Gallery of cards from friends

I know the Canadian Thanksgiving is long over, but the American Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It's never too late to be thankful. The one thing that I'm particularly thankful for is the friends that I have made through the Hero Arts blog. When I started to take part in the blog in Nov. 2008, I merely hoped to improve my card-making/stamping. That was the ONLY goal. But little did I know that I would make friends from all over the world.... and even MEET some of them in person and will meet more in the future. I'd love to share the cards that these special friends sent me in the last few months. Ready for some eye candy? Here's one from Cathy in UK.

 Cathy is always fasinated by my bra purse....

So she had to come up with this clever, adorable and NAUGHTY design. See the reveal!!

I was shocked when I saw the doll card!! It was so beautifully and sturdily constructed! That Cathy really brought a BIG smile to my face!

Tracey is known for her mixed patterns, layering and complex design. When she came to my house for the scrapbook retreat, she gave this to me. Gorgeous, huh?

And she gave this to Dr. John....boy , was he ever impressed!

Then I was presented with this masterpiece from Kathy....She always amazes me! I was astounded with all the details!

Karen gave me this beautiful ATC, crafted with love and details....every little inch of this ATC is full pleasant surprises!

I received this from Sarah in the mail the other day. Sarah was so animated and fun during our scrapbook retreat. I had fun "massaging" her! I'd love to post the pictures and video, but we decided that it's best to be locked up in our computer file! 

This rose card came straight from California! Tiffany has such flair and style to her cards and projects. This little one says it all. I had the pleasure of sharing parenting tips about little boys this summer.Tif was so fun to talk to! She is like a little sister that I never had!

Anette is such a great friend to me and always gives me sweet and encouraging comments. I sent her a set of HA coffee stamps. She then rewarded me with this beauty sent from Norway! I love the pink and brown combo. It's so stylish yet so warm!

Things could not get any better when I received this card from Ashley. She is SO sweet! Out of the blue, Ashely Flikr mailed me and wanted to send ME a card! Here's what Ashley wrote: "You are the sweetest (really truly you are)!!! Your cards and blogs always bring a smile to my face! I'm so happy you are a part of this group. The warmth of your personality always shines through!"

Little did Ashley know that her creative cards were the ones I "lusted" after before I jumped into the HA pool!! Thank you, Ashley, for being so thoughtful!

Since it's Halloween tonight, I am ending this post with a card from Linda (aka Oz). She is known as the Halloween Queen! I just love her creations and her clever descriptions. Such a TREAT to see!

Thank you, my friends, you have truly melted my heart!

Here's a picture of my DD Stephanie on Halloween....she has come a long way from her princess costume

in pre-school days. She is now Spock's long-lost great grandmother (LOL-don't ask me why-Dr. John said so). Live long and prosper, Stephanie!

Being Inspired....

I like the idea of  Moxie Fab World's Tuesday Trigger. So I held that thought and wonder what I will come across to trigger me to create.. ...And then yesterday I saw "it" at our downtown stationary boutique called "Write Impression". As I looked into the dollar bin and found my source of inspiration...I ended up buying the wrapping paper (of course) as I love these unconventional pastel colors for Christmas! I have to put my new Making Memory acrylic paint into use.

The stamped images are not as clear and sharp as the conventional inks, but I like the slight messier look of it. To start, I made my own paper by stamping the trees on a sheet of white card stock The rest of the work is just to cut, assemble and embellish. Such a fun project! I feel like a kid again... Since Hero Arts is having the "simpleholiday" challenge, I thought it's perfect for it, too! This is my first attempt for the Tuesday Trigger...hope it fits the challenge:)  Here are the 6 tags.

and the card that's made from the leftover scraps ...

CL357 Holiday Doll, AR 163 Three Tree

Others: beaded ribbons (Crafters Corner), handmade paper, HA gems, CB (Scalloped Rectangle Spellbinder), stickles

 As many of you from Hero Arts blog know, my DH is Dr. John. My DD Stephanie told me about the latest music video from Mika called...what else, Dr. John ! See video here.
 Some of you suggested to have this music piping into the waiting room...(LOL). Dr. John did tell me one funny thing yesterday. We worry that we may run out of Halloween candy this Saturday due to the popularity of our neighborhood. He had one solution, that is, post the sign "Beware of H1N1..." on our front door.....
Thanks for stopping by!

Show me the LOVE ( I mean FOOD)...

My daughter Stephanie came home for the weekend from college. She is in her 3rd year in Environmental Studies and is living in residence on campus. Although she thinks the food at the cafeteria has improved somewhat this term, she still misses home-cooked food.....so how do I show her the LOVE? Besides doing her BIG load of laundry, I made her the food that she craves for! First I start off with the fresh salmon.....

then made them into the Maki roll (Sushi). I used the CUTE Janpanese plate that we brought back from Epcot in Disney World.

Next is the making of the Spring Rolls...

 

Eat some, freeze some...

thus, the DELIGHTFUL result !

All I can say is that Stephanie comes/goes "home" happy :)

Carrdvarks Challenge ( A Tall Order)

I finally made a TALL card for the

Caardvarks Challenge.

I like how the angel is singing up high in the clouds...

Here I embossed the snowflake stamp with white embossing powder on white card stock and then distressed it with Broken China. Add the gems! Love the look of the background.

Her Arts stamps: CL354 Let the Angels Sing

S5069 Stunning Snowflakes

Others: Copic markers, HA gems, Ribbons, hand made paper, Tim Holtz Distress ink

I also submitted this for the paper-tearing challenge at Hero Arts.

Thanks for stopping by.

It's all about Ruffles...

 I was intrigued by the current  Moxi Fab Challenge. It's all about RUFFLES! How cool is that!?The challenge is to create a paper crafted project (card, gift bag, tag, layout, home decor, etc.) that incorporates some kind of ruffle. Here I used two types of very soft fabric/ribbons to create ruffles. I like how they add interest to the card. LOVE this challenge!

Stamps used: Hero Arts CG130 Three Butterflies

CL140 Thinking of You

K5185 Wallpaper Flower

Others: ribbons Adornnaments (EK Success)

Thanks for stopping by!

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I love this challenge so much, I made ANOTHER card with some kind of "ruffles"...

This card IS all about girlfriends....This card IS all about girlfriends....

Thank you, Cathy , who sent me this lovely Inkadinkado (Wackytac Friendship) stamp from UK. Cathy, I hope you are free from May 22-29, 2010...because I'm coming to London!!

I used the paper punch that Kathy gave me at the scrapbook retreat.  I also used her beautiful lilac wrapping paper as part of the card.

I LOVE my girlfriends!

FUN time to remember...

What a Fabulous weekend I have had with my HA hostess sistas. All the stamping, chatting, laughing and now it's time to share those memorable moments. As I'm starting to pick up the pieces in my house and I do feel a bit too tired to make/do anything. I thought I'd share some pictures. Here is a card and some generous gifts that Karen gave me. I absolutley adore the doll card that she made. Don't you? Karen does think "ouside the box" as this Asian doll looks so gorgeous in the shades of pink and orange with the white embossing. Just DARLING ( as Karen would say).

We were so happy when Karen arrived after 2 and 1/4 hr of drive frm Michigan.

This was our craft table where we crafted away....everyone was so hard at work! It was pure magic and fun as we shared that special time together....I was sleep-deprived and wasn't as "productive" as I'd like to be. There's my spot with the coffe cup. I ended up giving everyone a FREE massage instead!

 FABULOUS and BEAUTIFUL ladies-Sarah, Karen, Kathy and Tracey.

After we came back to my house in Waterloo after the retreat, we went to "Sakura Island" for Japanese food. We looked so relaxed and happy...Kathy was so sneaky as she secretly handed her credit card to the waitress without us knowing it. When the bill came, we were "shocked" and Dr. John was so impressed how Kathy singlehandedly "tricked" us! Thank you, Kathy!! You are just too fun and generous!!!

Here are the fun shot with my "sneaky" boy David. My sistas just adore him :)

The next moring (our last few hours together) we went to nearby town St. Jacob (a Mennonite comminity- much like the Amish country in Lancaster. Penn.) and did some antique shopping.

I love this quilt and how it's displayed....GORGEOUS!

Tracey and Kathy both asked the shop keeper for the metal frogs! They convinced me to get one and then along the way, Kathy found something that she REALLY has to have! Look at the paper/card holder!! Isn't it a GREAT find? I know that holder is going to adorn her amazing cards even more!

We ended the shopping with these yummy morsels!

Thanks for coming to my way, Tracey and Kathy! I LOVE every minute of it!!

Hero Sistas are finally here!!!

Here are Kathy, Tracey and I holding the NEW and IMPROVED sign...if you look on the right , you'll see David peeking out... what a naughty boy!

Meeting Dr. John....

After a stroll in the neighborhood, we came home with a good appetite!

We had Beef Tenderloin (where's the beef?), shrimps, mixed vegetables, pan-fried potatoes... and the yummy Pumpkin Pie!

And of course, they have to check out the Legos in our basement...

As you can see this household has two serious hobbies? Card-making and Legos!!

They're coming, they're coming....

No, it's not the Russians are coming. The VIPs that are coming to my house today are Kathy and Tracey-my Hero Hostess sistas! O My goodness! We have been planning this since August. It all started with Tracey's e-mail and before you know it, we are all IN! Wait! There's MORE! Tomorrow Kathy, Tracey and I are going to Elm Hurst Inn and spend a night there....and wait! There's more, Karen and Sarah are coming to meet us THERE! I can't contain myself that I want to scream with JOY!!!
Here's the flowers that I arranged for the kitchen....I want them to feel the L-O-V-E!

Alright, the VIPs are not here yet...how about see some food that I prepared for them ?? French Onion Soup in the making...ooops, where's the cheese!?

Here are the main course....

 the dessert-SWEET pumkin pie!

Do you think they'll like it? I can't wait to see them now. Dr. John is taking care of  the last min. details. He re-folded all the towels and made sure everything looks "just right" :)