Friday, December 21, 2007

Merry Christmas Bloggers!


Ian and I are leaving after lunch to go home to Saskatchewan for a week. So, this is probably my last post until the new year unless I get creative in Regina.

This is the Christmas card for my family this year. The set is from PaperTrey and all the paper from Stampin' Up - last years in colours, Cranberry Crisp and True Thyme. I absolutely love those colors together.

I hope everyone has a great Holiday season - stay safe!

I will be back in the new year with some exciting Hanna Stamp releases and Kristi has a ton in store for everyone in the new year.

Supplies:
Stamps: PaperTrey
Paper: cranberry crisp, true thyme, chocolate chip, natural white
Ink: cranberry crisp, true thyme, chocolate chip, craft white
Accessories: true thyme stitched ribbon, cuttlebug snowflake folder, memories pebbles, 1 3/8 circle punch, 1 1/4 circle punch

Friday, December 14, 2007

Birthday Gift Giving and



Its release day for Hanna Stamps. Yesterday, I showed a Christmas card using this set today a birthday card. I did stamp 'Your the perfect package' inside this card but using the new word set released today as well - it would be perfect to have 'Happy Birthday' punched out with the word windown punch. However, my 'Things Hanna would say' set isn't here yet and I don't have the word window punch (its on my next order!).





Supplies
Stamps: Gift Giving - Hanna Stamps
Paper: soft sky, pretty in pink, very vanilla
Patterned Paper: soft sky designer prints - SU!
Ink: Palette Noir, SU markers for watercoloring (creamy caramel, close to cocoa, blush blossom, regal rose)
Accessories: Blush glitter dots, Cotton Candy Stickles, Prima espirit pink flowers, bazzill pink mono brads

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Holiday Gift Giving


I should be taking pointer from Hanna on wrapping Christmas presents. 12 days to Christmas, 8 days until I leave to my home province of Saskatchewan and all I have wrapped are Ian's presents and that is just so that he wouldn't see them when he came home on Tuesday.

This is a sneak peek to the latest set that is being released from Kristi Ferro and Hanna Stamps on Friday (tomorrow). This set is fabulous and isn't just for the holidays as you will see tomorrow when I show you how I used the set for a birthday card.

There are actually two releases tomorrow, this set called 'Gift Giving' as well as the set that we used for Thankful for Hanna blog candy at the end of November called 'Things Hanna Would Say'! All the sayings in the word set fit in the SU! word window, however, I don't have that punch.

I'd also like to welcome two new members to the Hanna Stamps Design Team, Jeanne Seriff and Sherry Cheever. Make sure to check out their blogs, though if your a blog reader you probably see these ladies great work everyday. I have updated the links for all the design team members on my sidebar.

One other thing is that the Design Team page is complete at the Hanna Stamps website, Kristi did the bios and I was touched by what she had to say about me. The picture of me she used is from my wedding day, it was a close up after the makeup artist was done before I cried joyful tears. I wish I could get my makeup to look like this everyday but it might be a little too dramatic for the office.

Supplies:
Stamps: Gift Giving - Hanna Stamps
Paper: real red, old olive, very vanilla
Patterned paper: Dashing - SU!
Ink: Palette Noir, SU! markers to watercolour (certainly celery, close to cocoa, chocolate chip, real red, blush blossom, going gray)
Accessories: Red polka dot ribbon - Michael's

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Old, Tired Dog

I got this story via email and had to share. I sometimes feel like a tired, old dog.

An old, tired-looking dog wandered into the yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home . He followed me into the house, down the hall, and fell asleep in a corner .

An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out . The next day he was back, resumed his position in the hall, and slept for an hour . This continued for several weeks.

Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: "Every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap."

The next day he arrived with a different note pinned to his collar:
"He lives in a home with ten children -- he's trying to catch up on his sleep."

Monday, December 10, 2007

7 Things Tag

I've been tagged by my fellow Hanna Stamps Design Team member, Bev aka Tex at Savour the Journey! Make sure to visit her blog plus the other Hanna Stamps Design Team for some sneak peeks of the Hanna Stamps sets to be released this Friday, Dec 14th. You can find all their web addresses on my HSDT blog roll on my right side bar!

The rules of the game:

* Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
* Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, we all want to know them.
* Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
* Let each person know that they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

7 things about me:
1. I wear my pajamas at all times when I am home. The first thing I do no matter the time of day is change into my comfy clothes.
2. I'm an engineer for a major oil and gas company in North America. Bet you didn't know I could craft and talk techo!
3. My mom is my best friend. Not a weird fact, just the truth.
4. I didn't swim in the ocean until I was 30. It was my mission to swim in the ocean by the time I was 30, so I went to Mexico 5 days before my birthday.
5. I got engaged on my 30th birthday and wasn't expecting it but apparently everyone else was as when I called from Mexico to tell my family, everyone replied with 'I figured you guys would'.
6. I have dreams/nightmares that I end up having twin or triple boys. (not pregnant but hope one day)
7. No one can spell 'Tompkins' right, there is no H but yet yes there is a P. I have spent the last 2 months correcting people and I image I'll spend the rest of my days saying that. Grant was so easy ... why'd I change my name. Could have been worse, I dated a guy with the name of Armentrout for a long while and once a long time ago thought he was the 'one'..... oh how I was young and dumb!

Now, I have to tag 7 people. I've decided to tag 6 Canadian gal blogs and 1 from the Great White North that I read faithfully!
1. Nancy - Nancy's Creative Mess - Nancy is the chief enabler according to Allison and is the host of our monthly stamping though I don't think she is going to invite Allison back again as she was a big meanie!
2. Allison - Stampin' When I Can - Everyone knows Allison, blogger queen herself - She is just keeping it 'pretend'! You have to stamp with us at Nancy's to get it!
3. Tracy - Tracy's Happy Place - Tracy also is part of the stamping at Nancy's and she is such a sweetheart. I'm glad I've meet her this year.
4. Kelly - Diaries of a Stamper - Kelly's name has been everywhere lately. I love her style and reading about her life.
5. Jason - I Made This - Jason is Kelly's better half or is Kelly, Jason's better half. Either way this couple is how I hope Ian and I are after several years of marriage and children. Though I doubt I'll get Ian to stamp with me.
6. Julie - Mutch to Stamp - I met Julie back in May when we were visiting my in-laws in Halifax. I'm so happy to have somewhere to escape to on my Nova Scotian visits.
7. Nancy G - Inkcicles - Not to be confused with Calgary Nancy, Nancy Grant - who bares my maiden name. Boy, I miss that easy spelling! Nancy does great work and as much as I complian about the winter, she has it way worse.

I got one!


I bought one of these with some money I got for my birthday from my family. I read everything I could on SCS on the ATG (adhesive tape gun) and the tape refills, and where to buy. After much reading, I purchased. I decided to get the 1/4" tape or 924 brand and the ATG 914 model. A lot of the US sites for these don't ship to Canada so I found a good Canadian source and bought from National Hardware Sales. Shipping was also very reasonable, I ordered on a Thursday and got it on the following Tuesday, Ontario to Alberta.

So far, I love it. The tape sticks well and is very easy to use. It is a tad big but I never lose it on my desk and it is very lightweight.

Here is some information I found out about the 924 tape vs the 908 Gold (acid free) tape, both fit in the 714 model that holds 1/4" tape:

Thank you for contacting 3M. The "Gold" version is the only ATG tape that
is acid free. However, 924 contains only trace amounts of acid. Tape 924
has been tested by outside testing labs to see if it's suitable for use
with photos. It has been determined that it is safe for photos. However,
some people were still a bit unconfortable with it, so we came out with the
"Gold" version which is truly acid-free.

Trace amounts is good enough for me!

Saturday, December 8, 2007

First Altered Tin from the past .......


I made this tin back in April and I'm not sure why I never uploaded it. It was the first tin I made and started my Basic Grey obsession. For months, I never stored a single card in it just had it on the shelf to look at. I now have my Christmas cards in it - perhaps that is why I realized I never posted it.

Supplies
Tin - Mikes with 40% off coupon
Patterned Paper: Perhaps - Basic Grey
Accessories: Prima flowers, SU pretty in pink ribbon, acrylic paint to paint the top, flower bling - unknown
Chipboard letters: Once Upon a Time - Pink Letters, DCWV

Friday, December 7, 2007

Three Ornaments


Another internet purchase.... I must stay off my computer but back in October Lizzie Anne Designs offered free shipping so I bought two sets to see how I liked the stamps. I got this Merry and Bright set along with the flower set Jolies Fleurs that my friend, Nancy had that I had to have too. I like that these stamps are red rubber, come already mounted in a CD case so all I have to do is add ink!

I've made several one layer cards recently and really like how elegant and simple they look - its a good place to start when I first sit down to stamp to get my creative juices going.

Supplies
Stamps: Merry and Bright - Lizzie Anne Designs
Paper: PTI white
Ink: SU markers, real red, always artichoke, brocade blue, ballet blue, going grey
Rub-on: Joy - Imaginisce
Accessories: SU real red grosgrain

Socks .....

You Are Socks!

Cozy and warm... but easily lost.
You make a good puppet.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Fluffles gets coal


I love these Fluffles stamps. I have a couple of them now. A few more are Christmas so I am sure there will be more Fluffles posted over the next few weeks.

Supplies
Stamps: Fluffles - Stampendous
Paper: real red, always artichoke, watercolor paper
Patterned Paper: Figgy Pudding (6x6) - Basic Grey
Ink: Palette Noir, SU markers
Accessories: Prima flowers, Soft Sky double stitched ribbon, pewter brads

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Santa Baby


This stamp reminds me of the Christmas song - I saw Momma kissing Santa Claus! - Really simple one layer card. I might save it to give to my husband for Christmas but I think I might use the stamp again and a stamp I have that says 'got mistletoe?'

I've been using the PaperTrey white for my one layer cards - it is so much thicker than SU whisper white at 110 lbs and if you select the standard usps shipping it is really reasonable to get it from PTI - be careful not to select the priority international shipping as it is over $20 and I don't like to pay that much for shipping. Using the other shipping an order takes about 2 weeks outside of the holiday season. Right now I am waiting on my birthday present from the Nov 15 release and its not here yet - I'm dying for the snowflake set!

Supplies
Stamps: Stampendous
Paper: PTI white
Ink: Palette Noir
Accessories: Ribbon - $1.50 bin Mike's, Poinsettia - Imaginisce, black brad

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Fireside Holidays


I think a couple of the altered bottle cocoa would be in order to curl up in front of this fire. I bought a few sets of My Favorite Things in November from All That Scraps. (I love the free shipping to us, Canucks for orders over $100 - however, then I want to spend a $100!) They are clear stamps but very high quality. I really like the headless people on these stamps. I have some others ones that will be inked once the Christmas card season is over.

Supplies:
Stamps: Home for the Holidays - MFT Stamps
Paper: real red, Bazzill smooth - coconut swirl, always artichoke
Patterned paper: Figgy Pudding (6x6) - Basic Grey
Ink: Palette Noir, SU markers for watercoloring
Accessories: 1 1/4 and 1 3/8 SU punches, Poinsetta Felt - Queen & Co.

Monday, December 3, 2007

More Hot Cocoa and some Tickleberry's




These next two glass jars I am sending to my in-laws in Halifax. I am just getting together the box that has to be send this week for Ian's Mom, Dad, brother and sister. The above pictures is another Ikea bottle I got today for $1.99 it has almost 3 bags of the Fantastic Fudge Hot Chocolate from Ultimate Gourmet. I tried to do rub ons at first but didn't work on the curved surface very well then they rubbed right off - I wanted to do a belly band but it was curved and too big for 12 inch paper so I opted for a ribbon band instead with some punches.

Supplies:
Stamps: Let it Snow- Inkadinkado
Rub-ons: Cosmo cricket
Paper: very vanilla - SU
Patterned Paper: Figgy Pudding - Basic Grey
Ink: cool carribbean - SU (retired)
Accessories: Marvy and SU, Ribbon - Mike's $1.50 bins




The second glass jar has Tickleberry's in it - 2 packs of Dark Chocolate Raspberries and 1 pack of Milk Chocolate Cherries. I love Tickleberry's - when we were in the Okanagan for our honeymoon I actually went to the Tickleberry's store at Okanagan Falls. I absolutely love the cherries ... so good .... I look forward to Christmas and the craft shows so I can get my hands on these. The papers you see inside the jar

Supplies:
Stamps: Riveting - SU (retired)
Rub-ons: Making Memories
Paper: whisper white, always artichoke - SU
Patterned Paper: Figgy Pudding - Basic Grey
Ink: always artichoke - SU
Accessories: Marvy and SU, Ribbon - Mike's $1.50 bins

Sunday, December 2, 2007

It's not easy being GREEN!

You Are Kermit

Hi, ho! Lovable and friendly, you get along well with everyone you know.
You're a big thinker, and sometimes you over think life's problems.
Don't worry - everyone know's it's not easy being green.
Just remember, time's fun when you're having flies!


However, last weekend when the Saskatchewan Roughriders won the Grey Cup it was pretty easy to be green. Before, I did this I thought I'd be Kermit and I was! He was always my favorite.

Something warm for Christmas


I bought some packages of different hot chocolate from the Art Market in Calgary back in mid November with the intention of putting them in a bottle and giving them as gifts. I got to this project tonight after going to Ikea today to get some little bottles. The hot chocolate is from the Ultimate Gourmet - the brown one is French Vanilla (Merry Christmas) and the white one is White Chocolate Mint (poinsettia). I got a larger container to package a couple Fudge ones in to send to Halifax and Ian's family however, that one is the next one I will do. I really like how these turned out.

Supplies:
Container: Ikea
Stamps: Poinsettia - Lizzie Anne Designs, Party Punch - SU
Paper: real red, whisper white, always artichoke
Patterned Paper: Figgy Pudding - Basic Grey
Accessories: 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches, scallop punch, designer punch - SU, real red + always artichoke ribbon - SU, bling - Mike's dollar bins

Friday, November 30, 2007

Today is it! - 10,001 Hits!

Today, November 30, 2007 is the officially day in which my blog counter crossed the magic number of 10,001.

Back at the end of October, I had a guessing game in which I ask my readers to guess the date I would hit 10,001. A mere five weeks later this event has happened. It was a close race - there were 37 entries.

Paula guessed Nov 29/07. (Just one day too short!)
Angel Wilde guessed Dec 1/07.
Linda guessed Dec 2/07.

The winner is:
Angel Wilde said...
I am going to say December 1st! Great going! I love guessing games!

Angel Wilde is the winner of her choice of Hanna Stamps (there is a release next Friday, December 7th). Angel email me at shannon.grant@shaw.ca and let me know if you would like one of the current 3 sets or if you want to wait to see the next release. Regardless, once you have picked I will get Kristi your order and she will send it to you directly.

Thanks so much for all your hits. I personally didn't expect that the 2,700 hits would come in so fast but I attribute that too being on the Hanna Stamps Design Team, having Allison advertise my blog candy on her blog and our recent Thankful for Hanna stamp give away courtesy of Kristi and Hanna Stamps. Plus I think now that the wedding is over I've been crafting more.

Ian is away until Dec 11th for work so I've lots of time these next 2 weeks for xmas projects and lots of crafting. I'm so excited but can't decide what to do first.

Happy Crafting Weekend!

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Last Stamp Club for 2007


I did a One Sheet Wonder or OSW tonight with my stamp club. We used SU! Peaceful Wishes with the ink colors: always artichoke, real red and chocolate chip. The papers used to create the 10 cards included whisper white, always artichoke, real red, chocolate chip and mellow moss. I used the template pattern from SCS from this post from flowerbugnd1 and altered it just slightly for my club. The following are cards #6-10 - I will post cards #1-5 later. I keep the cards simple with no embellishments so the girls could easily recreate some quick cards for all those people they need to give a card to but don't appreciate or understand what goes into handmade. (p.s. I think tomorrow - Nov 30 is the big day when I hit 10,001 hits!)




Tuesday, November 27, 2007

I'm an elf

I used the name Shannon Tompkins! Its funny that it has Mini in it considering my husbands love for his 2005 Mini Cooper S.

Your Elf Name Is...

Ditzy Mc Mini

Sunday, November 25, 2007

We are the Champions!


It has been a long time coming and I'm proud to be from Saskatchewan. Ok - I don't live in that province anymore but I'll always bleed GREEN and today makes being green worth it. Let's hope it doesn't take another 18 years to win one!

Thankful for Hanna - Blog Candy winner


It's time to announce the winner of my blog candy - "Thankful for Hanna"! This is the full set that the blog candy winner has won. Kristi will send you the set directly from the Hanna Stamps store. Though it hasn't been released yet!

I used random.org to generate a number from 1 to 124. (I've never had 124 comments - thanks for all the visits!)

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

23

Timestamp: 2007-11-26 04:25:28 UTC

The winner is:
Nancy said...

I am thankful for the love and support of friends and family!

November 22, 2007 4:03 PM

I'm so excited to see it is a fellow Calgarian and someone who has been reading my blog since I first created it.

Nancy, please email me your address. I know I should know it but I just know my way there not the address!

Look for 'Things Hanna Would Say' to be released in early December.

Also - I have 9,532 hits as of this post. Looks like 10,001 might happen really soon!!!!

Thankful for Hanna! - Blog Candy


Note: This post will remain at the top of my blog until the blog candy is drawn for!

Look at this preview of a new not yet released Hanna Stamps set! It's a set of 28 sentiments and it contains 'All Things Hanna would say!' This set will be released at the next Hanna Stamps release. I don't even have it in my hands yet.

Would you like to win this set?

Since it's Thanksgiving today for all my American readers (As Canadians, we celebrated Thanksgiving in October, so I'm at work today!) Because of it being Thanksgiving, the Hanna Stamps Design Team is asking what are you Thankful for. Please leave me a comment tell me what you are thankful for and you could win this set. Blog candy will be drawn for using random number generator on Sunday evening at 9 pm MST. Only one entry per person. Kristi will then send the set to you directly!

I have to say I am thankful for my new husband, my whole family and new in-laws, good friends, stamp and blog friends, and definitely my 14yo cat, Missie who gives the best cuddles!

Be sure to stop by Kristi's blog as she has a set to give away with also the listing of the other Design Team members that are offering up a set.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Update on 10,001 Hits

9,252 hits right now ..... 10,001 isn't far away. I think having a Hanna Stamps giveaway just upped that hit counter.

Won't be long now and someone else is going to win a Hanna Stamps set.

Kristi opened up the new website for Hanna Stamps. Make sure to check it out - it looks great!

Friday, November 23, 2007

Snowflake Butterfly



The last picture from my bad photo set up. This snowflake used the glue pad then I dumped Martha Stewart Blue Topaz glitter on it. I really like how it turned out. Make sure to enter to win a free Hanna Stamps set on this post. Also, I am at 9,100 hits this morning so it won't be long and I'll be hitting the 10,001 mark and giving away a Free Hanna set to one of my readers from the guessing game.

Supplies:
Stamps: Botanical Snowflake - Old Island Stamp Company, Butterfly snowflake - Hero Arts
Ink: Glue pad, Versamagic dew drop Aegan Blue
Paper: PTI white
Patterned Paper: K&Co Costco slab
Accessories: Blue Bayou double stitched ribbon, Martha Stewart Blue Topaz glitter

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Thanks for the support



I didn't get the best picture of this one layer card but I think I have my lights and set up for pictures perfected now.

I made this card as a thank you for my family and friends that helped me raise over $4,100 for the 2007 Weekend to End Breast Cancer where I walked 60km on July 27-28. I think my blisters are finally healed. Right now, I plan to be on the volunteer crew for the 2008 walk however, I may change my mind and walk again.

Supplies
Stamps: Hope is - SU (retired), Thanks for your support! - Amuse
Ink: Versamagic dew drop Pixie Pink, SU regal rose, Versafine black onyx
Paper: Natural White
Accessories: none

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Rudolph with your nose so bright!



This reindeer stamp is from Cornish Heritage Farms. I just got my first stamps from them last week and I love them. I picked up the Rudolph stamp from the Art Market this past weekend in Calgary as Old Island Stamp Company was there. I thought it would go with any reindeer stamps that I have and I have a couple!

Supplies
Stamps: Reindeer - Cornish Heritage Farms; Rudolph - Old Island
Paper: old olive, real red, chocolate chip, natural white
Patterned Paper: Figgy Pudding (6x6) - Basic Grey
Ink: Pallete Noir, SU markers, real red
Accessories: real red brads, ticket corner punch, hodgepodge hardware, xmas red stickles, ice crystal stickles

Monday, November 19, 2007

Rider Pride



It is with great excitement that I post about the Saskatchewan Roughriders going to the Grey Cup. I image my American reader have no clue what I am talking about but my Canadian reader think I'm a nutty girl but once a Saskatchewan girl always a Saskatchewan girl. The Grey Cup is the Superbowl of the CFL (Canadian Football League) and Saskatchewan fans are the craziest. The Riders will be meeting the Winnipeg BlueBombers in the final on Sunday with a kickoff of 4pm MST. It will be a great game! Below are a few pictures of crazy Rider fans all decked out in Green and White. I don't know these people just got the images off the Rider website.



Gainer the Gopher (mascot)


Crazy Fans


Friday, November 16, 2007

Friendship is the sweetest



This was the thank you card that I put together for the 9 people that came to my Calgary bridal shower. I was slow at getting it out but they went out last week. I really like the font on the PaperTrey stamps and how great they go with this flowered paper that is part of the K&Co slab from Costco.

Supplies
Stamps: Borders&Corners-Oval and Green Thumb - Paper Trey
Paper: regal rose, PTI white, certianly celery
Patterned paper: K&Co slab from Costco
Ink: chocolate chip
Accessories: prima, Dots&Dashes ribbon from Mike's, bling from dollar bin

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Getting closer to 10,001

Did you know that I am just 1,625 hits away from getting to 10,001 hits?

Then I'll be able to go back to my blog candy guessing game and give away a Hanna Stamps set to someone.

The 10,001 hits would have made a good bday present on Friday but I don't think it will happen then.

To see what I am talking about, check out this post - you can also check on your guess.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Rainy Day Sneak Peek


This is the newest Hanna Stamps set that will be released this Friday, November 16th. Friday is also my birthday! I'll be 29 (um again) - I actually prefer to call it my 3rd annual 29th birthday. It is also the 1st anniversary of my engagement to Ian, who is now my husband. We got engaged last year in Puerto Vallarta on my birthday (which if your counting was my 30th) - it was a fantastic trip and I had no idea that we would be engaged.

Back to Hanna, this is the 3rd set by Kristi Ferro and her illustrator - they have so many more amazing things planned. I can't decide which set so far is my favorite but this one with the little worm is to die for!

Make sure to check out the sneak peeks from the other Hanna Design Team members. All the blog addresses are on my sidebar on the right.

Supplies
Stamps: Rainy Day - Hanna Stamps
Ink: Palette Noir
Paper: card base - white cardstock from PaperTrey, certainly celery, natural white
Patterned paper: K&Co slab from Costco
Accessories: polka dot ribbon from Mike's $1 bin from the spring ($1.50 for us Cdn)

Friday, November 9, 2007

Wedding Pictures from CD1

Over the next couple weeks I am going to upload a few pictures from each of the CD that we got from our photographer that hold our wedding photos. There are 8 CD's in total and 620 pictures. So, you can see why I can only do a few from each CD. CD 1 holds pictures 1-79 and is all about getting ready from makeup time to getting to the church. My photographer was Virginia Booth of Hot Shoe Photography. I can not say enough good things about Virginia. She made the day fun and getting our picture taken enjoyable. I for one do not like a camera in my face!

The Dress

The Hair


The Makeup


Maid of Honor, Carmen



Getting Dressed


Something Borrowed (My Grandmothers wedding rings from 1949, she had them packaged in the original jewelry box!)


The Shoes


Almost ready to go ....


A little nervous ....


The Men, Ian and his bodyguard (I mean Best Man), Nick


Groom's flower


Groom's cufflinks (a present from his bride)