Sunday, January 30, 2011

Ever Ask Yourself?



Ever ask yourself how you got to be where you are at today, so fast?  20 years ago I left home and moved into an apartment with a wonderful woman and her children.  I rented one of the bedrooms, learned what it was like to live on my own, and gained a second family (a second mother, 2 sisters and a brother). 

One of those "sisters" is having her first baby soon, and today was the baby-shower.  How time flies by!  It seems like just yesterday I was having my first baby, who is now 6.  How did I get here? 

Thank you for inviting me Tammy, it was nice to reminisce about what it was like for me, and it certainly is wonderful to see you expecting your first.  This is quite the adventure, and I hope Motherhood is as rewarding for you as it has been for me.  It was also wonderful being around my second family again too.  Hope we get to do it again Peggy, Maria, Tammy and John.

Hugs,
Tanya

Friday, January 28, 2011

Creating Keepsakes Scavenger Hunt

Good Afternoon ladies,

I really must say that I am in shock.  2 years ago I subscribed to Creating Keepsakes Magazine. ( I am in no way affiliated with CK, simply an ecstatic subscriber!)   They are always showcasing new products, and are always putting forth fun challenges.  They currently have a Scavenger Hunt Contest going on, and you can win a prize pack worth $1200!

I sat down this month and participated, they ask you all these questions, and you go around to each site and find the answers.  I filled one out over my lunch hour and had a blast!  I also got to see so many things that are now on my "Want" list.  


I am writing this post to say THANK YOU to Creating Keepsakes.  I answered each question correctly, and was chosen as the lucky winner for January!  Now what I would like is for all of you to play, because then you all have a chance at winning!    HERE is the link.  They change the questions every day, and you can enter daily for more chances.  They will chose more winners every month, right up to March, 2011.

Thank you again CK, and all the sponsors who put such a fun Scavenger Hunt together.

Good Luck ladies,

Happy Friday,
Hugs
Tanya

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The Pixie Cottage Challenge #54


Good Morning,

Today we find ourselves using a wonderful sketch from one of our Pixies for the Once Upon A Wednesday Pixie Cottage Challenge #54. We have a flower theme this week, and you can choose to tackle the sketch and/or the theme. Isn't it nice to have choices!


For my card I used a Pixie Cottage stamp, the Hummingbird, from one of Artish's Birdset stamps.  This stamp is available as a set, or can be purchased individually  at Michelle's Scrapbooking and More.  They are really sweet, and so very versatile, I think perhaps my favorite set from 2010!

I used rather bold paper for my card, and thus I decided to leave the image uncolored, all except the flowers. Since our theme this week is flowers, I made mine pop out a bit, by incorporating a tad bit of red.  I used my Copic markers for this.  One of the techniques I learned on the course, was how to use my blender pen to simulate watercolors.  I took a piece of plastic, scribbled the red marker overtop, and then took out my blender pen.  I ran the tip of my blender pen over the red color, and added it to my image.  Doing this gives you the ability to add a subtle amount of color to your image.  What do you think?  I would love to hear what you think I could have done to improve this card.

Enjoy your week ladies, and I hope to see all your flowery creations over at The Pixie Cottage for challenge #54.

Happy Krafting,

Hugs
Tanya


Challenges this qualifies for are:
Ooh La La Creations: 3 of a kind (3 Stampin Up brads)
Let's Ink It Up: Anything Goes 
Crafty Cardmakers: Flowers
Paper Cutz: Anything goes


Saturday, January 22, 2011

PinWheel Tutorial for Sketches In Thyme

It is time for Sketches In Thyme:  Sassy Saturday  Tutorial. This week I have been the chosen one, and I am going to show you how to make a cute PinWheel embellishment for a card or layout.


The materials you will be needing are as follows:
2" squares using double sided pattern paper
hole punch (I used my crop-a-dile)
scissors
a brad to fasten the pinwheel



Step one- Fold your 2" square diagonally so that the ends meet, open it up and do the same in the other direction. You should now see an x on your paper.

Step two- Punch a hole in the center of your 2" square paper. It is now easy to find as it is exactly where the x meets in the center of your previously folded paper.


Step three: Cut each corner to about 1/4 inch of the center. Again, easy enough because all you have to do is cut along the folded lines and stop about 1/4 inch from the middle.


Step four: You now have four sections.  Punch a hole on the right side of each section. Do the same until all four right hand corners of each section have been punched.


Step five: Fold the edge with the hole in it to the center, and line the holes up. Repeat until all the corners are folded. Then secure it with your brad of choice.


This is what I call a "Back to Basic" tutorial. These are something I am sure we all made in grade school, but somehow forgot along the way. We now get to incorporate our youth into today's projects! Here is how I incorporated my PinWheel into an embellishment onto my card. Note: I decided to switch up the brad, as I wanted something a bit bolder.


Happy Krafting!
Hugs
Tanya

P.S. Be sure to visit Sketches In Thyme  every Saturday for a fun tutorial by one of the Mavens.  You will also find the Tuesday Takes Card Challenges, and the Sketches In Thyme Layout sketch Challenges on this blog.  You have to be in it to win it, and everyone who participates has a chance.  Good Luck!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Pixie Cottage Challenge #53



Good Morning,

It is time for another Once Upon a Wednesday weekly challenge over at The Pixie Cottage.   This week you are provided with another fab sketch by one of the Pixies, and the theme is LOVE.  Remember you can chose to use the sketch, the theme, or both. Once again, I chose both.

I worked the sketch around this NEW Pixie Cottage Stamp called  "Big Valentine".  I coloured it in with my copics, and also used my Prisma pencils over top to make the pink match the design paper. Pouring some of my blender fluid on a  cloth, and dabbing it on the soft grey background behind the elephant, produced the speckled effect. A subtle but pleasing texture I think.

I think this elephant is just so adorable!  This stamp is available now at Michelle's Scrapbooking and More.  Would this not be the perfect stamp for homemade Valentines!

Please head over to The Pixie Cottage Blog, there are so many different examples of what you can do with this weeks sketch and/or theme challenge.  Of course there are prizes to be won simply by entering, and they are picked randomly.  So come on out and give this sketch a try!

Have a wonderful week ladies,
Hugs,
Tanya

Challenges this qualifies for are:
Let's Ink It Up: Anything Goes
One Stitch at A time: New
Speedy The Cat's Friend Challenge: Hearts
Copic Creations: Anything NEW

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Tuesday Takes @ Sketches In Thyme Challenge



Good Morning,

Welcome to another Tuesday Takes card challenge #9 over at Sketches In Thyme.   This weeks fab sketch was found on the  Card Patterns blog.  I love the spacing in this sketch, as well as the layers.

I received this cute stamp for Christmas, from my talented friend Sheena, and so I worked the card around her.  October Afternoon paper just rocks, and putting the rest of the card together was simple.  I enjoy how clean this card turned out.  I had planned on stitching, but felt it would be too much, so I left it as is.

I started this card a while ago, and thank goodness, as I have been so sick this weekend.  I have caught this nasty virus going around our house, and I just hurt.  My apologies for such a short post, I hope to be back in full health by the end of this week.

I hope you all decide to participate this week.  The lucky winner will be receiving this Lucky Girl Crafts prize pack.  You have to be in it to win it though!


Happy Krafting ladies!
Hugs
Tanya

Challenges this qualifies for are:
2 Sisters Challenge Blog: Flowers
Allsorts: Teal Blue and Brown ( Brown Kraft cardstock and Teal Cardstock)
Copic Creations: Anything New

Friday, January 14, 2011

Just for fun

Good Evening,

I had a little time to play, just for fun, and the above is what I came up with. Three people inspired me this week. 1. Sunghee sent me an adorable calendar made with a similar shape. 2. Cindy Hafner made this wild card shape that had me going WOW and thinking outside the box.  3.  The Kraft Journal, a new challenge site, posted their first kraft challenge and asked us to use flourishes. 

If you look back to when I first started posting, you will see that I used these adorable stamps quite often.  I am pleased to have been able to get back to them this month.  Nothing like making something old "new" again!  Thanks ladies for inspiring me.

I have caught my daughters' colds, and hope to be over it soon, but for tonight, I am putting my feet up, eating some jalapeno chips (comfort food) and watching a movie with my husband.

Happy Krafting,
Hugs
Tanya

P.S.  Has anyone inspired you this week?

Challenges this qualifies for are:

The Kraft Journal: Flourishes
CCEE Stampers: Let's go Wild- Shaped cards
Paper Cutz Challenge: Use a tag
Stamp Something:  anything goes, just stamp something

The winner of my New Years 2011 Candy is..................


Congratulations goes out to lucky number 10. Congratulations Lisa.  Could you please send me your adress, and I will gladly send out your prize.  Email me at    ruddtanya@gmail.com

Lisa said:

Lisa has left a new comment on your post "New Years Candy":

Happy New year, I am a follower already, thanks so much for the chance to win!

Thank you all who entered.  Please keep posted this year.  I will be gathering up some more candy, and that will be up for grabs for another lucky follower to win soon.

Happy Friday!

Hugs,
Tanya

P.S.  Thank's goes out to Michelle's Scrapbooking and More, and Viola Scully.  They always help me gather up wonderful goods to add to my Candy pile.  Michelle has Candy up for grabs this month as well. Be sure to enter HERE.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

The Pixie Cottage Challenge #52



Good Morning,

I am soooo excited to share this new Pixie Cottage "Love You a Latte" stamp set with you. It is a wonderful new set and it can be found at Michelle's Scrapbooking and More. I just love coffee, so when this set arrived in my mailbox, I was so happy. I can use it to send out coffee date invitations to my girlfriends!

The above sketch is another fab sketch by one of our design team gals and it is up for use in this weeks Pixie Cottage Challenge #52.  The theme this time is colouring.  Now I know most of you colour, so I fully expect that you will all enter this weeks challenge.  Remember, you can use the sketch and/or the theme, and although appreciated, Pixie Cottage stamps are not a requirement to enter the challenge.

Hope you like my card, I used up my Pebbles Inc paper for this one, added a slice of cake charm to the bow, and had a blast colouring this in with my Copics.  I really tried to shade the cup and added a hint of blue on the mug to match to cute design paper.

Happy Krafting ladies,
Hugs
Tanya

Challenges this qualifies for are:

Crafty Catz Challenge:
Food and Drink
Stampin' B's Challenge: Something old (design paper) Something New (stamp set)
PaperTake weekly: cold and frosty morning (nothing like a latte to warm you up)
My time to Craft: Chocolate (chocolate ribbon and the cake on the charm is definitely chocolate!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Got My Fingers in The Sugar Bowl Again.........2011



Good Afternoon,

This is my first New Year's dip into the Sugar Bowl (challenge #50), and it is their 2cd Birthday.  Happy Birthday to You SB! Marlene's sketch is wonderfully layered, and I decided to rotate it.  The theme, which is optional is embossing.

I needed a bit of sunshine this week, so I chose yellow and white. I did dry emboss one of the layers, but it is really hard to see. I had fun coloring her in yellow, and I know just who this is going to.  I missed sending out some Christmas cards this year because I spent most of my holidays taking in all the time I could with my husband and my daughters.  So I have decided to send out some of my cards to those who did not get their usual cards. 

Happy Krafting ladies, 
Hugs,
Tanya
A few more challenges this qualifies for are:
365 Cards: Pure Elegance
Let's Ink It Up: Anything Goes

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

The Pixie Cottage Challenge #51


Good Morning,

Welcome to The Pixie Cottage  challenge #51.  The first "Once Upon a Wednesday" challenge for us Pixie's in 2011.  This above sketch is a fun one for you to try out, and the Theme for this week is Punches.  Keep in mind it is not necessary to use a Pixie Cottage stamp in your creation (although we so enjoy seeing them) and you can choose the sketch and/or the theme.

I used one of The Pixie Cottage Bird stamps, and you can find this stamp at Michelle's Scrapbooking and More.  This adorable image can be purchased as a set of 4, or individually.  I really love them all though, they are quite versatile, and can be used for so many different themes.  Speaking of themes, I used my oval punches for the sentiment. Ooops, I just realized that I reversed the angle of the triangles in the back, I will chalk that up to creative freedom ;)  .

I have to say using this sunny paper really picked me up.  We really have not had a typical Ottawa Winter though.  We have barely any snow, the weather is so warm that the outdoor rinks are water, and although I like it, it is rather out of place.  Shoveling is a good workout after all, and the kiddos love playing in the snow.

Enough rambling from me ladies, I can't wait to see what you create this week. Happy Krafting!

Hugs,
Tanya

Challenges this qualifies for are:
Mad for Markers: Anything goes
My Time To Craft: Up in The Air
Craft Your Passion: Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly: Anything Goes

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Tuesday Takes @ Sketches In Thyme


Good Morning,

Welcome to this weeks Tuesday Takes Challenge#7 @ Sketches In Thyme. Our sketch this week was found at Card Patterns.  This sketch was a fun one, but I usually say that.  I really enjoy sketches, it gets my Mojo going I suppose.  Do you enjoy sketches?  Or are you more of a "do-it-yourself" card maker?  Kim always has scrumptious prize packs lined up, and this months sponsor is Lucky Girl Crafts


 All you have to do is use the sketch above, enter it into this weeks Tuesday Takes Challenge, and you are eligible to win this prize pack. How easy peasy is that!

A little blurb about the card now. I am in love with Kraft paper, and I am also frugal.  So I took some scraps left over from Karlye's Birthday invitations, mounted them on top of Kraft paper, and added some bakers twine  along the side, instead of adding the flower trail.  I just LOVE this darling Kaylee image, she is a digital image I found on the Some Odd Girl site.  Too cute, and so much fun to color!

I can't wait to see what you create with this sketch.  I have to say that I am interested in seeing what your interpretation of the flower chain will be.

Happy Krafting ladies,
Hugs,
Tanya

P.S  Thank you all for your kind words about my Aunt Ruth. I have left them for my eyes only, but your kind words mean a lot, so thank you again.

Challenges this qualifies for are:
365 Cards: A sweet treat
Sew Many Challenges: New Things (bakers twine)
Speedy The Cat's Friend challenge: use something new (bakers twine)
Totally Gorjuss: For someone Special

Saturday, January 1, 2011

New Years Candy

 
THIS CANDY IS NOW CLOSED!  Stay tuned for the winner!

Happy New Year!

I spent a lovely afternoon with my family yesterday.  We went glow in the dark bowling.  Seeing the laughter on our daughter's faces was just what James and I needed! What did you all do on December 31st, 2010?

Michelle from Michelle's Scrapbooking and More was so kind to send this 6x6 BoBunny Valentines paper my way, in order to make one of you happy.  I put together some other goodies to go along with it, keeping with the red, black and pink theme.  This would be a perfect package for someone trying to get their Valentines cards started.

If you are interested in being the recipient, please leave me a comment below, become a follower if you are not one already, post this on your sidebar so others have the chance to enter, and check back with me on January 14th, 2011. I will be choosing the winner via Random Number.

I wish everyone a very healthy and Happy New Year.

Big Hugs,
Tanya

P.S. Becoming a follower is not a requirement, it just makes it easier to see if you won.