SUNNY SUNDAY SUPRISE!!

I was pleasantly surprised this morning to wake up to bright and sunny skies!! The weather genies had been foretelling of rain and wind and 15 degrees!! That's Celsius folks! Not Fahrenheit!! So off I went to Canadian Tire to get a rain check on the PERFECT Fire Bowl!! They had it on an incredible sale!! Of course they were all sold out! But miracle of miracles they were issuing rain checks!

While I was there I bought some flowers for the front step flower box and the little flower bed in front of the step. I was bending to imagined neighbour pressure! You know what I mean...the neighbour's have all planted their flower beds and have done tons of yard work already and we have done very little. We have been busy here in the house doing our reno's. So, I have colour outside and even managed to plant a few roma tomatoes and some celery. We'll see if they take.

Had our usual Sunday dinner with the family today. BBQ steaks, baked potatoes and corn. Yummy! Made corn bread biscuits but am not sure they were a hit. I made them a little too spicy with chilli flakes and spicy Mexican shredded cheese. Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Because I was busy outside and cooking today I didn't make any cards. I will be busy tomorrow though. Need to make at least one more entry for the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge and there are two STV challenges - Technique and Potluck Friday!! So check back tomorrow to see at least 3 new cards. I plan to be a little "out of the box" with the Midnight Madness Challenge...so stay tuned!! Thanks for stopping by!!

Sunshine

NEWSFLASH!!! HELL HAS FROZEN OVER...

...hubby has a new blog~!!!!!! I have nagged and nagged and nagged and NAGGED {you get the idea} and F I N A L L Y...he has joined the 21st CENTURY with his own blog about his mistress!! Yup you read that right!!! His mistress the CANADAIR ARGUS!!! What is an ARGUS you ask??!! GOOD QUESTION!!! It is a 1950's era anti-submarine warfare aircraft designed by Canadair LTD of Cartierville, QC. Still in the dark???? LOL!! I knew it!!! Here is a picture...I have already posted a pic of his latest painting, but I will post it again!! Or...you can go to his blog: CANADAIR ARGUS or visit his website AIRFORCE ART , which I am currently nagging him to update {BWAHAHAHA} to check out more pics of his paintings.

I am very proud of him!! He also does paintings of trains...but that's a whole other story!!! More nagging is to ensue!!!! {picture Mr. Burns tapping his fingers together!! BWAHAHAHA}

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Sunshine

SLEEPLESS NIGHT IN WINNIPEG

What can I say about this card! Its so darn sweet I don't think I will ever be able to give it away! The image was given to me as a PIF and I don't know its' name. I have had it for a while and to be honest I was terrified to colour her! How was I ever going to do her justice??

Well, last night was a sleepless night here in Winnipeg for me. I went to be and dozed off only to be awakened at 1:30AM by the paper man!! Who delivers papers at 1:30AM!! Between his car's muffler and the rattling of our mailbox I was awake with a start and stayed that way! Sheesh!! I got up and went and had a bubble bath...my cure for all that ales!! Still wide awake. So off to my card room I went. I decided, WHY NOT! What I wanted to achieve, and I think I did, was the look of a painting. I coloured her with my Prisma's and Bic's. The sky in the background was coloured using one Prisma marker with its broad end going in a random circular motion. I have added microfine sugar beads to the sand for texture and Diamond Glaze to the shells for dimension. Let me know if she makes you long for the sea shore... Now...look at what else I came up with!!

This card was created using the current sketch challenge on STV To be honest I am still not sure about it. Maybe it's because I created it in the wee small hours of the morning...hmmm. The image is again from my PIF buddy YVONNE!! Can't say enough about YVONNE! She rocks!! The coffee mug and sentiment are from Gina K's "My Cuppa Joe" stamp set. Let me know what you all think!! Leave a comment telling me what you think is good, bad or ugly about the card! I REALLY WAN TO KNOW!!! Thanks for stopping by!!

Sunshine

ANOTHER MIDNIGHT MADNESS SKETCH CHALLENGE

How much does this little gal make you smile?!! I just love her. My friend Yvonne was sweet enough to share this image with me! What fun she is to colour. I have used this as another entry in the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge Without exception everything I used to make this card was bought at a discount store or website!! I love getting my "stuff" on the cheap!! LOL! Now the background designer paper {dp} was actually created using a technique you will have noticed I use alot!! The shaving cream technique. {I didn't add the link to the technique page this time, but if you scroll down through my older posts you will find a link to take you where you need to go to find out how to achieve these terrific result!}


I have taken a close up picture of our gal to show you the Diamond Glaze effect on her boots and her lips! Such a little addition and it makes so much impact!! Can't you just smell her perfume and that cigarette smoke??!! LOL!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Sunshine

MIDNIGHT MADNESS SKETCH CHALLENGE

Have you all heard about the MIDNIGHT MADNESS SKETCH CHALLENGE ?This card is my submission to the challenge. If you all like to do sketch challenges, this one is for you!! You can submit up to 3 times per week!! Tuesday - Tuesday!! This card was made using Gina K Designs Rose from her "A Year in Flowers". The dp is from Kay & Co and from my shaving cream technique paper. I used my cuttlebug on the shaving cream paper. The buttons and bling are from my local Dollar Store.

I am really pleased with the inside of this card!!! I used my flower paper punch and my brand new Martha Stewart Frond Punch!!! I layered the flowers with glue and dimensions and just love the result!! The flower on the inside the cover is a Prima Vintage Flower with a Michael's rhinestone in the centre.

I am so happy with the way this card turned out. Hope you like it! Let me know what you think!! Leave a comment with your thoughts. I love to hear what you have to say!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunshine

WISDOM

Isn't this a pretty card? It is so simple, yet it say's so much!! I have always felt that a card should say something important to the recipient! This one is going to my oldest boy. He has lots of big decisions to make! That's the beauty of cards folks!! You can send a message without being "preachy" to your kids!! Gotto love that!!! Thanks for stopping by!!

Sunshine

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMY!!

Happy Birthday Emmy!!
Today is my fabulous niece Emmy's 15th birthday!! She is just awesome!! Everyone should have at least one niece as cool as our Emmy!!

This is the card I made to give to Emmy from her uncle and I. I think she loved it! I know she was really happy with the gift card that was inside the card!! LOL!! Happy Shopping Emmy!!!

Let me tell you a little about this card. I don't know the maker or name of this image, but I just love it!! It {the image} was given to me by one of my PIF buddy's Veee!! I coloured the image with my trusty Prisma markers & Bic's. I decided to go with the blues, lavender and yellow colours because they just speak to me of the midnight sky!! My hubby, the artist, say's there should always be a little purple in every painting!! So...this is a little more than "a little" but I am pleased with the results. Hope you like it!! Thanks for stopping by!!

Sunshine

BIRTHDAY BLOG CANDY @ PAPER FUNTASTICS

Hi All!!

Sorry I haven't posted any cards for a couple of days...but, wow, have we gotten some work done here at the house!! The hallway is finished and the new light fixtures are up and looking AWESOME if I must say!! We've even put up new switches and receptacles and new plates on both of those!! Looks so much better than the ugly black ones that were there before!!

I just wanted to pop in to let you all know about some great blog candy being offered over at PAPER FUNATASTICS Go on over and enter before midnight Wednesday May 27th, 2009. All you have to do is leave a comment!! Good luck everyone!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sunshine

HOME FROM NORTH DAKOTA

Hi All!!

We got up early this morning and headed to Grand Forks, ND!! Spent a great day shopping!! Got some new craft supplies....so exciting!! and some great new clothes from my favourite girlie store, Lane Bryant!! LOVE THIS STORE!!

So...it goes without saying...no card making today! But watch out tomorrow!! I will be at it again!! Hubby is going to be putting the first coat of Hint Mint on the hallway tomorrow morning...so I will be keeping out of the way by settling in to my card room!! ***Rubbing hands together in delight!!*** Giddy with anticipation!!!

Thanks for stopping by. Sorry there wasn't an update today...but I promise at least one and hopefully two updated cards tomorrow!! My niece has a birthday on Tuesday so a card is REQUIRED for that!! Not to mention a triple layer cake!! Two layers of chocolate with the middle layer coconut cake!! Also...I have to try out my new toys from today!!!

Ciao for now!!

Sunshine

FOR THE LOVE BIRDS

I went outside this afternoon to do some work in the garden and guess what happened??!! It started to rain...and I don't mean just a little rain...it turned dark...there was rumbling and the torrential rains started!! The thunder and lightening was terrifying!! I ended up cleaning the garage! So much for starting my flower bed work!!! While I was cleaning the garage I thought about this bird that I had already coloured and wondered what I was going to do with it. I already knew I wanted to paper piece it because I had over coloured one of the birds edges!!

After supper we went visiting and while visiting my brother and sister-in-law (Nursechrissy) over on SCS {Split Coast Stampers}, she was showing me her newest card creations and I knew exactly what I was going to do! We got home and I went straight to work!! The sketch is from the current STV Sketch Challenge. The dp just jumped out at me and off I went!

I bought those pearl ended pins ages ago! I just had to have them !! The charms are from the Dollar Store and the Local Scrapbook Store. The bird, branch and sentiments are from Gina K Designs Home Tweet Home Stamp Set. Hope you like this one as much as I do!! Let me know!! If you have suggestions on things you would have done differently, let me know!! All imput is greatly appreciated!! Thanks for stopping by!!

Sunshine

SINCE TUESDAY

Come on admit it!! She made you smile or chuckle when you read the sentiment! This little lady is from "WHIPPERSNAPPER DESIGNS" and I just love her!!

She has been coloured using my Prisma Markers and I have added some Diamond Glaze to some of the bubbles to make them shine. I have also paper pieced and added dimensionals to her towel, her turban and some of the bubbles and lets no forget the bar of soap on the floor. I just adore this card! I hope she made you smile today!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Sunshine

FIRE FOX FIXED THE PROBLEM

Hi All!!

I say that hoping there is more than me reading this notice!! LOL!! As I mentioned earlier this week I was having huge issues launching my blog. I couldn't get into it at all because of an Internet Explorer {IE} error. I headed to Blogger's Help and found out that IE has been having these issues for a while and that while it happens in IE it does not happen in Fire Fox!! That was all I needed to hear. I immediately downloaded FF yesterday and all of the error messages are gone!! Not only that, but those pesky delays loading pages no longer exists on my laptop!! Why didn't I do this ages ago!!

I thoroughly and enthusiastically recommend FIRE FOX to you all!! Make the switch!! You will be happier for it!! Oh!! It also migrates your bookmarks AND it has an option to launch tabs that you had open from your last session!!! Soooo, you don't have to save multiple home pages, it will just load where you left off last time!! LOVE IT!!! There are terrific add-ons too!!! For instance it will spell check for you automatically!! The OCD in me LOVES THIS!!!

Thanks for stopping by! I don't think I will be working on a card this afternoon it's just too nice and sunny and warm today. I hear my neglected flower beds calling my name! I am going to post one of my favourites here though to give you a little laugh!!

Sunshine

MORE BLOG CANDY!!!

Hey everyone!! Here is a link to a terrific site with a wonderful opportunity to win some AWESOME Blog Candy!! Go check it out, become a follower and you could win!! Its a random draw...so...enter before May 31st!!!

LIVE IT SCRAP IT

Thanks for stopping by!!

Sunshine

I AM A WORKING MOM!!!

What can I say!! This gal speaks to me!!! LOL!! Thanks to my good card buddy Yvonne again for these terrific images!! Look at her!! Is she not you and me or someone you know and love dearly??!!! This card was made using a background made with "The Shaving Cream Technique". The dp and cs are both scraps left over from other projects.I have distressed the edges of both the dp and the cs. The buttons are from....you guessed it..the Dollar Store!!! LOL!! On the inside I used a background made, again, with the Shaving Cream Technique, and the final scrap of cs that has been distressed on the edges, as well.

Overall, I am very pleased with this card!! Now I have to decide which of my well - deserving, working mom, good friends will be the happy recipient of this card!! Decisions...decisions....

Well, off to figure out what I am making for supper!! Thanks for stopping by! I will be uploading a new card or two tomorrow!! Stop by and see what I come up with!

Sunshine

BE YOUSELF!!!!

How pretty is she??!!! Oh my!! I have to thank my PIF buddy Yvonne for this terrific image. I added her dress, which I made out of Basic Gray's Bittersweet designer paper{dp}. Her lips have been "bee stung" with Diamond Glaze as have her pearls. I was able to find an itty bitty gold piece of bling for her earring stud and a beauty of a diamond shaped bling for the rest of her earring. She has been coloured with Blush Pink and Pale Peach Prisma Markers. I added her beauty mark under her eye. The background paper was created using the "shaving cream technique". The sentiment is from All Night Media and I think its a terrific message!! The inside sentiment finishes it off and is also from All Night Media. I was lucky enough to find these sentiments in a big package of equally great sentiments at The Buck or Two. One of my favourite spots to shop!! LOL!!

I am thrilled with how well this card turned out!! Thanks Yvonne for this terrific image!! Thanks for stopping by folks!! I am off to upload my last card of the day!!

Sunshine

YOU ARE COOL BEANS!!

This is the first of the three cards I started yesterday! Darn Diamond Glaze takes so long to dry...but its so worth the wait!! This is another entry for a STV challenge. It is for this weeks colour challenge. The challenge was Eggplant, Baha Blue & Kraft! Well, I had the Kraft paper!! LOL!! I don't usually enter challenges that are so specific because while I do have a ton of paper; as my hubby will attest; I do not own a lot of designer specific card stocks from individual company's. In this case SU!. So...I guestimated as close as I could to what those colours actually looked like, should I own them!! I wonder how I did?? The images of course are Gina K. I just love this set. If I ever win another challenge this will be the set I choose...I think....don't hold me to that folks...I am a little fickle...I may choose something else if and when that time comes!! LOL!!

Thanks for stopping by!! I am off to load another card!!

Sunshine

ERROR WHEN BLOG LAUNCHES

Hi All!!

Not sure what is going on, but last night everytime I launched my blog I recieved an Internet Explorer Error that the site could not be accessed. I am wondering if I am the only one getting that error. If you all wouldn't mind, could you send me an e-mail at valleysunshine@hotmail.com with the subject line ERROR to let me know if you are getting that error message too. I seemed to start after I put in my siggy lines on my last post, so first thing this morning I took them down.

I will check back in later on when I am ready to post my newest cards! Thanks for your patience everyone!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Sunshine

BLOG CANDY OVER AT A NEW SITE!! CHECK IT OUT!!

Hi all!! I have been a busy beaver today. I have 3 cards in the works! Waiting for the "Diamond Glaze" to dry so I can finish them up!! I will post them as soon as they are ready! In the meantime, I was going through my Feedbitz mail and came across information on BLOG CANDY at a new site called THE NEXT LEVEL Go and check it out, become a follower and enter to win their awesome BLOG CANDY!!

Sunshine

BLOG CANDY OVER AT SMILING WHILE STAMPING

Hi everyone! My fellow Chat Box Chick - Lori is having her one year blogversary over on her blog: Smiling While Stamping Go on over and leave a comment on Lori's page for a chance to win!!!
Thanks for stopping by!!

Sunshine

CONGRATS

Well, here it is, Tuesday afternoon and I am so far behind on my day's plans I don't think I will be getting caught up today! Here are my pics for this weeks STV Friday Potluck Challenge. As promised I did the challenge this week with scraps left over from last weeks challenge.

I also got wildly crazy and submitted this card to Mojo Monday...I submitted it too late for consideration...but the big thing is that I submitted it!!! LOL!! I am a chicken!!

The image of the flower is a Gina K stamp and the bumblebee is a SU! stamp. I added the flower to the Gina K image to give it that 3D effect I did with last weeks flower. Thankfully I had a flower that would coordinate with the way I coloured the image! I would like to tell you that I am so forward thinking that I planned the way they coordinate together...but alas that would be a fib!! I do not hold claim to such forethought...I stumbled up on coordination in this instance! In fact if I did hold claim to the a fore mentioned "forethought and planning" I would have used a blue cs as my base. I instead went with Dark Racy Raspberry for my cs as when I was laying it all out last night the scrap of racy rasp was sitting there on my desk saying, "Look at me..I go terrifically with the outlines of the flowers on the dp!!" So, being able to see that the rasp cs was in fact correct...that is what I chose to use!! It was when I put the two projects together that the niggling thought entered my head that preyhaps a blue might have been a better choice. Oh well...in for penny, in for a pound! The sentiment on the inside is from Stampology's Remember set, which I just love. The flowers on the inside are from the local Buck or Two store. By the by...I just love discount stores!! If anyone reading this lives in Winnipeg...drop me a comment on your favourite discount craft stores!! I just love 'em!!

Well, thanks for stopping by today. I have to research on the net how to make one of those terrific signature lines to show up at the end of each post. If any of you know how...please don't keep it a secret, leave me a comment or drop me a line at valleysunshine@hotmail.com I would love to know! I am so new to the blogging world I squeak!! LOL!! Have a great day everybody!!

Sunshine

HOPE IS FAITH

As promised earlier, here is my entry for the Stamp TV Sketch Challenge this week! I used up every piece of this dp I had on hand for this card!! Technically it could be considered for the Friday Potluck Challenge this week too, but I have other plans for that challenge!! Let me know what you think!! Thanks for stopping by!!

Sunshine

VICTORIA DAY

Well, here it is the last of day of the long weekend. I am happy to say we did get out last evening for a visit with friends, which was very nice. The ribs by the way were awesome!! If anyone is interested I can post the recipe. Hubby is upstairs painting the ceiling in the hallway. His most hated of paint challenges. He does such a good job its hard to imagine he hates doing it. By default if Ihate doing it, the results are never what I would consider my best effort...think High School Geometry!! Poor Mr. Jelley...all he wanted was the rationalle for my answer {which was always correct by the way} but...my brain see's the question and gives the logical answer...not piddly steps in between!!!

I am heading up to my card room now to make this weeks sketch challenge for STV! I will post it when its done. There is also a new Friday Potluck challenge to use just scraps to make a card...sooooo....I am going to use the scraps from making my winning Gift Card Tin last week to make this weeks card!!! Brilliant huh??!! **Insert Cheesy Grinning Smiley Here** I will post it when its completed too!!

I hope everyone here in Canada enjoys their final day of work freedom!! Have a BBQ, chat with friends and enjoy your families!! I will be back later to post a pic or two!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Sunshine

CANADIAR ARGUS BY ROB ARSENAULT

Here is my hubby's newest painting!!

This is the aircraft that my father worked on when I was growing up. My father was in the Air Force and the Argus has always held a special place in my heart. It also holds a special place in my hubby's heart since he grew up close to the air force base and there is no way you can do that and not grow attached to the planes that fly overhead!!
This painting is destined to be featured in a book that is being written on the Argus so it will be in print in the next year or so!! As far as the original is concerned?? Well, I like this one alot so I'm not sure if we are selling it or not!! I'm sure I can find a place to showcase it on one of our newly painted walls!!! LOL!! You can visit my hubby's painting site at Airforceart.com He has been a little slack at uploading to his site, but I will be nagging him now that I am uploading all the time!! Thanks for stopping by!!!
Sunshine

HAPPY SUNDAY

REACH FOR THE MOON

My entry for this weeks Technique Challenge on STV. I call it Reach For The Moon. This is a really cool technique of embossing regular tin foil using your Cuttlebug! Really cool use for a normal household supply. The image of the beautiful lady reaching is a Gina K image. The stars and sentiment come from Paper Makeup. There is some clear heart shaped bling on the right of the ribbon which is from a local Buck or Two. The ribbon is from Walmarts sewing department. The corner brads are from our local Dollar Store. Let me know what you think. I am pleased with the results, but have to admit I am now intrigued to see what else I can do with the foil instead of just as a background. I am also going to give this technique a try with wax paper and see what I can come up with too. I will post a pic of the results...even if it turns out horrible. LOL!!

Its hard to believe our long weekend is almost half over. I have accomplished nothing!!! My hubby however...he has finished his latest painting. I will post a pic of it as soon as he has a digital pic of it small enough to load here. He has also primed the horrible dark wood trim in our hallway and put the first coat on the revamped closet doors.

Our house was built in 1966 and unfortunately we have the original dark wood everywhere. I can hear some of you thinking, "what's wrong with that?"; well there would be nothing wrong with it had it been good wood to begin with!! Its just stock moldings that have been stained dark walnut...just ugly...with a capital "UG"!! So we, and when I say we I mean my hubby, is systematically going throughout the house and erradicating the dark wood with lovely cottage white!!! So clean and creamy! Perfect with our 1966 bungalow. Maybe I will post picks when we are finished. The hallway has already brightened up with the dark wood primed!


Well, I must get upstairs and get supper going. We are having bbq'd ribs!! YUM!! The ribs have been slow cooking with my famous spice rub for a couple of hours in the oven...now to the bbq to carmelize the bbq sauce!! Yummo!! Thanks for stopping by!!!

Sunshine

MY FIRST BOOKMARK

I created my first bookmarks last night. These were created for another Stamp TV challenge. It is called the Monthly 3-D Challenge. My sister-in-law tells me the message on the front of the bookmark is a bit too obscure!! It means "START" here. The "here" is on the coffee bean bag. I had alot of fun creating this bookmark. It's longer than the traditional bookmark on purpose. I am an avid reader and continually lose my bookmarks because they are too small and disappear inside my books! I can't tell you how much money I have spent on bookmarks only to end up giving them away with the books!!! So this bookmark is longer than most paperbacks and it is with great hope that it doesn't get lost amongst the pages of my beloved paperbacks.

I should mention that I was an equal opportunity stamper with this project! The "s & t" were created with my monogram maker from JUST RIGHT. The Star is from PAPER MAKEUP and is from the "Star Stuck" set. I just love this star. The little swirlie in the star is just sweet. The coffee bean bag and plate of muffins are from GINA K DESIGNS - the set is called "My Cuppa Joe" It's a really versatile set. The cardstock {cs} is from The Angel Company {TAC} and is called Chocolate Brown and of course the other is Kraft paper. The ribbon is from Michael's. The bookmark has been hot laminated in my laminator.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you saw something you liked. Hope you stop by again soon...seeya later!

Sunshine

My First Challenge Win!

I won!!! Over on one of my favourite sites: http://www.stamptv.com/ I won the Friday Potluck Challenge this week!! When you win the challenges over on STV you win a stamp set up to the value of $24.95!! What an awesome prize!! I chose Just So Hippy

I can't wait to get it and start playing!!! I will post pics of my creations once I get this great new set!!

My sister - in - law, who can take 99.9% responsibility for creating my paper addicition has a blog of her own CREATIONS OF A CHATBOX CHICK Chrissy was a winner last week at STV for the Weekly Sketch Challenge. Jump on over to her blog to check out her winning entry!

If you are currently a paper obsessor and not a member of Stamp TV I cannot say enough to encourage you to check it out and become a member. Stamp TV is the brainchild of Gina K. of Gina K. Designs. There are professional tutorials, weekly challenges and a ton of supportive paper crafters! OH! There is also an online magazine!! I am going to try and figure out how to add a STV Blinkie here on my blog, but until I can figure that out...use the hyperlink I provided here to jump there and start having some fun!

Well, this is my first post on my first blog. You can visit me over on STV at my page:and check out my slideshow of past creations! Thanks for stopping by. Leave comments as you see fit. ...have a great Victoria Day Weekend to my fellow Canadians!! To my U.S.A. friends...have a great weekend...your Memorial Day Weekend is coming soon.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Sunshine