I Dolphinitely Hope

I'm back with a project for our latest Little Red Wagon challenge where I am the hostess this week. In keeping with my Beatles' greatest hits inspiration for 2022, I've used "I am the Walrus" and am asking crafters to create a project with a sea creature (or more!). 

I had been sure I had a walrus stamp but it turns out I must have dreamed that. However, I do have a number of stamps with sea creatures and chose this fun dolphin from Your Next Stamp's "Sea Friends". I'd love to have a dolphin friend!

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see what the rest of the Girlfriends have created - and then link up your own sea creature project to join our fun!

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Yes!! We Do!!

Back in the fall, I decided to take off three weeks in June (now!) as today marks five years since I lost my beloved husband to esophageal cancer. I can't believe it's been five years already. I've spent some time at the trailer, resting in nature while reading, writing and literally resting (napping). It's been so good for me. I returned home yesterday and am heading up north to Algonquin Park (a huge provincial park in Ontario, Canada) for a few days. I was able to book a spot right on the lake (Rock Lake) and am looking forward to that. 

I did realize with horror on Monday that I had completely overlooked this week's Little Red Wagon challenge. Fortunately, Janice, this week's hostess, has chosen the theme "Digi-do!" As I'm sure you can guess, Janice would like us to use digital images on our projects. I found this stick figure image at a free clipart website (although copied and pasted the link to a runner-up image and no longer remember where I downloaded this one from - ugh!) and used my Silhouette software to add the "We do!!" sentiment and names. Just a bit of paper cutting and some minimal colouring and I was done. I like the simplistic look with the stick figures so it all works out.

I do hope you'll visit Little Red Wagon to see the rest of the digital images used by the Girlfriends. There are lots of freebies out there if you'd like to join but don't have any images in your stash. 

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Two less fish in the sea

It seems that Doni is thinking "Something fishy is going on" over at Little Red Wagon. If you head over to the blog, you'll see all sorts of fish from the DT (and participants) this week as Doni is looking for fish on our projects. 

I'll be heading to a bridal shower this weekend and needed to make a card for that so decided to do something fun combining the challenge with my need for a card. The card is quite a simple one. I designed the background (heart, hooks and sentiment) in Silhouette, printed and then cut it out with a wonky frame, cut a mat just a bit larger to sit behind and then used a couple of fish from Your Next Stamp's Aquarium Antics to finish things off, colouring and then popping them on the front. 

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see the aquatic life there - and then link up your own fishy project!

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Happy Birthday to You

Happy June! It's Chrissy's turn hosting at Little Red Wagon this week and she wants us to "Use Our Lace". 

Years ago, when I designed for My Craft Spot, I made the occasional vintage/shabby chic card and still have quite a few of those types of supplies. In fact, quite a few of the supplies that I used to create my card are from My Craft Spot. It was such a delight to get them out again for this project - so thanks for that, Chrissy! I used some lace behind my border, which was cut with a Martha Stewart lacy border punch, a lace heart doily and a lace doily die behind the sentiment. 

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see how the rest of the Girlfriends have used lace - and then use your lace to join this week's challenge!

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I Really Miss You

It's the talented Imke's turn to host our Little Red Wagon challenge and she's chosen the theme: Sentiment as the main focus. 

I created a fun little "I really miss you" card with a large die cut from MFT as my focal sentiment. The little critter (some sort of badger?!) is also from an MFT stamp set. 

I was worried I wouldn't get to post this week's challenge. We were hit by the storm that raged through southern Ontario and Quebec over the weekend and were without power for a couple of days. Some of my family and friends are still without power. One of our large trees was uprooted in our back garden, breaking through the fence while its limbs hit our gazebo and part of the roof. Fortunately, nobody at our house was injured in any way. I keep reminding myself of this during the clean up!

Also last week, we adopted a two-year old stray. The humane society had given him the name Watts. Given his mannerly ways and intelligence (and because all our pets have names of significance, with each of the cats named after some sort of literary character), we have changed the name to Watson. (Think Dr. Watson from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes.) He has now made himself at home and is incredibly affectionate. It hasn't taken long to fall in love.  

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see the rest of the Girlfriends' creations - and then link up your own project with the sentiment as the main focus. 

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You're Super in Every Way

I'm thrilled to be hosting this week's Little Red Wagon challenge and, in keeping with my Beatles' themes this year, I've chosen "A Little Help From My Friends" to guide our mojo. I'm looking for projects for friends - whether they be thank you projects, projects of encouragement or celebration - or anything else that celebrates friendship. 

I used a few different MFT products to create this card and had fun inking the background. I thought the sentiment was just perfect for this challenge.

I am using some of my vacation days this week and am enjoying time in my trailer. It's a bit cool but I'm having a lovely time! And this weekend, I've plans to get away with one of my best friends. We've been friends since grade school! 

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see the rest of the Girlfriends' projects - and then create something for one of your friends to join this week's challenge. I'm excited to see what you make!

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Amazing, Marvelous Grace

It's the wonderful Brenda's turn to host this week's Little Red Wagon challenge and she's chosen the theme "Make it bloom". Brenda is looking for flowers of all colours, shapes and sizes. Spring has finally hit South-Central Ontario and I'm delighting in the flowers blooming all around me. 

Over Lent, I focused on the word "grace". I created a Lenten journal in which I wrote out a verse each day (and also included little poems, prayers and song lyrics). I really enjoyed the process. Earlier this year, I also purchased a creative slimline Bible. Every other page is blank and the idea is to take words of encouragement and inspiration (or to journal). I haven't done as much as I'd like, but this is a page I did to focus on grace. The page has lots of flowers stamped with an ancient Stampin' Up set so I'm "Making it bloom!". The sentiment was created with different stamps from My Favorite Things and Ranger.

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see all the flowers used on the creations of the Girlfriends - and then "Make it bloom" on your own projects! 

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I Believe In You

Jan is hosting this week's challenge at Little Red Wagon and she wants us to "Feature Fun Folds". Anything goes, as long as it's got more than one fold. 

I wasn't sure what to do for this challenge so went to Google to explore others' creations. When I came across Songbird Stamper's Multifold Card Tutorial, I loved the look and decided to give it a go. The instructions were fabulously clear and this card ended up being quite quick and easy to put together. Really, it's just some scoring, cutting, folding and gluing. 

There are multiple folds on the belly band too!

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see all the folds - and then multi-fold your way into this week's challenge. 

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Wishing You Sunnier Days Ahead

I'm delighted to announce that Doni is back to rejoin the Little Red Wagon design team! She's taken part in the past couple of challenges and now she's hosting. She's chosen the theme "Save me from April showers" and she's looking for us to use umbrellas on our creations.

I used MFT's "Weather with me" set again. I'd used it for my project two weeks ago and decided to make a card for this week's challenge while the set was still out. We've had a few rainy and snowy days in the past couple of weeks and I'm really hoping we'll soon be moving on to sun!

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see what the rest of the Girlfriends have made - and then create your own project with an umbrella to join this week's fun! 

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Easter Treats

It's Chrissy's turn to host this week's Little Red Wagon challenge and she's asking us, "What did you make for Easter?" This is the time for you to showcase your projects!

Easter is hands-down my favourite holiday. Most of the things I made were made in the kitchen. I even tried Hot Cross Buns for the first time. Yum! These cupcakes have some paper toppers so I thought they would fit the challenge quite nicely. 

As we were setting up for our Easter lunch, Skimbleshanks had his eye on the treats too!

I also had a few treat toppers and packages left over from other years and used them for little giveaway packages this year. 

What did you make for Easter? We'd love to see! Head over to Little Red Wagon to link up your projects - and to see what the rest of the Girlfriends created too!

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No One Stacks Up to You

It's the lovely Imke's turn to host at Little Red Wagon this week and she's chosen the theme "Three of something". As three is my favourite number, I was especially happy to create for this challenge!

This term, we had two student staff work with our office. Last week, we celebrated their successful work terms with a little gathering and I made cards for each student. This is one of the cards I made and it has three little critters and three little clouds. I also used three types of paper - cardstock, water colour paper and patterned paper. That makes for three sets of three! (The other card will be posted in about a month.) 

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see all the triples created by the Girlfriends - and then work on your own sets of three to join the challenge!

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You're Berry Sweet

Happy April! I'm thrilled to be this week's hostess at Little Red Wagon and I'm still going strong with my Beatles-inspired challenge themes. This time, it's "Strawberry Fields Forever" and I'm looking for projects with a fruit or farm theme. 

As I'm the hostess, I thought I should stick as close to the theme as possible so went with strawberries as my theme. Earlier this year, I spotted some Hershey Truffle Kisses in our local bulk store and thought they resembled little strawberries with their red foil and green tags. I placed some of the Truffle Kisses in each bag and decorated with strawberry-themed toppers, using a Spellbinders cut/emboss/stencil strawberry die that I purchased years ago and used only once. The sentiment is from My Craft Spot (no longer in business). The bags probably could have done with a few more candies each but some of the Truffle Kisses accidentally fell into my mouth before and during my crafting time.

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see what the rest of the Girlfriends have created - and then link up your own "Strawberry Fields Forever" projects!

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Make Today Beautiful

It's the fabulous Brenda's turn to host this week's Little Red Wagon challenge and she wants us to use washi! I got rolls and rolls of washi for Christmas and use it lots in my journals and notes but don't typically use it for my cards. This was a great opportunity to be creative with my washi!

I used some MFT stamps for my sentiment and then added strips of washi tape. Once finished with that, I added some washi flowers and then some little pearls. I wish I'd used some smaller pearls but, when I tried to remove one, I realized that it was not going anywhere. So, these are the pearl embellishments that are staying!

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see what the rest of the Girlfriends have created - and then pull out your own washi to join the fun!

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Hello Beautiful

It's the incredible Jan's turn to host at Little Red Wagon this week and she wants us to "Emboss Everything!" Fortunately, she did clarify that we don't actually have to emboss everything. 

I remember when I purchased my first (and only, actually) Cuttlebug. It sat unopened and unused on my desk for about six months before I decided to give it a go. And, once I started, I couldn't stop and pretty much did emboss everything! My kids were much younger then and they also enjoyed embossing. I remember one particular day when there were a group of kids over who spent hours embossing scraps of paper which they then took home for their own crafting projects. 

About a year ago, I finally purchased a new die cutting/embossing machine as my Cuttlebug really had seen better days. These days, I tend to do more die cutting than embossing but always do enjoy pulling out my old embossing folders. After doing some distress ink blending on my panel, I ran it through my Vagabond using an old Cuttlebug embossing folder. I then layered a die-cut (Simon Says Stamp) and frame (Mama Elephant) on top. I thought about adding a heat-embossed sentiment as well but decided to stick with a "hello" die cut (Reverse Confetti). I added a few gems to finish things off. 

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see what the rest of the Girlfriends have embossed! And then decide if you'd like to dry or heat emboss - or both! - and join the fun.

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Card for Mum

It's the talented Chrissy's turn to host at Little Red Wagon this week and she's looking for die cuts of all kinds. Pretty much anything goes, as long as you have included a die cut somewhere on your project. 

I decided to make a spring card for my mum. For the most part, dies used are from My Craft Spot. Although they are no longer in business, I have incredibly fond memories of being on the design team for quite a few years. I love bringing out products from My Craft Spot to use.

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see what the rest of the Girlfriends have created - and then pull out your die cutting machines or tools, put them to use, and join our challenge! 

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Love You

It's the wonderful Imke's turn to host at Little Red Wagon this week and she's chosen the theme "CAS". She is looking for clean and simple cards

As I had been feeling under the weather this week (nothing serious that a few extra hours in bed couldn't cure), it was a perfect time for CAS. In fact, this card was an incredibly quick creation. I used a Simon Says Stamp stencil with two different inks for the word "LOVE" and a stamp from My Favorite Things to stamp the word "you". I cut out the mat with a die, stuck it on the card base and called it a day!  

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to admire the rest of the CAS projects - and then enjoy a few minutes in your craft room to make one of your own!

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Warmest Birthday Wishes

I'm delighted to be this week's hostess at Little Red Wagon. As you might recall, I'm using Beatles hit songs as my inspiration for challenges this year. This week, I've chosen the song, "Let It Be". When we first moved to Canada, my younger brother used to watch an educational children's television program called Sesame Street. The show did a great job teaching basic numbers and letters. I remember they had a song called "Letter B" sung to the tune of "Let It Be" and this is where I got added inspiration this week. Basically, I'm looking for any Letter B-inspired projects.

I created a Birthday card with a Brown Bear wearing his Blue Bathing suit at the Beach. It's hard to tell in the photo, but there is also a Beautiful Breeze. And just out of shot, there is a Blue Hawaiian to be enjoyed by the Bear once he's all set up. And of course, he's listening to the Beatles on Bluetooth. 

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see what the rest of the Girlfriends have created - and then think "B" thoughts and link up your own project to join the fun!

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Lent Journal and Bookmark

It's the wonderful Brenda's turn hosting at Little Red Wagon and she wants us to "Make It Stitched". Brenda is looking for stitching on our projects! The good news is that she's not particularly concerned with how we stitch - so it can be the real deal or faux stitching. 

I recently saw a YouTube video showing a printable Lent journal kit. As I follow a lenten practice each year by giving up something in my life during the period of Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, I was intrigued by this and opted to buy the kit, "Saved by Grace", sold by Creative Faith and Co. The idea behind the kit is to create a journal with the printable pages and reflect on one scripture verse each day. A list is provided within the kit. I've been enjoying the process of putting my journal together so it's ready to use next week. 

To go along with my journal, I also created a little bookmark, stitching a cross using MFT's Cross Stitch Tag dies. I'll use this tag to hold the spot in my journal as I write out each day's verse. I really enjoyed the process of cross-stitching and had forgotten how calming it can be!

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see what sort of stitching the rest of the Girlfriends have done. The team always has fabulous inspiration! We'd love for you to join us too!

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Wallace and Gromit Card

Happy Wednesday! We've been living through another deep freeze and I'm very much looking forward to spring. Next week is Reading Week at uni which always provides a bit of hope that spring will soon be on its way. I hope so!

I've actually taken a few days off next week and am very much looking forward to the break. Work has been incredibly busy and I find myself exhausted by the end of each day. Additionally, I learned yesterday that my daughter's car is being written off by insurance. She was recently rear-ended while turning at a light, spinning the car around and pushing in the trunk quite significantly. Fortunately, both Erin and the young driver who hit her are okay - although Erin is still quite sore. She's connected with both physio and massage which are helping. I'm reminding myself to focus on what IS (Erin IS okay) rather than all the what if's that try to worm their way into my thoughts. Anyway, life has been a bit more stressful than usual and I'm excited for a break!

It was nice to spend some time in my craft room creating for this week's Little Red Wagon challenge. Jan is our hostess and she's chosen the theme, "Make It masculine!" A few years ago, I saw a free Wallace and Gromit stamp set in a crafters' magazine so I picked it up to make something for my brother who's a big fan of the pair. In fact, his first dog was named Gromit! I'm embarrassed to say that this is the first time I've inked up one of the stamps... The fun polka-dot mat was cut from some paper leftover from Halloween!

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see what the rest of the Girlfriends' have created. And then create and link up your own Make It Masculine project!

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Valentine's Planner Spread

It's the wonderfully talented Chrissy's turn to host our latest Little Red Wagon challenge and she's chosen the theme, "Be My Love, Valentine". I was hoping to make some Valentine cards for the challenge but haven't even been in my craft room for well over a week. The husband of a best friend came into contact with somebody with Covid so my friend stayed at our place for a few days. We had so much fun together! (Also, everybody is healthy and well which is the best news of all!)

I have been enjoying adding stickers to my work planner and did a Valentine's layout for this week and next. My one for this week is already full of names, appointments, and other tasks so I can't show it. However, next week's spread is nothing but stickers at this point so I've decided to share it. Making these spreads is one way that I can show myself some love each week! I got this Boho Valentine set from Paper Planner Club. The set includes enough for several weekly spreads. 

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see the rest of the Girlfriends' Valentine's Day projects - and then link up your own to join our challenge!

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With Sympathy

Imke is our wonderful hostess at Little Red Wagon this week and she's challenging us to make slimline cards.

I made this card for a colleague who recently lost her fiancé due to Covid. I've used this flower stamp (MFT) for another sympathy card in the past and I think I might make some more of these cards to have on hand. I like the simplicity of the fine-lined flowers.

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see the rest of the Girlfriends' slimline cards - and then create and link up your own!  

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Happy Planner Spread for Work

Happy Wednesday! It's my turn to host at Little Red Wagon this week. This year, I'm using Beatles' hits as inspiration for my challenges, starting with "A Hard Day's Night". I'm looking for projects that have anything to do with work, professions, tools, uniforms, etc.

For the past number of years, I've used a Happy Planner at the office to track all my reports, emails, bursary applications, and other duties. Happy Planners used to have pages nicely decorated but seem to be rather plain these days. There's quite a movement of people who use stickers, papers, colours, etc., to decorate their planners. I've enjoyed watching a number of videos with planners decorating their pages - but always wonder how there is so little room for actual planning! I don't have a lot of spare room as my planner is typically full of information by week's end, but I thought I'd add a bit of colour and design to cheer myself through the week. I purchased the sticker kit through Etsy and print and cut the images on white sticker paper using my Silhouette.

I used a book/reading theme as I have book club this week. Even though book club has nothing to do with work, I like having the reminder of a fun activity in my life. That said, I do love my job, despite its busyness and stresses. In fact, perhaps those are what really motivate me!

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see the rest of the Girlfriends' projects for our "A Hard Day's Night" challenge - and then create your own work-themed papercraft to join the fun!

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Be My Valentine Box Card

Brenda is our talented hostess at Little Red Wagon this week and she's calling out, "Make it Open". She's not just looking for easy-peasy open up a typical card as you normally would type of project though, she's looking for unique and creative ways to open your projects.

Back in April 2019, I purchased a magazine with a free box card die set. I had always wanted to make a box card so thought the die would be the perfect incentive. However, I only just got around to unwrapping the die set for this project - and just earlier this week! It didn't come with instructions though so it took a bit of figuring but I did manage to sort things out. 

I decided to make a Valentine-themed box card with lots of hearts and a few little arrows thrown in for good measure. I was really torn about the direction of the paper on the side panels (the ones that fold down). I'm thinking I might cut some more paper for the two side panels and have the direction go the other way. Still not sure though! And the sides under the flaps have sweet little cupids on the paper which is why I decided to add some arrows amongst the hearts.

Most of the products (stamps and heart dies) used on my box card are from My Craft Spot. I do miss my days designing with Kimberly and always love pulling out MCS products from time to time! I think Kimberly's dies cut better than any other dies I've ever used. 

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see the rest of the unique and creative openings - and then create and link up a project of your own!

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You Deserve Your Very Own Rainbow

Happy Wednesday from snowy and cold Central Ontario. When I woke yesterday, it was -37C with the wind and I woke to a huge dumping of snow on Monday. I was not made for this, friends, although one of the benefits of working from home during the pandemic is not having to go outside.

Jan is our fabulous hostess at Little Red Wagon this week and she's asking us to Pick Patterned Papers. Jan wants us to use at least two different patterned papers on our projects. I used nine! I'm actually quite impressed with myself as I was filled with a wee bit of angst when I saw the challenge theme. I'm not particularly skilled at using patterned paper which is a shame given that I seem to have reams of it in my craft room. I am highly skilled at buying it with high hopes of making amazing things. Anyway, I like the way this project turned out. I also used scraps so I have previously put each piece of the different papers to use in other projects.

And now it's your turn! Pull out your patterned papers to create something for this week's challenge. And if you need some inspiration, check out the Little Red Wagon blog to see what the rest of the Girlfriends have made. 

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Mr. & Mrs.

Happy New Year!! We've not had the greatest start to the year here which only means that things will get better. I've had two sick boys although we're not sure whether or not it was Covid as testing is quite restricted here now. Even though my boys are young adults, my heart still goes out to them when they're ill. My middle has been struck especially hard. Fingers crossed that I am spared!

The incredible Chrissy is our hostess at Little Red Wagon this week and she's chosen a very fitting theme, new beginnings. She's looking for any sort of projects celebrating the start of something new - a baby, home, job, etc. 

A friend asked me to create a card for a couple she knows who are getting married soon. The couple has fixed up an old blue and white bus for their home and my friend was looking to incorporate that on the card. I purchased an image online and then printed and fussy cut. I layered the image on a die cut heart background and added a few embellishments. Best wishes to the couple beginning their new life together! 

Please head over to Little Red Wagon to see what the rest of the Girlfriends have created in celebration of new beginnings. We'd love for you to join us too! 

And thanks to those of you who commented on my Year in Review Blog Hop post. I used Random.org and #4 was the lucky number that came up. Congratulations Ellie!! 

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