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!!