Cards - Butterflies - Charity

Another few cards for I Win charity.

These are the last of the clear butterfly stickers I bought yesterday.

I chose Stampin Up Glorious Grape cardbase in A2 size and added a layer of watercolor background cardstock.  Not sure when I created this but it works well.

Added a strip of gold non shed glitter card stock across the top third.  Mounted the sticker onto the glitter.

I added a SU Small Oval greeting in coordinating colors and added a bit of purple around the edge to tone down the white.  Mounted with 3D foam tape.

Blank white quarter sheet insert.

I used the left over scrap of the watercolor background card stock on this Glorious Grape card base set in the wide or landscape orientation.

I added a non shed gold glitter corner on the right hand side of the watercolor layer adhered with double sided tape.

I mounted the butterfly sticker in the opposite corner.

The banner greeting was perfect for the space left by the shorter background layer.  It is mounted with 3D foam tape.

A white quarter sheet insert was added.

The final butterflies were warm toned so I turned to my favorite Stampin Up color - Summer Sun.

I dug in the origami paper envelope and found a burnt orange piece, cut it to size and mounted it to the card front.

I chose a scrap of paste paper in blue and cut to 2.5 inch square and mounted the butterfly to it. I added a strip of gold glitter to the bottom.

A SU Modern Label punchie in the same blue paste paper with a Word Window greeting in orange glued to the front.

A white quarter sheet insert was added.

I chose Summer Sun card base again with a bit brighter orange origami paper for this card.

I added a Pacific Point strip of card stock then mounted the butterfly onto it.  I like that the tips of the wings show off their bright colors.

I added a bit of non shed gold glitter card stock on the blue strip.

The greeting is the same blue card stock punched with the SU Modern Label punchie  with an orange Word Window greeting.  Mounted with 3D foam tape.

A white quarter sheet insert.

Another 4 cards for this charity.

Slow Stitching - April 2025 - Week 5

My April piece of slow stitching following K3N Cloth Tales - Comfort Coverlet 2025.

I added a few finishing details to this piece.

Brown seed stitch in the tea bag to represent the tea.

I added grass with green floss in a variety of long stitches to ground my tea house.

This piece has turned out so well.

Cards - Charity - IWin

I picked up some clear butterfly stickers at Dollarama when I picked up the car today.

The card base is Stampin Up Pacific Point in the A2 size. 

I chose some Ranger Alcohol ink in red tones to match the butterfly.  I think the color is Red Pepper.  I diluted it with rubbing alcohol and spread it onto my clear embossed card stock.

I cut a strip of no shed gold glitter card stock to coordinate with the gold in the stickers.  I mounted the butterfly onto the gold strip.

Added a greeting with the SU Modern Label punchie in card base color and a Word Window punchie greeting coordinating color.  White quarter sheet insert.

This card is in the wide or landscape orientation with the Pacific Point card color with a inked clear embossed card stock colored with alcohol inks.

Another narrow strip of non shed glitter card stock.

The butterfly sticker was adhered over the gold strip.

A SU Modern Label punchie in Pacific Point with a coordinating colored Word Window greeting.

A white quarter sheet insert.

I chose SU Tempting Turquoise card base with a layer of my own paste paper cut to leave a medium border.

A strip of non shed gold glitter card stock across the top third of  the card with the butterfly stick mounted over it.

I added a Stampin Up small oval punching greeting in a coordination color.  Added a bit of blue pencil crayon around the edge and mounted with 3D foam tape.

Added a white quarter sheet insert.

This card has the same Tempting Turquoise card base with a looser pattern in the paste paper which I create myself.

Added a narrow strip of non shed gold glitter card stock adhered with double sided tape.

Mounted the blue butterfly sticker over the gold strip.

I added a Modern Label punchid in turquoise with a Word Window greeting adhered to the punchie.

Added a white quarter sheet insert.

Cards - Charity - Butterflies

 More cards for the IWin Charity.

I chose the Crate Paper Designer paper which made the cut when I de-cluttered a while back because it had Stampin Up colors. Pear Pizzaz, So Saffron and Brave Burgundy.

For this card I have an A2 card base in Pear Pizzaz with a layer of DSP and a coordinating strip placed vertically. 

The greeting is a SU Decorative greeting punchie which has been warmed with the Laurentian pencil crayon - Arizona Topaz 80. Great match for So Saffron. Also I punched a green one and cut it in half and glued the halves offset at the back of the greeting.

The Martha Stewart butterfly punchie with black marker additions was adhered with a Bling Zot. White quarter sheet insert.

The other Pear Pizzaz card with a layer of DSP and a horizontal strip across the top third. 

A So Saffron Martha Stewart Butterfly punchie with black marker enhancements adhered with Bling Zot.

The greeting is a SU Small Oval punchie with a similar punchie cut in half and attached offset at the back.  The accent was then adhered with 3D foam tape.

A white blank quarter sheet insert added to the inside.

This set has So Saffron card bases in the A2 size.

This is a portrait (tall) orientation with a layer of DSP on the front then a strip of Bravo Burgundy mounted horizontally across the top third.

A yellow Martha Stewart butterfly with black marker embellishments held in place with a Bling Zot.

The greeting is a SU Modern Label punchie with a Word Window punchie embellished with the pencil crayon to warm up the white card stock.

A white quarter sheet insert added.

A So Saffron card base in the A2 size set in the wide or landscape orientation.

A strip of Pear Pizzaz card stock mounted vertically on the left hand side. 

The yellow Martha Stewart Butterfly with it's black marker embellishments attached with a Bling Zot.

The Modern Label punchie greeting this time in green with a similarly enhanced Word Window greeting with the Arizona Topaz pencil crayon.

A white quarter sheet insert.

These cards feature a Bravo Burgundy A2 card base with a layer of the designer paper adhered to the front.

A narrow strip of the deep red card stock mounted on the left hand side with a circle of So Saffron with the MS Butterfly punchie mounted onto it.  Black marker used to add the body and antennae.

The greeting is the Stampin Up Modern Label punchie topped with a Word Window greeting warmed up with a pencil crayon.  It adhered to card front with 3D foam tape.

A white quarter sheet insert.

This card is the same Bravo Burgundy card base with the designer card stock layer.

A narrow strip mounted vertically with a 1.75 inch circle punchie and a butterfly stick I found at the ReUse center the other day. Very blingy.

A Modern Label punchie with a Word Window greeting warmed up with a yellow pencil crayon which matched perfectly.

A white quarter sheet insert.

Hopefully my car will be ready to come home today after it's over night compression test.

Sewing Project - Fabric Cheque Book Covers

I find myself the owner of 2 chequing accounts.  It happened back in November when I had to write my annual cheques and had a limited supply because the rest were packed in a box.

I have had a chequing account which allowed me all I wanted as long as I kept a certain balance. 

I was convinced to apply a plan to my account so the cost of my cheques would be covered.  If I maintain a certain balance the cost of the plan will be reversed automatically every month.  I have had to go to the branch every month and have the charge reversed manually.  The issue was escalated to the tech team and the second time the answer was found.  I had the wrong type of account.  So a few weeks ago I went and opened another chequing account and applied the plan to that account which allows me to have 20 accounts under the plan. Who needs that many accounts?

I have not tested the theory yet as the end of the month has not arrived but soon we shall see.

Since I have all those cheques I wanted to keep that old account for my regular chequing activities and use the new one for my online and debit transactions.

I went to the pay my bills and realized that I need a cheque register for this new account so I headed to the bank and asked a young teller for one.  She was perplexed.  I asked the young man who had helped to open my new chequing account and he was perplexed.  I dug the one I had from my purse and off he went to the back room and returned with 4. I was very happy but they don't have any plastic cheque book covers.

I decided that I needed to make my own and here we are.

An online source suggested cutting the fabric 7x13 inches. I added the grey patterned fabric to add some interest.  I chose poly cotton fabric so it will wear well. The grey one was a bit too narrow at 7 inches so I had to cobble an additional strip.  It has plastic inserts on each pocket to keep it stiff.  The knots on the front and back keep them in place.

When checking condition of the plastic cover on my old cheque book it was obvious that I needed another. I cut the fabric 8x13 for this cover and that worked out well. 

Again, I chose poly cotton fabric red on the outside and yellow as the lining. I added a few accents on this one as well. Added top stitching to close the opening and add a bit of structure.

This one is big enough for me to tuck the book of cheques in one of the pockets. Happy with these.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

Easter Monday I headed out to Lois Hole Provincial Park to see what birds I would be able photograph.

I needed to out of the house today because the inspection of my condo was taking place to finalize the sale.

I found this pair of Golden Eye ducks on one of the ponds.  

It was very busy on the board walk because many had the day off.  Not so great for taking pictures.

I headed over to my aunts for tea and a warm up after my walk in nature.

I gave up a chance to attend my brother in law's birthday party in the city to the south so that I could get my taxes done.  My regular online process did not work so I booked an appointment with a tax preparation company because they just had to be done in a short amount of time.

The appointment went well and in 20 minutes I was on my way with a considerable charge for the work and a bill to pay on Tuesday.

It is done!

I called my sister for her birthday and I had just received the news that my condo was sold.

It's been one step after another.

I now need to find a place to buy and I can tell you that I have put a full effort to prepare my place, leave it immaculate for potential buyers but some of the places I am viewing are not left in great shape.  It is amazing.

The Way Life Should Be by Christina Baker Kline is the book I finished this week.

Angela is stuck in a job she does not like in New York.  She has a photo of a cottage by the sea tacked to her bulletin board - the dream. She has warm memories of spending time in the kitchen with her grandmother and learning Italian cooking along the way.  

Rich is a guy who lives in Maine and runs a sailboat operation.  Enjoys the sea, the sun and a rugged outdoors lifestyle. 

Angela is fired and decides based on one hookup with Rich that she is heading to Maine and her dream cottage. Well, the reality is not what she expected. Things don't work out with Rich but she finds a job in a cafe and a small old dilapidated cottage to live in.  

She offers cooking classes through her connections at the cafe and that goes well. With the help of new friends she creates a life more in line with her values and priorities. Nice read.

The pussy willows are out which means it is spring.  Some are white and some a puffy yellow already.

The song birds are back as well. 

I did not get a great shot of the black birds.

I think this is a sparrow but it managed to hide well enough not to be photographed or identified.

Next time.

Slow Stitching - April 2025 - Week 4

This is my April piece for K3N Cloth Tales - Comfort Coverlet 2025.

I added the tea branch this week as tea grows as a bush.  

I added colored leaves to represent the different varieties of tea. White, Green, Rooibos(red), Black and Yellow which can also represent herbal teas.

The branch fit in very well in the space I had left above the tea house.

Stem stitch was used with brown floss for the wood part and the leaves are hand cut fabric applique with a whip stitch.

This piece is coming together great.

Cards - Easter Watercolor

I created 2 cards from the watercolor I painted for Easter.

Rolling hills with a beautiful sunrise is the first.

I chose my Newton & Winsor small palette.

A blue sky with green hills and birds in the sky.

Painted on Canson Fluid Mixed Media 154lb paper. Works really well.

A tree on this one with a sun in the blue sky.

The card bases for these cards is Stampin Up Soft Sky in the A2 size.

White quarter sheet inserts completes the card and the addition of an envelope and they are ready for the card box after spent overnight under heavy books.

Happy Easter

 

Wishing everyone who drops by a wonderful spring greeting and 

a Happy Easter to those who celebrate the day!

Sylvia's Simple Shots

An early morning walk around Beaumaris Lake today. There were a few waterfowl about.  No pelicans yet.

Plenty of Canada Geese, Mallard Ducks and this Common Merganser duck with its rust colored head and red bill.

The wind was brisk and I was glad that I worn layers because it was cool and gusty.

My first time this year.

I had my replacement Tupperware order as well as my niece's order delivered by my sister.  We have been working on this for a while.  

Even back to Christmas we were looking for broken pieces so we could get them all into a large order. My niece delivered some a while back as well.

The blue lid was a purchase and it cost dearly as the original lid has been discontinued.  This lid works but is from another bowl. Glad to have it.

My sister and I head out for supper but the restaurant we wanted was closed so we had to find another.

I may have been to the Sicilian Pasta Kitchen once before.

We shared a salad and a pasta dish and it was super delicious.  We ate it all because there was not really enough leftover for take away container.

It was a great idea to share so we got veggies and pasta.

A nice visit on top of the great food.

The Bookstore on the Beach by Brenda Novak was the book I finished this week.

Autumn Divac has been searching for her husband for 18 months. He disappeared in Europe under some mysterious circumstances. Her teenagers need a break so she heads to the town she grew up in where her Mom and aunt run a bookstore on the beach.  She has great memories of the place.

There is great time for family but teenagers have their own ways so there is making friends and connecting with people their own age. The daughter finds a supportive friend to get her through her crisis and the son finds a man who can provide male role model that he is missing.

The ending was very surprising for all the parties. Autumn and her husband, the old boyfriend, the new teenagers discovered.  Great read.

I headed to the Legislature Grounds for an early morning walk. The first this year.

The morning was cool but less wind that early this week.

The Alberta Legislature grounds feature a Kwakiutl totem pole, carved by artist Oscar Maltipi and donated to the province in 1971. This pole is a visual representation of kinship and family crests, a common practice among Indigenous cultures. It's located near the lawn bowling pitch.

It was donated by British Columbia First Nations to mark the 100th anniversary of that province joining confederation.

Cards - Donation - Teacher Appreciation

This set of cards feature more decorative paper.

The top card has a layer of Japanese origami paper mounted onto a Stampin Up Summer Sun card base. 

I added daisy punchies in green and gold with round sequins in the center and held in place with green mini brads.

This card is again the gorgeous Summer Sun card base.

I mounted a layer of SU designer paper in strips. 

I added a strip of Early Espresso cardstock across the top onto which I knotted some yellow cotton thread.

I added 3 maple leaf punchies mounted with Bling Zots.

The bottom card is an Old Olive card base with watercolor leaf designer pape from Stampin Up.

I added a length of the same green card stock across the top.

I then cut 2 stars with the Sizzix Stars#2 die with sharp points. Layered these and then mounted them onto the bar.

Again quarter sheet inserts and envelopes.

Cards - Donation - Teacher Appreciation

This top card is a reused card front from a card I made long ago.  

It is another piece of marbled paper with added frame with metallic gel pen mounted on a grey paper. I trimmed the card front so I could clean up the edges and mount it onto another card. 

I chose a Stampin Up Blushing Bride card base.

I have beautiful origami paper pack brought back by a friend who when to visit her daughter in Japan. 

I chose an Old Olive card base then added a piece of Night of Navy seam binding knotted on the front and adhered it all to the card front.

 

This floral motif marbled paper just needed a focal point so I added a daisy punchie in Pacific Point with a gold sequin and blue tiny brad.

I added a narrow strip of the same blue card stock along the left hand side on card front then adhered the marbled paper layer on top.

These again have white quarter sheet inserts and envelopes.

Cards - Donation - Teachers Appreciation

I made a few cards for my niece who is working on a project for Teacher's Appreciation Day which is May 7th this year.

I dipped into my decorative paper stash and found a few pieces I could work with.

Top card is black A2 card base with a wide strip of gold card stock adhered to the card front. I then glued a black/gold decorative paper and then 2 diamond gold punchies.

Next, is black and grey marbled paper which I mounted on a Stampin Up Smoky Slate card base in the wide orientation. 

I afixed a narrow strip of the same card stock along the bottom edge of the decorative paper.

I then added 5 black round sequins onto the grey strip held in place with Bling Zots.

This card is a black card base onto which I mounted a piece of handmade decorative paper from India with silver leaf motifs.

I added a black strip of card stock along the top and then a SU Decorative Label punchie topped with a silver daisy punchie, sequin and black brad.

These were all given a white quarter sheet insert and envelope.

Cards - I Win - Glitter Butterflies

I continued with the glitter butterflies today.

I chose a Stampin Up Glorious Green A2 card base.

I added 3 blocks of striped glitter designer paper and adhered them with double sided tape.

I added ribbon antennae and mounted it with 3D foam tape. 

I mounted the circle greeting just below the butterfly creating a cohesive focal element.

Added a white quarter sheet insert.

I created this card with similar supplies as the card above.

I adhered a strip of glitter striped designer paper to the top of the landscape (wide) orientated A2 card.

The glitter butterfly received its antennae of satin ribbon then was mounted with 3D foam tape along the bottom edge of the striped paper.

I punched a Stamping Up Decorative Label punchie from the striped paper then cut it in half to mounted the halves offset on the left and right.  Those were glued to the greeting punchie then the full element was mounted to the card front with 3D foam tape.

A white insert was added.

I chose SU Island Indigo as the card base for this set of cards.  Cut to A2 sized card.

I mounted a SU designer paper from the Adventure Bound DSP pad.  Trimmed to leave a small border and mounted to the card front.

I put a strip of Whisper White card stock through the Big Shot with the Swiss Dots folder and mounted that to the DSP.

The butterfly got white cotton thread antennae and was mounted with 3D foam tape.

The SU Small Oval punchie greeting was adhered with DS tape.

A white insert was added.

Another Island Indigo card base with the Adventure Bound designer paper in beautiful blue tones.

I used a SU script folder with the writing going horizontally for this card as it was in the landscape (wide) orientation.

I glitter butterfly has white cotton thread antennae and is mounted with 3D foam tape.

The SU Small Oval punchie greeting coordinating color was adhered with double sided tape.  A white insert was added.

This will be headed to my sister's this weekend and will be in then next batch of cards for IWin charity.

Slow Stitching - April 2025 - Week 3

K3N Cloth Tales - Comfort Coverlet - Week 3   

The theme for April is tea which I just love.

I added a tea house over my table of tea which I put in last week.

It is kind of modeled on a Japanese tea house.  I chose a dark grey floss for this addition to my composition.

Again, using the stem stitch to make nice even lines.

I am enjoying this composition.

Cards - I Win - Glitter Butterflies

I made a few more cards for the I Win charity today.

I used some glitter paper I made a while ago in tones of blues with some green and purple for the butterflies.

I chose Stampin Up Gorgeous Grape card stock in the A2 size as a base.

I embossed a mint green layer of heavy paper with a leaf folder which I adhered to the card front.

I added a die cut butterfly made with the SU Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die. I added a black cotton thread antennae then mounted it with 3D foam tape.

I added a SU Modern Label greeting adhered with 3D foam tape and a white quarter sheet insert.

Another Gorgeous Grape card base.

The mint green layer was embossed with a SU floral folder.

I mounted the die cut butterfly with it's thread antennae with 3D foam tape.

A SU Small Oval punchie greeting adhered with 3D foam tape.

A white insert was added.

They are pressing overnight.

For this set of cards I chose a Taken with Teal card stock and cut it in half to create two A2 card bases.  Scored at 4.25 inches and folded in half.

I chose a sheet of designer pape from the Adventure Bound small sheet pad. Love the subtle pattern.

I added a wide coordination ribbon from my stash. It has silver metallic thread along the edges. 

I added a silver ribbon for antennae on the butterfly and mounted it with 3D foam tape.

The greeting is a Modern Label punchie in silver foil with a Word Window greeting layered onto it.  White quarter sheet insert.

I made this card in the wide (landscape) orientation.  

Used the same wide silver and blue ribbon from my stash.

I mounted the butterfly cut with the Beautiful Butterflies die with 3D foam tape once I added it silver ribbon antennae.

Punched another SU Modern Label punchie from silver foil card stock.  The is reflection of my shirt.  Added a Word Window greeting.

White insert and I was done.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

I heard this Downy Woodpecker long before I saw him. He was pecking away at this telephone pole in the neighborhood.

It was a nice morning and I had a good walk around this area.

I am reluctant to head into the river valley after the hooligans I encountered last summer.

It is time to be somewhere else.

When We Were Sisters by Emilie Richards is the book I finished this week.

This is a story of foster sisters who lived in the same home for a while and forged a bond under difficult circumstances.

Cecilia and Robin vowed they would be the sisters they never had.

Robin has an accident which compels her to look at her life and decides to join Cecilia on a passion project about foster care.  She will be the photographer on the project. They will revisit good places and not so good places and relive experiences they have buried deep in order to move on.

Robin's husband is not impressed that he must shoulder the home duties while Robin is away. he comes to appreciate the work, the love and the investment to get to know his kids. He thought he just needed to make the money but it is not so.

Cecilia has money, fame and needs to work out who her friends are.  Excellent read.

With all the rain we have had recently the rust on the metal plates in the windows of this empty building is developing overtime.

I love the colors, the textures and over pattern the dripping water has created over time.

I had a friend over for tea this week.  

It`s been nice to have the place all put together again after the new floor and renovations.

We had a great chat and 3 hours just disappeared.

This House Sparrow was foraging for seeds in the parking lot of a nearby building.

You can see how small he is next to the tire.

He was quite hard to catch because he kept moving.  Don`t imagine there is a lot to eat on pavement.

I caught his eye. 

I was lucky to be lower than the parking lot so I was not on my hands and knees taking this shot.

It was a unique perspective.

Slow Stitching - April 2025 - Week 2

K3N Cloth Tales - Comfort Coverlet 2025 - Week 2

I added a teapot, tea cup and a lacy tablecloth to my stitching piece this week.

I chose a teal colored floss for these items.  Stitched with the stem stitch.  Teapot based on the one I use at home every day.

I added some brown stitches for my tea in the cup and some steam coming off the cup.

The lace I just stitched on the background just along the base of my tea items.

I am happy with the results.

Cards - I Win - Acetate Butterflies

I make some cards for the I Win charity.

 I was at ReUse Center yesterday and found a 12x12" sheet of acetate with pink butterflies on it.

I cut the sheet into 4 pieces I could use. The one corner had butterflies too big for my A2 cards.

Then I dug in my stash to find paintable 12x12 card stock.  I used some of my alcohol inks to stain the paper in 4 different colors.

On this card I chose a scallop patterned paintable card stock and added green alcohol ink diluted with rubbing alcohol applied with a sponge.

I mounted the acetate and green paper to the Kiwi Kiss card base.  Greeting and white insert was added.

For this card I chose a heavy 110lb white card base.

I trimmed the acetate to be a bit smaller than the purple paintable card stock layer.  These are held together with black tiny brads. Then this layer was adhered to the card base with double sided tape.

I added a SU Word Window punchie greeting in black to coordinate with the brads.  It is mounted to the acetate with 3D foam tape.

A white insert was added.

Love this one!

The A2 card base is SU Crushed Curry.

I added a paintable card stock layer which has script on it.  It has been painted with yellow alcohol ink diluted with rubbing alcohol and applied with a sponge.

The paintable layer and the acetate had held together with yellow mini brads in each corner.  This is adhered with double sided tape.

I added a SU Word Window punchie greeting in pink.

A white insert and we are good do go.

I will press these over night.

The card base for this cards is Stampin Up Taken with Teal.  

The paintable layer has a script pattern. It was colored with alcohol ink diluted with rubbing alchol and applied with a sponge.

I attached the acetate and the blue painted layer with white tiny brads in each corner.   This was then adhered to the card base with double sided tape.

I added a blue SU Word Window punchie greeting in the top left hand corner.  It is attached with 3D foam tape.

A white insert and we are good to go.