Summer is here in Calgary!

Hi dear everyone.

How is your summer going? I hope it is full of sunshine!

Here it is good! But I have not spend any time crafting this last month. I used many of the cards I made in the last year to give to friends who had babies, got married, had a birthday and many thank you cards and 'hello' cards went out of this door. For the rest we have been painting the house and we had some sweet friends staying with us. We went to the mountains and enjoyed the sun shine. There was some camping, we saw many hiking trails and did some fun shopping. For the last 2 weeks we ate outside and we had many barbeque's meals with farmer sausages, salmon, and deer sausages. I love summer and we're enjoying each moment of it.

My craft room in the basement is at the moment a bedroom for a dear friend that is visiting from Holland. Summer is good. But the Fall will come before we know it here in Canada.. So you will not see me in the basement anytime soon I think.. For everything is a time, right! In the winter it will be so cold again, that the inside of the house is the best place to be. Especially my craft room.

For now.. A happy summer..

Inky hugs, Pauline

Baby Blossoms by Carooskaartjes and Stampin Up

Hi dear Stampers.

Quess what came into our mail this morning? This super cute and unique card made by my dear friend Carolien in the Netherlands. Isn't she the sweetest thing. I have to admit.. I just can't get enough of this card and the thought that I could probable CASE it. Didn't she do an amazing job? The details are so well put together. Please click on the following link. This will bring you to her blog which is full of many beautiful projects! Carooskaartjes. She actually writes up her blog in english and dutch.. So you can even pick up on some cute dutch words. :)

The stamp set she has used is 'Baby Blossoms' from Stampin Up. Do you remember that one. It is now retired. Same with the ribbon. I love that color Real Red. It gave this card that little added spark. Love it. And I love how she rolled that sheet of plastic (or something like that) through her Big Shot with an embossing folder. How clever.

Ofcourse I couldn't resist adding my own precious Baby to this post. I took this photo of Naomi last Sunday when we went to hang out at the Bow river. 4 hours of sun and water helped her to go to sleep so easily.. Oh how I love the summer!

Well, it rained the whole morning here in Calgary, Alberta and now it is dry .. I hope it is going to stay this way, because we wanted to go to the Zoo. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Inky hugs, Pauline

Forever Young + the lace ribbon border punch by Stampin Up and me

Good Thursday to you dear Stampers.

I think it's now 2 weeks ago that I received my Lace ribbon border punch from Stampin Up. I can't tell you how excited I was to use it. Well.. I have to tell you.. It was not easy to use.. I wrecked so much card stock with this one punch. The paper got stuck in it, many times it didn't punch through it at all.. and I needed both my 2 hands to use it... If possible I could use another hand :) This was a tough one! For one 'perfect-looking' strip that I had punched out, I had to throw out at least 3 or 4 silly looking ones. This morning I was done with the thing.. and I called Stampin Up. I explained my frustration with the tool. Right away the sweet lady on the phone said.. 'You know, I am so sorry to hear that, that sometimes happens, we will send you a new one!' Now how generous is that!' She didn't make me feel bad at all, she just trusted me. I know it would have been great if the first one would have been perfect.. But that's life right! But I so appreciate that with no hassle they will replace this one for me. What a great company I work for.

So on to my card. I used the Challenge over at Our Creative Corner. And what a corner it is. What a beauties out there. Loved roaming around there! They challenged us to take a peek at the photo's of Copenhagen. And find our inspiration in there. In one of the photo's there is one huge tree. Just like the one in my card :) I actually inked up my stunning tree of the 'Forever Young' Stampin Up set for the first time. Wow.. what an easy task to create a beautiful card with this image. I love trees and I love that little girl having a blast on the swing. It reminds me of myself when I was young.. I loved being on the swing. I would sing songs on the swing until our neighbors would go a bit crazy I think from all the nonsense that was coming out of my mouth. I would pretend that I was flying all over the world.. what couldn't I do while I was swinging on the swing! But you know what?.. I just tried it the other day again, but I got so seasick.. what happened to me? What happened to the 'Forever Young' idea? After going back and forward a couple of times I really had to stop + I didn't really seem to fit so well anymore in those seats.. Oh well.. I will just keep my good memories and enjoy watching my kids enjoying the swing for now.

Inky hugs, Pauline

Welcome Baby Bundle card by Stampin Up and me

Happy Monday everyone. I am back with another Clean and Simple Stamping Challenge 149 card. I loved this sketch Challenge. What a beautiful layout. Together with the inspiration that I took from the photo of Rachel, I knew what I wanted to create.

I`m not sure if the DSP was from Stampin Up, but it sure was what I needed for this challenge. And yes I used again the Baby Bundle Stampin Up stamp set. I can`t get enough of it.

The `Welcome Baby`sentiment I took from the `Something to Celebrate`stamp set from Stampin Up. I believe it is retired now.

Do you see how I used the Lace Ribbon border punch from Stampin Up. I tucked it a little behind the Baja Breeze card stock.. And I almost didn`t recognize it. Love it.

Well.. The sun is out.. and I am out too :) Enjoy the rest of your day.

Inky hugs, Pauline

Hello Blossoms by Stampin Up and me

Don`t you just love the `title` of this new stamp set I used from Stampin Up.. `Hello Blossom`. Seriously.. I think I am going to wake up tomorrow morning (yip, what`s new you say.. don`t we all wake up in the morning :) Anyway.. This woman is going to wake up, she is not going to be grumpy (because it is always way to early when this house wakes up) and she is going to greet her youngest girl with a smile and say: `Hello blossoms of mine.

I understand if you want to flip to another blog right this second.. I know.. I get it.. But you have to know our kids.. They do blossom and grow and they are just beautiful and sweet (and sometimes better of behind the wallpaper :) (kind of a dutch expression) Don`t take that one to seriously..

I have to admit something here. My hubby is at the moment camping with our 2 oldest kids. It is only 2 nights.. 2 days.. and .. I actually feel space in my head to think.. It is not as loud in the house as it is usual, it`s just less busy here! I have more time to play with my craft stuff + a big plus!! I didn`t make dinner for the last 2 meals.. Naomi (the youngest) and me are just perfectly happy with cereal, eggs, some raw vegetables, some milk and apples.. water melon.. the list goes on.. Easy peacy! But of course.. now the kids are gone.. I am missing them. What`s wrong with me.. For a mom.. well this mom.. I know I am enjoying this `break`away from the kids, but why does it have to go along with that `missing`feeling.. Anyhoo.. Tomorrow they will be back.. and all will be normal and I will be kicking myself about all the things I could have done.. Yes, I will tell myself.. I told you so!! Cease the day! Right. I guess that from this (camping)distance I can only think of how perfect my other 2 kids are. Okay enough of this...

And off to my card. And `Hello Blossom` it is. I created this card for the Pals Paper Arts inspiration Challenge 102. They encouraged us to create a summer theme card. Well I think that this card has summer al over it! + I was lucky this weekend, because the talented ladies over at The Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge site also had a summery Good Day sunshine theme this week. I had to come up with something sunny! Well lots of blues and yellow in this card.. And no happpy flowers without the sunshine. I love how it turned out! Please check out what those ladies had for cards. Lots of talent and inspiration out there!

For this card I used a lot of the Stampin Up color Pacific Point and So saffron and Crumb Cake. It makes my card `jump`don`t you think.. (in the jumping out kind of way) You know what.. I can`t think anymore.. I exhausted myself today with all the things I could do and then did.. I need to go to sleep! Sorry.. No more details on this card.

Sleep well or good morning to you!. Depends on what part of the world you are, right!

Hope to connect to you soon.

Pss: Does anyone else have problems with leaving comments.. Blogger is just not allowing me to comment on anything. So sad.. I have red your blogs.. just can`t tell you I enjoyed it! Loved it! I hope this gets sorted out in the Blog world department!

Inky hugs, Pauline

Baby Bundle thank you cards by Stampin Up and me

Happy Friday dear Stampers!

Today I went to such a sweet baby shower for my dear friend Angela. This Wednesday it will be her due date. I am so excited for her. It is one thing to carry your baby around in your tummy for 9 months, but a whole new world opens up when you can actually hold your baby in your arms. When I delivered my first 2 babies I had Becky and my mom helping me. Becky was `my`midwife`in Winnipeg. She was truly amazing. I loved giving birth at home with her, my hubby and my mom at my side. I tell you, these 3 people worked hard. I couldn`t have done it without them.

The process of pregnancy, giving birth and becoming a parent is in my humble opinion one of the most ultimate acts of worship you can give to God. As a mother you suddenly have to surrender your body to the forces that happen to you through pregnancy. + both of the parents will begin a journey of a life of sacrifices, joys, hopes and tears knowing that they can`t do it without God and their family and friends, their community. I love our community and I love how God wants to be involved in me being a mom. Anyhoo..... (smile)

Last night I suddenly got the energy (I know it was like 9 pm in the evening) to create some cards for Angela that she could use in the future. It was so sweet to see the look on her face when she received the cards. Honestly that made my day. She was so happy with them. I love when that happens. Afterwards she came to me and said that she didn`t want to use those cards, but wanted to frame them.. Oh what a sweetheart she is.. and seriously.. I could hug my card making hobby.

I have to tell you, Angela makes beautiful cards herself and I can`t wait to create again with her. & Once the baby will be out, there is no stopping us. (smile) No rush Angela :) I have patience. Our time will come. First enjoy those many many hours with your little one, day and night :)

I got my inspiration from Heather Summers baby card. It was just the right blog post to get me started. I used 8 different punches for these cards. I`m so happy I have them. They make these cards look so sharp and neat. That cute little baby outfit that you see is from the Baby Bundle Stampin Up stamp set. This set has 16 different images and sentiments. The baby sky is the limit! (120576 - $24.95) I decided (again) that the So Saffron from Stampin Up (that yellow card stock) is absolutely one color I shouldn`t put to far from my desk. It works with so many color combo`s. What a beauty. + that little tag that you see is from my Punch Bunch Stampin Up set. Isn`t it adorable. I am so happy with that set. It was just the perfect touch
to finish up this project.

Well this beauty (yes :) has to do some dishes and clean up some house. Have a wonderful weekend!

Inky hugs, Pauline

Occasions Alphabet and Fox and Friends by Stampin Up and me

Good Wednesday Morning dear Stampers. I hope you are having a beautiful day.

Here In Calgary, Alberta, Canada there has been so much rain in the last week. When I looked outside our window this morning there was a serious river on our street from all the rain that was pouring down. I am sure the trees and the grass are loving it. & Calgary hasn`t looked this green and fresh in July I am sure.

Oh and then last night.. The house was all nice an quiet and clean (yip.. This rain makes me want to clean my home on the inside) when all of a sudden I heard Reuben screaming on the top of his lungs. He had fallen a sleep, which was a good thing. But then this nasty yellow/black Wasp started stinging him on his back, his leg and his hand.. I felt so deeply sad for him. I know that pain is just horrible. I ran to him as fast as I could but had no idea what I could do for him besides killing that almost stoned wasp. I just held my son and cuddled him, trying not to touch the area`s of where he was stung. So sad! After he got used to the pain I guess, some water and some Calgary Rodeo Stampeding on tv, he was able to relax a bit. He`s better now.. Still a bit stiff in his leg and hand. Poor kid.

I am so pumped up about my card today. I used the beautiful sketch from the Mojo Monday Challenge ;199` and the fun fun color Challenge from the Paper Players `55`. I am so thrilled that I had time to create my card.

I used for the first time my new Occasions Alphabet Stampin Up stamp set. (123598 - $38.95) This set has 26 beautiful stamps. I just love each one of them and I am sure I will use this set a lot.

For the card stock colors I used `Real Red`, Basic grey, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla and Crumb Cake from Stampin Up. Isn`t that ribbon just the perfect touch for this card. It is the Baja Breeze 1/2 `` Seam Binding Ribbon (122331 - $9.50) It is so easy to create nice looking bows with this ribbon.

Well, there is a lot more to say about my card, but sadly I don`t have the time to write it all down. If you have any questions, pleae contact me. I would love to hear from you.

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Inky hugs, Pauline

Lace Ribbon border punch card by STampin Up and me

Good Tuesday morning dear Stampers.

I thought I would post a photo of my dear family. I am sure you know that I am crazy about each one of them. But to be honest... it is almost impossible to take a nice photo of the whole family. Once the camera comes out, mouths are starting to do silly things, eyes will not look to the camera, heads will be turned, the sun will be to bright, to hot, a mosquito will find it`s way to our little moment, big stains will suddenly show up.. and the list will go on and on. So I gave up on `THAT`perfect picture and just had it with taking photo`s of our family! So this is the best we could do for this stage in our family life. Enjoy it!

This card I created yesterday when I was on the phone. I know.. punch cards are not difficult at all to create. I love all the layers in this one. + I just had to use the Lace Ribbon border punch (122362 - $25.95) again! It is one of my all time favorites. As a base of the card I used the Crumb Cake Stampin UP card stock. (120953 - $8.50 for 24 sheets of beautiful sturdy cardstock). Matched with the Very Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant and Perfect Plum colors from Stampin Up it now graces our side board with it`s beauty... until I make another one :)

Well, time to get back to the real work again.

Inky hugs, Pauline