bingo and used miniature marshmellows as markers on our cards....

A new challenge

This card is for a special friend on her birthday. I think it is safe to post, she should have received it by now. This was kind of a fun challenge. I had this paper in my pile of favorites for a while, and then came across this idea on how to use it. Out of the one sheet i was able to make 4 cards, as long as i planned ahead and cut carefully. The stamp is Penny Black. The raised sentiment on this one says 'incredible wonderful you' ! ..which is what my friend is...incredible and wonderful!