Month: April 2025

Step Back Saturday | 100DayProject Day 56 | Card 36 | Cards 37a+b

100DayProject Day 56 – Card 36 | Card 37a | Card 37b

I am continuing to try to use the current colour palette from the Color Throwdown Challenge when I am making my cards. CTD831 colours are sage green, yellow and coral.

Card 36 | Altenew Let it Shine course Lessons 2 + 3; embossing powder and embellishements | The lesson featured a nice gold frame embellishment. I didn’t have one so improvised by die cutting a few circle dies out of gold foil cardstock. Overall I’m pleased with the way the card turned out. | Color Throwdown Challenge #831
Card 37b | Altenew Let it Shine course Lesson 3b | Embellishments and gradient blending | I had an extra white background so I decided to make another similar card. I changed it to portrait, heat embossed the friend sentiment on vellum and added a narrow black matting behind the white background. | Color Throwdown Challenge #831
Card 37a | Altenew Let it Shine course Lesson 3b | Embellishments and gradient blending | I was quite pleased with how the gradient blending on the hello die cut turned out. And how nicely the friend looks. I stamped it with black ink and heat embossed with clear powder, It is big enough to look great even though it was then run through the die cutter with an embossing folder. I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do for the back of the card, inner layer and to decorate the envelope but I was happy with how the gradient ink blended grid stencil turned out. | Color Throwdown Challenge #831
I did some prep for Cards 58 and 59 and decided to make quite a few extra packages using that stamp set. I just used a variety of black, silver, clear, gold and white embossing powders. It will be great to have the envelopes, inner layers, back of card base as well as an image pre-stamped and ready to go to make the card fronts for tomorrow’s and future projects. Kind of a few steps forward today to go along with my step back.

Step Back Saturday

I took Luna out for a short walk on the road when I got up; there was a bit of sprinkling but luckily not too much rain. I did quite a lot of crafting today, including some during a great catch-up call with Nancy who had been away travelling and whom I am looking forward to seeing on Wednesday for a retirement lunch for Jane. I started my crafty time taking a step back from creating and instead focused on organizing. For a long time I have been wanting to reorganize my Altenew products in a better way (the same envelope system as I’m using for my other supplies). I’m keeping those products separate because I need to have them all handy since the AECP (Altenew Certified Educator Program) does want cards that feature Altenew products which totally makes sense. We can use other products as well, but they do want the cards to look like they are Altenew cards. I am so much happier with how they are organized now. I haven’t actually numbered them yet, I’m just storing them in alphabetical order. I also got some other products that I recently acquired (Scrapbook and Cards today classes as well as purchases on the recent outing to the wonderful paper crafting store in Plantagenet, east of Ottawa with Vicki. I actually have long neglected my organization system and have a lot of new product to get organized (and a lot of product that was previously organized that need to get filed back into their proper storage location). I will be taking more steps back to organize rather than craft in the coming days. I am getting very frustrated with my crafting disaster areas (as is my family). I waste way to much time searching for products. I could do a full 100DayProject just on organizing.

I am so glad that I took a step back from making cards to spend some time better organizing my Altenew supplies. For now I’m keeping them in alphabetical order rather than mixing them in with my other products which I simply assign a one-up number as I put them into an envelope and include them in my catalogue.

Roland and I took Luna for quite a long walk on the road to the bridge in the afternoon, again missing rainy periods. It ended up getting reasonably warm so I was down to short sleeves by the end of the walk. We bumped into our neighbour, Laurie, who invited us for wine and cheese about 5:30 where we met an interesting woman, Andrea, from Australia who is house and dog sitting for other neighbours. We’re looking forward to seeing Laurie and her husband, David, in town on Wednesday evening for a presentation on the Arctic. Those are the friends who will be guest speakers on the Arctic cruise we are doing at the beginning of September. Heidi stayed with Luna who doesn’t like to be left alone at the cottage. Our stuffed turkey breast (that we won at a Christmas Bonspiel) was ready when we got home along with some veggies and potatoes (take 2 since the first ones that Roland had peeled and got ready earlier in the afternoon had boiled dry – the pot is still out in the woodshed – I’m not sure if the pot will be salvageable).

Picture This Year | Prompt 109 (float) | Prompt 110 (sign) | Prompt 96 (three)

Picture This Year prompt 109 (float) | today’s prompt, photo taken today | There is definitely still lots of ice floating on the lake, and lots of debris from the trees mixed in.

I was a bit disappointed that there didn’t seem to be any of the very interesting shards of ice that often form in the melting ice at this time of year, but there was definitely still lots of ice floating that I could use as the subject of today’s prompt which is float. There were definitely starting to be some signs of spring on our walk with Luna this afternoon. The dandelions seemingly appeared out of no where and seem to be everywhere along the ditches at the side of the road, especially where there is a southern exposure. And, Roland changed the road signs from saying ‘winter conditions – 4 wheel drive only’ to ‘private road – use at own risk’. I wasn’t quite on the ball because the change over sort of would have had a dual meaning for tomorrows Picture This Year Prompt 110 (sign). I was busy taking some dandelion photos as my sign of spring photo in advance for tomorrow’s prompt. Maybe I’ll come up with something more creative for that prompt tomorrow. I did realize that I had taken a photo of 3 dandelions before I decided that I should be trying to do 2 prompts a day and gradually work my way back through the first 96 prompts since I only started the challenge on prompt 97 on 7 April. Interestingly enough prompt 96 was 3 so I can use that photo.

Picture This Year prompt 110 (sign) | tomorrow’s prompt, photo taken today | dandelions are a sure sign of spring and they were abundant along the side of the road on this afternoon’s walk with Luna to the bridge. I wasn’t lucky enough to capture any of the water drops that were dripping from above but I do like the glistening backdrop to the flowers.
Picture This Year prompt 96 (three) | photo taken today, prompt from 6 April. I decided today that I would start working my way back through the 96 prompts I missed since I only started the challenge on 7 April at prompt 97. The insects are already hanging out on the blooms.

Face the Future Friday | 100DayProject Day 55 | Card 34 | Card 35

The flowers Louise dropped off yesterday are all buckled in with the seatbelt for the ride up to the cottage this morning.

100DayProject Day 55

Today I worked on Card 34 and Card 35 for the Altenew Let it Shine course. The 2nd lesson class focused on using heat embossing to add some shine. The 3rd lesson class focused on adding embellishments for shine.

Instead of using coloured embossing powder I knew that you could first stamp with a coloured ink then stamp with Versamark on top of that then emboss with clear powder. I learned that you can actually simply ink up your stamp with Versamark first, then ink it up with a coloured ink then stamp and emboss with clear powder. This seems to save a step and doesn’t require a stamp positioner (like a MISTI). I tried it out on some of my sentiments. It’s good to know for future reference but I think I will usually continue to use a MISTI and stamp the coloured ink and the Versamark separately then emboss.

I also assembled a sample card for an upcoming Dementia Society kit and added the black jewels to each kit. So those bee card kits are completely ready for one class. I still have to create some more types of cards for other cards. I hope to make another class kit this weekend. Vicki has also been working on kits. My students already have a kit for this Tuesday’s class but I have to deliver new kits before the class on April 29th.

I am continuing to try to use the current colour palette from the Color Throwdown Challenge when I am making my cards. CTD831 colours are sage green, yellow and coral.

Card 34 | Altenew Let it Shine course | Lesson 2a + 2b Embossing Powder

You can see the nice sheen that the clear embossing powder adds over the black Versafine ink in the ‘Spring’ sentiment. I like how the vellum ‘Celebrate’ coloured with alcohol markers allows the colour of the polka dots to peek through. The ones that I coloured in with acrylic markers don’t allow the colours beneath the vellum to show through.
Card 34 | It’s a bit hard to tell, but the sentiment on the envelope has a nice sheen from clear embossing powder over an image inked first with Versamark then with the coloured ink. There is also a bit of extra shine in the flower centres where I applied some Nuvo crystal glaze. | Color Throwdown Challenge #831

Another Card Similar to Card 33

Today I finally tried this with black polka dots and a red sentiment since I had created one with red dots earlier this week. | Color Throwdown Challenge #831
This is the card that I created on Tuesday because I had wanted to create a card using the cute ladybugs with a polka dot stencil similar to the bee cards I had made using a honeycomb stencil. This had become the inspiration for my Card 33 which was made using an Altenew floral image rather than this Stampin’ Up! one.

Card 35 | Altenew Let it Shine course | Class 3a | Embellishments

Card 35 | Altenew Let it Shine course| Lesson 3a | Embellishments. It’s not easy to see, but there are some black jewels as well as black stenciled polkadots.
Card 35 | Altenew Let it Shine | Lesson 3a |Embellishments | Color Throwdown Challenge #831

Dementia Society Class Kit

I assembled this sample card for an upcoming Dementia Society class and added the black jewels to each of the kits. Now all they need is the instructions to be written, printed and added into each kit.

Face the Future Friday

The tulips Heidi had in her classroom and brought to the cottage look gorgeous with the light coming in from the front window.

I have been thinking about this as a Friday theme for a few weeks now, ever since listening to a recent Mel Robbins podcast episode. The doctor on the episode had a great acronym for the fundamental things women should be doing to age well; to have a long health span as well as a long age span. It focuses on 4 areas of finess: Flexibility, Aerobics, Carry a load (strength training) and Equilibrium (balance). So I am setting up a challenge for the next 12 weeks leading up to my 62nd birthday.

I’m committing to 4 workout sessions each week addressing these areas. My aerobic activities will include swimming, cycling and running with the addition of some sprints (4 x 30 seconds on 2 minute repeats). For my flexibility I will get back into doing CARS (controlled articular rotations) and will do a short 10 minute stretch or yoga routine. For my strength I have a goal of being able to do 21 full pushups (as it turns out I think we should be able to do 11 but I thought it was 21 so that’s my aim). I also want to be able to hang for 90 seconds (just a basic hang, not a flexed arm hang). And I want to be able to jump higher. Back when I did a bit of cross country dryland training in the fall, I was shocked to see how little my feet come off the ground when I jump and thought I should work on that. Here I am 6 months later and finally committing to working on my jumping. I’m also going to work on my core strength which I should always be doing and my recent back issues reiterated my resolve to get back into working on my strength. For my balance I am thinking about some type of challenge of putting my socks on and off several times since I find myself taking the easier way out and sitting down rather than standing up. In particular I noticed that I wanted to hang onto something when putting on my spiky grippers on my boots this winter. So, stay tuned, I plan to report on my progress on Fridays.

Capture This Year | prompt 108 (stitch)

Picture This Year prompt 108 (stitch). It’s high time I get back to crocheting. I brought my project over to Ivana’s to show her yesterday. I haven’t worked on this since December. It was a good reminder for me that I should get back into crocheting more regular. It worked out well that I had dug this back out since today’s prompt was stitch. Notice our cute new moose ottoman.

Throwback Thursday | 100DayProject Day 54

100DayProject Day 54 (started Card 34)

I didn’t get very much crafting done. A bit of a start on Card 34 for Lesson 2 (embossing powder) of the Altenew Let It Shine course after watching that video last night in bed before I turned the light out. I did package up some lemon squares to bring to Ivana’s in some boxes I had previously made. One was already decorated but I did colour in the flowers on the black box – those are the same flowers I’ll be using on Card 34.

Picture This Year

I didn’t take a particular photo for today’s prompt with was focus. Nothing specific came to mind. I did try to make the focus of this photo the lovely bright yellow centre of the flower so if I don’t come up with an alternate photo in the next few days I actually think this will do. I should learn how to better focus on just part of the image when taking photos with my iPhone; something to investigate for another day.

PIcture This Year prompt 107 (focus). I love the bright yellow centre of this flower which was what I was trying to make the focus of this photo that I took of the beautiful flowers that Louise dropped off this morning.

Throwback Thursday

It’s 9:50. Heidi and Roland just left for the cottage. I’m quite tired and still have to get a big batch of Italian soup into the freezer and organizing my craft things to bring so I’ve opted to drive up separately in the morning. I had an amazing lunch at Ivana’s (see the photos of the delicious open faced sandwiches she made (I want to invite her to teach me and some of our friends how to make these in the fall)) then we went to Multicraft to peruse what they still have left at 50% off since they’re closing. I came away with about 3″ of basic patterned paper for $20 and some alcohol inks. Then I made the soup, did a bit of crafting and it was time to head to the curling club for our last curling of the season. We got home about 9:25.

I enjoyed my early morning walk then had another long walk with Roland and Luna on which we bumped into Dulce and Gonzalo so we had a great visit with them on the walk back. And we saw Louise on her way out to Collingwood after she dropped off some flowers, chocolate and nice napkins for Easter. She’s kindly bringing up the water play table we bought for Amelia’s first birthday and a Lego set of Charlie. I had a great catchup call with Stefan on his walk home from work when I was making the soup.

Throwback Thursday to 2010 04 17

Saturday: Roland took Stefan to his 1:30 game in Gatineau then dropped him off at Sam’s. The boys had a blast in the spring forest and enjoyed dinner back at the Jordan’s afterwards. I had to pick him up before the party ended for his 6:45 game, but atleast it worked out that he could make a lot of the party (and bring along a nice full bag of food to contribute to the food bank – which I think is a great idea; our children certainly don’t want for much). I enjoyed going to Guertin arena – it brings back memories: of going with Karen in high school to watch her cousin Mickey play there against the Hull Olympiques; and of me playing there sometimes when I played a few years of ringette with the Hull team after graduating from university. As I write this 12 days later, it says Heidi had soccer practice 1-3, but I think she and Roland must have skipped it since Heidi had her first ringette tryouts at 5:00 out in Goulbourn. I baked lemon squares to send over to Ivonne’s since their family was celebrating her birthday (we dropped by later for the black forest cake).

And a few photos that Roland has been scanning in from his parents negatives.

Banana Bread

Background

This is the recipe that my mom used to make delicious banana bread. I haven’t made it in years but recently found it beneath some other recipes in my very unorganized recipe binder. And the very overripe bananas in my fridge were calling out to be used up. It will certainly make it’s way back into being a frequently baked item in our household now that we’ve rediscovered this recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup oil
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup mashed bananas (about 3)
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2/3 cup chocolate chips (optional) (I prefer the mini chips)
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350′ F
  • Beat oil and sugar together
  • Add in eggs and beat well
  • Add in mashed bananas, milk and vanilla, mixing well
  • Sift together dry ingredients
  • Add dry ingredients to liquid ingredients, mixing until just mixed
  • Optionally gently mix in chocolate chips and nuts
  • Pour into loaf pan(s)
  • Bake about 1 hour if using a 9 x 5 loaf pan. Bake less if using 2 smaller pans (e.g., 3.5″ x 7.5″).

Notes

This freezes well. You may want to slice before freezing so you can take out a few pieces at a time.

Wintery Wednesday | 100DayProject Day 53 | Card 32 | Card 33a+b+c

100DayProject Day 53 | Card 32 | Card 33

I realized that I forgot to post the finished photo of Card 32 which I completed on Sunday. And I finished Card 33 which I started yesterday. These were both for Lesson 1 (Glitter) of the Altenew Let it Shine course.

I am continuing to try to use the current colour palette from the Color Throwdown Challenge when I am making my cards. CTD830 colours are lavender, mint green and yellow.

Card 32 | Altenew Let it Shine course Lesson 1a Glitter | Color Throwdown Challenge #830
I tried a lot of different ways of adding ink and glitter and shine on the 3 versions of Card 33.
Card 33a (take 1) | Altenew Let is Shine course Lesson 1b Glitter | Color Throwdown Challenge #830
Card 33b (take 2) | Altenew Let is Shine course Lesson 1b Glitter | Color Throwdown Challenge #830
Card 33c (take 3) | Altenew Let is Shine course Lesson 1b Glitter | Color Throwdown Challenge #830

Wintery Wednesday

The theme for today didn’t arrive until we (Roland, Heidi and I) were out for a rare family walk with Luna. It’s definitely back to feeling wintery rather than spring-like.

I did get out for a quick walk with Luna this morning before meeting Flora at Brewer at 8:00 for a swim. There were a lot of people there, but we did eventually get settled into a lane that didn’t involve too much passing, especially once the number of swimmers lessened. We had a sauna again today after our swim since it’s back in working order. Then I went over to her place for a smoothie bowl and coffee. Then it was home to get my craft supplies organized for 1:00 Crafty Crew. Just 3 of us today but we pretty much finished getting the 2 bee-themed card kits together. Then I went to get gas at Costco on Blair and went in to buy the play water table to send to Collingwood with Louise for her granddaughter’s first birthday / Easter gift as well as a Lego race car set for Charlie. I dropped them off at her place and just had a few minutes at time before heading to Golf-o-Max for our 5:30 virtual golf. Just 5 of us tonight. As usual, I got my money’s worth. Vicki and I were more than 30 over par after 14 holes. Diana, Flora and Karen just did 9 holds but were 1 over par. I continue to get my money’s worth when playing golf. My goal is to be able to drive 100 yards by the end of the summer. Then the quick family walk since it felt quite wintery and I’m getting my blog post done.

Picture This Year | Prompts 105 (brush) | Prompt 106 (cover)

Picture This Year prompt 105 (brush). Photo taken yesterday for yesterday’s prompt.
Picture This Year prompt 105 (brush). Photo taken yesterday for yesterday’s prompt.
Picture This Year prompt 106 (cover). Photo taken tokay for today’s prompt. Roland has the covers off off our washing machine that has a leaking seal (it was dripping down through the light fixture in my craft room). He’s definitely been working hard at trying to resolve this issue but most YouTube videos declare it nearly impossible to access the area and even when they replace the seal it still leaks. So I foresee the purchase of a new set of stacking washer and dryer soon. Clearly we made a mistake buying an all-in-one.