Blog tour winner...

I am excited to announce the winner of the Card Creations Volume 7 magazine is...

JustMargo who said...

I love that clean simple look -- polished and adorable. TFS!
--Margo
http://MargosGarden.blogspot.com

Congratulations!! Please e-mail me your address and Paper Crafts will send you your very own Card Creations Volume 7 issue. I received mine today and it is AMAZING--by far my favourite. It is jammed with paper craft goodness.

Thank you all for stopping by in the last few days and taking the time to leave me comments. I enjoyed reading every one of them.

I will be back to more regular posting after Canada Day (July 1st).

Alli

Card Creations Volume 7 Blog Tour

Have you seen the latest issue of Card Creations Volume 7?



Let me tell you that you are in for a treat. Make sure you have your tea or coffee in hand and are ready to sit back and relax because you have the ultimate sneak peak of this issue...right here in blogland. So are you ready for an incredible journey? Let me begin....

Once upon a time there was a card call and Alli sent in some cards...



I am honoured to have a number of cards in Card Creations 7 and thrilled that I was asked to share one of them with you! As a paper crafter, I often get asked about the "meaning" behind the card. Because all cards have a story don't you know! I draw inspiration from a number of things but this card was completely inspired by my dear friend Kim Hughes. Why you ask? 1) I absolutely love that she can pull together a simple, clean card layout and make it look so good 2) Kim Hughes illustrated this darling spring chick and "hello" sentiment from Cornish Heritage Farms.

Techniques and Tips

I love ribbon and often incorporate it somewhere on my cards either in a bow, knotted bow, tab or a knot like the one above. I like to pair a simple layout with a knot because it does not "take over" the card. Simple cards needs simple accents.

I also adore buttons. I try and use buttons as an accent, focal point of a stamped image or as a filler for an image. One of my button tricks is to thread my button with a thin strip of paper rather than floss or hemp. I like that option because there are often times I can't find the "right" colour. In addition, it's a great way to use your scraps.

You probably noticed I left the stamped image "empty"/without colour. All too often we feel the need to colour or paper piece our images. It wasn't long ago I used to believe the same thing...and then I met Kim Hughes. She shook up my comfort zone and after observing her style I soon learned that an empty image was just as full as an image with colour as long as it is balanced. I stamped the spring chick using brown ink which matches the brown stitch in the ribbon. Also did you notice the ink I used for the sentiment is matched with the button at the center of the flower? Ahhhh yes...now you know how I think. It's true what they say, every card does have a story. Thanks for dropping by today...I hope to see you again.

Are you ready to see even more cards from the issue? Well before you leave make sure you leave me a comment for your chance to win your very own issue of Card Creations 7. Also, as you visit each of these talented and inspiring paper crafters, make sure you leave them a comment too to increase your chances of winning (since we are all giving one away). At the end of your tour visit Moxie Fab World and Paper Crafts Connection and tell them which project you liked best (from the tour) and you could be one of ten lucky winners who will receive a prize package. All draw winners will be announced on the MFW website and the PCC website on June 30th.

Charlene Austin
http://www.willowandpaisley.typepad.com/

Ashley Newell
http://ashleynewell.blogspot.com/

Beatriz Jennings
http://iralamija.blogspot.com/

Betsy Veldman
http://scrapbookgirl.typepad.com/

Carla Peicheff
http://www.moralia.wordpress.com/

Dawn McVey
http://dawnmcvey.typepad.com/

Debbie Olson
http://debbiedesigns.typepad.com/

Kim Kesti
http://kimberlykesti.typepad.com/

Layle Koncar
http://laylekoncar.typepad.com/

Maren Benedict
http://zanynotcrazy.blogspot.com/

Melissa Philips
http://lilybeanpaperie.typepad.com/

Sherry Wright
http://sherrywright.typepad.com/

Teri Anderson
http://terisplace.wordpress.com/

Kim Hughes

http://paperhugs.typepad.com/

Branching out again...

Another card for the delicious Moxie Fab World Lovely as a Tree Challenge.



Stamp Set(s): Beyond Basic Borders (Pine Feather Press) by PTI
Cardstock: Dark Chocolate by PTI, Kraft by PTI
Patterned Paper: Early Bird: Farmers Market by Cosmo Cricket, Ducks in a Row by October Afternoon
Ink: Dark Chocolate by PTI
Accents: Grosgrain Ribbon by PTI, Buttons by PTI
Tools: Border Punch by EK Success
Size: 5.5x5.5

Hope you are having a great day. Still piled under report cards...I sure hope June 30th comes really quickly. I have planned a couple more posts this week so stay tuned!

Alli

A Tree-mendous delight

So here it is...one of the long awaited "first cards" after the move. I am very excited to be in my "stamp room" again. I had a chance to stamp 3 cards the other day but am still working through report cards until June 30th.

As you will note there is minimal stamping on this card (not to worry--it's coming). I couldn't resist putting this combo together. I had all these beautiful things I wanted to use. Not to mention Cath's inspiration over at Moxie Fab World. She encouraged us to branch out and participate in the Lovely as a Tree Challenge. I figured this challenge was the perfect kickstart to my return to stamping!



Stamp Set(s): Tree trunk from Father Knows Best by PTI
Cardstock: Stamper's Select White by PTI, Vellum Cardstock
Patterned Paper: Just Chillin' by Making Memories, Cherry Hill by October Afternoon
Ink: Dark Chocolate by PTI
Accents: Twill Ribbon by PTI, Buttons by PTI, "Sweet" Brad from Just Chillin' by Making Memories, Flowers by Prima
Size: 4.25x5.5

A few people have asked me about the buckets that are hanging by my punches. They were purchased at Ikea about 2-3 years ago. They still sell them in the kitchen section.

Have a super day!

Alli

Jiffy post from May..(late)

So how do I do this again? I'm a little rusty! LOL.

As you know every month the JiFFY girls post cards using the same patterned paper and images. We take turns choosing each of the items and then send them out to each other. I missed my post in the month of May between moving and a deleted post. I had to wait until I found the card from the piles and boxes in my stamp room before I could share it with you.



Supplies

Stamp Set(s): Whimsy Owl by Whimsy Stamps, My Wise Friend sentiment from U R A Hoot Kim Hughes Collection by CHF
Cardstock: Dark brown by Prism Paper, Baby Blue by Prism Paper, Stamper's Select White by PTI
Patterned Paper: Captivated Line Graceful and Beloved by Pink Paislee
Ink: True Black by PTI, Dark Chocolate by PTI
Accents: Ribbon by PTI, Button by PTI, stickles, hemp twine
Tool: Copic Markers, Scallop Punch by Fiskars, Nestabilities

I must tell you I am THRILLED that Kim has joined the team--love you Ms Kim!! If you missed the other girl's posts from last month I have linked them directly:

Michele Boyer,
Carole Burrage,
Julie Campbell,
Lori Craig, and
Kim Hughes

I have yet to find my photo box that I use for photos (I found my lights but no box) so you will have to view the card in natural day light...

Oh can't tell you how happy I am to be back in the swing of things. I have missed my stamps and I have SO MUCH catching up to do. Thanks again for your patience.

Alli

My New Stamp Room/Homeschool room

I wasn't sure if I would be able to post this today as my little one has been sick the past few days and much of my attention has been on her BUT I couldn't resist taking photos when she was napping this afternoon (yes poor girl napped a few times today).

Here is the overall view...I have a few changes planned for the future (some wicker baskets will replace the plastic stuff down the road...)

Many of you asked about my new furniture. It was all purchased at Ikea. The desk is Vika Amon. You'll notice we have two. One side is for the kids and one side is for me. Although truth be told I will certainly be inviting friends to share my space too (aka late night scrap night).
The bookcase shelves are Expedit.
Since I live faraway from an Ikea we ordered online. It took way longer than the website first listed. We addressed our concern with Ikea and they mentioned they would amend the site. Originally the site listed 1-2 days delivery. Not the almost 3 weeks I waited!!! As I mentioned I plan a trip to Ikea again in the future to get the small pieces that will "finish" the room off however that won't be until August. Until then I am more than happy with the space.

As far as the paint colour, I honestly don't know the name of the colour (I didn't paint it!). I do know the contractors bought the paint from General Paint (breeze) and that the colour is Behr 700D-6, B34, F4 T4Y. We have the colour in almost every room. It is a beautiful colour in the light but some people who visited my house have told me that in the darker rooms it does seem rather dark. Personally I like it ...but just thought I would share comments from other people too.



As you can see, I still D-R-E-A-M...and generally speaking the items you see before you were in a similar place in my last room.



This is a peak at the school side of the room. I have changed it since I took this photo ever so slightly (adding more stuff to that side of the room). You'll also notice NO BLINDS...we are still waiting for them to be made...we ordered the tops down bottoms up cellular shades in white. Which means I will still get plenty of light in this room :)



A close up of the shelves...



A close up of my dream...who doesn't love glitter, buttons and ribbon? And all those CD folders house PTI stamps and nestabilites. The punch holders and CD shelves were purchased at Ikea. The white shelving unit is by Making Memories and I purchased it around Christmas from Micheals.



One of the reasons I chose these desk legs was for the storage. I wanted to maximize my storage area as I am officially doubling my craft space as my school space too. You'll note I also have some easy access drawers too. It's great to have the "go to" items within reach.



I had a few clear wall containers that I purchased from Ikea last year. I never really used them for much in my last space but was really excited to use this small space on the wall. The way the shelves come together it left a gap at the end of the wall. I had this great idea to store my paper cutters and thickers/stickers in those containers. I will be buying a few more during my next trip and fill up the remaining space.



Here is another snapshot of the school space. My son LOVES it!



Well there it is...my space. No more excuses now. My 2 month hiatus is officially over. I have a card to share with you (my late Jiffy post) set for Friday morning. I have yet to officially "stamp" something since my move but plan to get in my room some time tomorrow. For the time being, expect some random posts (3+ a week) as I am still working on getting settled, not to mention writing report cards oh and homeschooling. My grandmother will be moving in in just over a month and I have to get all my "junk" out of her space LOL. I made a big dent today but I know it will take some time to find a place for all those miscellaneous items. If you have amazing storage ideas for a garage please share them with me. That is my only hope right now.

Hugs,
Alli

A few more sneak peaks around my house...

I have a few more pics of my stamp room. The furniture is built and this is BEFORE the major organizing began...in fact I hadn't even emptied all the boxes at this point. Watch for new pics in the next couple of days.





And here are the remainder of the pics after the excavators spent 16 hours of hard work...







I think those machines needed a good long rest after all the work.



Oh and one last thing...I have finally found the lost Jiffy girls card. I should have that posted in the next few days too.

Alli

The furniture has arrived...

and was built yesterday. I am in the process of putting together my room. I am very excited and just had to share that with you.

On another note, I friend of mine recently shared an amazing video about the town we just moved from...if you have never seen the ocean or have ever traveled to the west coast of Canada...here is a treat for you: http://vimeo.com/4946485 (it's long but it's worth seeing the beauty--they truly have capture the hidden treasures of this small town).

On a side note, Jason Priestly and his family own some cabins in Ucluelet that they rent out. He is often in the community along with many notable movie stars.

While I do miss that community I am very happy to be in the city again.

I'll have some pics to post in the next few days and hopefully even a card to share with you too.

Alli

Almost there....

My MIA office furniture is due to arrive tomorrow (2.5 weeks late). We received the call today saying they would drop it off in the afternoon. I can't tell you how happy that makes me. I have been longing to put my room together so that life can resume. I was able to capture a few photos of my office during some down time the other day.

The view through the doors...



My old desk (it will be finding a new home in our house)...and only 1/3 of the boxes



I can hardly believe that I have 2/3 of the boxes for this room sitting in another room right now. I didn't want to overload the room as I have to shuffle furniture around.



And I must tell you while I have really missed stamping I wanted you to see what has been keeping me busy...and what will be keeping me occupied this summer.



Yes, that is a hill in my backyard. The first level is over 6.5 feet, followed by another 4.5 feet and then a mini level of 1.5 feet.





By the time we were done we had three areas...the first level by our house, the second level 4.5 feet up and then another 4.5 up to the third level. Lots of landscaping ahead--it will take years to shape the way we want it...but it is finally coming together. I have some newer pics to post (still all dirt) and will share those with you in a future post.



Hope all is well. I won't be long now...a post is in store very soon.

Alli