Christmas Card #14

Why 68 cards you ask?  Because I trimmed my list that's why --- I sent almost 90 last year but am slowly coming to my senses!  Good thing I don't have kids at home anymore and don't do Christmas baking or anything else like that or I'd be in a straight-jacket by the 25th!  You've likely recognized the design of this one -- image's different though!

Christmas Card #13

Too bad for you that 13 is not a lucky  number --- there will still be 5 to come after this one!  I'm hoping that next year I decide to perhaps make 4 cards or 6 cards a month so I don't have the usual Christmas rush/panic!  I wonder if I'll do it this year.  I'm hesitant to make it a resolution as that is the kiss of death!  I will say that this is my favourite of all the cards I made this year!

Christmas Card #12

Apparently I love plaid and the colour red and I'm noticing (here at card #12) that there seems to be a lot of them in my choices this year!  Oh well --- you get what you pay for, and apparently, I've paid for all of this stuff!  I hope people recognize that the little girl is serving a plum pudding --- a festive dessert if there ever was one!

Christmas Card #11

'Tis the season I keep trying to tell myself!  I will admit though that colouring these images was a lot of fun, and fairly relaxing -- the first 30 or so anyway!  The only real difficulty was convincing myself that since no 2 people who receive the same card will likely ever meet and compare, that if the design/style was the same, that's okay.  I think this is the only one I used a bow on though!

Christmas Card #10 -

I've really got to cut down on the number of cards I send out, I'm sure you'll agree.  But, now that I've been doing it for a few years, the expectation of receiving one is out there -- I wonder what would happen if I just bought cards and sent them out.  My husband would likely try and kill me after spending zillions on craft supplies --- better ditch that idea!  Anyway -- the usual suspects --- LOTV: SU: Copic; Spellbinder ...

Christmas Card #9

Half-way there!  If you are still following my blog and haven't dozed off yet, thanks for visiting!  This card is really sweet I think -- LOTV, Copic, SU, I've always loved plaid and the SU paper this year was gorgeous.

Christmas Card #8

So, got all your Christmas shopping done yet?  I have (I think) but I won't know for sure until I start wrapping - this weekend!  I started panicking in mid-November until I told myself to get a grip and realize there were still 6 weeks left.
Oh yes, the card --- LOTV, Copic, SU; ....  I really like that glitter paper SU came out with this year -- gave the cards a whole new dimension!

Christmas Card #7

AAAHHHHH!! Will it every end -- the answer is yes --- just 11 to go!  I gotta say though that I love the LOTV images, the flower soft effects and those little poinsettias are just too cute!

Christmas Card #6

I don't know if this was such a good idea -- I'm having to relive the entire card making experience (that I'm still not over) and now having to think of something different to say each time -- not succeeding very well!
LOTV; SU; Copic, etc. ...

Christmas Card #5

If you are getting tired of these, don't look for at least another 13 days because I'm posting one a day - which you've likely figured out by now.  Again, LOTV, Copic, SU paper and sentiment.  Cute little puppy though isn't it!?!

Christmas Card #4

Still 14 to go after this one, so don't get too complacent! LOTV again, Copic colouring, again, SU background paper; poinsettia by Petaloo; Spellbinder and flowersoft fake puffy stuff for trim.

Christmas Card #3

Surprise - another LOTV image -- for this one I used SU paper and cardstock and sentiment.  I covered the turkey with SU's Crystal Effects -- doesn't show too much in the picture, so you'll have to take my word for it that it makes the turkey look kind of shiny!

Christmas Card #2

Again, LOTV was my main inspiration.  I used SU paper and the sentiment is also SU.  Circles cut out using Spellbinder Dies and colour by Copic.  Too bad the picture doesn't really do the card justice because it's really pretty in person!

MERRY CHRISTMAS - CARD #1

I decided to do all of my cards this year using Lily of the Valley's Christmas release.  And since I had 68 cards to make, that meant that I used 17 of their stamps and made 4 each.  I must confess that by the time I had finally finished them all I was sorely lacking in Christmas spirit.  I was even doing the colouring on my breaks and lunch at work.  One of my coworkers suggested I just put the pieces into an envelope and claim it was a do-it-yourself card!  I'm going to do 18 different posts for the cards, and not much chat for each.
This one is LOTV - coloured with Copic markers.  I used some SU paper and cardstock, a poinsettia from Petaloo, and some flowersoft stuff for the hat, snow and trim.  Looks really nice in real life!

Happy Birthday Lynn

Our systems officer at work is an avid hockey player, and has been for a number of years.  She is so devoted to hockey she has even coached both her son and her daughter's team.  She played on a ladies team for a number of years that travelled annually to Quebec for a hockey tournament.  Her team name has something to do with the word PINK, hence the pink costuming I chose for the design.  I'm sure she'll really like the card.
Materials:  Digital Image by Kenny Kiernan; DP: stash; Colour by Copic

Happy Birthday Jane

Jane, John's neice is a lovely young woman (not as young as the girl on the card mind you, but it was more the action that I thought matched).  She is an associate professor at Mount Allison University in Sackville NB; so we don't get to see her very often, but I'm sure she's happy and enjoying herself, having mostly realized her dream.  Also a December birthday, I think it's important not to blur the line between birthday and holiday season, hence the pink kind of summery image!  I had a bit of a problem with the balloons as I didn't want a huge circle, and I still kind of suck at doing the outside the box thing so I restamped the balloons, coloured them and popped them up -- I then tied some gold string into the balloons and through her hand to match that on the digital image -- what a pain - but the effect is good I think!
Materials:  Mo Manning - digital image; DP: SU: CS: SU: Colour by Copic

Happy Birthday Margaret

One of my dear friends in Toronto, Margaret, celebrates a birthday on December 1 --- which makes her a fellow December birthday celebrator as well!  Margaret and I have known each other for over 20 years, and I make every effort to see both her and Glenn when I am in Toronto...even though it doesn't always work out that way -- and when it doesn't, I always get shit!  Oh well - at least she knows I do still love her!  I've chosen Spanish Tilda because Miss Margarida is Portuguese --- hopefully close enough for her!
Materials: Stamp:  Magnolia - Spanish Tilda; Sizzix Corners; K&C Company DP: CS: SU: Flowers by Petaloo; Colour by Copic

Happy Birthday Louise

One of my work colleagues is a fellow card-maker, although her real preference is using punches.  She's made some pretty amazing cards, usually for her grandchildren using punches - she's very creative!  Anyway I thought this stamp (which I got last year at Kraftin' Kimmie's first craft day) would be perfect for her.  I've actually never used it before, thinking the stacks of paper or ink pads flanking the central image would be hard to colour - surprisingly, they weren't!
Materials:  Stamp: Kraftin' Kimmie; Sentiment: SU: DP: My Mind's Eye; CS: SU; Button: CTMH: Colour by Copic

Farewell Wendy

One of my favourite colleagues in Toronto is retiring, so there's no changing her mind -- not that I'd even try.  I have had the pleasure of working with Wendy (granted at distance) for the past 8 or 9 years, and she has not only been a pleasure and a consummate professional to work with, she's been a breath of fresh air in what could easily have been an autocratic/dictatorial role as the Issues Manager and Assistant Director Communications.  But she wasn't -- she was absolutely great -- I'll really miss her.  And while Wendy does have white hair, she doesn't really bear any resemblance to the image, it is somewhat fitting - what with the suitcases and all!
Materials:  Mo Manning - digital image; DP: SU: CS: SU: Spellbinder Die; Bow by BowEasy; Colour by Copic

Happy Birthday Sam

My nephew Sam is an avid game player and TV watcher -- in between of course eating and working and sleeping!  While Sam is a big guy, a little follically challenged, and a tiny bit older (25 or so) than the young pup in the image, I think he'll still recognize the similarities!  Thank heavens for Mo Manning and her great designs as I can always count on her stuff to give me ideas and images!
Materials:  Mo's Digital Designs - Stamp: Background paper from stash; SU: CS: Spellbinder Label Die; Colour by Copic

Happy Birthday Marita

One of my fellow EA's in southern Ontario has a birthday on November 18.  Marita is a lovely person - one of those perfect people who looks great, is sweet and charming, yet wildly efficient and talented.  My only regret is that I don't really get to see her more often!  She goes yearly on a shopping expedition with a bunch of her friends, so I thought this image was perfect for her!
Materials:  Stamp:  Lili of the Valley; DP: SU: CS: SU: Spellbinder Dies; Colour by Copic

Happy Birthday Candys

My friend Candys has been traumatized every year on her birthday since she turned 40.  And since's she'll be 52 this year, that's a lot of trauma.  It's kind of surprising really, because she's really quite young and gorgeous looking - people are quite surprised when they find out she's in her 50's.  I don't really understand why people hate getting older -- after all, that's the plan right!?!  In view of her trauma, I thought this little drama queen would be the perfect image for Candys -- hope she sees the humour in it!
Materials:  Image:  Mo Manning Digital; DP: DCWV; Spellbinder Dies; Sparkles by Twinklets; Colour by Copic

Happy Birthday Alex!

My friend Alexandra is the sweetest, kindest most loving person, possibly in the world -- she think only kind thoughts, is never bitter or jealous, is never anything but perfect!  If I didn't like her so much I'd hate her!  Normally I send Alex cards that celebrate her East Indian heritage, but thought she might be getting bored with that so chose instead one of Lili of the Valley's little fairies.  I just made her brown, because Alex is brown!  I do love these images - they are so dainty looking.  Hope Alex likes it --- but then again, Alex likes everything!

Materials:  Stamp:  Lili of the Valley; Spellbinder Dies; DP: Prima; Colour by Copic

My little Danny's 3!

Looking at this image the first thing I think is that I've really got to work harder at taking straighter pictures so they don't end up cropping on such a goofy angle!  The second thing I think that my sweet little Daniel (my grandson) will be 3 years old on November 1 --- where does the time go?  Danny is a little spitfire -- affectionate, very very cute, and very very very busy!  So, when I was looking for the right image for him this year, I of course relied on Mo Manning as her children especially are usually perfect for the job.  I wasn't disappointed!  As always, I have put a twoonie on the front of the card - it's under the HB!

Materials:  Mo Manning - Digital; DP: Me & My Big Ideas; CS: SU: Sentiment: SU: Colour by Copic

Happy Birthday Michelle

October is a ridiculously busy month as far as birthdays, etc. go ...Add in Hallowe'en and I've made about 15 cards this month!  Oh well.  My sister-in-law's (brother's wife) birthday is October 13 (or 14th) I must confess I forget exactly.  I decided I'd make her one this year even though neither she nor my brother have acknowledged my birthday for the past 2 years --- I figure I'll rise above that and make her one anyway.  Plus we're all going out for dinner on the 15th for my Mom's birthday - and if the truth be told, it does allow me to feel slightly superior!  Not exactly a good birthday sentiment, but there you have it!
Materials:  Stamp and Sentiment:  Victoria Case; Spellbinder Dies; DP: DCWV; Glitter by Martha Stewart; Colour by Copic

Happy Hallowe'en

I have always made cards for my grandchildren, and now with my new little one I'm up to 4 grandkids!  And, I send one to my little friend Kiera, grandchild of my friend next door, and I'm also starting to include little Sophia, my friend Maria's little princess.  So, that's six. And, I send my sister Debby one so that makes 7.  Rather than do separate postings for each of the cards, I decided to do them all as one - so there are 7 to scroll through!
Materials:  Stamps: All images by Kraftin' Kimmie; All colour by Copic; All dies by Spellbinder;  DP: - Mostly SU.

Nicki's a Gramma - this time it's a girl!

One of the administrative assistants I'm lucky enough to work with recently had a brand new granddaughter born to her daughter!  She already has a grandson who is fabulous, but for a Gramma, a granddaughter is always nice.  I've used this image before and love it, but I must say I like the layout of this one, and the colours better than one I had done previously.  Live and learn I guess!

Materials:  Stamp and Sentiment: S.W.A.L.K.; DP: SU: CS: SU: Colour by Copic

Happy Birthday Scotty -

It is so gratifying when you find an image that is absolutely perfect for somebody.  Such was the case with this one.  I was browsing through Mo Manning's Digital Pencil site, just looking, when I stumbled across this miner image -- one of the Seven Dwarfs!  Now one of my colleagues is a miner - looking after our mining program, so I new this would be perfect for Scotty.  I was a bit nervous that I'd screw it up somehow, but am quite happy with how it turned out.  I think he'll be quite tickled by it!  I even put some gold lines in the rock as Scotty usually answers his phone with his name followed by the phrase - Timmins the City with a Heart of Gold!

Materials: Image:  Mo Manning - Digital; Background Stamp (Rocks): StampscapesSentiment: SU: DP&CS: Who knows - some old stuff in my mountain of paper; Colour by Copic

Computer Girl

My friend Susan -- who you have certainly heard about in the past recently commissioned me to do a couple of cards for her -- one (the one here) for her sister Adelle's birthday in October.  Now, creating a card for someone else, based on what they believe you are capable of doing, can be somewhat stressful.  Adelle is a computer-type person who works in the IT industry in California. One would think that would be relatively easy --- NOT!  The image choice was an easy one.  Victoria Case has the perfect one --  The first background I did - and mounted --- I actually hated -- which then sent me into a slump - I couldn't proceed until I solved the problem with the card --- in short, except for the colouring I had to start over.... On my way  home from work one night it came to me --- I'd find a background that was computer related.  I had first wanted to recreate the drizzling binary code like in the movie Matrix, but couldn't find anything suitable.  So, I looked for binary backgrounds, found one I liked and printed it to become the background.  I then got my husband to bring some of those ripped off pieces from forms home and voila!
Materials:  Stamp:  Victoria Case; Spellbinder Dies; Colour by Copic

Congratulations Don - It's about time!

One of my colleagues, after doing a job in an acting capacity for the past 2 years, was recently selected as the permanent manager in his district!  And it is about time.  Luckily, he is remarkably calm and patient and didn't seem to mind the wait -- it would have driven me nuts!!  I figured that this little Kraftin' Kimmie image - I think it's Chester; would be the perfect one to send to Don

Materials:  Stamp:  Kraftin' Kimmie; DP: SU: CS: SU: Colour by Copic

Adele's Birthday

My daughter Sarah's mother-in-law, Adele (or Nona as the kids call her) celebrates a birthday at the end of October.  I quite like Adele an her husband Brian so routinely send both of them birthday cards.  Although we aren't as close as we used to be, I'm sure it is more a matter of time availability rather than anything else!  Making this card, also gave me the opportunity to use this stamp - finally!
Materials:  Stamp:  Lili of the Valley; Sentiment: Computer generated; Dies -Spellbinder and SU Punches; DP: SU: CS: SU: Colour by Copic

Get Well Percy!

One of my dear friend's husband has been quite ill this past summer and recovery has been long and tedious.  Thankfully he's on the mend but I thought a card might cheer him up as well.  I gotta say that Mo Manning has some pretty spectacular digital stamps -- whenever I need an image to reflect exactly what I want to portray, she appears to have it!  In this case, poor Percy was so dejected and unwell that this little boy just kind of tugged at my heart --- anyway, as I say, he's on the mend now so that's a good thing!

Materials:  Stamp:   Mo Manning (Digital); DP: CTMH: CS: SU: Colour by Copic

Jenny's Birthday

My sister Jenny has had a terrible year this year -- multiple strokes; seizures and the like.  Despite it all, she's doing surprisingly well and her attitude on the whole is pretty good.  I wanted to make her a pretty card and what better than this Sugar Nellie image.  I like the greens too so that helps!
Materials:  Image:  Sugar Nellie; DP: Martha Stewart; Flowers by Prima; Colour by Copic

Mom's Birthday

October 15 is my Mom's 78th birthday.  Luckily, she's pretty hale and hearty, so I anticipate she'll be around for quite a while longer.  This pretty little Elizabeth Bell stamp of a girl opening her present is reminiscent of my Mom because she loves to get presents.  Who doesn't?
Materials:  Stamp:  Elizabeth Bell - Peekers 2; DP: K&Company; CS: SU: Spellbinder die; Ribbon and Flowers from my stash; Colour by Copic

I'm entering this card into the following challenge(s):  Dutch Dare Challenge
                                                                               Copic Creations Challenge

Susie's Birthday

My sister-in-law, who was recently diagnosed and is now being treated for breast cancer, celebrates her 67th birthday this October.  She is doing well I'm happy to report.  I am under the impression that Susie likes Asian things, hence the Asian girl by Kraftin' Kimmie.  I hope she likes it.
Materials:  Stamp:  Kraftin' Kimmie; DP: DCVW: Flowers by Prima; Colour by Copic

Susan's Friend's Wedding

Ah, what would I do without Susan?  This is a card she commissioned for the wedding of a friend recently.  The bride's colours were grape and silver.  Unfortunately, I was in a bit of a slump, stuck on another card when Susan commissioned this one so I don't think it's as nice as it could have been had I not felt panicky!  Luckily, Mo Manning's Digital Pencil store had this fabulous bride and groom image which I think worked quite nicely.  And amazingly, the "outside the box" method of having stuff stick out of your spellbinder die actually worked this time!  All in all, the card is fine, I guess!

Materials:  Stamp:  Mo Manning - digital; CS: Bazzil; Silver: SU: Spellbinder Dies; Flowers from stash; Sizzlet swirls; Colour by Copic

Congratulations on your new job

My daughter Sarah has a friend who recently, after a number of years trying, secured a full-time job as a teacher.  She wanted a congratulations card and I said I'd make her one.  My thought was to find an image of a teacher at a blackboard or something --- Since I'm the worst searcher in the world, I did not find one --- what to do??? So, since I didn't really know this person or her interests, and I was thinking of children, this new stamp I got -- the old shoe house (There was an old woman who lived in a shoe - she had so many children she didn't know what to do) --- so since classrooms are filled with kids you likely don't always know what to do with I thought this might be suitable.  I do quite like it!
Materials:  Stamp: Make it Crafty; DP: K&Company; Spellbinder Dies; Sentiment: SU: Colour by Copic - Flowers from a stash my sister Jenny gave me!

Sympathy Card - Man

I decided that since Sympathy cards were so hard to do usually, and since I usually don't post them because I feel I may be struck by lightening (!) I have been avoiding posting them.  But I thought this morning I should post them and label them so when I'm in a slump - which I have been in lately -I can always look back and re-use some old ideas.  This particular card is for a man at work - I'm selling the card to my boss to send to him - a not very lucrative undertaking on my part, but there you have it.
Materials:  Stamp:  Heartfelt Creations; Sentiment: Kraftin' Kimmie; DP: SU: CS: SU: Ribbon: SU: Colour by Copic

Courtney's Wedding

One of my colleagues in Hamilton recently married her sweetheart! I've been a tad busy of late, so was unable to get the card done beforehand, but I think I'm only a couple of weeks late, so that should do.  I chose a Magnolia image for the card, even though my husband says they're creepy and look like brother and sister!  Oh well - I like them.
Materials:  Stamp:  Magnolia; DP: SU: CS: Bazzil; Spellbinder Dies; Colour by Copic

Colette's Birthday

Well, another colleague at work's birthday. I have worked with Colette for a number of years and enjoy making cards for her.  This year I decided to just do an image I liked.  Usually I try and find one that has some relevance to the recipient, but in this case, other than the hair colour, there is no specific thing that screams Colette.  I might be in a slump -- time will tell.  Regardless, I'm happy with how this turned out!
Materials:  Stamp:  Carmen Medlin from SCACD; DP: K&Company: CS: SU: Flowers by Prima; Spellbinder Die; Colour by Copic

Happy Birthday Rick

One of my friends and colleagues is an avid scuba diver -- plans his vacations around diving expeditions, the whole ball of wax.  I have always sent him diving-themed cards, and hoped I could find a scuba diver again this year --- not being able to, this came in pretty handy.  Mo Manning's boy in the pool with a mask on sort of reminds of me of Rick off-season!
Materials: Image:  Mo Manning Digital Designs; DP: CTMH: Brad: Eyelet Outlet; Colour by Copic

Darcy's Birthday

One of the guys I work with loves spending time at his cottage with his wife and family...so I'm extrapolating that he likes things outdoorsy and rural - hence my selection of this image.  I haven't had a chance to use it yet, so this was a good opportunity.  It was much easier to colour than I originally thought. After I had glued everything on I realized it still needed a little something - like brads.  I wasn't about to punch through everything and leave ugly clips on the inside of the card, so I snipped off the clips and used glue dots for the top part of the brad.  Thank heavens that worked!  I was a bit worried it would be like those Thomas Kincade images which are really hard to colour!  All's well that ends well though.
Materials:  Heartfelt Images - Summer; DP: SU: CS: SU: Spellbinder Dies; Colour by Copic

Happy Birthday Gerry

Another gentleman at work who I quite like -- the image really has nothing to do with Gerry except in the broadest sense -- Gerry likes to keep fit, exercise and does lots of sports.  Usually I do a motorcycle card for him since he also motorcycles, but I was getting tired of doing those.  This little image is so darn cute I have been dying to use it, so Gerry gets it!
Materirals:  Stamp:  Lili of the Valley - OOPS; DP: CTMH: Sentiment: SU: Colour by Copic

Thank You Jan

One of the committees I am on at work I actually enjoy - that is our Workplace Wellness committee which now encompasses the entire Ministry.  I consider it a perk and am happy to be able to participate.  One of our team members got a job in another Ministry so I volunteered to make her a card that each of us will sign at our next meeting and send it to her.  It is a very pretty image, so I'm sure she'll like it!
Materials:  Digi Doodles digital image; Spellbinder Dies; CS: SU: DP: K&Company; Sentiment: SU: Flowers by Prima and Colour by Copic