Get Well Soon

Supplies: Papers from Basic Grey "Indie Bloom;"
rub-on greeting from Kaisercraft;
Labels 4 Nesties; quilling by me

It's that time of year - lots of colds & germs going around. Hard to capture the colours in this card - the reds of the quilled & fringed flowers match, although the fringed ones look brighter. After adding the rub-on sentiment I doodled around the label die cut to bring in a little more black - and boy, doodling around already-adhered quilling is tricky!

I am really loving this "Indie Bloom" pad by Basic Grey - I haven't moved it from the top of my desk since I got it about a month ago. It's not often that I buy more than one of the same patterned paper pad, but I think this one might have to hop into my shopping cart again. I'm loving the colours & patterns.

xoxo,
Jessi

A Jolly Hallowe'en!

Supplies: papers from Kaisercraft "Chapter One;"
graphic poster from The Graphics Fairy;
skully flowers from Prima; brad from Basic Grey;
ribbon, felt cat, orange gems from $store

I'm having lots of fun editing with Picasa - close-ups especially.

look at the shimmer on that paper!

For a brief second there {shakes head} I almost wrote about what I bought my Mom for her Christmas present....duh. Hi Mom! That was a close one.

If you're local, think about heading over to the Sackville Curling Club Saturday to check out the annual Christmas Craft Fair. That's where I picked up the afore-UNmentioned gem. It runs from 10-4, so you'll have time to go after you come visit me at the Farmer's Market. (Naturally!)

Finger update: yuck. Ouch. More yuck. No more pictures, though. Even I can't bear to look at it.

Abby update: Got her a sweet pink bone-patterned plush coat. Photos to come! Also, gave her a ball with a squeaker in it, and the first 5 or 6 times she made it squeak it scared her into dropping it. 

Plumbing update: spent about 3 hours today helping Rob unplug the toilet...kids...even an 8 foot auger snake wasn't up to the Herculean task, so we ended up having to take the entire toilet apart. If I never see that much {ahem} in one place ever again, it will still be too soon. Also, I don't think I'm ever going to get the bathroom to smell right again. {shudder}

TGIF.

xoxo,

Jessi

Birthday Owl

Supplies: papers from We R Memory Keepers, "Autumn Splendor;"
button from Basic Grey; leaves from Prima;
owl Sizzlit die; googly eyes;
standard circle Nesties; recycled burlap piece;
Vintage Photo distress ink; sentiment stamp from Hero Arts;
Sakura clear glaze pen (beak)

Instead of using the die-cut eyes & beak from the Sizzlit, I used googly eyes & added a beak cut from one of the leaf-patterned border pieces of Autumn Splendor paper. I coated it with the clear glaze pen for a tiny bit of shine.

Thanks for all the finger well-wishes. It's not fallen off yet, but it is still looking pretty gross. It's going to have to be one mother of a wart before I ever have THAT done again!

At the moment I have a very concerning situation with a friend. That person has requested privacy, but it's a very serious health situation and if you pray, please pray for my friend. I can't imagine the family's level of stress, but being diagnosed with a terminal illness before the age of 30 - as a friend I am struggling with the news as well.

Hug your families & your friends,
xoxo,
Jessi

Market Street goodies...

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to win some Market Street Stamps from Moxie Fab World, and they arrived last week on the same day my finger adventure started. Boo, hiss. As soon as I could manage to use my scissors again {much rejoicing!} I had to break them open & get them inky. 

Supplies: Market Street Stamps Enjoy Today;
Memento Tuxedo Black ink;
Papers from Basic Grey "Indie Bloom;"
foam tape

I think this one is fairly straightforward. I paper-pieced the cup, saucer, and tag, and popped up the cup & tag on layers of foam tape. I love the fall colours in this Indie Bloom pad, even though it's not exactly an autumn-themed collection.

Supplies: Market Street Stamps Bit of Burlap background stamp;
MFT birthday greeting;
Memento London Fog ink;
papers from Basic Grey "Marjolaine;"
standard oval Nesties; Sakura Stardust glitter pen;
pearls from $store; quilled flower by me

A close up...I'm so excited that I'm figuring out how to do this! lol

First, and important to note: this background stamp stamps beautifully. I inked it up by splotching the little teardrop pad sort of randomly, then blotting with a tissue, and THEN stamping my oval. I wanted the uneven look here, so that I could stamp the greeting in the same colour & still have it stand out enough. To get a little sparkle & definition I traced the greeting & edge of the oval with my Stardust pen.

I hope you get some crafty time today :)
xoxo,
Jessi

Some Halloween goodies...

I forgot that I had uploaded these photos & left the post to edit later...so here it is! 

Supplies: Papers from We R Memory Keepers "Spookville;"
bat & 'trick or treat' stickers from stash (thanks sis!);
'smell my feet' letter stickers from Cosmo Cricket;
googly eyes; standard oval Nesties

Supplies: papers from We R Memory Keepers "Spookville;"
star & witch stickers from stash (possibly Hallmark?);
standard & lacey circle Nesties;
'fly it!' stickers from Basic Grey; rest of sentiment handwritten

Supplies: papers from We R Memory Keepers "Spookville;"
all images & sentiment are stickers from stash;
standard oval Nesties

Supplies: papers from We R Memory Keepers "Spookville;"
felt ghosts & purple rhinestones from $ store

Good finger news: the infection has gotten under control, and over several days the blister deflated. I've been keeping it covered about 90% of the time, allowing it to dry out a little bit in between bandage applications. I've even been able to do a little crafting - not much, but enough to cheer me up!

Poor Abby had a misadventure this week - she stepped in something that irritated her paws, and she managed to lick whatever it was off of them, but her feet were raw and her poor little self was feeling yucky for a couple of days from whatever it was. The vet just backed up what we thought - keep her hydrated, don't let her obsess over her feet, and she'll get over it. And that's how it went. It's only been 5 days, and you can't even tell where the sores were. Babies heal fast. Up next for her - the Cone of Shame when she's fixed November 1st. There will SO be pictures of that! 

xoxo,

Jessi

Inspired by Emily Keaton!

So, I'm pretty sure everyone knows by now that I have a great big crush on Emily, but just in case anyone who stops by *doesn't* know that, it's true. And this card I'm about to show you is one that was inspired by her creation right here. Go look.

Emily drew her own spiderweb with a clear glaze pen, and then embossed with clear embossing powder. So, when I saw the spiderweb patterned paper in We R Memory Keeper's Spookville pad, I thought "Hey! I could do what Emily did!"

....except tracing is totally not the same thing as freehand drawing, but anyhow...here's my finished card that Emily inspired:

Supplies: paper, clip art, label all from We R Memory Keepers "Spookville;"
Stamps from the same collection, stamped with Palette Noir ink;
Sakura Quickie Glue Pen; Stampendous Pearlescent Moonstone EP;
spider & web from confetti pack; googly eyes

I used a Quickie Glue Pen to trace over the web in sections, embossing about 1/8 of the page at a time. It took a lot longer than I expected - probably about half an hour to do the 6 x6 sheet. Still, the shimmer is totally worth it.

The sentiment is handwritten on a label that was fussy-cut from one of the patterned sheets. To create the hanging spider, I used Tombow multi glue to glue thread in the 'sandwich' - spider, then web, then thread, then spider. Once that was dry, I added googly eyes to both sides of the spider, since the thread allows it to swing around on the card. That way no matter which way the spider lands, it's the "right" way.

The shine makes me happy!

I'm not going to gross anybody out with any more pictures of my finger, but it's still not healed. I took myself to the doctor yesterday, and his first sentence was "You've had a reaction." Um, yeah. A bit. It was beginning to develop an infection, so it's now wrapped up & covered in slimy germ-killing ointment. Abby is far too interested in it for my liking - it's funny, I'd read that dogs are good at sniffing out problems in their humans, but experiencing it for myself is something else. I'm just worried that in her worrying about it, she'll accidentally puncture it. Ouch.

Although at first it wasn't bothering me to type, I have figured out that I have a limit. Luckily I've got 3 different series out from the library on DVD, so I've been rotting my brain with TV. Wire in the Blood, No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and Castle. I just learned the other day that they've been releasing books 'written by' Richard Castle to go along with the series. I think I may have done a little happy dance - just waiting for them to come in at the library so I can scarf them up. I won't get to stare at Nathan Fillion while I'm reading, but maybe it'll still be ok.

I also downloaded Picasa, and started playing around with editing my photos. At the very least, I think I've got a handle on cropping. Boy, am I itching to pick up a pair of scissors or a crochet hook...

xoxo,
Jessi

Gross-out warning!

I didn't get back here on Sunday as planned because I managed to pinch a nerve or twang something in my back while reaching for a tissue. How is it that when I do something like that to my back, it's never while toting a couch around? Luckily by Monday morning it was fine, and then this happened:

So, I have had this teeny little wart on my finger for years. Years. And every few months, it gets caught on something & tears off, and ouch. Smart old me thought, "I should get the doctor to freeze that, and then poof, no more slightly annoying bump."

Apparently three doses of liquid nitrogen will turn your finger into the Halloween creature seen above. Seriously, this blister is the size of a keyboard key. Or a Swedish berry. This sucker hurts, but right now I'm concerned about infection. Diabetes + infection = super gross, super fast.

However, luckily typing appears to be something I can do without bending that finger much (and nothing else - index finger on my dominant hand? sigh) so here I am, and I'm even catching up on commenting. Yay me. And although I probably won't be making very many things this week, I made lots last week that I can share.

Supplies: Papers from Basic Grey "Sweet Threads;"
Sheep stamp from The Cat's Pajamas; Memento London Fog ink;
letter & heart beads from stash;
Stampendous Fun Flock in Cotton Ball;
pink embroidery thread

a close up to show the fringe on the scarf & texture of the Fun Flock

Since I keep recommending it to others, I think I'd better link myself up to the Moxie Fab Textured to Perfection challenge, which ends on Halloween. This was my first time inking up this stamp set, and although I love the sentiments it comes with, I wanted to use these beads that I found while cleaning up my desk a while back. Fun Flock is something I probably add to 90% of the animal cards I make (because petting a card is awesome!) and the scarf just yelled for fringe. I used little pieces of Scor-tape on the back side of the paper-pieced scarf, and just lined up the thread & trimmed once I liked how 'full' the fringe was.

I just might be here all week - after all, if I can't craft, I can certainly drive you all crazy by blogging continually :)

xoxo,
Jessi

Young Crafters Unite Challenge #2...#2

Super exhausted from two long {unproductive} days at the Fibre Festival - but wanted to pop in at the last minute to link up another couple of cards to the Young Crafters Unite Challenge #2 - Envelopes to Match party.

Supplies: papers from Martha Stewart;
frankenstein stamp from Studio G (includes sentiment);
Palette Noir ink; Cuttlebug embossing folder (swiped with ink);
Labels 4 Nesties; tombstone button from Dress it Up!

Supplies: Papers from Basic Grey "Sweet Threads;"
sheep & sentiment stamps from Pink Cat Studio;
standard circle Nesties;
sponged with Tumbled Glass distress ink while still in the die;
Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Martha Stewart markers & fineline pen;
Stampendous Fun Flock in Cotton Ball

To be frank, I love Halloween...puns...
The "Thank Ewe" card is actually a set of 6 - all with a matching stamped envelope.
I think I'll be back tomorrow, once I get some sleep! I also got my flu shot on Friday, and that tends to have me dragging for a couple of days.

xoxo,
Jessi

Time for Halloween!

Supplies: paper & poem from We R Memory Keepers "Spookville;"
pumpkin stickers from stash - maybe ATD? 
Click the pic to read the poem!

I know Halloween isn't as much of a traditional card-giving holiday, but it's just so much fun to craft for! I have a huge love of puns & corny jokes, and Halloween is full of them. You'll be sick of them, unless you're a weirdo (ahem, Emily) and then we'll be just fine. O.K.

This weekend I won't be at the Sackville Farmer's Market - as a rather last-minute change of plans, I'll be at the Zonta Fibre Festival Bazaar at the Tantramar Theatre on Victoria Street in Amherst, on both Friday and Saturday. The link there is to the full schedule of events for the Fibre Arts Festival - it started Tuesday, and wraps up on Saturday. There are so many exhibits and lessons to take part in, and this is only the 4th year. My friend Denyse had originally booked a table, as she makes the most lovely handspun and hand-dyed yarns and knitted items, and she is also participating in Art Across the Marsh (link to the list of participating artists) which takes place this weekend as well. Luckily, though I don't consider myself a fibre artist, I'm proficient enough and have items for sale that fit the bill. I've also been working hard on cards featuring textures, sheep, knitting & crafts, and sewing. It's been fun to focus so much on craft-related creating, and I'm really looking forward to meeting so many fellow crafters. 

Time to get back to work - before long it's time to do the school run!

xoxo,

Jessi

Anniversary Cards

I don't even remember the last time my husband & I exchanged anniversary cards...but in a few weeks we're coming up on 15 years. Maybe I should break with recent tradition and make him one?

Supplies: papers from Basic Grey "Hello Luscious;"
sentiment from Studio G, stamped with Kaleidacolor pad;
heart buttons from Dress it Up!

Supplies: papers from Basic Grey "Sugared (or two scoops?);"
heart button from Dress it Up!;
ghost shape hearts from Heidi Swapp;
sentiment stamp from Inkadinkado, stamped with
Versamark & embossed with black EP

Supplies: Papers from Cosmo Cricket "DeLovely;"
standard oval Nesties;
stamps from Hampton Art;
stamped with Versamark & Adirondack Citrus ink, embossed with clear EP;
buttons from Basic Grey; sheer ribbon from May Arts

Supplies: Papers from Bo Bunny;
sentiment from PSX; stamped in Versamark & embossed with black EP;
heart buttons from Dress it Up!;
ghost hearts from Heidi Swapp

Our weather appears to have returned back to normal. After the 2 degrees Celsius unpleasantness, we were back up to 25 degrees by Sunday, and now back to a more seasonally appropriate 14. Sheesh. At least that one miserable snowy day got our fall house preparations into gear - mittens have been unearthed (if not yet washed), and the furnace filter has been cleaned. Bring it on, Mother Nature, for we are prepared! 

xoxo,

Jessi

A Challenge Made for Me!

Seriously, when I saw this challenge, how could I NOT enter?

Click here to go to the challenge post!

Decorate the envelope? But of course. Often I just use a narrow piece of matching paper, but for this challenge I thought I'd make sure to do something slightly more elaborate. Since I always make sure to keep the envelope safe for mail delivery if needed, I tend to only decorate the left-hand side. Besides stamping & colouring the little dog, I drew some grass for her to sit on.

Supplies: Papers from We R Memory Keepers "Autumn Splendor;"
buttons from Basic Grey & stash;
Puppy & sentiment from Inkadinkado;
Memento Tuxedo Black ink;
Martha Stewart markers & fine line pen;
burlap recycled from a package of soap!

Now, don't ask me why I didn't just photograph the envelope head-on. I can't answer that.

The kraft circle is popped up on foam tape, and the buttons are sewn on with embroidery thread, and the puppy's eye is paper-pieced.

Since three entries are permitted for this challenge, expect to see two more coming up this week!

xoxo,
Jessi

Thankful for books!

Supplies: Papers all from We R Memory Keepers "Autumn Splendor;"
buttons a mix of stash & Basic Grey;
birthday sentiment from Hero Arts;
stamped with Versamark & embossed with Stampendous Pearlustre Carnelian

I don't think I could possibly NOT give thanks for books this week. I read a lot, and it's probably how I spend most of my waking time. I always have a book on the go, and there is always a stack waiting to be read. I suspect that I have my own shelf at the library for holds...certainly there aren't many weeks that go by without me going in to pick something up. So, not only am I thankful for books, and the ability to read, but I'm thankful for the library. Thankful for the friendly librarians who always have a smile & a book recommendation, and thankful for the wide range of books I've been able to read for free.

What I've read in the past week:

right now, I've just started The Midwife of Venice by Roberta Rich.

Yesterday I read Smut by Alan Bennett, and Sentenced to Death by Lorna Barrett.

The rest of last week's reads were: The Fine Art of Insincerity by Angela Hunt, Second Nature by Jacquelyn Mitchard, and A Turn in the Road by Debbie Macomber. Sometimes a book ends up delivering just what I need - I cried buckets reading Second Nature and The Fine Art of Insincerity. Sometimes it's simply wonderful to lose yourself in a story for a while. That's primarily why I read - to entertain and escape.

And now for the big Thanksgiving cleanup - besides being thankful that we were together to eat it, and all ate the same meal, today was the first time that I've made gravy from scratch successfully. Would it be so wrong to drink it from a glass? I'm pretty excited about it.

xoxo,
Jessi

Thankful for Friends!

If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give.  ~George MacDonald

Yesterday I planned to give thanks for friends, old and new. This week I reconnected with a truly dear friend from high school that I hadn't spoken with in a long time. Four hours' time difference, busy lives, and it's easy to let weeks slip into years. Wednesday another friend came over for dinner, and she's headed over right now for coffee & girl talk. I know that I have folks I can count on, and friends who support me, and I am a lucky person to have them. 

That doesn't mean that I don't have rough days. I try not to vent too specifically here, but you know, sometimes life really sucks. Sometimes it's hard to feel happy, and to look on the bright side. Sometimes you have to do things like dedicate a week to being thankful to remind yourself of all the wonderful things that are part of your life. And sometimes you receive something so unexpected and lovely in the mail that it makes you cry.

Created by Emily Keaton, sweetest blogger EVER

Emily's card and sweet heartfelt note inside really did make me cry. And I feel like I'm going to cry again just writing about how much it meant to me to receive it. So, instead, just thanks, Emily. It means so much to me, and has a special spot right on my desk.

Supplies: papers from We R Memory Keepers "Autumn Splendor;"
'wheat' stamp from CHF; sentiment from Anna Griffin;
Autumn Leaves Kaleidacolor ink pad;
leaves from Prima, green one inked with the autumn leaves pad;
buttons from Basic Grey & stash;
Tonic edge distresser

Supplies: papers from Basic Grey "Indie Bloom;"
leaf punch from Martha Stewart;
fibres from stash;
'happy' letter stickers from Basic Grey;
'thanksgiving' stamp from Anna Griffin, stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink

Supplies: papers from My Mind's Eye "Lost & Found 2: Sunshine;"
leaf punch from Martha Stewart;
'happy' from MFT; 'thanksgiving' from Anna Griffin;
Memento Tuxedo Black ink

xoxo,
Jessi

Wait no longer!

I know, it was mean to tease about Abby's new clothes & not show photos. She is still not too impressed. As you can likely tell, I think these are too small - they are medium sized, and she's 'only' 22 pounds, but  her poor little naked belly is still exposed. And this morning she was shivering even with the sweater. Two measly degrees Celsius, and this afternoon it's {gasp} SNOWING. On October 6th. Wrong, so very wrong. What was it, not even two weeks ago we were all wearing shorts & I was bragging about basking in the sun? Darn hubris'll get you every time.

I look ridiculous!

I look so ridiculous even the scaredy-cat came to laugh.

You can't possibly expect me to go outside in this.

Stop laughing. It's not funny! 

 So, what can I talk about being thankful for today?
I had something in mind, but I'm going to save it for tomorrow. All I can think about right now is my warm coffee cup & how good it feels on my cold fingers...and the heat coming out of the vent warming up my purple toes...and Riley's cozy baby blanket tucked around my lap. So, today I'm grateful for warmth, for the knowledge that, although I do have to go stand around outside for about an hour and a half soon, afterwards I'll be coming home to my cozy little house.
And, that somewhere in the basement hides a bag full of hats, mitts, and scarves, that I need to haul out & get washed ASAP before we get frostbitten!

Supplies: paper from K & Co "Abrianna;"
die cut flower from K & Co;
clear microbeads (Michaels) & Mod Podge Dimensional Magic;
sentiment from Basic Grey, stamped with Dusty Concord distress ink

Supplies: papers & acetate die cuts from K & Co "Abrianna;"
flower from Recollections;
Labels 4 Nesties;
sentiment sticker from SRM

xoxo,
Jessi

Thankful for this....

It's not hard to find things to be grateful for, but it is a little hard to put it into words & pictures. Today I want to express my thanks for my creative outlet. My thanks for the folks who are crazy enough to read my blog (weirdos!), and the customers who reward me for loving what I do. And for not picking on my grammar. 

Supplies: papers from Basic Grey "Indie Bloom;"
gem flourishes from the $store, coloured with Sharpie;
Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink;
stamps from Inkadinkado, Kaisercraft, Autumn Leaves;
flowers quilled by me

 For eight years this coming weekend, I've spent almost every single Saturday as a vendor at Sackville's Farmer's Market. When I started going, it took no time at all to feel like a part of the family. Sackville is a wonderful & welcoming community, and I look forward to seeing the familiar faces every week, and meeting new ones as the students arrive each autumn.

The best little farmer's market around!

We just recently founded a Facebook group for the farmer's market if you'd like to take a peek or join - it's open to everyone.

Not to taunt the Abby lovers out there, but it's so rainy and miserable here today with the tail end of Hurricane Ophelia that we had to go out & buy her a raincoat. It's pink. Just wait until I get some pictures...

xoxo,
Jessi

You make me so happy...

Supplies: Papers from Basic Grey "Max & Whiskers;"
sentiment & puppy stamp from Inkadinkado;
Brads from Making Memories;
Palette Noir ink

"You make me so happy I could wag my tail."

Isn't that a great sentiment? Not many things look happier than a dog wagging its tail. Abby occasionally wags hers so hard that she ends up waggling her whole rear & falling over. As you might have guessed, what I am expressing thankfulness for today is my pets.

Gertie

Sophie

  

Maggie

gratuitous mitten  shot :)

Abby

I think an important element of gratitude is to remember the small things, the little pieces of life that make it worth living. Obviously I'm grateful for the big stuff, but it feels nice to remember how many things come together to be part of my life and give me joy. 

xoxo,

Jessi

ETA: I've added a "gratitude" label so that you can view all these posts in one section, if you're interested. Make sure you leave me a link if you're in the Gratitude Challenge too - button & link are up in the top right of my sidebar :)

A week of Thanks

A while back, Susan at Simplicity wrote a post about being grateful, and it resonated with me. And then, it got all official-like ;) Canadian Thanksgiving is a week from today, and I'd like to take this week to feature thanks of all kinds. First up, a Thanksgiving card:

Supplies: Papers & brads from Basic Grey "Indian Summer;"
graphic from The Graphics Fairy, printed twice & the bloom popped up;
leaf button from Dress it Up!;
Tonic edge distresser; Old Paper and Bundled Sage distress ink

I'm thankful that, this year, both of my children will actually be willing to partake in a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. It will be the first year that I've cooked a whole bird in what feels like forever, because with autism, it's common to have many sensory issues around food. We spent many years adapting what we all ate because really, who wants to cook 3 different meals for supper? Connor still doesn't like gravy, but I can deal with that. There have been holidays when we've just had hot dogs, because that's what the kids would eat. And beyond being grateful that they WILL eat a traditional meal, I'm grateful that we all can eat a traditional meal, and that all of us understand how lucky we are.

What are you feeling thankful for today?
xoxo,
Jessi