One Tough Lady!!!

This picture was taken on Dec. 28th, four days after my Mom was admitted to hospital. That morning the doctor told us she only had a few more days to live because of end stage renal failure. Well, he obviously doesn't know my Mom....here we are 12 days later & she is still with us!  Must be the good Irish blood! She is slowly slipping away...sleeping most of the time now but she is not suffering at all. The nursing staff has been amazing with her & all of our family. Hug a nurse today! Thanks to those of you who have left lovely comments....they really mean alot to me!

Sad Christmas

Hello crafty friends. I have had a very rough time over Christams. My lovely Mom was admitted to hospital on the 23rd so we have spent most of our time there. My Mom only has one kidney & for the last few years it has been functioning at about 10% That kidney is now completely shuttting down & she is slowly slipping away from us. Mom also has Alzheimers so she is having trouble processing everything that is happening to her. The doctor has given her only a few days now. There is always a silver lining to every cloud though...she is not in any pain & she certainly hasn't lost her sense of humour...she gave my hubby heck for coming to visit her & not bringing her grapes! (even though she hasn't eaten anything since she was admitted) She has been hallucinating alot today...talking to my Dad who passed away 7 years ago. So, cardmaking is on the back burner for awhile. Hope you are all well & have a Happy New Year.
Hugs, Renee

More Snowmen!!

Do you get the idea that I like snowmen? These three are all bundled up for some fun in the frosty weather. Our temperatures have been much more enjoyable this last little while. Today the sun was shining brightly & it was -12C...a beautiful winter day! So, are you ready for Christmas? If not, you better hurry there is only a few days left! I am making soda bread & potato bread tomorrow for breakfast Christmas morning & that is me finished. Incase you aren't familiar with it, soda & potato bread are traditional Irish breads that are fried with bacon & eggs. Yummy!! My mouth is watering just thinking about it! We will be going in to the city to spend the holidays with our family. I love this time of the year with all the family gatherings.
Back to my card. The stamp is from Stampabilities & is colored with my ever present prismacolor pencils & blinged up a bit with Stickles,  paper is by Bazzill (CS) & DP is Fancy Pants, I cut the Memory Box  Frostyville Wreath in half to use as an embellishment along with gems from the $1 store.
This will probably be my last post before Christmas so I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas & a happy, healthy 2013!  Enjoy your  time with family & friends & don't eat too much turkey!!

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
1. Hooked on Craft.....Christmas
2. Lexi's Creations.....snow
3. Emerald Faeries.....Christmas
4. Celebrate the Occasion.....Christmas ATG
5. ABC Christmas.....favorite die/punch  (Frostyville Wreath)
6. Crafting for all Seasons.....red, green & sparkle
7. Paper Crafting Journey.....anything goes
8. MilkCoffee.....Christmas

WOYWW #185

 

 

It's Wednesday again & time for another nosey at creative desks around the world! If you want to take part go here & link up.  Today I am working on the Santa sleighs I told you about last week. I still have to find  bags of chocolate money, they seem to be in short supply this year. If you would like the directions on making these here is the link once again.
I just arrived home lastnight after spending 6 days in the city. It was a jam packed visit with 2 Christmas concerts, a hockey game, supper with our daughter & granddaughters, finished the shopping, several visits with my Mom, lovely dinners with 2 different groups of friends & coffee with the girls I used to craft with! I'm homenow for a rest!!! The only bad part of the visit was the city traffic...we are just not used to traffic jams anymore...very frustrating!
This time next week Christmas will be all over so, from my house to yours....have a very Merry Christmas & a happy, healthy 2013! Thanks for stopping by.

WOYWW #184

It's Wednesday again....which means it's WOYWW time again! Just incase you don't know what that is....it is a fun little blog hop of sorts where you can have a nosey at what everyone is working on at the moment. Go here to check it out. I warn you though, it is quite addictive!
So, on my desk today we have some tags & gift card holders I am working on with gorgeous images that a friend of mine designed. She used to teach classes at Michael's but then silly Michael's decided to cancel all the good classes. These guys are on watercolor paper & colored with Derwent watercolor pencils. There are also a couple of candy canes on the right. Yesterday Jak Heath had the cutest Santa sleighs made with candy canes & chocolate bars. I am hoping to get a few made for the little ones to have at their places at the dinner table Christmas day. Above are a some Terry's chocolates...they aren't part of the sleigh making material...they are for my sweet tooth! Do you see the empty box on the left? Yeah, that means my cards are all mailed out! If you look really close (to the right of the stripped box) you will see a picture of my granddaughter in her Irish dancing costume. She hasn't danced for about 3 yrs. but Grandma refuses to put that picture away. Beside the picture is a celtic ATC that I did for a swap back in March. I really like it so it's another thing that I can't bring my self to hide away somewhere.
The weather is horrible here at the moment....blowing snow & COLD (-32C) Here are a couple of pictures I took this morning. They are taken from my front porch.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great WOYWW & stay warm!

Snowmen

Happy Saturday everyone! I am in the middle of making "candy cane bark"....like almond bark only I crush up candy canes in white chocolate instead of almonds...so yummy! (& even better...so easy!) Tomorrow is nuts & bolts day. We are going to a Christmas party tonight with all the neighbors (which really isn't all that many people, living out here in the boonies) It will be fun though...lots of food, laughter & friendship & maybe even a little sip of good cheer!It's snowing outside at the minute & quite cold (-21C) Brrr!! There are several blue jays sitting on the deck railing & they are all puffed up to about 3x their normal size.  These adorable snowmen from The Stamping Boutique would fit right in outside my window today! They are colored with prismacolor pencils. The CS is Bazzill, snowflakes are a Cuttlebug die & the lattice is a Memory Box die; I just noticed that one of the snowflakes has a folded up point...oh well! The bling is Recollections & the great sentiment I believe is from TLC (correct me if I'm wrong)
Whatever you are up to today...have fun!

Challenges:
Card Crafter's Circle.....Dec. Celebrations
Lady Anne's..Sentimental Friday.....anything goes
Delicious Doodles..#14 Christmas...use blue
Guylou's Inimitability...twisted Christmas...non traditional colors
Jingle Belles.....anything goes...holiday
Raise the Bar.....blues & whites
Winter Wonderland.....red & blue
The Stamping Boutique.....holiday cards

WOYWW #183

I missed last week's WOYWW because I was away & had no internet service. So, I'm posting a little extra this week...hope that's ok!

As you can see, I'm still working on Christmas cards....almost finished!

 Last time around I hid my mess so this time I decided to be honest & show it off!




This is what I wanted to show from last week...2 little Christmas decorations I made! Aren't they cute?




Thanks for taking a look! I have to go out for awhile
but can't wait to get back & see what everyone has
to show off this week.

Craftyhazelnut's New Challenge Blog!

Starting in January 2013 there will be a new Craftyhazelnut's Christmas challenge blog. Challenges will be held monthly, with a prize (from Bugaboo stamps) at the end of every month. To launch the new blog Hazel is giving away this awesome candy. You only have a fewdays left to enter (Nov.30th) so head on over & check it out! This will be a great way for me to get my Christmas cards started early so I am not in panic mode like I am right now!

 

Just look at all that yummy candy!

Beary Merry Christmas

Happy Monday everyone! When I was still working I hated Monday mornings but now that I'm retired they aren't so bad....just another day. Every day is a good day now.  I am getting on well with the Christmas card list & tomorrow I am heading into the city for 3 days to make a serious dent in the shopping (atleast I hope I'm going to make a dent in it!!)
This is probably my favorite card I have ever made! I love everything about it, from the adorable LOTV image to the beautiful Imaginisce DP. As always, the image is colored with prismacolor pencils. I used Spellbinders Lacy Squares to frame my little bear & the pine bough punch is from McGill, pearls are by Zva Creations, ribbon is Offray & I printed the sentiment out on my computer. The sketch is from Simon Says Stamp. Not sure if you can see from the picture or not but I have used the oh so wonderful stickles on the 2 decorations & also to make"berries" on the garland.  I wish I was as happy with all of my creations as I am with this one. Hope you all have a sonderful week & thanks for taking a look!

Challenges I am entering:
Simon Says Stamp...sketch
Crafty Creations #197
7 Kids College Fund
Delightful Challenges...red & green
Lili's Little Fairies...anything goes
Aud Sentiments...bingo(Merry, bling,die)
Crafty Ann's...birds or animals
Polka Doodles...any die
52 (Christmas) card throwdown...pearls
Little Claire's...Christmas
                                             

I Love Snowmen!

I love snowmen but I'm really not a big fan of snow....go figure! Our winters here in Manitoba can be brutally cold (-52C is the coldest temperature I have experienced) with tons of snow.  But, when the temperature is mild & the sun is shining there is nothing like getting out there & building a snowman.  When you're finished you get to come inside where it is toasty warm & have hot chocolate with mini marshmallows floating in it!! Fun! At Christmas my house is full of all shapes & sizes of snowmen decorations. So, you can understand why this cute little guy struck my fancy. He is from Penny Black, DP are Echo Park & Bo Bunny, CS is Bazzill, dies are Memory Box Frostyville Wreath (isn't it gorgeous?) & Spellbinder circles & scalloped circles, pearls are Recollections, button is from my stash & the thread is Prism, the sentiment is from FBD. The whole thing is put together with a sketch from Stamps & fun = creativity!

 

I am entering my card in the following challenges:                                                                                 

1. Crafty Cardmakers......2 dies/punches                                                                                                   

2. House of Gilli.....die cuts                                                                                                                       

3. Artistic Inspirations.....anything goes                                                                                                    

4. Bunny Zoe Crafts.....winter                                                                                                                   

5. Lady Anne's Challenges.....anything goes                                                                                            

6. Crafty Blogger Network.....Christmas...anything goes                                                                         

7. Incy Wincy Designs.....square cards                                                                                                     

8. Bearly Mine Challenges.....snowflakes                                                                                                9. Diva's By Design.....2 or more patterened papers                                                                                                                  10. SJCrafts.....Christmas                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  11. 11.Penny Black ...cute Christmas   

                                                                              

NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED HERE BUT IT MAKES ME DIZZY LOOKING AT IT!!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

                     

                                                                                                 

"Falling For You!"

Hello crafty people! How is everyone doing with their Christmas cards? I've had a very productive week &  managed to put a serious dent in my list. Now, if I could only say the same about my shopping list! The snow has been flying here for atleast 6 weeks now so it seems a little odd to be posting a fall themed card. This sweet image reminds me of my youngest granddaughter Emily who loves to help with any yard work we are doing when she is here visiting. My plants are always well watered & she loves raking leaves with Grandpa! Getting off topic a bit here but I bought myself an early Christmas present the other day....an exercise bike....I know, that's more punishment than present but I really need to get more exercise. We don't have room for a treadmill so the bike was the next best thing. Poor Bill spent nearly 4 hrs. putting it together today...there were a few naughty words flying around at one point! Now I just need to find the energy to hop on & ride it. Wish me luck!

 

So, about my card. The adorable image is from Paper Pretties & is aptly named "falling for you". I have colored her with prismacolor pencils. The DP are from my stash & I'm sorry but I have no idea of the maker, CS is Prism, the embellies are the lovely Whimsical Flourish by Memory Box, leaves are from the good old dollar store & the sentiment is a Studio G clear stamp. I really wish I could get better pictures of my cards because the colors in this one are very washed out...they are actually very rich in real life.
Challenges I am entering:
1. ABC Challenges.....color challenge
2. Created With Love.....fall
3. Tammy's Scrappin Corner.....fall
4. Dream Valley.....anything goes
5. The Squirrel & the Fox.....anything goes
6. Oldie But Goodie.....something atleast 6mths old (leaves & DP)
7. Shopping Our Stash.....use a leaf  
8. Through the Craftroom Door.....anything goes          

WOYWW 181

I have been checking out WOYWW for awhile now & decided to share my messy space this week. I have to be one of the messiest crafters on the face of the earth! When I am "creating" I never put anything back where it belongs & the result is MESS! I have a little sign hanging up in my room that says "I'm not messy, I'm organizationally challenged!" That's me...organizationally challenged! So, I'm working on Christmas cards & this is just a little sample.

Underneath the cards is an assortment of paper scraps, full sheets of paper, dies, ribbons, bling etc, etc, etc. It's amazing what you can hide in a small space! Thanks for stopping by.

Snowy Day!

                                                                                                             

Can you believe it is November 19th already? I'm starting to get more than a little panicky as I am    nowhere near finished making Christmas cards & it will soon be time to get them in the mail.           I'm such a procrastinator! I've had plenty of time to make cards but instead I have been busy visiting everyones blogs to see what they are up to.....SO, it's your fault I'm behind! LOL I have managed to get lots of images colored the last few days & have put together about 15 cards so far. This first one is another image from Birdie Brown called  "Snowy Day"  Torico has 2  adorable images available   this month for the Freebie Challenge.                                                                                                   

 

 

 

For this little snowman's hat, scarf & nose I used LaPlume markers. The papers are left overs from    last year so I have no idea who they are by...same for the ribbon. The snowflakes are a Cuttlebug die & the sentiment was computer generated. The lovely sketch is from Sunday Sketch & Stamp.  Hope you are all further along in your card list than I  am.....if you finish early maybe you could come by & give me a hand!!                                                                                                                                       

                          

Challenges:
1. Sunday Sketch & Stamp #133
2. Birdie Brown.....November freebie
3. Addicted to CAS
4. Challenges 4 Everybody.....anything goes

Lest We Forget!

Last year I made this card for a challenge at The Crafter's Cafe....the first challenge I ever entered. The card has been sitting in a place of honor on my desk ever since then. When I feel a little put out I have a look at it & remind myself how lucky I am to live the life I do. I am able to live this life thanks to the many who gave their lives to preserve the freedom I value so strongly. To them I say "Thank you"&  to you I say....never forget those brave men & women!

 

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month...Lest we forget!

Soccer Star!

Hello my crafty friends.  I hope you are all well today & finding so time to craft. I'm supposed to be heading off to the city again tomorrow but as I'm writing this it is raining & if it freezes overnight the roads will be a nightmare in the morning! Keeping y fingers crossed!                                                My card today is for my beautiful niece Caitlyn who is turning 12 yrs. old. Caitlyn is quite the soccer player...she plays on a district team & has been invited to try out for the provincial team as well. So, when I won some images from Jackson's Digital Expressions awhile ago this was a natural pick for me. I have colored her in Caitlyn's team colors using prismacolor pencils. The CS is Bazzill & the twill tape & soccer embellies are from my stash. The sketch is from Stamptacular Sunday.  Thanks for taking a look.

 

I am entering my card in the followingchallenges:
1. Crafts & Me.....reds
2. Crafty Creations.....no flowers
3. Inky Impressions.....birthday
4. Penny's Paper-Crafty.....lots of layers
5. Challenges 4 Everybody.....anything goes
6. Stamptacular Sunday.....sketch
7. The Crafty Pad.....anything goes

Relax!!

Happy Friday! I am off to the city for the weekend & it is going to be a busy trip! Supper with my family tonight (Mom, my kids & grandgirls). Tomorrow we will be watching Emily (5 yrs.) playing hockey in the morning & then a get together with friends we haven't seen in ages in the evening. Then, Jessica (9yrs.) plays hockey on Sunday afternoon. In between times we plan to get some Xmas shopping done. I will need to relax when I get home...just like this cute little House Mouse! Hubby will be in the city for the next 2 weeks working (he retired 4 yrs. ago but is covering for someone having surgery) so, I will have lots of time to myself to do as I please! Stay in my jammies & craft all day is high on the list of priorities!
Anyway, on to my card! I stamped my House Mouse....Autumn Cruise with Versafine ink, vintage sepia & colored it with my prismacolor pencils; I've used Spellbinder ovals & scalloped ovals; CS is Bazzill; DP is Fancy Pants; sentiment is Hero Arts; brads are Recollections & the ribbon is from my stash. Oh, & the "bling" in the corners is Stickles... orange & lime green (the green looks sort of washed out in the picture) My photography skills leave much to be desired!!

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
1. House Mouse.....color combo (I used orange & lime green)
2. Forever Friends.....anything goes
3. DYSU.....use some brads
4. Lady Anne Challenges.....anything goes
5. My Mum's Craft Shop.....bright & bold

Thanks for stopping by! Have an awesome weekend!

To Gnome You!

Is this not the cutest little gnome you have ever seen? He is the freebie this month over at Birdie Brown & you just might still have time to get him if you hurry over there.

I colored my little gnome with prismacolor pencils & mounted him on Bazzill CS cut from spellbinder dies. The autumn colored pearls are from Bo Bunny, buttons & leaves are from my stash & the sentiment I printed on the computer. We have left autumn behind & are right into that nasty wintery weather here...much too soon I might add! We had 5" of snow over the weekend & it isn't showing signs of disappearing anytime soon. Oh well, I am off to the city for a jaunt around the shops to make myself feel better....maybe get some Christmas shopping started. I do plan to stop at the craft shop & see if I can pick up a few Memory Box dies....they are hard to come by here in the boonies! Have a great day!
Hugs, Renee

I am entering my card in these challenges:
1. Birdie Brown.....monthly challenge
2.Brown Sugar.....anything goes
3.Poodles Parlour.....anything goes
4. Wags n Whiskers.....fall colors
5. 2 Sisters.....fall colors
6. Challenges 4 Everybody.....anything goes
7. Scrappy Frogs.....fall
8. Stamptacular Sunday.....NOT just your ordinary card
9. Celebrate the Occasion.....fall
10. Through the Craftroom Door.....anything goes

Letraset Giveaway!

 

Wow, look what you could win (actually, I'm hoping I win) !!

 

To be eligible to win this whole set of Letraset markers check out Going Buggy's blog. It's as easy as signing up for the Letraset newsletter & leaving a comment on the Going Buggy blog! Can't get much simpler than that!

Get Them Checked!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month & the girls over at LUFP are having an amazing event to get the message out there! They have tons of great prizes to be won. This is the prefect opportunity to tell everyone you love to get their mammograms. I made this card in honor 3 beautiful women who have each touched my life in their own very special way....my sister-in-law Sue & my "little sister" Catherine who are both cancer free &for the most inspiring woman I have ever had the priviledge to know, my "blogland" friend Jennifer who is currently fighting the monster with everything she has! Love you ladies with all my heart!

 I am entering my card in the challenge at LUFP for a chance to win one of the 127 great prizes from 92 very generous sponsers! You still have time to enter!                                                    

 

I would also like to enter my card in the following challenges:                                                             

1. Glitter & Sparkle Ch. 2.....buttons & bows                                                                                           

2. Crafty Sentiments.....anything goes                                                                                                      

3. Stamping Boutique.....pink ribbons                                                                                                       

4. In the Pink.....pink & one other color                                                                                                    

5. Paper Crafting Journey.....add some bling                                                                                            

6. 2 Sisters.....anything goes                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                  

   I almost forgot to tell you about the gorgeous images I used: first, the infamous "Boobie Love" from Saturated Canary & the glittery ribbon is from Beccy at Beccy's Place.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Hallowe'en Cutie

I have just returned from a visit to the city where I spent a few days visiting my Mom & catching up with the friends I used to craft with before moving to the lake. We got together for lunch & a good giggle. I think the waitress was glad to see us leave...we were there for over 3 hours! Have you ever noticed how time flies when you are with great friends? I drove home on Thursday afternoon & I am sooooo glad I didn't wait until yesterday as originally planned. We had the weirdest weather yesterday! Everything from sunshine, cloud, high winds, rain, sleet & even SNOW! Yuck, it is way too early for that dreaded white stuff! Today was chilly but lovely & sunny. So, I have just made my first ever Hallowe'en card! Can you believe it....61 yrs. old & making my first one! And, I think it is adorable if I do say so myself. The image is from Sandi Huggett at The Outlawz, CS is Bazzill & there is NO DP! (another first for me!) the scalloped frame is a sticker from Making Memories that has been in my stash for over a year; the ribbon is also from my stash & is probably 2 yrs. old; the bling is from Queen & Co.

 

The next picture is a real bear that was chomping on acorns just a few cottages down from us the other night.....he wasn't the least bit concerned that I was there taking his picture (from the safety of my car!)                                                                                                                                                 

 

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
1. Hiding in my craftroom.....hallowe'en
2. Pattie's Creations.....anything goes
3. Simply Create Too #22.....anything goes
4. Wags 'n Whiskers.....circles
5. DL.Art Thankful Thurs. Ch.....hallowe'en for a child
6. My Heart Pieces.....anything goes
7. Paper Play Ch.....choose a holiday
8. Inky Impressions.....for a child
9. Paper Pretties.....no DP
10. Oldie but Goodie Ch.....use something atleast 6mths. old (sticker frame & ribbon)