Wow, 1 year already ...

Can you believe it's already been a year since Mei Mei and Stephane's wedding?! 

Well, I finished the albums for Stephane's parents last month.  Basically, I did all the prep work one weekend ... cut the board and pages to size, scored the pages of the album, cut the metallic bronze paper and red cardstock, punched holes on the board and album pages.  So the following weekend, I just had to put everything together.  Here's a few pictures of the process ...

Covered the cardboard with book binding cloth and black momi paper

Mounted the pictures on the metallic bronze paper and red cardstock to keep it consistent with the wedding invitations ...

 

 

Stuck the pictures on the pages and put the album together

  

There you have it ... 2 albums ... done!

What a beautiful day ...

It's been such a busy week at work.  I'm so glad it's the weekend even if I have to work a bit to finish up something ... I'll do that tonight :)  Had a nice day today ... mom, hubbie and I went for dim sum.  When we got back to her place, she showed me one of the melons in her garden ... well, it started with one.

Here's the 1st one she showed me ... it's quite big!  As you can see, she had to do something so that it would not fall off the vine.  The 2nd picture gives you a better idea of how big it is ... that's mom holding the melon.

Here's a picture of some younger siblings sporting the same cute little outfit by mom.  Guess she made it bigger ... room to grow ;)

She then proceeded to show me this big bitter melon.  BTW, it's not the only one of it's kind.

It's amazing that these melons start off this small.  I forgot to ask mom what this is, but I guess we'll see.

After unsuccessfully going to a few places, hubbie and I headed to the Quinn farm to get some fresh corn.  He decided to take the "scenic" route ... no, we didn't get lost ... although, that would not be the 1st time :)  We went along the lakeshore ... here's a picture I took during our drive ... not too bad in a moving car with my phone.

Papertrey Ink card idea ...

Papertrey Ink had their Stamp-A-Faire Summer Camp weekend during the weekend of July 21.  It was on-line this year, so all in the comfort of your home.  They had some terrific ideas and videos.  I didn't really make many cards since I was busy reading the posts and watching the videos.  However, there is one technique that they mentioned that I heard of before but never got around to trying.  It's a technique using shaving cream and ink.  Unfortunately, we didn't have any at home.  I'll have to remember to get some the next time we're at the pharmacy.

However, I did try this idea by Betsy Veldman, where she die cuts the pattern paper and stamps the image afterwards.

Here's my take on it ... basically the same idea ... except I decided to put two score lines at the bottom instead of a scallop edge.  Can you see the score lines in the close up?  I thought it'll be more subtle.

 

Also, I place an order that weekend; and hubbie picked it up last weekend ... of course he didn't really have a choice since this annoying person kept calling him to remind him to pick it up :)  Don't worry, he took joy in torturing me by deciding not to come over to Mei Mei's with the box before we all went for dinner.

Yaay, all done ...

Well, I'm finally done with Mei Mei's thank you cards!  I did the 1st batch (Mei Mei's side of the family) at the end of June since Mei Mei and Stephane were going to Toronto and would be making the rounds to hand delivered them.  Finished the remaining ones last month ... so all done!  As you can see, I've been done for some time; however, it took me a while to post this.

Here's the thank you card ... I did something different than the usual card.

Here's the mini album I made ...

I started making the albums for Stephane's parents last weekend ... see the messy table :)  Actually, the process starts on the floor cutting the board for the cover.  The messy table is a sign that I'm at the assembling point.  Hopefully, I'll be finishing them this weekend.

What's for dinner ...

No card to share but thought I'd just check in.  Hope you're all having a good weekend!  I am ... had a nice dinner with mom and hubbie ... and placed an order with Papertrey Ink yesterday :)

My mom had her eye operation last Tuesday, so she's suppose to take it easy.  Therefore, we decided to go out for dinner yesterday ... no cooking for her and to get her out of the house.  With the exception of the doctor's appointments, she hasn't been out since last Saturday. 

We went to Mikasa for sushi ... we ordered the usual ... veggie tempura for hubbie, garden salad for mom and me, and the usual maki sushi.  I started to flip through the specialities they have, and we decided to try one of their entrées ... Katsu Salmon.  It's pieces of salmon lightly tempura and served with 3 sauces.  Sorry, the picture's not that great, but you get the idea ... it was quite good.  Next time, hubbie wants to try the tuna.

Difficult card ...

Here's a card I made last month for a friend ... her father passed away :(  When I heard the news, I immediately thought ... I need to make a card.

I seldom make this type of card (... thankfully) ... it took me a while before I figured out what to do.  It wasn't just figuring out the colours or stamp I wanted to use ... that was actually the easy part ... used one of my favourite colour combos.  My thoughts went from being sad for her and imagining what she must be going through to the reality that we will all endure difficult times in our lives ... this is inevitable. 

However, I realize (and hope it's her case) that there is some comfort in having family and friends around her during this difficult time.  On a personal note, I tend to focus on the memories and what the person or event has brought to my life ... that always leaves me with a sense of gratitude and hope that I've touched someone in the same way.  Ok, I'm going to end there and leave you with the pics of the card before this becomes a weird post!



Already 11 years ...

Hubbie and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary last week.  It's amazing how quickly time goes by!  What happen to the time!?  Happy to say we've survived another year ... and we're giving us another year :)  I usually don't ask him, but this year I did ... I usually tell him ... ok, I'll give you another year ;)

My day started in The Paper Room making his card.  I wasn't inspired the previous weekend, but through out the week, I had flashes of what I wanted to do for the card.  Something simple ... and I wanted to use the Memory Box Heart Delights die and some of the scraps of cardstock from Mei Mei's wedding invitations.  Oh and I finally got to use something from the monthy card kits I've been receiving since April ... the sentiment is from one of the stamp sets.  Here's the card ...

For hubbie, the day didn't start off that great ... he woke up with a slight headache.  However, with the help of a good cup of coffee, it seem to go away ... probably more due to time.  We went off for dim sum at the new Kam Fung restaurant that opened in the West Island.  Later on, we went to the movies and saw Spiderman ... hubbie's favorite superhero.  He's a kid at heart as you can see :) 

After the movie we went to Baton Rouge for dinner, hubbie had a steak and baked potatoe ... such a good boy.  I, on the other hand, had ribs ... fries and fries.

The day ended with this ... guess, hubbie was not that good after all ... I  was worst ... I stole some ice cream from his dessert ;)  BTW, that's hubbie's hand in the corner ... spoon in hand waiting patiently for me to take the picture, so he could have his dessert :)

Hours of fun ...

Nope ... more like days and weeks according to hubbie.  We went to the dentist last week; and while we were waiting, hubbie found something to entertain/amuse himself with.  "The objective is to get all 3 rings on the yellow piece." he explained.  He was only able to get 2 on ... every time he tried to get the 3rd one, one would fall out.  Oh well, maybe it'll still be there when we go for our next check up; and he could try again :)

Care Package #2 ...

Quickly put together a quick care package for Tiffany Saturday morning.  Ok, perhaps it was not that quick ... I was in The Paper Room at 5:45 a.m. going through my stuff!  I had already a few things in mind that I wanted to send her after the 1st package; but I had a possible courrier service (Mei Mei was going to Toronto and would be seeing her mom), so I wanted to take advantage :) 

Yaay, the package did not put Mei Mei pass the allowable weight limit, so she brought it with her to Toronto.  Unfortunately, I did not have time to write Tiffany a note, so I'm using this post as my note :)

Hey Tiffany!  Hope all is well with you.  I didn't prepare the care package as well as I would have like ... apologies for horrible "wrapping" ... let's just say it's a vintage look :)  There's some pattern paper and stickers for you to play with ... I find they're great when you want to make a quick or simple card.  (Just adding the pics for future reference ... so I don't end up sending you the same thing in the future!)

I don't know if you've embarked on the stamping journey yet; but since you've made your own stamps not too long ago, I thought you'd like to try the different kinds of stamps out there ... wood, cling, clear.  Here's a link that give you the differences http://heroarts.com/learning/beginners0.cfm.  I was planning on sending you the Snowman set of stamps a little later on ... but figured what the heck, it's never too early to start on your Xmas cards :)   The arcylic block for the cling and clear stamps is something I had ... so it's used ... sorry!  I don't think they make it that thick anymore ... it's has lines on it, so you could use it as a guide when placing your stamp on it and when stamping the image on you paper.

I didn't know if you had any ink, so I included a couple of small one's that I received from my monthly card kit subscription.  The Memento Tuxedo Black ink is my favourite black dye ink and seems to be the most versatile, i.e. is recommended as the ink to use in combination with other products (Copic and Tombow markers, mineral spirits/odorless solvent).  The other ink is a Chalk Ink ... another one of my favourite inks ... gives the stamped image a great "chalk" like look, and you could emboss with it too.  Here's some info. on different types of inks out there:  http://www.heroarts.com/learning/ink-chart.cfm

Since all this was quite last minute, I didn't have a chance to pick up a stamp cleaner for you at the store.  You should be able to find that at Michaels or your local scrapbooking store.  I usually clean the stamp at the end of my playing time and each time in between stamping if I use a different colour ... you probably already you know that.  Here's a link to the basics of stamping:  http://heroarts.com/learning/beginners.cfm

You probably have white cardstock and envelopes, but one can never have enough and I thought I'd share some of my stash ... gives me an excuse to get some more ... who am I kidding?!  I don't need an excuse ;)  I scored the cardstock, so it already to go ... also, rounded the corners with the We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper.  I love this tool ... it cuts through thick card stock and cardboard like butter.

There's some ribbon you could use as embellishments on the card.  I love using ribbon ... gives the card some dimension.  If you use the double-sided tape to stick the ribbon, stick the tape on the card, peel the tape and stick the ribbon.  For some reason, sticking double-sided tape on the ribbon and then the ribbon on the card does not always work.

Of course, I had to include some stickles :)  Hope you have fun with this stuff!  Happy Creating!!

Hello ...

Just posting a quick "Hello" ... it's been a hectic 5 weeks going back and forth to Saguenay.  Thankfully, we finished the sessions, and I can get back to the routine :)  It's been 3 weeks since the last trip, and it's only now that I feel like I'm getting back to normal ... "tired" instead of "reeeeally tired".

Here's a pic of the place we stayed during our last visit to Saguenay ... Auberge des 21.  It's a really nice place.

The place is near the port and has the most amazing view.  Here's a pic I took early one morning before meeting my colleagues to head out to work.  Lovely, isn't it?  Too bad, we had to work.

Birthday card ...

Here's a birthday card I made a few weeks ago.  It isn't anything new ... just need a quick card.  I love this little guy ... he's so cute!  I have a few of him with ballons, so I put him on the inside of the card as well ... love doing that :)

Mother's Day Card ...

On Mother's day, we took my mom to Mikasa for sushi ... yummy :)  We order quite a bit of sushi ... enough for a boat ;)  We also entertained ourselves with some origami using the paper the chopsticks came in ... as well as our napkins.  Mommy made a bunny and mouse with her napkin ... just like she did when we were kids :)

Here's the card we gave her ...

and here's the inside of the card ...

The flower and frame comes from the anniversary stamp set "Pretty Peonies" from Papertrey Ink.  I love this stamp set!

Card share ...

Sorry for going MIA for a while.  I'm still adjusting to the new job ... not working from home anymore since I don't have anymore evening calls or receive 20-30 emails the next morning :)  We've been in meetings in Saguenay last week and will be going back for the next 3 weeks.  Hopefully, I'll be sleeping better than the last couple of weeks.  The new job has definitely allowed me to do things out of my comfort zone!

Here's a card that I've been trying to get done for sometime now.  Initially, I planned to work on it during my vacation.  Since my vacation was cut in half, I didn't have time to work on it.  At first, I was going to make a bunch of onesie into cards ... one for each team member.  Unfortunately, I didn't get the text from everyone, so I decided to make a regular card.

My colleague and I also got some gifts from the Montreal Canandian's store ... yup, we're trying to turn Mia into a HABs fan early on ;)  I re-package everything to give it a more personal touch and to reduce the size of the package we were sending through.  The original package was quite big!

Here's the original packaging:

 

This is what I did with a plastic container my stamps came it ... recycling!  I added some ribbon and a tag ... et voilà!

I didn't have a box for the botties, so I made a box ...