Stamps 'n Quackers

What to do...

2012-01-27T17:36:00.000-08:00

....when you are stuck at home? Don't feel like crafting? Nope. Nothing on TV. You make this.

Chocolate chunk, cheesecake brownies. I found the brownie mix in the pantry. It had a recipe for cheesecake swirl brownie on the box. Hot damn I even had the right amount of cream cheese in my fridge. So mix mix, toss toss and Bob's you uncle. Actually, Bob really is my uncle =)

No complaints and when I woke up this morning half the pan was missing. Must be the Charlie size brownie monster that lives in my house. Sigh. I am currently braising Chinese mushrooms at the moment - with no recipe - never done it before in fact. Sure does smell good though.

Peace out.

Which one....

2012-01-24T19:24:00.000-08:00

....would you choose. I have a purple loving friend with a birthday just around the corner. I started out CASing a card and ended up making three. I love PTI's Rosie Posie and I think I need to start a wonderful words die support group because those darn words make it onto almost all my cards lately. To make matters worse she's a total papercracter too. Soooo....

I don't know. I have a few days to think about it. Hope you are all enjoying the close ups of my work desk. I have to bring my camera and cards to work to photograph on my lunch break. The light otherwise is either non-existent, too grey or just plain dark. I think we're going camera shopping this weekend in preparation for our trip to Asia so there may be hope yet for my blog photos.

Peace out.

Happy Chinese New Year!

2012-01-23T17:50:00.001-08:00

Hey Stampers!Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous year of the water dragon!

Peace.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-13T18:25:00.000-08:00

It must be the end of the world since I. Am. Blogging. With two cards to share no less. First card I made for nephew number two's 21st birthday.

Kinda simple, not much stamping but I had a lot of fun making the chevron stripe in the background. You can find the tutorial on Jennifer McGuire's blog. All stamps and dies are PTI. The gold ink is the new Delicata ink from Tsukineko.I found a really excellent origami video on you tube. If I can figure it out, I will add later on. Anyways, little OCD if I want to learn something I do it over and over again. Long story...I did enough snowflakes/stars to be the basis of my January stamp club swap.

I think the flowers are really pretty. Most if not all of the cardstock is from Paper Zone. All the retail stores are shutting down and they had a HUGE sale and I'm good for cardstock probably forever? The butterfly die is from Memory Box. I have a serious die problem but meh what're you going to do.Anyways, I'm glad you decided to stomp on by. I hope everyone has a very happy 2012 doing whatever turns your crank and puts a smile on your face. Reading other blogs I became inspired and decided to have a word for this year. Do you want to know what it is? Okay. My word for 2012 is do - as in "do or do not. There is no try." Yoda, Empire Strikes Back.Anyways, until next time. Peace out.

PTI Make-it-Monday

2011-12-08T06:56:00.000-08:00

Everything is covered in glitter...must be the holiday season. So playing along with PTI MIM was kind of a no brainer. The mask was made with the PTI Quatrefoil die (thanks Cara for letting me play until I can order one of my very own). The other die is also PTI. The glitters are from Glitter Ritz and the colours ar Mint Green and Mystique. Cardstock is Gina K apple green. Adhesives are Sookwang (scor tape for my American friends)and scotch mounting tape. Rhinestones a hero arts coloured with a B99 Copic. I alsomade this card using the same supplies. Why make one when you can make two, right?

Been creating lots, organizing and generally having fun just been a really bad blogger about it. Just giving myself a little pat on the back. First blog post in forever and done entirely on Iggy, my Ipad 2. I'll even fess up to using the free wi-fi at the Starbucks by my office. How West Coast. Anyways, now that I've got the hang of this blogging thing again there will be A LOT more glitter posts in the near future. Glitter is where I live during the holidays. I almost named my blog Glitter-atti but resisted the exit to Pretentious-ville.Later stompers.Peace-out.

Bad Blogger

2011-10-09T17:58:00.000-07:00

Hey Stompers,

I know long time no post. I have no excuse...well tons actually...but I won't bore you with the nitty gritty. Partly, I've been lazy but mostly I've been involved with Iggy, my iPad 2. I've been creating lots just not photographing and posting like a good blogger should. Anyways, if you're on Instagram or Facebook that's where I've started posting quick pictures of my latest creations. I try and keeping the random factor down to a dull roar. So if you are interested, friend me on Facebook or leave me a comment and I'll friend you! Well, gotta get back to it...thanksgiving dinner tonight and I'm in charge of desserts.

Later gators,
Sonya

Summer Card Camp Week 3

2011-07-13T21:38:00.000-07:00

Hey Stompers!!!

Wow I can't believe card camp is almost over. Its been very educational but I'm looking forward to my next vacation when I can sit down and really go over all the materials....especially the design/sketch aspect which I haven't really been following like the techniques. So here's what I did today:

Supplies:

Stamps: SU - Bamboo II; Local King Rubberstamps - 100 Lucks; Kraftin' Kimmie - Kimiko

Nestabilities: Labels No. 9

Inks: Distress Inks - Tea Dye, Antique Linen, Tattered Rose, Fired Brick and Worn Lipstick; Memento - Tuxedo Black; SU - Whispering White Craft Ink; Tsukineko - Gold

Perfect Pearls - Sunflower Sparkle

Markers - Copics and Signo White

Embossing Powder: Tsukineko White

Just received my Kraftin' Kimmie stamps today from last month (thanks Canada Post). I was opening the mail, while I was eating my lunch, and thought 'no time like the present' and decided to use 'Kimiko' on my stamp camp card. I'm quite pleased with how the card turned out. I'm really bad at colour hair but I'm working on it. I think my neighbours think I'm strange because from their point of view it looked like I was taking pictures of the tree on my front lawn from my living room...there's no way they could have seen the back of my card from their car. They were kind enough to give me a wave back, coupled with some uncertain looks and raised eyebrows. Oh well.

Anyways, hope everyone is having a great week. I cut my finger wide open on the screen door this morning so there may or may not be some organic material incorporated into my card today. Gross.

Well, later gators. Go out there and get yourself some ice cream!

Bits and bobs left over....

2011-07-09T07:37:00.000-07:00

I had an idea bubbling in my head since the beginning of the week but I just couldn't get it to work. Ever have that happen...so frustrating. So I made all the elements but when I tried to put them together....wrongness.....pphht...nada. So revamped and came up with the card I posted earlier this week - I like it. Cleaning my desk this morning at an unholy hour to be up on a Saturday morning (waiting for cornbread to bake - but that's another story) I just starting playing and I came up with this:

Result - much happier. Now the bubbles in my head are gone too!

Hope everyone has a glorious weekend!

Summer Card Camp Week 2

2011-07-07T17:58:00.000-07:00

What?!?!? I know, I know. I made a card! Here she is:

Supplies:
Stamps: SU - Circle Circus

Memento Markers: Tangelo, Cantaloupe, Lady Bug, Bamboo, Dandelion, Rhubarb Stalk, and Cottage Ivy
Inks: Versamark; PTI: Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Simply Chartreuse, New Leaf
C/S: All PTI
Ribbon: SU
Embossing Powder - White Tsukineko
Other: Aqua pen

I'll probably be back to post another card or two since there are still some interesting pieces left over on my desk top.

Later gators!

Post No. 2 ?!?!?!

2011-07-02T14:39:00.000-07:00

What?!? Two posts in the same day?!? Have I lost my mind?!?! Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt. I've been a busy little....since yesterday was Canada Day....beaver. I'm a card making, closet cleaning, room organizing machine - oh yes I am. Okay, toot-toot, that ends that portion of the post. I've made two (2) cards recently (well 3 if you count the one in the previous post), cleaned out two (2) closets and have almost finished cleaning my craft room. Okay, card number one:

High school graduation card for nephew number three, Aaron. The graduate is a Stamping Bella and I used inverted scallop nestabilities. All paper and ribbon is PTI. Notice the nice little ribbon embellishment - simple, clean, masculine and spotted in ink....from my desk?!?! Isn't that always the way - get all the way to the end and then ppphht! Needless to say I had to remove the ribbon embellishment which was fine but then I had to look at my desk which honestly had seen better days. So then I was thinking: "hmmmm.......I wonder if I can use stamp cleaner on my desk surface? Won't know until I try..." So I took a piece of paper towel and sprayed some Ultra Cleaner (the blue stuff - get some if you don't already have some) and gave it a whirl in the corner. Unfortunately I didn't have the presence of mind to take a before picture but get a load of this after:

So clean and now I can work on a surface bigger than 12 x 12.


In case you've never seen Ultra Clean.

It really is nice to have a clean surface to work on. Visual noise turned way down. Not 'there' yet but getting there. Next card I made for Aaron's little brother, Josh (nephew #4), who is turning 12. This one came pretty easy which makes me wonder if I have already made it before....but I don't think so....

Its an origami dollar bill space ship. Again I used inverted scallop circle Nestabilities and I'm particularly proud of the rocket fire I made using frayed ribbon. All paper except for the silver metallic CS is PTI.

So there you have it. This is what I have been up to. I won't share pictures of the cleaned closets but I'm especially proud of those. Hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend. After I finish this post, it'll be back into the closets for a little while before heading over to my brother's for barbecued ribs, dark-n-stormies and tuxedo cake. Awesome!!

For those of you who I get to see IRL and who have been kind enough to ask after my mom, here's a quick update: she's adjusted really well to her new surroundings; she's really happy; my siblings see her way more than they used to; and, probably by next week, she'll be moving into a new room on a floor for less acute people. All in all the move to the facility has been really great for everyone and I feel really blessed and grateful for the both of us.

Peace.

On-line Card Camp - Week 1

2011-07-02T14:07:00.000-07:00

Wow - summer finally showed up....awesome! I'm so excited, stompers, I'm participating in summer camp. Okay, okay, its an on-line card camp but its sooo much fun. I was hoping it would get my mojo going again and it has. Yay!!!!!

So here's what I made for week one:

I can honestly say I would never put all these colours together on my own and it was very liberating. I'm not good at making cards for...no reason (? that sounds odd)...I'm better at making cards for specific people and/or occasions so these challenges will be increasingly interesting for me. Along with the colour combos there's also a technique portion which I haven't even attempted yet.

I'm giving myself a little pat on the back (pat, pat, pat) as I have so far been able to keep to the weekly timetable. Honestly my initial plan was to read along and play as a I have time but I've been trying really hard to make time and 'keep up'. So far so good....but I won't make any promises. =)

Hang on to your hats - this is the first of two postings today so you can see what else I've been up to. Stay tuned......

Hello?

2011-06-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

Okay, okay it has been a while since I last posted. What can I say? Just trying to find a new normal. I can report that this month was the first time I used my craft studio as a craft studio and actually made a card for my bro's birthday. Did I take a picture? Of course not that would have been too easy and made too much sense. There was also a cord issue but I won't bore you with the deets.

So the long and the short:

Been on two vacations. Got into an accident on my bike (seriously not trying to make it an annual thing) - I ran into something much bigger than me. Moving stuff around the house and like I said trying to find a new normal. For these things I have pictures....well no pictures of the most awesome scab I had on my leg but everything else I've put up some pictures:

Polishing off my share of the Mac Daddy Pancake Challenge

"squishing" Charlie at Waimea Bay

Self-portrait at the Diamond Head Farmers' Market

Moving....there's a desk in there somewhere

Former china cabinet...now a craft cabinet


These are just the during photos. After photos forthcoming.

So more or less that's what I've been up to. Hopefully I'll be able to post something creative next or at the very least the after pictures of my craft room.

Stay crafty my friends.

Big Changes - So Grateful

2011-04-09T13:30:00.000-07:00

Hey Stompers!

Been a long time. Just life really. Been crafting when I can get a chance but mostly just living. Like the heading says, "big changes"....

Big Change #1 - I turn 40 on Monday. I know it is a highly recognized and feared milestone in the lives of many but I really think it is just a number and I don't know how it feels to be 40. Most days I feel 12. Some days, physically, I feel 187. When I'm really happy, I feel 8. Yes I am talking years-old. I've thoroughly enjoyed my 30s and now I'm knocking on the door to 40.

Big Change #2 - It is cosmically random, fantastical, karmic, and surreal that on April 11th (my birthday) my mom is going into a special care facility. We put in her application on Monday and she had a placement by Friday in our first choice. This N-E-V-E-R happens. We thought at best she might be placed in late Fall. We never imagined, hoped, or prayed for anything like this. Briefly, my mom has vascular dementia, Alzheimer's type, and she lives with me and I'm her primary care giver. Being a care giver has been an on-going lesson in grief, tolerance, patience, being present, flexibility, breathing and self-care...which leads me to....

So Grateful!

I am so grateful for my husband, my siblings, my in-laws, my extended family, and last but not least my friends. Words cannot express how much I have appreciated the support, the laughs, the diversions, the hugs, the ears that hear and listen, the shoulders for leaning and crying, the words of encouragement, the reassurances and for being in my life. There were times in the recent past that I didn't think I'd ever make it to see this day happen but you guys propped me up and helped me drag my ass across the line. There isn't a card big enough or special enough that I could ever make to say thank you so there will be A LOT of hugging in everyone's future.

I am overwhelmed with possibility for the first time in a long time. I hope not to be overcome or to become static. There will be a lot of adjustments in the house. Minutes and hours that I can reclaim. I have a lot of Hope and I am Grateful.

It really is true: it isn't the destination at all - it is totally the journey. I am grateful to have made the journey. I am relieved to have arrived at this destination. I hope I am a better person for having lived it. I look forward to whatever comes my way.

Thanks for listening.

Peace.

Pop-up Slider Birthday Card and Owls

2011-02-13T10:50:00.000-08:00

Howdy Folks!

Hope everyone is having a fab February so far. Me? Not too shabby. Been having moments of creativity and some time to just mess around in the craft cave. I've got a few things to share this lovely Sunday morning. First, a birthday card. Experience has taught me to stamp more than one image when colouring and the best thing about this method is now I have two cards to share! I haven't decided which one to give to the birthday person but I think she might be able to figure out the card(s) are for her just from the subject and colour combo:

Supplies:

Paper: DCWV - Latte stack, SU Pear Pizzazz, PTI Stampers Select
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black. Versa Mark. PTI: Vintage Touch Chai and Dark Chocolate. SU: Concorde Crush, Pear Pizzazz, Wild Wasabi
Markers - Copics - too many to list and I honestly can't remember.
Stamps: Kraftin' Kimmie: Gabrielle and Tea Sentiments.
PTI: Tea for Two, Tea for Two Additions, and Inside Out: Birthday
Dies: PTI's Tea for Two and Spellbinders' Labels 9

I have a weakness for cards that do stuff and learned how to make the pop-up slider card from Split Coast Stampers. You can find the companion video on You Tube.

And lastly, I couldn't resist when SU came out with their Owl punch. I haven't had a reason to use it until now. My co-worker, Meghan, L-O-V-E-S her some owls. I made her an owl Christmas card and I made her two owl magnets as a sort of R.A.K.. She R.A.K.'d me late last year with my very own Liberace dress-up book. I hope she likes the magnets...

One for everyday and one for Saturday nights!

Well, that's it for me today. I have actual loads of laundry that need to be done and my sister is dropping by later with her new foster dog. I'll have my camera ready and will keep you posted.

later gators!

Stamp Club Card Medallion

2011-01-22T14:46:00.000-08:00

Hey...howzit, dudes? My butt is tired. I've been...gasp...exercising. Thanks to my family I have found myself with a few hours all to myself, sah-weet! So after running some errands, doing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen, I sat down and finished my stamp club swaps. I've lately gotten in the habit of trying to make 'extra' cards when I get the opportunity so I have three variations of the same theme to share. I used one stamp set PTI's Mat Stack 2 Collection and two colours (SU's Pear Pizzazz and Concorde Crush). Inspired by what I've seen I tried my hand at stamping my own medallion/doily (why does that word look so weird?)

Its really grey and overcast here today so apologies for the pictures but I think you get the general idea. I wanted to keep the card as simple as possible. Aside from the minimal bling (for me) I think I managed that okay. Thought I'd post all three cards I made to throw the scent off the stamp clubbers who visit my blog (Jeannie) so they'll have to wait till next weekend to figure out which card is my swap. Anyways, think I'll just wander around blog-land for a while and keep out of trouble.

shout at you later.

Origami Birthday Card

2011-01-16T14:29:00.000-08:00

Happy Sunday Stompers!

So what's everyone been up to? Me? Not much - just chillin'. Did something I never thought I'd do in a ga-zillion years...no not make a card to post (ha ha ha)....I joined Facebook. I know, right? Its been interesting.

Anyways, the real reason I'm polluting the internet today. I made a birthday card for my 2nd nephew, Adam, who is now 20 years old. How come I don't feel old until I look at my brother's kids? I feel the same but they insist on getting older - what's up with that? Well, there are only so many ways you can stick money into a card but I think I haven't totally tapped that well dry yet. Here's what I did:

Supplies:

All paper PTI
Ink: Versamark
Stamps: Into the Wild (SU) and Make a Wish (PTI)
Edger: Martha Stewart Icicles
Other: Perfect Pearls - Mint, Biscotti, Mandarin and Cappuccino

I found a bunch of instructional videos on You Tube - search under dollar bill origami instructions. Found one for an elephant and practiced for a while using coupons and Canadian Tire money. I think they're awfully cute. I think I'll try giraffe and rhino next.

Just looking at the picture and I notice you can kinda see my club swaps that I'm working on. Oh well, still playing and haven't quite figured out what I'm going to do yet.

So this is my Sunday so far - nice and quiet. Going over to my brother's later to celebrate the birthday and watching the football game on their brand new TV - its the biggest thing I've ever seen.

Anyways, until next time....

More Colouring

2010-12-31T16:06:00.000-08:00

Practice, practice, practice! More colouring today. More Kraftin' Kimmie images. I just love these girls. I spent some of my Christmas money on new Kraftin' Kimmie images - thankfully there's a Boxing Week sale so I was able to s-t-r-e-t-c-h my stamping dollars a little further. So here's what I did today:

This lovely lady is the Angry Ballerina. When I first laid eyes on her, I had to buy her. I love pigs and I [heart] her bonnet and tail. I used Copics on her and dried out on RV10 marker colouring in her dress. I think I'm going to have to start a coloured images file or something since I'm piling up my practice images and have not made any cards with them. Next....

This is Batty Princess. She's pretty and sweet....if you get over the wings and her pet bat perched on her head. She's coloured in with Prisma pencil, mineral spirits and paper stumps. I have better control (I think) with this technique but the colour doesn't pop like the markers. This is the first time I've done skin tones with the Prisma pencils. Still on the fence with this. Next...

This is....shoot there's no name on the contact sheet...*$&@*! Anyways, also done with Prisma pencils and mineral spirits. I tried to shortcut her upper body and make it seem like she's wearing a red shirt underneath her dress. Have to admit it looks kinda lame...but I do like the job I did on the apron of her dress. I have to practice on when to "quit while I'm ahead". I always have a problem knowing when to stop until I've got beyond the point and its too late. Oh well.

Can't wait for the postman to bring me my newest shipment of Kraftin' Kimmie images. In the meantime I've got plenty to keep me busy colouring. It should be relatively quiet around here tomorrow so fingers crossed I'll have plenty of time in my crafting cave.

Happy stamping!

Colouring and Stuff

2010-12-30T13:44:00.000-08:00

Hey Stompers!

Hope everyone had an excellent Christmas. I spent a lot of time with my family, eating a WHOLE LOTTA food, reading, watching TV and generally unwinding. Did manage to get all my cards made and sent off in time and managed to do a birthday card or two as well. I only managed to take a picture of one though. I can share it with you now since it was for my big sister and her birthday is over so she won't be surprised. Here it is:

The image is from Kraftin' Kimmie. The tickets are PTI. Paper is some stuff I had in my stash. Colouring is something that constantly frustrates me so I'm constantly working on it. Don't ask how long it took to colour her hair...45 minutes and it still doesn't look right to me. Anyways, my sister loved her card - it sits on her fireplace mantle. I just love Kraftin' Kimmie stamps. I love how the girls are cute but slightly maniacal....just like me...in my own head. When I had finished colouring and was pretty happy with it, I showed the image to my DH Charlie. You know what he said to me?!?! "She doesn't look Chinese." Sheesh. Whatever.

Anyways, gotta get back to cleaning and cooking. Having the family over for hot pot tonight. Kind of an annual tradition for us. You do all the prep work and everyone cooks their own food in big pots of hot soup. Very warm and nourishing for winter time.

Hope everyone has a very happy New Year. Hope 2011 brings to you good health, happiness, good times and plenty of creative opportunities.

What?!?! A card?!?!

2010-11-30T20:42:00.000-08:00

Hey Crafty McCrafters!

Long time no post. Kind of hard this time of year to post anything you're working on and not spoil the surprise for someone. I've been making cards like cah-razy. The holiday season is firmly upon us (if you were to believe the TV then its been Christmas since October.) For the festive season, I put glitter on E-V-E-RY card I make. I love me some glitter. Glitter also makes a great craft room security system because you can't walk into my craft room, touch anything and walk away un-glittered. Its like 1978 in there. So I believe I mentioned something about a card. Granted this was a prototype so this particular card will not show up in anyone's mailbox but I liked it enough to share it with you good stampers....

The stamp set is PTI as well as the card stock. The center point or background was made by using the burnish velvet glitter technique. The colours of Glitter Ritz glitter are: Canadian Blue, Grasshopper, Liberty Blue and Blue Highlights. Silver embossing power company unknown.

Seeing as tomorrow is December 1st I hope no one is feeling oppressed by their pre-holiday to-do list. I've got most of my shopping done (not bragging, just saying....thank goodness for online shopping, gift cards and free shipping!)

Anyways, that's it for me. I'm going to crawl back under the covers and continue my fight against this cold that's been going around. If you have time, drop by the Papertrey Pixies blog. I just posted the December challenge - play along...if you fancy.

laters!

Beaker Vacation Photos

2010-10-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

Anyways, thought I'd share some photos from our recent trip to the U.K starring everyone's favourite lab assistant, Beaker.:

Beaker awe struck by the grandeur of Westminster Abbey. Sadly photography isn't allowed inside the Abbey but I can say that Beaker thoroughly enjoyed his visit to the famous landmark.

Sometimes I wish Beaker wasn't quite so hard to read. I don't know if the expression is, "wow can you believe this?" or "Look World! I'm on the Millennium Eye!!"

Charlie and Beaker catching some rays in the V&A Museum courtyard. There was a minor disagreement about whose turn it was to pay for gelato. Boys....

Beaker posing with one of the guards at the Tower of London...

Hope you enjoyed the handful of pictures from our first batch of holiday photos. I can't believe how many pictures we took. Off to try and get some crafting done. Have stamp club this weekend so hopefully will be back soon with something crafty to share.

Laters!

Home Again

2010-09-26T18:16:00.000-07:00

Home again. Yeah. Love going away, seeing new things and meeting new people but I'm glad to be home. One load of laundry done. At least two more to go. Soooo jet lagged. I have ears of misery when I fly and don't sleep on planes so my internal clock is way off and I'm completely out of it. Was away for three weeks but it mines as well been three years. Had a great time. Have 3 SD cards full of pictures. Thank goodness I don't have to go to work until Tuesday (whenever that is) but I have a feeling that I'll be out of sorts for a while. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

Anyways, just thought I'd post a quick note in between naps.

Shout at you later.

What I've Been Up To.....

2010-08-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

Hey Dudes!

Well, I've been up to lots and nothing at the same time. I'm sure you can relate. You feel like you're getting nothing done but really you're just getting things done so fast you don't recall. I believe it is called....life. Anyways, here's what I've been up to....

Made a birthday card for my SIL's grandmother's 90-something birthday:

The layout is a total CAS from a card we did at my Big Shot club except I changed the colour scheme and used all PTI stamps. Next...

I'm trying to perfect double crust, fruit pies:

This was the first of two blueberry pies. Did you know left over crust keeps really well in the fridge? It sure does and today I'm going to try my hand at a free form rustic fruit tart. I'll let you know how it goes.

Random organization. I was kind of at a loss as to what to do with my expanding PTI die collection. I do store matching dies with matching sets but then, well, you know, out of sight out of mind. So what I did was use some double sided tape and taped up some thin magnetic sheets to the front of my shelf, right over my 'cutting center' for easy access. I really like it. I also keep the long dies on the side of my ribbon keeper.

Cultivate my attack rose. Sure its pretty to look at and seems like a normal rose bush but I swear its like a ninja attack variety or something. It grows right by my gate to the backyard and just when you think its safe to walk through....whack!!! It is also the hardiest rose in all of creation. No matter how much I ignore it, it continues to thrive.

So that's how I've been spending my time. Its raining today so after I get my tart in the oven, hopefully I'll get my club swaps started/done and a bunch of other stuff.

in a while crocodiles!

Cards to Share

2010-07-26T20:29:00.000-07:00

Hey Dudes!

Cards to share - Yeah!!!! July 29th is a big day in my family. Not one, not two but THREE birthdays all on the same day. So I've got...two birthday cards to share. I would share the third but its a re-tread of one I've done/posted before just a different colour scheme and stamp but more same-same. So the two I have to share are for the moms and the husband.

Here's Charlie's card (hopefully he won't peak into my blog...don't think he ever has...but just in case - CHARLIE: look away!!!!) The inspiration for this card is from A Passion for Papertrey. I just put my spin on it since Charlie is my bicycle-hero and he's (IMHO) just as cute as the fella on the card.

Supplies:

Stamps: Pink Cat Studios Billy Plate
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Markers: Copic Sketch
Dies: PTI - Up, Up & Away - Clouds
Paper: PTI, DSW - Enviro/Green Paper pad

I used the cloud dies twice - once in the sky and the second to show how fast "Charlie" is on his bike.

Can you see the where the surprise is hidden?

There it is! Right behind the clouds. I have to figure out another way to use this technique again.

So next, the mom's card. Moms is pretty easy - she's a total girl and likes sparkle and flowers. So many choices....so many ways it can go wrong....so hard to say stop. Plus, I got to play with my newest toy - Cuttlebug Flower Quilling Dies....so much fun.

Paper: All PTI
Stamps: SU Sale-a-bration set Vintage Labels
Dies: Cuttlebug Chrysanthemum Quilling Dies, PTI In Bloom Impression Plates and Delightful Dahlia leaves dies
Embellishments: Hero Arts Clear crystals and Misc. Pearls.

Kind of hard to see the detail of the In Bloom Impression Plates but its so pretty IRL. I have to admit I was collecting the PTI Imp. Plates for a really long time but got to so some serious playing over the last few days and am quite glad I didn't wait and see with this tool. Really glad I made the investment. So that's kind of all I've got to share for now. Off for a few days of R&R. Got a really bad summer cold that's been going around work...wouldn't you know it just before I start my vacation. I was totally frayed and burnt crispy round the edges on my last day at the office but looking forward to hanging with the family, celebrating, EATING and recharging my batteries.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer so far. The days we've been having make winter seem like an impossibility (groan).

Woosh!

Food p-o-r-n

2010-07-15T17:29:00.000-07:00

Hey Stompers!

I wouldn't necessary categorize myself as a prude but highly cautious and there's probably a huge list of words I'm a little hesitant about typing into oh...I don't know...Google...since you never know but really there is no better descriptor for what I'm about to share with you. Some of the highlights of my vacation to Hawaii.

An assortment of musubi from this really great Japanese department store at Ala Moana Center. You have got to give props to any department store that has a whole floor devoted just to food. I LOVE SPAM MUSUBI!!!

Dinner our last night in Waikiki was at Nobu's. I'm smiling so big because:

A) I'm in Hawaii.
B) I'm with my most favouritest husband.
C) New favourite drink!!!!!! Japanese cucumber, white peach sangria. So nice I had it twice.

Part of our omakase was a serving of Wagyu (sorry if the spelling is wrong) beef. Seriously, I totally get the saying, "melts in your mouth". Love Nobu's and the two times I've been there I haven't been disappointed. If you're near one and you love Japanese food, treat yourself - it is sooo worth it. During this portion of dinner there was total silence at our table and I'm pretty sure Charlie had his eyes closed most of the time....hee hee.

Well we didn't eat at Nobu's every night or day but when we were at the North Shore I sure did try and hit Ted's Bakery's a few times a day. Serious competitor for my love of musubi...MOKO frickin' LOCO. I love that plates come with two scoops of rice and a scoop of macaroni salad. Moko loco is two beef patties, a fried egg and yummy, salty brown gravy spread on top awesomeness. This stuff kicks ass.

Shaved ice at Aoki's - just across the parking lot from da otha place. Love the technicolor syrup. Really loved the azuki beans and ice cream at the bottom. Have you ever seen two happier Canadians?!? Just right after a morning of surfing.

Last but definitely not least a plate dinner of shrimp (although they'd probably qualify as prawns in other parts of the world) at Romy's Shrimp Truck. Not a truck really but awesomeness abounds at this place. These were the instructions we were given to get there by car:

Kamehameha Highway...past Turtle Bay...around da corner....two, three minutes and your there.

Kind of vague but we got there, eventually. It was followed by a nice piece of chocolate halupia pie from Ted's (which was on the way back) sadly the pie never lasted long enough to photograph but I have very fond memories of it.

Well, that's all I've got to share. For some reason, I'm really hungry!