Ski slope and the Vintage wallpaper textured embossing folder by Stampin Up and me

Good morning dear you.

As I am writing this blog post I am listening to my dear dad Piet de Koning who is hosting a dutch radio show in the Netherlands / Holland. He does this every Wednesday voluntary from 11 am until 1 pm our time in Canada. In Holland this is in the evening from 7 pm to 9 pm. Here is the link if you want to join me in listening to him online. RPL 107.1 FM live.

So many years ago he wrote me in one of his emails in the morning that his radio show would go live online.. I can't tell you how excited I was and still am.. To be able to hear my dad talking... the phone is just not the same. Isn't that amazing.. even though I am so so far away from Holland.. There is like a huge ocean between us .. I can still be in my home and listen to my dad's voice and all the beautiful Christian hymns and songs he picks that were recorded all through Holland. The second hour is full of classical music.. I love Bach, sometimes he puts one in his show just for me.. Yes, I feel blessed with a dad like him.

He is such a sensitive and caring and faithful man. When certain things happen in our family.. he picks out a song just for us.. he doesn't even have to share it on the radio with everyone.. we just know it.. and we feel loved.. That's so him..I don't know how he does it, so many times I sit here with tears in my eyes while I listen to him... and no way I could speak out loud after a song is done.. But my dad does it so well with so much care for the people who listen to his radio show.

Don't you have that with some songs.. they bring you right at a moment where something intense happened in your life.. Sometimes it reminds you of the good in life and sometimes of the sad things... sigh.. Maybe it's just me..

I miss him, I miss my mom.. my brother and his wife, my grandma and aunt. My mom is coming home from Russia today. She was there for 10 days to be with her friends. They are her adopted family for sure. I wish I could be there to pick her up from the airport.
Every time she leaves to Russia she send all of us a card. Even one for her husband, my dad.. She could put the card on his pillow, but she doesn't she brings the card to the post office and a couple of days later it will be delivered to him by the mailman.. Isn't that the cutest thing ever? Yes, they rock!

Well ... all that to say.. write.. here is some info about the card I created last night.

• As a base I used the Baja Breeze card stock. To dress it up I added a layer of Whisper White card stock and the Early Espresso card stock from Stampin Up.
• I punched out the different circles with my many circle punches from Stampin Up.
• For the 4th layer of my card I used the Vintage Wallpaper textured impression embossing folder of Stampin Up. I tucked it behind the last layer of my card & i It gives this card such a real nice flavor :)
• I used a little left over Ski slope DSP from Stampin Up and matched it up with a Baja Breeze corduroy button. Love it.

This card and the ingredients almost sound like a recipe... (smile)

Well.. I hope you'll have a wonderful day wheter it is close to your family of far away from them.

Inky hugs, Pauline

Thoughts and prayers by Stampin Up and me

Hi dear everyone. Thanks for stopping by again. I hope you are doing well and that you have some real moments of peace in your day!

You know, I love how our youngest daughter is able to play with her older sister.. They are so good together and so sweet. My craft room is right by their play area and I so enjoy listening to them while they are in their 'story'.. Just precious.

I notice that I am getting more free time in my days. Must be part of the fact that our kids are getting older.. What a gift.. I have to be careful that I am not using up most of that time in my craft area.. So tempting.. but oh well..
I will enjoy it for a while. I am sure it will get old someday :) Right ?

Today I made a card with the challenge #71 of the Stampin sisters in mind. I never joined them before.. But I am excited that I did today. They encouraged something with 'wings' Well.. I could do that.. Do you see the little owl that is in my card. An owl has wings right.. ?
I think that these ladies are just so sweet.. They just want to love on people. Really.. They are so encouraging and have such a beautiful blog. You should check it out.

• The tree image is from the Stampin Up set 'Thoughts and prayers'.
• I stamped it in the Whisper White Craft Ink from stampin Up. What a beautiful crisp image did that give. Wow!
• As a base of the card I picked Old Olive and the second layer is the Early Espresso card stock.
  
• I used the Top Note Bigz die from Stampin Up with my Big Shot machine.
• You also see some retired DSP from Stampin Up.
• The buttons are the Brights from the Designer Buttons from Stampin Up ($10.95 for 72 buttons).
• That tiny little owl you see is from the retired Stampin Up set called: 'Love Bandit'. If you own it.. and it collected some dust, start playing with it again.. It will for sure brighten your day.
• Those 2 little words 'Love you' are from the new 'Fabulous Phrases' Stampin Up set ($32.95 + tax, this set has 30 different stamps that are easy to stick to your clear block to form a nice sentiment.
• I used the Little oval punch from Stampin Up to cut this sentiment out.

There is more to it.. but these are the main products I used on this card.

I hope your day will be a good one. Stay warm.. It is -20 Celsius in Calgary today.
I know.. Great day to stay inside our home.

Inky hugs, Pauline

Seasonal Sentiments by Stampin Up and me + some Mojo Monday #173

Welcome to another Monday dear you!

Can you believe it.. that little Whisper White rose that you see in the corner of my card..
I actually made it! It was so easy.. and believe me, if I mention easy.. it's really not difficult..

I even think that with my dutch/english I will be able to explain it to you. Stay tuned.. I hope to post the details of this rose soon for you.

I created this card with the Mojo Monday Challenge #173 in mind. Last week they had 428 entries for their challenge #173. Must be so so fun to be on their designer team and seeing so many people getting inspired by what they do.. they have now 3203 followers.. please check their blog out.. it's so worth your time. :) You'll love it.

• As a base for this card I used the Baja Breeze card stock from Stampin Up. To me that color is always a hit. I combined it with the Whisper White card stock and the Soft Suede.
• I used some 'Urban Garden' DSP from Stampin Up as a second layer for this card.
• The ribbon that you see is the Whisper White Organza Ribbon from Stampin Up
• The sentiment that you see on the right is one of the stamps of the 'Seasonal Sentiments' of Stampin Up. This set was available in the Holiday Mini Catalogue 2010/2011.
• I punched out the sentiment with the new Decorative Label punch. I so love that frame that it gives you after punching it out. It gives this card such an elegant look.
• and yes.. the sticky pearls are back again to give this card some bling.. So fun..

And there you have it. My Mojo Monday Challenge #173 card. I am curious how many people will enter their card in the challenge. Maybe I will see yours too :)

Inky hugs, Pauline

Have a seat by Stampin Up and me

Hi sweet you!

Yesterday my mother in law Carolyn asked me if I could make a sympathy card for her. My hubbies grandpa recently lost his dear and beloved wife. She is already so missed. She was the sweetest thing. She loved our kids and enjoyed them so much each time we got together.

Making this card brought a lot of memories to mind. She loved flowers and Carolyn and I both agreed that the card needed some flowers on it to reflect her personality.

The last months of her life she fought so hard to overcome that darn cancer that had attacked her. She had to loose one of her legs. Seriously.. I cannot imagine what that would be like. That's like a trauma in itself.. But she still tried to stay strong. I admire her and her courage so much and I am sad she is not with us anymore.

But I do believe that she is now in the best place she has ever been in her life! What a gift for her! That is God's grace for sure.

Inside the card I stamped the following sentiment:

• 'Praying for friends to comfort you. faith to uphold you and loving memories to heal your heart.'

I couldn't have said it better. It is from the 'Thoughts & Prayers' Stampin Up set. (#113252 - $31.95). This set has 8 beautiful stamps. So thankful I got it when I needed it.

The other stamp set I used is from the 'Have a seat' stamp set from Stampin Up. (#120447 - $14.95)

It is the first time I inked up this image..

Again, that empty bench so represents the emptiness she left behind, but also the beauty of who she was.. In front of her home she had the most gorgeous flowers and she would sit in her bench just enjoying them..

I also stamped 2 other chairs from this stamp set on the envelope.

Aren't they gorgeous?

I was inspired by the colors that the PPA team picked for this week's challenge #76. I think it turned out so beautiful. Thanks so much dear ladies.. It was a huge help.

The colors of card stock I used are:

• Baja Breeze, Old Olive (sorry I didn't have Pear Pizzazz) and Concord Crush (again I had no Perfect Plum) But it comes close enough right?
• & that tiny ribbon that you see is the Marina Mist Ribbon Taffeta. Together with the sticky pearls it really added that elegant touch that it needed.

Enjoy the ones you love today! Inky hugs, Pauline

Medallion Christmas ornament by Stampin Up and me

Hi dear you.

Seriously what happened to my day. All I can remember is my short night.. I think I need coffee. Although I am not a huge coffee drinker.. it might help me to get through this day.. or at least help me to wake up..

You know... I need to take down our Christmas tree pretty soon.. or the tree will do it by itself. Each day there are hundreds of green needles on the floor and with our 3 children.. the love spreads very quickly through our lovely home :)

While I was looking at the tree I saw the Christmas ornament I made last year at a workshop.. I don't think I shared it before on my blog. So here it is. Isn't it super cute?

I created it with the Medallion Stamp from Stampin Up.
This one is still available in the main catalogue.. Just stunning.

We punched out a circle in the middle of this medallion and put a sweet treat cup inside of it. (#116802 - $3.95)

Some sparkles and we closed it up with a sheet of whisper white card stock. We trimmed it, added some pretty ribbon and voila.. Just lovely!

I know.. It is so not Christmas anymore in Canada.. but you know what.. In Russia it is actually Christmas today. I am not kidding'.My mom is there again at the moment to celebrate Christmas with her many friends in and outside the prisson.. So I think this post is very appropriate :) (Lucky me)

Enjoy the rest of your day and for my Russian friends. Have a merry Christmas!

Inky hugs, Pauline

Wandering words by Stampin Up and me

Good morning everyone. I hope and pray that 2011 will have peace and joy and love coming to you this year!

Yesterday was the first Monday of the month, and in 'Mojo Monday land' that means it is time for a contest :) I looked at their blog and I saw so many amazing ideas. Be sure to check out their blog.. You will be inspired for sure.

Well, here is mine. It took me a bit longer to create this card, because my youngest daugther did not want to leave my lab today. She's having a huge cold.. One she picked up over Christmas from her little cousin.. we traded some flues over that weekend.. and yes.. we are still recovering from it all :)

I used the 'Wandering Words' Stamp set from Stampin Up. This set is now retired.. but still so gorgeous. If you bumb into it one way or another do not let it pass you by.. Seriously.. You will not regret it.

Stampin Up released today their NEW OCASSIONS MINI CATALOGUE 2011. (You're welcome to click on the link on the left bar of my blog to view this beautiful Mini catalogue!)

And yes I am in love! How can I not be with so many stunning products!

From January 4 - April 30, 2011 we are able to order from this catalogue..

I am telling you am I ever testing my patience. On the 25th of January untill March the 31st Stampin Up's Sale-a-bration time starts again.. So I am holding of with my order untill that time. During the Sale-a- bration time this is what is offered to you and me:

• With every $60 order we receive a free stampset.. (So.. I guess it's worth the waiting :)
• + if you host a workshop of at least $395 in sales you receive an additional free stamp set of your choice.
• If for instance you'd place an order of $360 on your own, then this means that you receive 6 free stamp sets.. There are over 100 different stamp sets to choose from !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is in addition to the $45 you can spend on any product you like and choose from the catalogue + your choice of a level 1 or level 2 stamp set of your choice.. (each stamp set is usually worth about $25 or more :) 6x$25 + 45 +$30 = $225 in free products on an order of $360) Wowh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• If you join Stampin Up by becoming a demonstrator during the Sale-a-Bration time, you get 15% of your starter kit. Plus you get a bonus bundle filled with over $60 in free products.

You're welcome to visit my online Stampin Up store and check out all our new products.. I am sure you will be just as excited as I am.

I would love to hear from you!

Inky hugs, Pauline

Feathered Hope by Stampin Up and me.

Happy New year everyone.. Did you enjoy the days off with your family and friends? I hope it was a time to cherish the ones you love!

We had one interesting Christmas. On Friday, the day before Christmas, our youngest daugther started throwing up.. I had a feeling that it was going to be bad and tried to convince my hubby to wait a day with traveling for 4 hours to meet with his family in Fairmont B.C.

You have to understand this one...

Most of my friends got that same stomach flue.. and it was bad.. So if we would have anything close to what they had.. then all I wanted was just to stay home.. stay put!

Well.. that was a nice thought, but it didn't happen.. We did leave..

What a bad idea! I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.. It is no fun to travel with a 18 month old who can't keep anything in...

Well.. to keep a long story short.. 11 of the 12 of us.. got the stomach flue in just 3 days!

11 people with only 2 bathrooms... sigh.. and one laundry machine... Our family gathering became a sad sad Christmas story.. But a memorable Christmas it was indeed.

What had to be a Holy night and a silent night.. turned into one.. well lets just say not so holy night... as my nerves were over stimulated and my language.. went absolutely .. South...

To bad our Christmas couldn't''t be more like that Christmas night over 2000 years ago..

But I am sure that That Christmas night would have looked way different too, if all the sheep and shepherds would have puked and had the stomach flue..

I am just saying....

I just heard yesterday that another relative got the flue after visiting my hubbies brother.. Oh men.. It is just so embarrassing..

So yeah.. You can understand that I find a bit of Holiday joy and cheer in teasing my hubby with the line: 'I told you so!'

They say that it's the worst thing to say in a marriage.'.. but I can tell you.. I can't help myself..

So yeah.. Life is starting again.. and I finally took the time to sit down and create. I made this card for a sweet friend in Holland. I hope she will enjoy it.

• I used one of the images from 'Feathered Hope' by Stampin Up.. It is now retired.. but oh how I love these gorgeous birds being happy in their little corner of their world.
• As a base for this card I used the Crumble cake and Melon Mambo card stock from Stampin Up as a second layer.
  
• I used the retired More Mustard grossgrain ribbon.. Always a hit combined with pink.
  
• I punched out that sweet silhouette with the Curly label punch from SU.. and tucked half of it under the second layer of my card.. Cute cute!

Well.. I hope your Christmas was better than mine.. I am sure it was :)

Inky hugs, Pauline

Welcome Christmas By Stampin Up and me + PPA challenge #74

Hi dear everyone.

Don't you love that feeling when all the presents are wrapped, the shopping is done, the suitcases are filled with winter clothes and skates and pretty dresses and outfits to celebrate Christmas with your family... sigh.. Yip I love that feeling.. I am just not there yet! But it will come. I am close. The evening is still young.

I even sat down to work on a card. I used the sketch of the PPA Challenge #74. I love joining the Paper Pals. They are so talented!I think it really worked out well.

• I love the Marina Mist for the ribbon. Such a nice touch to make it a bit more Chrismas-sy.. (There you go I even created my own word today).
• The DSP is from the retired Christmas Cocao from Stampin Up. I love those snowflakes. They are so petite and pretty.
• The image I used from the'Welcome Christmas' stamp set by Stampin Up.
  

Well.. I think this is it for making Christmas cards this year. It was good and fun. Thanks for all your sweet comments, I loved them.

I hope you will have a peaceful and happy celebration of the Christmas days ahead of you, with all the ones you love!

You're loved as well, I am sure!

Inky hugs, Pauline