Sweet Wishes!

Our scorching weather is continuing & the other night it brought a fierce storm our way. Trees blew down, power went out & in one small community houses had their roof blown off! A tornado touched down not too far from where we live but thankfully the area  had  minimal property damage & no one was injured! This heat & humidity is prime storm weather.
My card today is a lovely image by Anne Fenton over at the Outlawz & the sentiment is from Inky Antics. My image was colored with prismacolor pencils (I still haven't sprung for Copics or Promarkers) The DP are from a beautiful 6x6 pad by Prima called "Fairy Flora" & CS is Bazzill. The pearls are Recollections, ribbon is Offray & Michael's & the gorgeous glitter flowers are from my stash (not sure but I think they are Prima) The design is from Sketches by Carly.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
1. Color Me Creative.....anything goes with a girly twist
2. Card Makin Mamas.....1 image, 2 DP, & 3 embellies (flowers, ribbon, pearls)
3. Crafts4Eternity.....brilliant birthdays
4. Poodles Parlour.....anything goes
6. Sketches by Carly.....sketch

Country Life!

I absolutely love living out in the country! I have a lovely big yard, I can walk down the hill & go for a swim any time I feel like it & there is no hussle & bussle of the big city! However, lastnight one of the drawbacks of country living showed it's face! Bill had just headed off to bed & I was sitting reading when I felt the cottage shake a little bit. At first I thought I was imagining things but when it happened again I got up, turned the outside light on & had a look out the window....there on my deck, staring back at me was a huge black bear!!! Not sure who was more surprised....the bear or me! Bill, my hero, came to the rescue after hearing me yell "OMG there's a bear on the deck"....in the mean time the poor old bear clamoured over the railing & disappeared into the bushes. Now, I must add to this story that my deck is 20 ft. up off the ground & one has to climb 20 steps to get on to it! That bear climbed all that way & didn't even find a morsel to eat....thank goodness I wasn't sitting outside reading....he could have had a real feast!!! A  truck is a necessity when living out here in the boonies...atleast that's what Bill tells me....he uses his about twice a month to take the garbage to the landfill....but it is a necessity!  Boys & their toys! Our son Chris just bought a new truck & it is his birthday on Sunday (29th) so what better image to use for a card for him than this one from Sandy over at The Outlawz. The trees in the background are from Rubber Stampede & are stamped with Versafine ink.  I went out to our yard & dug up some sand to make a "dirt" road for the truck (it is stuck on with Provo craft Terrifically Tacky Tape) papers are from my stash. Well, I'm off to hunt for bears! Thanks for stopping by.

I want to enter this card in these challenges:                                                                                          

Make it Monday.....anything goes                                                                                                            

Papertake Weekly Challenge.....make you own...I made my own sentiment & DIRT ROAD!              

Shopping Our Stash.....use something new.....the truck digi is new                                                         

Stamp N Plus.....anything goes                                                                                                                 

                                         

Check out this giveaway!!!

Ingvild Bolme, a designer fro Prima is giving away this amazing "mountain of Prima" products to celebrate the new look for her blog! Check it out here. Who wouldn't love to win this awesome prize!!
Hugs, Renee

Little Irish Dancer

I fell in love with this Mo Manning image the minute I saw it & knew I would have to add it to my collection! Irish dancing is near & dear to my heart....my granddaughter, daughter & myself have all danced for the McConnell School of Irish Dance at one time or another. (my daughter danced with them for 15 yrs.) To this day I love to listen to the rousing music & watch the jigs & reels. We have a festival in Winnipeg every August called "Folklorama" which celebrates the multiculturalism of the city & the McConnell Dancers put on an amazing show....if your ever coming to the city make sure you come in Aug. so you can take it in! I have colored my "Little Irish Dancer" in the colors of my daughter's last dance costume; the Celtic Knot is a design that was on one of my favorite costumes she ever wore & the lace represents the collar on her very first costume.....when she was 5yrs. old (she is now 35yrs.) Can you tell I LOVED making this card? And yes, I still dance in my heart!!!

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
1. Bronte & Bella.....dancing
2. Paper Makeup Stamps.....dimensional (the dancer & Celtic knot are raised)
3. Cutie Pie.....glitter & bling.....(green glitter paper, jewels, buttons, lace)
4. Sketch N Stash.....sketch; new to stash...image; old stash....Celtic knot from ATC's made in Feb.
5. Make it Monday.....anything goes
6.. Papertake Weekly.....all things girlie
7. Stamp N Plus.....anything goes
8. Tuesday Alchemy.....buttons (shamrock buttons)
9. LEJ Designs.....anything goes
10. Crafty Blogger.....anything goes

Summer fun!

What a fabulous weekend we had! Our daughter & her family came out to visit for a few days & it was lovely & hot. The girls got into a water fight with Grandpa....I would say Grandpa lost!!! Even though he had the garden hose & Jessica only had a water gun! Even the dog got in the action.

My card for today brings back other great summer memories of days at the beach with the girls making sandcastles & catching minnows in their pails. This is an image from The Stamping Boutique & the shells were off the net; it is colored with prismacolor pencils & OMS; the papers are from DCWV "Citrus" stack & the brads are Recollections". This is also my first attempt a sewing on a card...I need lots more practice!!! Hope the sun is shining where you are! Hugs, Renee

I plan to enter my card in the following challenges:
1. Fab n Funky.....summer holidays
2. C.R.A.F.Thttp://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.ca/.....summer
3. Digi Doodle.....summertime
4. Paper Crafting Journey.....summer
5. Poodles Parlour.....use a digi
6. Craft Punked.....summertime
7. Pattie's Creations.....summertime
8. The StampMan.....anything goes...summer colors
9. Simply Create Too.....summer/vacation
10. Pan Pastel.....sun, sea & sand
11. The Squirrel & the Fox.....kids or babies
12. Paper Pretties.....try a new technique (sewing on my card)
13. Make It Monday.....anything goes

Whine, whine, whine!!!

You are going to think "this one is never happy, she is always whining!" Not long ago I was moaning about the cold, rainy weather we were having.....well, now it's too darn hot!!! Our temps have been above 30C for over a week now & the humidity is awful....I don't do well with humidity! One bonus to the heat is I'm seeing all kinds of birds having a bath in my fountain....there is a little bubble of water that comes out the top & the hummingbird loves to sit on it! I'm trying to get a picture but the little fellow is just too shy & flies off everytime I get close enough with the camera!
So, about my card. I made this for a friend from TCC...we have a birthday card exchange over there. The digi is from Anne Fenton at The Outlawz & the "happy birthday" is Penny Black; colored with prismacolor pencils....I attempted to do the distress ink thing (on her jeans) but I need alot more practice with that!!!! DP is from My Mind's Eye & the music note paper is downloaded from the net; CS is Bazzill & I have used Spellbinders (oval & scalloped oval) & a beautiful  Memory Box die that I just bought....cherry blossoms. Have an awesome day!

Challenges I am entering this card in:
1. Celebrate the Occasion.....Happy Birthday
2. Party Time Tuesdays.....Let's get punchy
3. Stamp N Plus.....anything goes
4. Crafty Bloggers Network.....anything goes
5. Lexi's Creations.....for a friend
6. Make It Monday.....anything goes
7. Tammy's Scrappin Corner.....anything goes
8. Totally Stampalicious.....favorite embellishment (flowers)

Proud Canadian!

I created this card for a challenge over at The Outlawz challenge blog & then realized there were lots of blogs with "patriotic" or "colors of your country" challenges. This card makes me smile! While I was born in Ireland, Canada has been my home since I was 5yrs. old & I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the world! I love to travel & see other places but it is always good to be home at the end of it all. Canada is a very diverse country...a real melting pot of the worlds many lovely people. This card represents a few of the "Canadian" staples....hockey is our game....the RCMP are our national police....the beaver is (apart from a pest if he is chewing on your trees) our national symbol along with the maple leaf. On driving from one coast to the other you are able to experience such vast changes in the land....from the prairies (where I live)  to rolling hills to majestic mountains; small streams to pristine lakes; & our climate is another story....in the summer we swim in those lakes & in the winter it is cold enough to skate on them. (atleast here in Manitoba anyway) The other day the temperature here was 36 degrees Celcius (somewhere in the 90'sF) but in the winter it is liable to be    -36C! (not a place for wussies) Anyway, back to the card....the female hockey player image (which represents my granddaughter Jessica by the way) is from Fresh Brewed Designs; the heart flag, RCMP & beaver are images from "free coloring pages" & the background paper was  download from the net. Hope you are having an amazing day & thanks for stopping by.

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
1. 4 Crafty Chicks.....red & white
2. DYSU.....red
3. Incy Wincy Designs.....patriotic
4. My Craft Spot.....Canada Day/July4th
5. Tammy's Scrapin Corner.....celebrations
6. Crafting for all Seasons.....patriotic

Happy Anniversary

Some very dear friends of ours are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary next Sat. They are the sweetest couple....still strolling down the road holding hands after 50 yrs....awesome! This is the card I made for them....it has much love tucked inside!

The beautiful calla lily digi is from Anne Fenton over at The Outlawz Challenges & is colored with prismacolor pencils; the word stamps are Making Memories...they are heat embossed with pirates gold embossing powder;  paper is Fairy Flora by Prima; pearls are from Recollections; the lace is from Paper Studios...Spare Parts & has gold ribbon from Michael's woven through it.
I am entering my card in the following challenges:
1. Chocolate coffee & cards.....anything goes
2. Aud Sentiments.....Bingo
3. Crafty Blogger.....anything goes
4. Make It Mondays.....anything goes
5. Pan Pastel.....use a digi
6. Crafty Calander.....flowers in bloom
7. Craftymess.....ribbons & lace

Irish Eyes

My Dad had the most incredible blue eyes that twinkled with mischief.....beautiful Irish eyes that were usually smiling! Growing up my Dad was my hero. I thought he could do absolutely anything & actually believed this until the day he died. When I saw that the challenge at "Scrap it with a song"  this time was Heroes this page immediately came to mind. My Dad, My hero! Wesley Albert Crymble born July 21, 1924 in Belfast N. Ireland & left this world on Nov. 5, 2005 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. As the page says....I miss those beautiful Irish eyes!

Step It Up!

Hello everyone! This will be a quick post today as the sun is shining brightly & I want to get out in my garden & do some work before the rains come again!  This card is for my daughter-in-laws birthday. Alison loves purses & shoes. Last year I made her a purse card so this time it is only right that she gets the shoes (or shoe) to go along with it. As you can see there is no DP here, just good old CS in red, black & white; I embossed the white with the swirls folder from Cuttlebug. The image is a freebie from coloring pages & is colored with my prismacolor pencils. The black pearls & shoe bling are from Recollections & the gingham ribbon is from my stash. Hope you like it!

I plan to enter this card in the following challenges:

Ruby's Rainbow.....black, white & 1 other color

Scrapbook Sisters.....anything goes                    

Tuesday Throwdown.....gingham (ribbon)          

Crafty Ribbon.....clean & simple                       

Willow Sketchie.....bold & bright                       

                   

                                       

                                                                                                                     

The Big Guy

I am not even going to discuss our weather any longer! (that should tell you that we are still getting rain!) Bill & I are heading out tomorrow for a fun weekend with friends. We are off to a cabin on Lake Winnipeg with 2 other couples....it's an annual thing...& we always have such a great time. We have known each other for nearly 40 yrs. & for the last 5 yrs. we have also gone to Arizona together for 2 mths. in the winter to get away from the deep freeze that is Manitoba in Feb/Mar. (why do I live here....it rains for months & then is freezing for months!!!) Anyway, my card is for one of the guys going with us...it's his birthday & he is an avid golfer so this image from Mo's Digital Pencil is perfect for him. It's called "Big Guy Golfing". I have colored him with prismacolor pencils, paper pieced his vest (a first for me!),  papers are from Recess & have been in my stash forever! Hope you all have an awesome weekend!

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Bronte and Bella's challenge.....masculine
CCEE Stampers.....masculine
Crafting for all seasons.....For men
Crafts & Me.....anything goes
Fussy & Fancy Friday.....Boy attitude
Moving along with the times.....happy birthday
My Mum's Craft Shop.....about the boys

My Wish

The weather here has been absolutely horrendous.....we have had rain for 11 straight days! And I'm not just talking sprinkles, it has been real downpours for most of the day. My poor plants are going to rot in the ground if we don't get some sun & warmth very soon. Anyone have building plans for an ark?  So, at the moment my wish is for sunshine. However, the scrapbook page I am sharing with you today shows "my wish" in the past has been a more personal one. I used my favorite Rascal Flats song at the time "My Wish" to express my wishes for my granddaughter Jessica's future. "My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to....your dreams stay big.....your worries stay small" The journalling encourages Jessica to reach for the stars, attain her dreams & always know how much she is loved. How lucky for me that "Scrap It With A Song" has a challenge using that song as your incentive! The page was made some time ago so I don't know who the papers are from...sorry! Thanks for stopping by & wherever you are...I hope you are drier than we are here in my little corner of Manitoba!!!

A Life Changing Event!

Nine years ago today I experienced an event that changed my life forever.....I witnessed the birth of my first granddaughter.....Jessica Ireland.....Jessica after my Mom & Ireland for my place of birth! It was such an incredible experience seeing my baby Keri bring a new life into this world. So, today that little bundle of joy is a gorgeous young girl celebrating her 9th birthday. She loves to play hockey & baseball; she is a top student in school; she loves to come to Grandma's so we can make cards & scrapbook & do crafts together. Her favorite animal is her dog Scout but she also loves panda bears & her fave color is lime green (it used to be purple) That brings me to my card today.....Jessica's birthday card! The image is a digi downloaded from free coloring pages & DP is My Mind's Eye....& it's lime green! Hope you like it.....I know Jessica will!

I want to enter this card in the following challenges:
Aud Sentiments.....childs birthday
Make It Monday.....anything goes
The Hybrid Chick card challenge.....CAS
Craft Punked.....Happy Birthday
Digi Haven.....use a freebie (panda bear)
Paper Craft Journey.....hand colored image
Paper Play challenges.....back to basics
Sweet 'n Sassy.....back to nature
Willow Sketchie challenge.....animal antics

I Love Gardening!

To say that "I love gardening" is a bit of an understatement! Just ask my Hubby every time I have him digging a new flowerbed! (I only like the planting & nurturing part....not the heavy stuff that comes before hand!!)  Along with gardening comes lots & lots of garden pictures which leads to lots & lots of scrapbook pages....another love. My style in scrapbooking is alot like my cardmaking...clean & simple...not like my flower beds that have every available space filled. I can't go to a garden center & come out empty handed, same goes for the craft store LOL Anyway, this page shows some Oriental poppies & beautiful lupines....two of my favorites. I used my Cricut to cut out the cute ladybugs (a walk in my garden cartridge). I am entering this page in the Fantabulous Cricut Challenge....use a bug on your page.

Here is a close up of the flowers:

In case you can't read the words on the page... the top sentiment says "Gardening is one of life's great rewards" & the bottom one "As we tend our garden, we nourish our Soul"

Call of the Loon

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! We had a lovely hot, sunny few days but today the clouds have moved in & it is trying hard to rain. Lastnight we sat around a campfire with some friends & listened to the beautiful call of the loons on the water. We are so lucky to live here where our yard runs down to the lake. We see all types of wildlife....including the odd bear! Anyway, this card just sort of fit with the experience. The loon image is a freebie from Outlawz & the background is stamped with Stampscape images (Lakeside Reflections & Cloud Crescent Moon) I colored the images with prismacolor pencils & the CS is Bazzill. I plan to enter this card in the following challenges:
Poodles Parlour.....for men
Here Come the Boys.....anything goes
That Craft Place.....trees & nature
The Squirrel & the Fox.....summer (the call of the loon is a sure sign of summer here!)
Di's Digis Designs.....male inspired

Welcome Baby Mallory!

Well, I think spring has finally decided to arrive in my little corner of the world! The weather has been just plain nasty for the past couple of weeks. It rained so much this weekend that our boat nearly sank! (seriously!!) Today we had nothing but sunshine & warmth so I finally got the rest of my garden planted. There better not be any more frost or I will be really ticked!  The card I am sharing with  you today is  one I made to welcome my cousins first grandchild Mallory into the world. I absolutely love this image but unfortunately I have no clue who it is by. If anyone knows please speak up! I colored it with prismacolor pencils & added the little flowers on the baby's onsie with a gel pen. The die cuts are Spellbinders & cricut (Home Accents); pearls are Recollections & the flowers & papers are from my stash. Thanks for having a look....have an awesome week!

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Bunny Zoe's.....anything goes
Make It Monday
Divas By Design.....anything goes
Fab'n'Funky.....celebrations
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge.....anything goes
Scrapbook Sisters.....anything goes
Stampavie & more.....for a girl
Truly Scrumptious.....pretty in pink
Whimsy Inspirations.....Bingo.....pearls, image, flowers

Missing in action

Sorry I'm sort of missing in action these days! My Mum has needed lots of my attention lately. Her Alzhiemers & kidney disease are taking their toll on her. She is not eating but is convinced that she is having 3 meals a day & that she is cooking them for herself! She gets very indignant if you try to tell her she hasn't eaten. (she hasn't cooked for herself for over 3 yrs. now) So, I'm off to the city to spend a few days with her. We are going to go to "Ducky's" her favorite fish & chip shop for supper, take in her great granddaughter's Irish dance recital & go to a baby shower where she will see lots of people she hasn't seen for a long time. Hopefully she has a good time & it isn't all too much for her. I'm going to take some time to have coffee with a great friend that I haven't seen for far too long! I have some cards to post when I get back next week. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! It's sunny here in Manitoba but it is a chilly 6 degrees C. The heat MUST be coming soon!!!!
Hugs,
Renee

Eat Pizza

Today I was able to sit outside on the deck & have my coffee in the glorious sunshine! I think we have finally left the rotten weather behind us. There were a few visitors at my bird feeders that confirm that spring has definitely arrived. Yesterday I had a rose breasted grosbeak & today a beautiful baltimore oriole & a tiny hummingbird. I simply love watching these beauties flit around my yard!

The card I am sharing today is one I made for my wonderful son- in- law Stuart's birthday. Stuart LOVES pizza so this Dustin Pike image was perfect for him & his gift was a Boston Pizza gift card! As always, I used prismacolor pencils to color "Luigi", the DP is Anthology, the buttons are from My Little Yellow Bicycle & the thread is Prism. I really wish I could get better pictures...this just doesn't do the card justice!
I would like to enter this in the following challenges:
Ruby's Rainbow.....sketch
Allsorts Challenge.....for a man
Lollipop Crafts.....for him
Simon Says Stamp & Show.....anything goes
Sentimental Sundays.....birthday (buttons)

Happy Mother's Day

The weather here remains miserable so it was into the craftroom to play this morning. I had a very special project to create today....one for my Mum. My Mum has been such a guiding influence in my life & has helped shape me into the woman I am today. She always comforted me when I hurt, encouraged me in my endeavors & loved me when I wasn't very lovable at times! Now, the tables are turned....my beautiful Mum is fighting a battle with Alzheimer's disease. I find myself being the one doing the comforting, encouraging her to remember special moments in her life & lovingly reminding her to do the simple everyday tasks most of us take for granted. So, here is the card that was made with all my love packed into it!
The image is from "Lili of the Valley". As we originated in N. Ireland the "Mum" is perfect here!

I want to enter my card in the following challenges:
Catered Crop.....letter "B" (bear & buttons)
Crafty Catz.....May flowers
Dream Valley.....for a special lady
Addicted to Stamps.....Mother's Day
Patti's Creations.....Mother's Day
Platypus Creek.....flowers
Sentimental Sundays.....special woman
The Squirrel & the Fox.....one for the girls
Through the Craftroom Door.....Mother's Day
Crafty Mess.....pink & cute

Spring has sprung

The daffodils & tulips blooming in my garden tell me that spring has sprung but the cold miserable weather is saying otherwise! It is dreary & wet here in my corner of the world. So, perfect weather to try to organize the mountain of paper I have accumulated in my craftroom! Don't tell my Hubby, but even I think I have too much paper! I know, I know, that is against the law to say if you are a scrapper/cardmaker....but I'm getting over run here. How do you organize your paper...by color, by maker or what? How do you store your stash?
Getting to my card. Making this made me feel that spring really was in the air. The adorable image is from Anji's Antics & I colored it with my prismacolor pencils. The DP is Quite Contrary by My Mind's Eye, buttons, ribbon & flower are from my STASH (another mountain to conquer!) Hope you like it! I am entering in the following challenges:
Chocolate, Coffee & cards.....recipe
Crafts 4 Eternity.....ribbon
Crafty Catz....April showers bring May flowers
Emergency Crafters....bold & bright
Lily Pad Cards.....Rainy Day
Poodles Parlour.....anything goes

Di's Digi Designs....spring