French Flair Embossed

My cameras battery was dead so I couldn't take any pictures of my new Hanna release last night. I have the battery charging so I will have pictures for you tomorrow.

In the meantime, check out the Hanna Stamps Design Team gallery at SCS. Also, there will be a release party at 9 pm EST on Thursday, April 3rd at the Hanna Stamps SCS Forum for the release of the 2 new sets at midnight est. I will be hosting a color challenge so make sure to stop by.

This card was for stamp club - all SU but I cheated and used a Bazzill blossom flower as I didn't want to use the pretties kit for club as I want to hoard it for myself.

Supplies (all SU except Bazzill blossom)
Stamps: French Flair backgroun, Party Punch (retired)
Paper: groovy guava, certainly celery, glossy
Ink: versamark, so saffron, groovy guava (sponged on)
Accessories: white embossing powder, bazzill blossom, circle rhinestone, designer punch, groovy guava ribbon, brayer

Whisper Soft Grey Flowers

I made this card for Stamp Club this past week. I tried to keep the card simple layers as I taught the girls - two step stamping with the stamp-ma-jig. I was dying to do more layers but I didn't - I think I might give this card a make over and not limit myself to SU ONLY so that I can embellish it - the poor card is screaming for some flowers and brads. The color combo was from this weeks color challenge on SCS - CC159 using soft sky, basic grey and whisper white. The flower was embossed with clear glassy glaze twice and then put in the freezer for 15 minutes and cracked for the cracked glass look. I really like this technique for flowers and looks great with this color combo. My sample was left in the freezer for probably over an hour so I got a fantastic cracking on it.

Hanna Stamps sneak peeks for 2 new Hanna stamps start tomorrow - I have some Hanna cards as well as some cards made with new Riley's to show you.

Supplies (all Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Blossoms Abound
Paper: basic grey, whisper white
Patterned paper: soft sky prints
Ink: soft sky, blue bayou, basic grey, versamark
Accessories: basic grey tafetta ribbon, glazzy glaze embossing powder

Chocolat Butterflies by SEI

I made this 6x6 card tonight when I should have been doing some design team work but I really wanted to use this SEI paper that I got in a 6x6 pad and couldn't find my Hanna mojo.

All paper is Bazzill bling cardstock - I don't do 1/8" layers very often anymore rather cutting 1/8" less so I get the 1/16" look. I love layers however, I wanted all the bling to come through. The SEI pad of paper is called Jolie Chocolat and I got the 6x6 pad from Sheila at Scrappin' Great Deals (this is also where I bought all my nestabilities). SGD is a Cdn online store with excellent shipping to CDN and great weekly 12 hr sales on Wednesday.

Supplies
Stamps: Impression Obession
Paper: Bazzill bling - diva, feather boa, in the pink
Patterned Paper: SEI
Ink: Versamagic pink petunia
Accessories: all flowers and brads from Imaginisce Bazzill collections (brads - pink cadallic, flowers - white)

Trio of Flowers

I made this card at Nancy's in the beginning of March as well with the Calgals. The sketch is from Beate's weekend sketch challenge - WSC 37.



I have today off as well then back to work tomorrow. I have a long list of house duties to accomplish as well as prepare for stamp club tonight. I hate when I leave it to the last moment hopefully I feel inspired today!

Supplies
Stamps: A Beautiful Thing - SU
Paper: close to cocoa, pretty in pink, chocolate chip, regal rose, whisper white
Patterned paper: berry bliss
Ink: regal rose, pretty in pink
Accessories: Cloud 9 rain dots, pretty in pink brads

Merci for a great weekend

Ian and I made it back about 5 pm this afternoon from our Saskatchewan Easter adventure. We had a great trip and had 2 turkey dinners. One on Saturday at my Dad's and one on Sunday at my Mom's. We missed the snow that fell in Calgary last night as it was melted by the time we got home but, I did drive for an hour in white out conditions and lots of wind between Swift Current, SK and Walsh, AB. The biggest event of the day will cost me about $300 this week. A big truck spit up a rock (probably 1-2" in diameter) that hit my window that caused it to crack out in perfect circles for about 6-8 inches round. Glad it didn't come right through the window or we would have been stuck in Brooks.

I made this card at Nancy's at the beginning of March. It used the Sale-a-bration set Merci. I like it however, the pink paper in the back is actually a patterned pretty in pink from the Berry Bliss collection.

Supplies
Stamps: Merci - SU
Paper: purely pomegranate, pretty in pink, regal rose, whisper white
Patterned paper: Berry bliss
Ink: palette noir, purely pomegranate, SU markers
Accessories: petal pusher flowers, scrapbooking sally brads, pretty in pink tafetta ribbon, paper piercer
Coloring: SU markers to watercolor

Happy Easter weekend

We are off to Saskatchewan to visit my family for Easter. I thought I'd leave you with a Riley that I made last weekend. Hope everyone has a great weekend, I'll be back on Monday afternoon.

Supplies
Stamps: Airplane Riley, Things Hanna Would Say - Hanna Stamps, Lots of Thought - SU
Paper: tempting turquoise, real red, basic black, staples 110# white
Ink: brillance graphite, real red marker, copic markers
Accessories: cuttlebug swiss dits embossing folder, real red striped ribbon, circle punches

New Rileys!

Kristi released 15 new Riley and Sophie G stamps today at Hanna Stamps. This is the first one I've played with and I have 14 more to go. There are all so cute and makes for a great Spring release. Check the out - the come mounted red rubber or unmounted red rubber.

This is also my swap card for a Hanna Stamps swap that was being held on SCS. I knew I wanted to use this Riley and that I had to find the John Deer paper well, I found John Deer tractor wheels brads that made perfect front tires.

I also thought I'd share my regular stamping partner. Her name is Missie and she gives me really dirty looks if I move her bed or place something in it. Missie will be 15 years old and I've had her since 6 weeks expect for the 6 months in which my Mom lost her. (just kidding Mom - I really am over that almost - hehe)



Ian and I are heading to Saskatchewan on Friday morning for Easter weekend and are going to a Flames game tonight so I'm not sure if I will get anything posted again until Monday.

Hope everyone has a great Easter weekend!

Supplies
Stamps: Tractor Riley - Hanna Stamps, sentiment - Stampabilities
Paper: close to cocoa, wild wasabi, chocolate chip, staples 110# white
Patterned Paper: Creative Imaginations
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Versafine Sephia, Copic markers
Accessories: Creative Imaginations brads, wild wasabi striped ribbon, silver jumbo eyelets

Cat on a Hat Box!

Another card using tempting turquoise, real red and basic black. I stamped this image from Allison in January and only got to using it last week. I have bought some of my own Pink Cat Studio stamps now.

The concert last night was amazing. Johnny Reid opened then Little Big Town and ending with the headliner of Martina McBride. I loved it and was singing along - Ian thought I was all girl power for awhile there but what does he know! Martina talked to the crowd

Supplies
Stamps: Pink Cat Studio
Ink: palette noir, copic markets, craft white
Paper: tempting turquoise, real red, basic black, whisper white
Accessories: Mikes dollar bin ribbon, bazzill flowers, scrapbooking sally black brads, Cuttlebug floral folder, nestabilities
Coloring: Copic Markers

Pomegranate Wishes

I had no stamping mojo yesterday so my Riley swap using the new Riley didn't get finished. I did manage to get some reading done for my P.Eng exam. Though I think I finished the card design in my head last night as I was falling asleep but by then it was too late to finish the cards.

I thought I'd get it done tonight but when I got to work this morning I had a message that I won the company tickets to Martina McBride concert tonight so I guess I'll be going to that instead.

So - no Riley until Wed! Sorry about that everyone.

Supplies
Stamps: Butterfly Kisses - PaperTrey
Paper: close to cocoa, whisper white, purely pomegranate
Patterned paper: berry bliss
Ink: close to cocoa, pretty in pink, purely pomegranate
Accessories: pretty in pink ribbon, Amanda Blue flower, Bazzill button

Happy Hooper by House Mouse!

I colored this image with Prismacolor pencil crayons when the Calgals got together in January. I'd cut the paper and was 1/2 was in my design then we wrapped up for the night and I left with the intention of finishing the card the next day at home. The next day turned into this past Wednesday when I finished this card and 3 others that were 1/2 starts and sitting on my desk.

I've had a good weekend so far however, it is snowing out! I'm up late as I went and picked Ian up downtown after a night out with the guys. I was stamping so I figured I'd be up and go get him when he was done him man thing. Tonight I cut out 14 Riley and Sophie Moose images from Hanna Stamps and worked on a Hanna Stamps swap I participated in on SCS. I have to have the swap in the mail on Monday so it makes it to the states on time. I'm happy to report that I will be able to show you that card on Monday. It was so much fun to color these images with my copic markers. (available at Hanna Stamps) I'd like to continue stamping but its after 2 and I should get some zzzz's.

I went shoppping today well - a bit yesterday and some today - my new purchases include the new Marvy cutter with interchangable blades, Cosmo Cricket Fleuriste paper-black chipboard-rubons-ribbon, 2 Elzybells, and a Nija small watercolor brush.

Supplies
Stamps: Happy Hopper - Stampabilities, Things Hanna Would Say - Hanna Stamps
Paper: soft sky, blue bayou, regal rose, whisper white
Patterned paper: Two Scoops - Basic Grey
Ink: Palette Noir
Accessories: Doodlebug paper frill and sugar coated brads, Cosmo cricket ribbon, Prima sprites flowers, scrapbook sally brad, oval nestabilities
Coloring: Prisma with OSM

Pink Cattitude

Allison posts a theme suggestion every Sunday, AFSS8 - this past Sunday the challenge was Cats. Well I used a Pink Cat Studio image that I wiped from Allison at our Calgal gathering in January. Last Wednesday, I actually finished 6 cards all from images that I had colored and sitting on my desk. I have a few more that I will have to finish.

I got my new Riley's from Hanna Stamps for the April release and I am quite excited to get working on those so we will see how my time goes as I am also starting to study for my National Engineering exam for my Professional Engineering status. Blah! It's all about law and ethics and apparently I'm not very ethical. The material is a bore.

Supplies
Stamps: Pink Cat Studio (cat), Rubberstamp Avenue (sentiment)
Paper: regal rose, close to cocoa, pretty in pink, chocolate chip, whisper white
Ink: palette noir, craft whisper white, Versamagic jumbo java
Accessories: Paisley Cuttlebug folder, oval Nestabilities, Costco ribbon, Bazzill petal pusher flowers, Bo Bunny brads

Getting to Know Me

I thought I'd post this Getting to Know me that is appearing on blogs this week.

1. If your doctor told you TODAY that you were pregnant, what would you say? I'd sorry Ian, I really did try to wait until summer. - Watch out retail industry - my Mom is on a mission. (I repeat I am not pregnant right now!)

2. When was the last time you flew in a plane? To Halifax - May 2007

3. What did the last text message you sent say? I don't text.

4. What features do you find most attractive in the opposite sex? I like kind eyes and a nice chest and back side.

5. What is a goal you would like to accomplish in the near future? I'd say clean my basement but my Mom is reading this laughing so I will say ....... pass my P.Eng exam.

6. Shoe size? 8 1/2

7. Been to Mexico? Yes, Puerto Vallarta in November 2006 for my 30th birthday. Ian and I got engaged while there.

8. When is the last time you had a massage? Last Friday, March 7th

9. What was the last TV show you watched? One Tree Hill on Tuesday night

10. What are your plans for the weekend? I plan to stamp for the Riley release, stamp club and do some studying plus I have bathrooms to clean.

11. If your significant other asked you to marry them TODAY what would you say? Yes, but I'd elope rather than plan a wedding.

12. What is in the back seat of your car right now? Probably garbage that I threw back there.

13. What were you doing at 8 am this morning? on the bus to work

14. If you could marry any celebrity today who would it be? how about some hockey player that still had his teeth but not Ryan Smith as his nose is too crooked.

15. Have you ever been to a strip club? Not for a girls night but rather, I played pool in the High Level bar in the back when the ballerina were on stage entertaining the men. We'd been in the hotel for 3 days in High Level, AB - I was bored and the crew was going to play pool - I was going regardless of the show.

16. What is the best ice cream flavor? Fish Food by Ben&jerrys not sold in Canada!

17. What is the last sporting event you watched? Flames game

18. Ever go camping? not that often

19. Last phone call? to a field operator to get the new well on production

20. Are you allergic to anything? coedine, no T3's for me

21. What is one thing you have learned about life recently? One door closes so a better door can open up for you. Sometimes the grass is green if you make the leap.

22. What do you do at work? I'm a production engineer for a major oil and gas company in Calgary. I'd give you details but I can see your eyes glazing over already.

23. What is your mom's name? Mom - or as others call her Rita

24. Ever cried for no reason? I think I had reason - I cried when watching The Game Plan on Tues evening - Ian laughed at me but it was sad - the little girl was leaving her new dad!

25. Can you do the Crank Dat dance? huh?

26. What is your favorite color to wear? red and black

27. What is the longest plane ride you have ever been on? Dallas/Forth Worth to Edinburgh, Scotland

28. What is the longest road trip you have ever taken? Lawton, Oklahoma to Allegan, Michigan

29. What are your turn-offs? smelly people, cheaters

30. What was your last alcoholic beverage? Vodka Paralyzer last week

31. What are you craving right now? like I crave all the time - chocolate - specifically mini eggs today!

Hanna Stamps Release Today

Hanna Stamps release 5 sets last night at midnight - March 14th. The sets include - My Best Friends, Large Breed, Small Breed, Mikey and Getting Physical.

The card here today features Large Breed and a sentiment from Things Hanna Would Say. This is my last card for the set release and features a scallop edge for the Hanna Stamps Challenge that was posted today, HSC8. Each week one of the Design Team takes a turn posting a challenge on the SCS Members Forum. This week Kendra challenged us to use anything scalloped on our cards. I created a scallop border with my SU! slit punch. Then I stamped the paws from the My Best Friend set to create a border.

There are some great cards in the SCS gallery by the Design Team, check it out here!

Make sure to check out the Copic Marker sets that Kristi is now featuring with Hanna Stamps and Copics. Great price on these - probably the best your going to find for a 12 piece set of Copic Ciao.

Supplies
Stamps: My Best Friend (paw), Large Breed (dog), Things Hanna would say (sentiment) - Hanna Stamps
Paper: certainly celery, old olive, chocolate chip, Staples 110# white
Patterned paper: certainly celery designer series
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, chocolate chip classic
Accessories: Bo Bunny brad, Bazzill blossom, certainly celery ribbon, slit punch

My Best Friend and a sketch challenge

Here is my latest sneak peek from the Hanna Stamps release for tomorrow. I used the sketch challenge posted on SCS today - SC167 for the layout. However, I had to alter the size of my shapes to get what I was after.
S
There a pile of cards at SCS made by the Design Team, check them out by using the keyword: hsdt or click here.

Supplies
Stamps: My Best Friend - Hanna Stamps
Paper: tempting turquoise, real red, basic black, Staples 110# white
Ink: Brilliance tarlit Black, palette noir
Accessories: Bo Bunny brads, Bazzill flowers, SU scallop punch, 1 3/8" punch

February Stamping Goal Results

February is long over and I hadn't posted my updated goals results for the month:
1. February cards: 12/12 2008 Total: 33/120
2. Upload to SCS gallery: 12/12
3. Christmas card: 0/1 2008 Total: 0/12 (hmm I guess I'm a loser on this one again)
4. Participate in a weekly SCS/blogger challenge: 5/4
5. Other sized cards: 2/1
6. Participate in Tracy's happiness giveaway: n/a

I know I'm off to a great start for March however, I see my xmas card idea is shot!

Tail Wagging Day

It's 2 am and I'm not asleep. I was home today with a migraine so I slept a lot of the day away. I'm feeling much better now however, I was just about asleep before 1 am and my wonderful husband gave me a jab as I started to breathe too deeply not even quite a snore. Now I am awake watching the minutes tick by. I hate that. I finally caught up on some sleep and I'm back to square one.

Anyhow, this is my third sneak peek for the Hanna Stamps release this Friday. Kristi is going to be having a release party in the Hanna Stamps forum on Splitcoaststampers at 9 pm EST (7 pm MST). She says there are huge prizes - I have no idea what it is.

Supplies
Stamps: Large Breed, My Best Friend (both released on Friday), Things Hanna Would say - all Hanna Stamps
Paper: chocolate chip, always artichoke, PTI white
Patterned paper: Mellow - Basic Grey
Accessories: bazzill flower, brad by scrapbooking sally, taupe ribbon (SU retired)
Coloring: Copic Markers

Let's get physical .......

Getting Physical is one of the 5 new sets from Hanna Stamps to be released this Friday.

To see a whole bunch of sneak peeks with the new sets - stop by the Gallery for the Design Team at SCS.

Supplies
Stamps: Getting Physical (released Mar14/08), Things Hanna Would Say - Hanna Stamps
Paper: regal rose, pretty in pink, certainly celery, PTI select white
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey
Ink: palette noir, certainly celery
Accessories: 5/8" celery ribbon, Amanda Blue flowers, Doodlebug sugar coated brads -limeade, Dew Drops
Coloring: Copic Markers

Introducing Mikey!

Hanna has a new friend - his name is Mikey. Mikey like Hanna is very dear to their creator, Kristi's heart. Mikey is Kristi's brother who passed away at a very young age. Mikey's birthday is coming up soon so Kristi wanted the release of Mr. Mikey to be near his birthday so I thought it was appropriate to introduce Mikey with a Happy Birthday card.

Mikey along with 4 other sets will be available by Hanna Stamps on Friday, March 14 th. After this Friday, Hanna Stamps will be going to a first Friday of the month release. I am so excited as I got my new Riley's the other day in the mail. That release is going to break a few pocketbooks!

Supplies
Stamps: Mikey (to be release Mar 14/08), Things Hanna would say - Hanna Stamps
Paper: always artichoke, chocolate chip, cool caribbean, PTI white
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey - mellow - 6x6
Ink: palette noir
Accessories: scrapbooking sally brads, window punch
Coloring: copic markers

Baby Shower and Riley's landing!

This is going to be a long post.

First off, I apologize for my absence in the last week. I've had a pile of new projects but haven't had a chance to photograph them as my husband is always on the computer at night as he is looking for a new job.

Second, I went to a baby shower today for a gal that has become a new friend. She is expecting for April 14 and this is their first child. They know that the baby is a girl so I went with a gift of pink with the Onesie birth announcements that I got from the tutorial done by Lauren Meader.





This card was made with K&Co Smitten glittered letters and Basic Grey - Baby Girl paper. No stamping on this one as I realized before the shower I didn't make a card as I was concentrating on the birth announcements. I thought I had lots of time until I sat down at the computer and realized time had changed and didn't change the clock before bed.

Supplies
Paper: pretty in pink, certainly celery, Basic Grey - Baby Girl
Accessories: K&Co Smitten chipboard letters, Bazzill flowers, Scrapbooking Sally brads



I put the Onesie birth announcement in a Card Box that I made from the Scor-pal site. I love my Scor-pal! Diana Crick is amazing and the Scor-Pal site is great for ideas for making items with paper. It think I mixed up the bottom and cover dimensions though as after I was done my patterned paper which was to be my cover was my bottom. Oh well! I made up for it with a few more Bazzill flowers on the box.



I am planning to make up a set of boy and girl announcements as my step-sister is expecting. These do make great gifts. Thanks again Lauren for posting her tutorial. I doubt she reads my blog but I am do read hers daily!

And last but not least, on Friday each week on the Member Forum for Hanna Stamps, one of the Design Team posts a challenge. I'm a bit behind on the challenges right now but I've got the one for this weekend finished.



HSC7 was a color challenge with bling that was created by Judy. The challenge was to use ballet blue, more mustard and garden green with bling! I used the Flying Riley stamp as he just appeared in my mailbox with my new copic ciao markers. Speaking of Copic's - Kristi at Hanna Stamps had created 5 - 12 markers sets for coloring Hanna or Riley! The markers are now in the store - to see more about what is in each site - go to this post on Kristi's blog.

Sneak peeks for the 5 new Hanna sets start tomorrow. I don't have the links for all the Design Team blogs up right now due to my template but if you click on the link for the DT - you can find links to everyone's blog on the Hanna Stamps site.

Supplies
Stamps: Flying Riley, Things Hanna would say - Hanna Stamps
Paper: more mustard, ballet blue, garden green, PTI white
Ink: palette noir
Accessories: cuttlebug A2 folder, bazzill small flowers, Dew drops - mowed grass (this is my bling!), more mustard ribbon
Coloring: Copic markers

p.s. This was my first attempt with coloring with copics - this is going to be a huge learning experience. Though so far - I do love the results.



Do you want a signature like mine? Visit Katie's blog to find out how.

Always Trifold 4x4

I'm loving the new look of my 3 column blogger however getting it back to the colors and links I had before is a bit of work.

This trifold card was made so that it is 4x4. I used a 4x12 piece of textured cardstock from Stampin' Up. Other than that not much to say on this one. It was for last weeks stamp club.

I have 3 cards I need to photograph that I made at the Calgals gatherings (w/o Allison - though we missed her chatter!) but I've been busy when I get home from work.

Anyhow, I must go - tomorrows my early morning of 5 am to get to the charter to go to the field for the day.

Supplies (all SU)
Stamps: Always
Paper: purely pomegrante textured, pretty in pink, close to cocoa, whisper white
Patterned paper: berry bliss
Ink: pretty in pink, close to cocoa
Accessories: pretty in pink grosgrain

Blog Contest Winner

I'm very pleased to announce the winner of my first ever Blog Contest. This was a color challenge all 8 entries did a excellent job using the colors that I put before them.

So, before I announce the winner of the 2 Riley stamps from Hanna Stamps. Here are the contest entries!


Barb @ Barb's Card Creations


Darlene - SCS gallery (akronstamperdpk)


Deborah - Stampin' Granny



Jennifer - Glitter in my Hair


Julie - Mutch to Stamp


Melissa - What do you (th)ink?


Michelle - The Crafty Cat


Tracy - Tracy's Happy Place


And the winner: (randomly choosen from a hat by my husband)

MELISSA and her pretty Bella card.

Melissa, please email me at shannon.grant@shaw.ca with your address so I can get those out to you asap - just in time for St. Patrick's Day!

On a side note, I've added a new picture of me on my blog and changed to a 3 column template however, now my banner won't load. So, Allison if you are reading this how did you get yours to load when you changed. I see it on the screen when I change the page elements but it won't display! I will be adding more links etc back to my blog and changing the colors over the next week or so as I have time.