My Monkey.

My oldest daughter loves monkeys! She fell in love with this stamp when I showed it to her. I've searched my stash for a 'hang in there' sentiment with no luck -- guess I'm on the hunt for the perfect one to go with this guy. Yes, another Whipper Snapper - it was a great mail day when all these arrived! This was a simple, simple card... but I tend to go simple for boys. Cuttlebug was used to give me texture on both the base & the side panel. I colored the monkey in with my Copic markers, mounted him on Old Olive cardstock. I love to use the perfect layers ruler. It's a must have in my stamping stash. When I have all my things around me, that gadget is close! I love that I can just adhere my colored image on my layered color choice, grab the ruler & my exacto knife, decide the size of my mat ( I usually do 1/8" or 1/16") & cut it perfect every time. No more eyeballing & trying to rip it apart when I've realized I didn't have it lined up perfectly! :) Fantastic!
I used the 'make a wish' sentiment by MFT and the window punch to "cut" it out. A couple brads at the top to balance it all out... and... done! Putting together cards with the images already colored sure does make it feel quick & simple! :)
Middle of the week -- how ya doing?! How's the Christmas prep coming?
.j.

Hiding a mistake

I hate it when I stamp & I mess up. It either doesn't ink properly or I drop the stamp.... Well this little mouse had everything going for him BUT the little flower on top of his hat didn't stamp well. So... I found a little prima flower & used it to 'hide my mistake'... and... it works! It's funny how sometimes I like the mistake touch up better than my original plan! :) My youngest daughter's favorite color is orange. Always has been - ever since she could say her colors -- orange was hers! So.. her room is orange (accessories only!! No orange walls!), her clothes are orange, her blankets, yup - orange. When I walk into her classroom & she asks me to pick out which picture is hers... It's always the one with orange! :) So when I'm out shopping for supplies to stamp/scrap I am drawn to oranges. I KNOW they will be used!! She is slowly allowing pink to be her second choice so I'm happy that the pink/orange combo go nicely together. This is another Whipper Snapper stamp....
My kids loved this little mouse and thought it was cute he "even had icing on his hands!" :) My number one cards are birthday cards.... so I thought this little guy could help replenish my birthday card stash! The process on this one... ran the base through the cuttlebug, and the pumpkin pie designers paper is from Stampin' Up!. I got a new set of stamps by Clear Expressions (by Hampton Art) called Birthday Best & that's where the sentiment is from. I'm looking forward to playing with this new set & seeing what I can come up with :) Accessories are some organdy ribbon (stampin' up!) and large flower eyelets, pink (stampin' up!), flower is from prima & the little yellow brad was from my stash -- unknown! I finally got all my brads/eyelets organized! Feels good to go to that basket & have it all there organized! I colored on my new fav Neenah paper with my Copic makers. I'm hoping Santa brings me a few new colors! :)
.j.

Good Morning Monday!

Crazy weekend! Two sleepovers, extra kids, sledding, hockey, soccer, church.... whew! We made it. It's never a good thing when Monday arrives & you're already tired! I'll head off to the gym with hubby this morning & hopefully get pumped up & energized for the week! :) At least burn off the extra goodies I munched & grabbed to make it through the weekend!

I finally sat down over the weekend and put together some cards with the stamped images I had colored the week before. I bought some new stamps (well, new to me) by Whipper Snapper. I had NONE of their stamps before, and am a happy owner of a *few* now. They are the perfect stamps for coloring! I knew I had to make some Christmas thank-you cards. With us not travelling this year (the first time in FOURTEEN YEARS!!!) I thought I should have some cards ready for the kids to sign & mail off to thank those that send them gifts this year. I'm making all different designs, but I love this little penguin! And I finally used my DEW DROPS! Aren't they yummy? Of course now that I've played with them I think I "NEED" the blue/green variety as well! Why does that always happen?!

So here's the card. I used the snowflake stamp (retired from SU now) and mounted it on white & then punched it out with the larger circle punch and then once more with the scallop circle punch. I also used the slit punch for the scallop lower border (is it a border if it's on the bottom? hmmm.....) and the crop-o-dile for the holes so that they were all lined up. Love that little feature! I ran the base of the card through the snowflake cuttlebug embossing folder and the bottom sentiment is a rub on from dejaviews. I think those are all the deets. I loved this color combo! Tempting turquoise, pretty in pink, real red & a touch of certainly celery. Feels fresh & crisp -- just like the air outside!!

OK - who has their Christmas tree up already? I think we're going to do it this weekend -- I think it's time!! :)

Enjoy your Monday!

.j.

Sunday Moments

Hope you enjoyed your day, made some memories & enjoyed some sunshine.

.j.

Hello Weekend -

It's here again! The weekend. How's your Christmas shopping coming along? I'm *just* about done! Love that. Still need stocking goodies for hubby (why is that always so difficult!? Oh, I know -- a snowmobile, dirtbike, quad... difficult to fit in there!!) Need to make my handmade gifts still -- perhaps I'll get a chance t work on that this weekend. Kids are playing here, sleepovers there.... so it'll be a full weekend. Hockey Saturday, Soccer & Church on Sunday -- snow the whole way through -- good times!!

Here's a card I made for my sister-in-law using the upsy daisy set:

All those fall colors are gone now -- we are knee deep in snow, big blue skies... so very pretty. It sure does make it feel Christmasy!! On the island it was hard to get into the excitement of Christmas so early with all the muck & rain - the city here turned all its lights on last night & it feels SO festive. Need to get our little outdoor lights up this weekend too I think! :) Enjoy your weekend & family time -

.j.

Soccer life is back!

Indoor soccer has begun! Add hockey to that & school activities with extra practices for Christmas concerts... I've got some busy weeks ahead of me. Usually the first thing to go is STAMPING time. BUT... I did manage to get my Christmas cards all done! :) Here's a sneak peek:

These are the Copic Colors I used on my cards -- I think I made about 30 of them (main reason I don't have a lot of new cards to show you). It was a fairly simple card, what took the most time was all the coloring. I found the *best* paper to use for Copic markers. OK, I honestly only really tried 3 different kinds: Stampin' Up!'s whisper white, Canson Copic Paper, and Neenah paper (that I ordered off of Ellen Hudson's site). WOW -- winner is NEENAH PAPER! It is so awesome! Drinks in the color without ANY bleed. So I ordered a bunch (paid a truckload of shipping due to weight!) but I should be all set for quite a long time :)

Enjoy the season --

.j.

Nothing new.

I don't have anything new to show you today. I have a couple pics on my camera I need to download to share, but haven't done much stamping other than the December journal me and the kids (OK, me & Megan) are working on :). I got some new stamps, and have spent some time just coloring images (that is so stress-relieving & relaxing for me!) so I thought this afternoon I might put some of those together ... or make cards out of them. Also need to start thinking about holiday homemade gifts & what I'm doing this year. You make any decisions? What are you making as holiday gifts this year? Please share :)

Kids are having a blast with all this snow -- what's even more exciting for them is waking up the next day & finding it's STILL here! :))) So unlike the island.
enjoy your day - stay warm!
.j.

We started

Well, we actually got started yesterday on our 'December Journal 2008'. I gathered all the Christmas stuff I had as my goal is to buy NOTHING for this project. It'll be interesting to see what we come up with. The younger two wanted to help cut and select paper -- our combinations will be interesting! :) I'm trying really hard to use what I have and stop buying for awhile -- OK, yes I ordered some more stamps... a couple times (hanging head).. BUT... that was stamps -- that's different, right?! LOL. This is the beginnings of our title page. Kids found these red chipboard stickers (thank you Marie!!). I won these from some of Marie's blog candy! yeah!! So they wanted to make a title page with them. I'm really trying to step back on this project and let the kids do a lot of the creating. I want it to hold all our December memories, but I also want to make memories through the experience. My son was STUCK on this strange blue paper, we {the girls} were thinking it was NOT "Christmasy".. but, I had to remind myself {and them} that it was a joint project & Joshua is allowed to select papers as well.. so in they went! :)

After the papers were strewn all over the table, cutting was done, the younger two wandered off for a bit. Megan & I were ready to dive in! We carefully selected which paper we wanted to represent which day. I have NEVER done a scrapbook like this before: {A} without photos and {B} so carefree... and I love it! :) We wanted to include all kinds of papers, envelopes and start by numbering each page. I think we got to page six today -- not bad! I think she did great... here's her start.

The "cover" is just chipboard (cardboard!) that is cut 8.5" square. I'm working at covering that. All the inside pages vary.... I didn't have as many *cool* papers as Ali does over on her blog, but we were creative & worked with what we had on hand. We cut some papers 6x8.5... others an even square, we used a 6" square vellum envelope, a 6x6 scrapbook insert, assorted design papers cut in different widths & heights and even cut up a baseball card file keeper. I'm excited to see it all come together. I love it that it doesn't have to be perfect. So I'm writing in my daytimer to pull out the photo printer and get it SET UP (yes... it's still packed with more boxes than I will ever admit!!) the week before December. We'll be printing our photos often!! If you're going to play along and work on a book, please post a link in the comments -- I'd love to see your progression as well.

Merry Christmas!

.j.

Documentation....

I love Ali Edward's blog! Try to read it a couple times each week - I enjoy how she makes me believe her busy life as purely simple & carefree! LOVE THAT! She also seems so organized, an "idea" I love & do try to perfect! :)

I love this idea she posted about a December journal scrapbook:

http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2008/10/december-daily.html

You really should check it out. I think I'm going to have the kids help me work on this today. It'll be a nice lazy activity after church - as we look out at the white, fluffy snow.....

yup - I just might! Stay tuned :)
.j.

Busy Weekend.

Looks like it's going to be a busy weekend, but I'm happy to say... my Christmas cards are ALL DONE! Just addressing envelopes now! WHEW! Feels great -- I'll get those out at the end of the month -- I think I have about 30 going out this year -- what about you? I've got a good handle on my Christmas shopping too -- getting there. My goal is to try and be mostly done by the end of the month so December can be full of baking & activities with the kids :) Not fretting about buying & getting to the mall.... this will be new for me! LOL.


I also hope to stamp & have a few more things to share with you, but for the weekend, I'll share a recipe with you -- some comfort treats :) If you have a bread machine this is SO easy. Mine broke (I only used it for dough anyway).... if not, you'll have to make the dough on your own, but - it is worth it :)

ORANGE BUBBLE BREAD

1 cup 2% milk

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup water

1 tsp. salt

4 cup bread flour ( I just use unbleached all-purpose)

2-1/2 tsp. yeast

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1/2cup granulated sugar

2 TBPS. grated orange rind

1/4 cup butter, melted

Cooking spray

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 TBSP. orange juice

THE Process -----

Combine first 5 ingredients in a 2-cup glass measure. Microwave at high for 3 min. Cool 5 min. Follow manufacturer's instructions for placing milk mixture, flour, yeast & egg into bread machine, & select dough cycle. Start machine. I'm going to give this a try with the regular "old-fashioned" bread making process -- I'll let you know how it goes.

Remove dough from machine (do not bake!). Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, & knead 30 sec. Cover dough, let rest 10 min. Divide the dough into 24 equal portions, shaping each into a ball. Cover remaining dough to keep from drying). Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar & rind. Dip each ball into 1/4 cup melted butter, & roll in sugar mixture. Place balls in bottom of a 10" tube pan (I've also used a bundt pan) coated with cooking spray. Cover & let rise in a warm place (oven with the light on is good), Free from drafts, 45 min. or until double is size.
preheat oven to 350 degrees

Bake at 350 for 35 min. Cool in pan 5 min. on a wire rack' remove bread from pan. Cool bread 15 min on wire rack.

combine 1/2 cup powdered sugar & orange juice. Drizzle mixture over loaf, and serve warm.

YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!

.j.

A collection of tips.

Often if I have a quiet morning (which occassionally happens) I sit with my morning coffee and check out blogs. I love finding tips, sketches & ideas! Well... this week I found a couple of great tips/ideas that I thought I would share with you!
One was SHARPENING your PUNCHES! Do you find that your punches are getting dull? After you punch something you see a torn or tattered edge... no longer that smooth, crisp finish? Have you heard the latest.... goodbye sandpaper... hello popcan?
Check out Linda's blog for a video tutorial... I think I just might have to try this one!
http://lindastamps.wordpress.com/2008/11/09/stampbusters-sharpening-your-punches-with-soda-cans/

I have been struggling with the Crop-o-dile. I admit it, I was challenged. Of course now I just figured out I was doing it BACKWARDS! Ack. Where has my brain gone?! Then on top if it I was always curious as to what settings to use... well. Marie Kirkwood had a great idea, check her blog out here:

http://marielovestostamp.blogspot.com/2008/11/crop-dile-tip.html
The last one I wanted to share with you is a repeat... I've shown you this one before, but it's a great collection of scrapbooking sketches from Elsie -- who is such a fun scrapper!!
A few friday tips... enjoy your weekend!
.j.

Not everyone loves pink.

I know, crazy isn't it?! No pink??? LOL. I have two girls (boy sandwiched in the middle)... one is comfortable, logical, & NON-frilly!! The other one is pink, lace & anything fancy! I thought I should make some feminine cards that weren't too "girly".... So, I took this sketch and made my attempt. I was very happy with the results. Quick, two step stamping with Stampin' Up!'s petal prints... still a favorite. I love to use my Stampin' Up! markers on these so I can apply ink/color exactly where I want on the stamp for a nice multicolored image (without the time to color). Just remember to HUFF on it before you stamp to remoisten the ink that has perhaps dried a bit while you were coloring other parts. I then just stamp the image a couple more times to get a faded look. The most time consuming thing on this card was all the layers. The brown designer paper is again from Stampin' Up! and has been in my 'stash' for sometime. Just couldn't find a place to use it (and I love brown!!). So I layered it up and sponged all the edges (on the design paper as well) and started gluing! :) I also used my FAVORITE ribbons... SU's taffeta ribbons. They are so yummy & pretty. I think this gives it a "pretty" feel without gushing :))

I am almost done all my Christmas cards... whew... big job. Looking forward to playing with some of my new stamps as well as making up some tags for Christmas gifts. I guess my next project will be teacher gifts -- I was happy to hear from a couple of you as to what you were doing this year, if you haven't posted a comment, I'd love to hear more ideas !!! :)
Exactly SIX MORE WEEKS until Christmas... I KNOW!!! That means only 5 shopping weekends left! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.... snow is falling!!
Enjoy your day,
j.

Shakin' Birthday!

Another shaker card to share with you. This is using 'Take The Cake' stamp set from MFT (My Favorite Stamps). If I'm stumped for ideas & inspiration I often google card sketches - I found this card sketch on one of those hunts.
The base is Almost Amethyst - one of my favorite SU colors! I ran it through my favorite (at this moment) cuttlebug folder Swiss Dots. I don't have the scallop punches so I use my slit punch to make the scallop border. If you don't mind the little bit of time, it's $7.50 instead of $19.95 ;) Then I'm still in my USE IT UP MODE and I pulled out my diamond brads (from the old SU Vintage Brads) that are NOT my favorite, but seem to work with this card. The sentiment 'birthday wishes' is a rub on. I find that stamps don't stamp well & clear on the textured cardstock, so I always grab my rub ons for that.
Enjoy your day!
.j.

My sale...

I am going through my stamping stuff this month -- trying to get organzied and I'm finally feeling like I'm getting things in order. The kids have helped sort eyelets, organize buttons... it's actually been fun! :) So if you see anything below that you are interested you can leave a comment here or email me at jdgray94@shaw.ca for prices & details :)

Enjoy your day,

.j.

Remembering...

I went to my kids' Remembrance Assembly last week and we all took pause to remember the men & women who fought for our freedom. I hope today, you can find moment of of silence as we remember....
Lest we forget....
.j.

Quiet week.

Kids have a couple "extra" days off of school this week. We awoke to a winter wonderland here today. Everything is covered with a fresh blanket of white snow. I guess winter has officially arrived. I have *finally* figured out my Christmas card, no this isn't it :) I did however use this image -- love these guys! When I look at this I can't help but think of the caption:

Nose Envy?

LOL - too funny. I haven't been stamping anything new (although some new goodies arrived in the mail and I REALLY want to play with them), I've been busy coloring all these images for my Christmas cards. So some good craft time.... just nothing much new. I am going through all my stamping stuff again -- sorting, purging, organizing... IF you have facebook (it seems to be working for some people without facebook??) here's a link to an album with all my sale items: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=67751&id=576095801

If you do not have facebook (still give it a try) but, I will try to upload another way for you to view them -- a little stumped on that at the moment, but I'll get 'er figured out here eventually :) Enjoy your day.

.j.

Sunday Moments.

Simple layers.

Weekend is here again. No hockey today - my little guy is bummed, he lives for Saturday hockey practice & games! Poor boy. Mom, disappointed my little guy is bummed, but happy my tooshie will stay cozy this evening!! *smiles*
The card. yeah. Not my favorite, but thought I'd "show" you it anyway. Ran strips through my cuttlebug and sponged the edges with brown ink. Not sure what it is, what it's missing.... but kinda blah - boring - .... back to the stamping table - I will find a Christmas card I like, I will....right?! Enjoy your cocoa sippin', snow fallin (?) weekend!
.j.

Thankful.

What are you thankful for? I remember hearing of a lady that had a "thankful book" and before bed each night she wrote down 5 things she was thankful for. At first it was easy - health, sunshine, shelter, food, clothing.... but after awhile, it took a lot of effort. She really had to think, ponder -- what am I thankful for *this* day, in *this* moment. That is when she began to grow. When she took the time to think about her day - the smell of a rose, the "streakless" window{LOL}.... the little things that often pass us by. I thought it was a great idea. Thanksgiving has come and gone in Canada, but I know our US friends are just preparing... and for us it's another reminder - to be thankful.
I saw these two colors on my mess of a table and they caught my eye. Elegant Eggplant and Rose Red -- eww.... but then I though - YUMMY... love that contrast. SO.... I gave it a try. :)
What do you think?
.j.

Shaker Cards

Have you tried shaker cards before? I still remember getting my first on in the mail as a RAK (Random Act of Kindness) from an unknown stamper off an egroup I was in where we picked names off a list and sent out cards. It was a great idea and it was so fun to get a card in the mail every so often amongst all those bills & junk. I was in awe at this unknown technique. I couldn't put it down. I think I still have that card after all these years! I found this card sketch online & thought it would be perfect for a shaker & a great use again for those nestibilities I have!!
Here is a great tutorial that you can check out with step-by-step instructions (and photos!!) of this is a technique you want to try! Check it out here. Most shaker cards are "filled" with microbeads, but you can use anything! Coffee grounds, glitter, I've used fake "snow" in santa's beard... possibilities are endless. Anything small. I have a couple to show you:

Here's that pink & red combo again... and a touch of orange!

Megan wanted a birthday card for her friend Kenzie, so pink & purple was perfect!

It takes some time, and a few extra supplies, but it will definitely WOW! :)

.j.

I'm here to make YOUR life easier :)

Seriously the easiest dinner you ever did make. Do you like ham?! We love it. So... pull out your crock pot. Everyone NEEDS a crock pot! Ask Santa, or better yet, go buy one today. It is such a lifesaver on those crazy days. Middle of the week break -- are you ready?

2 ingredients. yes. only two.

2 cups of brown sugar

1 cured, picnic ham - bone in (8lbs)

that's it.

Put 1-1/2 cups of brown sugar in the bottom of the crock pot & take the leftover 1/2 cup and rub it all over & into the ham. Place ham in crockpot. Cook on low for 8 hrs. OH it is sooooo good!!

Throw together a salad, steam up some veggies.... whatever - you won't be able to stop pickin' at that ham. Oh... and your house will smell marvelous too! Think we should have this again this week!!

OK - there's your recipe for this week.

enjoy,

.j.

Brown Christmas.

Living in BC, we've had our share of brown Christmas'. Oh the excitement when those flakes start to float from the sky! Kids would be hootin' & hollerin'.... radios are all on because school MUST be cancelled... there's white in the sky!! And... they were usually right. The island was not used to large amounts of snow (ok, not much at all!) so often snow meant no school. We loved getting snow in December & would cross our fingers it would last for a white Christmas. Now that we have made our move to Fort McMurray, it's a WHOLE new story. I went out and bought boots today for the kids & had to make sure they were good for 30 below -- BRRR!! No more inserts in the 'ol rubber boots I guess! HA. I'm very afraid!! So the brown Christmas card won't really work for us here in Fort Mac, but, it could've worked last year! :)
Some details on this one -- a little paper piercing at the top, I ran the bottom piece through the cuttlebug, tore (can't see it very well with the ribbon there), and then dragged a sponge dipped in close to cocoa ink across the top. Some wine organdy ribbon with copper cord around the front and some layered punches for a little dimensional :)
Dare I say Merry Christmas? Next time you're getting groceries... tuck in a few stocking stuffers & get started (chapsticks, lotions, yummy hair products, fancy coffee.....)
hope your day is going fabulously!
.j.

Monday Madness

The start of a new week. This is the day when I 'bless my house'. Any other FLYladies out there?! Go room by room & tidy... dust.. and try in 15 minutes to get it looking good. A "room rescue!" The rush of the season will soon be upon us, but I'm *really* trying hard to slow down the pace & enjoy the process, enjoy the journey.... enjoy life. Even when it comes to cards, everyone loves those QUICK cards when you're in a rush. They've even come out with books and magazines called Take Ten, where all the cards featured should only take you 10 minutes. SWEET! I think I've got 'em beat though. How about a two minute card?! Ok, maybe 3 -- but FOUR cards in 10 MINUTES! Yes, they're simple, but I think they make a cute little set! I simply stamped on white cardstock (SU's whisper white), then took my Copic maker and colored all the stems, then a few bits of color on each flower head - done!

It's monday -- thought I'd feature something simple to start the week with :)

.j.

Twas the month before Christmas....

December 2007

Bowen Park, a favorite family walking spot

Nanaimo, BC

blooming pink

I know typically (back in MY day - LOL) red & pink were a no-no color combo. Well, at least for clothing. I was *not* a fashion child (funny how I carried that with me... hmmmm..) but even I knew the two rules - no pink/red and no black/navy... :) The things that stick in ones memory -- odd. This large stamp from SU has been giving me a little trouble -- just creatively not workin' for me. Guess I need to google it or head over to SCS & check out some ideas. I saw this card layout though & thought I'd try it with this card... and.... I do like the results. Quite a bit BOLDER than I typically do, but I think it works. Lots of layers & textures - which I love. OHHHHh.. I got an order the other day from Ellen Hutson and got my hand on some dew drops. Whoa. LOVE 'em... can't wait to play. I've got a busy week, but soon you'll see 'em here! LOL. Ok, side-tracked there. The card - ran the base through the cuttlebug, then made some scallop strips with my slit punch in pink (bazil cardstock) and old olive. Still have some *very* old SU designer paper that I'm needing to use up - so thought the pink polka dots would work. Then the layered label is actually there do to a stamping error. Ack. Hate that when that happen. Stamped a lovely 'thank you' across the flower stems at the bottom and got a line from the rubbah rockin' - so ... a layered sentiment it is. I added a little black strip layer down the one side and a couple corner photo punches - and *finally* called it done. I stamped the image with Stampin' Write markers. I love to use these on flower stamps so I can add highlighted colors & green stems :)

Trust you are enjoying your weekend -- a guiltlessly dipping into your children's halloween candy! mmmmmm......
.j.