I'm Back... and so much to share!

Hi Everyone! It seems like forever since I have posted anything. When I got back home from Vancouver, I felt so tired! I was trying to adjust back to EDT and get back into my "routine". I'm still having a hard time with that this week.. I need some energy! I think part of it is the weather. I cannot believe it is snowing again! EGADS! Seriously?! LOL.. Ok.. so onward with all my goodies...(although not stanping goodies... yet!). So, I headed off to Vancouver. I flew into Bellingham Washington, and I was picked up by my good friend, Maureen and her boyfriend, Phil. On my way into Bellingham, this was the view. I had to grab my camera between the turbulence. It was so way cool!

 The first day there.. Maureen took me to the famous chain "White Spot" for lunch.. YUMMY!! We then went to the mall and I got myself a new sweatshirt... a Canada sweatshirt of course (with the olympic logo on it and some mittens too!).

Maureen is a hoot! We had a great week. We did some sight seeing with her Mom, Sister (Susan), and her daughter Carly (who reminds me of my niece so much.. she is so cute!). Here is the beautiful girls I got to meet on the friday I was there..

We did a little sight seeing in a town called Steveston. It was a cool port town.. the weather most of the time I was there was rainy.. that is how it is in Vancouver in the spring.. so pictures were limited.. but here are a few. One of the places we stopped was this cute little boutique Irene (Mau's mom) loves to shop in. I did get a blouse and a cute ring. We stopped at a craft store and found these worms.. it was a kids toy but we had a few giggle and we had to buy a few for the DJ's to make life interesting and get of course.. more giggles!

 This is the little mall where Maureen lives.. West Minster (yes.. I had a hard time pronouncing her town). Tee hee! We got starbucks there.. I had to have my starbucks fix!

 Here is the sky train. It was like a disney ride for 3.75 mid day and 2.75 at night. It would take you across Vancouver. That is Maureen saying.. OMG.. the camera again? (I warned her.. I'm a shutterbug!)

 We went to Milestones downtown to meet up with some other friends. Had a good time and this fancy schmancy drink. Isnt it neat looking? Had a good time!

 Above, Maureen and Phil (the FAMOUS Mr. LG73) and below is Nilton.. a DJ from LG73.

 And.. below is Dave and Karen.. Dont they make the cutest couple?? Awwwww...!

 On Saturday, Maureen and I had the pleasure to hang with Jim and his girlfriend, Stella. They are awesome and make a great couple! They took us over the LG bridge (super cool!) .. btw that stands for Lions Gate bridge, and to Stanley Park and Grandville Island. Thanks you guys.. it was GREAT fun.. we even got to sample a Beaver Tail - A canadian "elephant ear".. YUM!

 This is Stella, Jim and Maureen.. we were digging those Beaver Tails.. and below is the LG Bridge!

 Pictures from Stanley Park. As you can see, the weather wasnt the best but we made the best of it! :)

 We had a great meal at Maureen's house. Her mom makes the BEST spaghetti sauce.. it was fun to have dinenr with all these fun peeps! You guys rock!

 This is Jim and I.. he and his girlfriend Stella took us all over to sigh see.. you guys are awesome! Thank you so much.. I had a great time (I'm wearing my new Canada sweatshirt.. pretty cool eh? LOL)

 I got to use the "big foamy thing" .. Phil brought all his tech equipment so we could all be on air. I do DJ on line.. its a fun hobby along with my crafting. I love music.. so if you didnt know before.. you now know, I am a dj on www.lg73.ca. Check it out.. Mau and I have a show on Sun days at 6pm EDT :)

 Phil was singing.. and really getting into it! Look at those lips! Tee hee!!!

 Maureen, making some ID's for LG73.. this was a lot of fun too!

 Here are some phots from downtown Vancouver. It is such a cool place. I wish the weather would have cooperated. I tried to take as many pictures as possible :) You can barely see the mountains here in the photo below.

 The bus link routes.. I could really get lost here.. Vancouver is HUGE!!!

 This is where Maureen works. Isnt she cute? Work it girl! It was fun to meet some of her co workers too! They were very sweet.

 We checked out the Keg Restaurant while out and about..this is where Karen's 50th Birthday would be on Tuesday night.

 I love starbucks. Did you know there are 2 starbucks downtown that are kiddy corner of each other? Crazy but true! That many people are buying coffee and $5 a glass.

 Ok.. here is Karen's 50th Birthday Party at The Keg. I met some really cool people. Karen is also known as Punki. She is sometimes on the air too.. she is a sweetie! In the photo above is myself along w/ one of her caregivers, Amy and Karen herself. Phil made this cool "sign" with his iPad. Cool eh?

 A few of Karen's caregivers, Elizabeth and Amy.. they were very sweet :)

 Here is Nilton, Phil and Maureen having a good time at dinner - Party party!

 Elizabeth and Amy.. arent they cute?

 Nilton with Karen... smile birthday girl! :)

 This was outside of The Keg.. Dave, Karen and myself. It was a good time had by all!

 This is Maureen and Phil on our way back home on the skytrain. Look.. matching iPhones.. LOL! You two crack me up.. thank you for a great week you guys...!!! *HUGS*

Now.. on my way home.. a few days later.. I got my new little girl, Krystal. Below is the breeder, Jennifer. She is a sweet lady. I got Ruby from her as well. Krystal is from different parents, tho.

 Me and Krystal.. isnt she just adorable? I love her markings.

Shew.. I think that covers all the time I have been gone. It has been an amazing week and a half or so. Have a great night and take time to be creative.. which is what I need to do.. I need my stamping fix.. SOON!!!

Heading North and West..

Hi from Vancouver. I have had a great time so far. It is weather sorta like home.. altho a tiny bit warmer. They have rain instead of snow though. It is nice to see the grass. I thought I'd share a few pics of my flight between Seattle and Bellingham (or as Phil & Mau call it.. BellingPORK). It was so cool.. lots of little islands and fluffy clouds. Kinda pretty! Today we went to the White Spot for lunch, and at the Metro Mall and I found some goodies..(souveniers). I'm a happy camper.. eh!! Ok.. once again.. if Im not home I cannot seem to download pics to my bog.. makes no sense.. *sigh* .. Oh well.. I guess I'll share when I get home. Shoot!

Before And After

Lots of little things to do yet.. BUT.. Here is the (embarrassing) before photo of the bathroom.. actually, 2 pictures. Keep in mind, this has not been touched in 30 years. (Scary!).

 Now.. this was taken this morning. The fixtures need to be installed and the toilet. The grout has to cure for 10 days and I'm waiting on a glass door for the shower (to make this shoe box appear to be a bigger room. The linen cabinet used to be inside the tub/shower area (yes.. this was a goofy set up.. whoever built this home was a fry short of a happy meal). So, this is the improved shoe box...

My bedroom needed some touch ups as well.. i had carpet almost as old as I am in there.. it was dark brown. Ugh! The walls were off white.. I needed some color.. so, added some trim on the ceiling and changed it to some soft greens, and waiting on half of my linens from Pottery Barn but did get my sheets and Duvet Cover and my shams.. so here is what the bedroom now looks like.. with a soft creamy linen colored carpet and my pretty walls.. (getting there.. but I still need those "cute" pillows to dress up the bed).

I think inside those cool frames I got from Pottery Barn.. I want ZZZ's in them.. wouldn't that be cool? So, now that that is done.. I'm off to check my suitcase bout 10 times.. to make sure Ive packed that kitchen sink. I hope to post while I am in Vancouver.. I hear its awesome and I cant wait to photograph stuff and see my good friend, Maureen!

I'll Be Missing In Action For A Little Over A Week!

On Tuesday I'm heading to Detroit to fly out to Vancouver. I am going to be staying with my good friend, Maureen, who lives there. It should be a lot of fun! I'm very excited.. but I get so stressed out when packing. I want to make sure I have everything I need.. and I pack the kitchen sink! Do you know anyone else like that? I have been running like a mad woman trying to get some of my remodeling done before I go. It has been a challenge. I have my bedroom done.. my bathroom is getting there - the grout was done today.. all walls n floor.. my gawd that was a lot of work! Who would have thought filling little cracks would take 8 hours! Needless to say, I'm ready for a break. :) When I get home I will have a new addition to my family.. a new fur-baby, named Krystal (a female cocker spaniel), and I will start on the remodeling of my kitchen. Lots going on around here before the inn season kicks in. I will try to post a few pics tomorrow of the tile work.. I have to say it did come out nicely for a rookie. :) Have a great night!

Greenhouse Gala DSP & A Baby Card - CASE'd Out Of Luv!

I spotted both of these cards on Stampin` Connection for Stampin Up Consultants. So many talented women posting cards. I needed a quick card for a baby shower.. and today, I spotted this cute scallop square card on Chic ` N Scratch's blog . Isn't it adorable? I made these in about 20 minutes. What a cute, quick n easy card for any occasion. I snuck downstairs to take a breather from all the remodeling.. I wanted to show you pictures but I will wait just a little bit longer.. when I get my new carpet this friday and possibly the grout in all this tile that was installed in the bathroom! :) Stay tuned!

Where Have I Been?

Well.. I wish I could say I was stamping all weekend.. altho I did get a tiny bit of stamping time in last night.. but most of the past 4 days has been spent in my bathroom. I am doing some remodeling to my home and the smallest room in my house is taking the longest! I have to admit.. I'm loosing patience with it. Im ready for it to be done already. I will post a few pics in a bit.. promise! :-)

Bloomin with Daffodil Delight & Pumpkin Pie!

I got this idea from the Mini Occasions Catalog on Page 5... I really love this set and the punch that goes with it.. makes it easy peasy to whip up a few cards!

Materials used:

Build A Blossom Clear Set (121994)
Something To Celebrate Clear Set (121995)
Blossom Petals Punch (121808)
Daffodil Delight Cardstock (119683)
Very Vanilla Cardstock (101650)
Pumpkin Pie Cardstock (105117)
Old Olive Cardstock (100702)
Daffodil Delight inkpad  (119667)
Pumpkin Pie Inkpad (105216)
Old Olive Inkpad  (102277)
Stampin Dimensionals (104430)
Antique Brads (117273)
Victoria Crochet Trim (118481)

These colors make me warm and fuzzy inside.. I can't wait to see color on the ground and the trees. Have a great day!

Nature Walk

Hi everyone! Here is today's card!!! It reminds me of srping.. which seems so far off after the little storm that we had here yesterday.

Materials Used:

Nature Walk Clear Mount Stamp Set (121997)
Bring On The Cake Clear Mount Stamp Set (Birthday Greeting) (121958)
Not Quite Navy Cardstock
Very Vanilla Cardstock
Old Olive Cardstock
So Saffron Inkpad
Old Olive Inkpad
Not Quite Navy Inkpad
Color Spritzer Tool
 Dimentionals

It was a very quick and easy card. I'll have to whip up a few in some different color combos. :) Have a great day!

"Sew" Pretty!

Hi Everyone.. amongst all the chaos around here lately.. I found some time to de-stress with my rubbah and ink! We originally made this card at stamp club (Jenny Peterson's design).. and I loved it.. "sew" I wanted to make more. I decided to make duplicates of the same (the victorian muted colored paper) and some with the brights sewing collection. I love them both. I really dig the paper piecing. I used to hate cutting paper but the end result for this card is just darn adorable!

Materials Used:

Sew Suite Stamp Set 122009 (clear)
Charming Stamp Set (116519)
Say It Simply Stamp Set (123324)
In Stitches Jumbo Wheel (121946)
Crumb Cake Cardstock (121030)
Very Vanilla Cardstock (101650)
Rose Red Cardstock (102544)
Mellon Mambo Cardstock (115320)
Designer Series Paper - Springtime Vintage (121782)
Designer Series Paper - Sweet Stitches (121781)
Crumb Cake Ink (121030)
Basic Black Ink (101179)
1/2 inch Seam Binding Ribbon - Crumb Cake (122322)

Have a great time.. and take time to get Inky!!!! :-)

A Little Decoration

I found these cute little 3D frames at Ikea a month ago.. and the letters at a hobby store.. and I didnt know what I wanted to do with them.. but this is what I ended up with...

 I used the First Edition DSP, I then stamped with the new Sale A Bration Set, Bliss and used 3 of the In Colors: Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait and Pear Pizzazz (sounds good enough to eat!). I then stamped the letters with Staz On Ink (good suggestion Lu!) and added some trinkets I've had laying about. I think Ill hang this somewhere in my art studio!

My BFF gave me a Valentine's Treat!!!

Aww Lu, thank you!!! This was such a cool surprise! I love love love it!! Look how pretty this decorated bag is! The card is beautiful (I love that melon mambo!) and a lipstick pen and Tombo adhesive inside the bag! (I really really love that stuff...!) Thank you again, BFF!!! Love ya.. Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day!

To each of you who follow and visit my blog.. thank you.. much love and happiness to you on this Valentines Day.. and always!!!

Birthday Card

I needed a few birthday cards and I wanted something simple.. and this is what I ended up with. I used the Tasteful Trim die (love this die) and used the Sale A Bration DSP and Qucik Accents Pack along with peach parfait cardstock, old olive cardstock, Daffodil Delight ribbon, and the decorative label punch. It was super simple to put together. I used the birthday greeting from the Bring On The Cake stamp set out of the Occasions Mini Catalog.