Our Family Summer Soul Camp

Our Indoor Family Summer Soul Retreat

Hello To All!
Today I'm sharing an activity that me and my boys did for an online workshop I am taking from Heather Bruggeman (Beauty That Moves). This workshop is called Summer Soul Camp 2015. I was invited by my niece (and one of my closest friends!) Oona Nicholas. Oona and I also have taken the Whole Food Kitchen Workshop from Heather.

What a lovely idea to have some time set aside at the beginning of summer to reflect on what one feels about summer: the feelings and memories it evokes, what it inspires us to do, what it means to us as individuals.

There are many activities that Heather has in store for us in the days ahead. Yesterday we did some journal writing and developed our own vision boards & mantras, today was about setting up our own Soul Camps, items and location chosen by us.

The idea was to take items that you already have and make your own summer retreat. What a blast it turned out to be...the boys helped me and wanted their own space too. Since it is rainy today, we set up Summer Soul Retreats inside although items can be taken outside on sunny days.

This is a closer view of the items we choose to be a part of it:

 

There are books, magazines, my workshop binder & journal, craft supplies (planning to watercolor the next couple of days) and also to set a nice mood we set down a Native blanket my sister gave me, a softly lit lamp, a plant and some hand picked flowers, rocks collected from our family walks. In the background is the vision board I did yesterday.

I got the boys to chose the items they wanted in their Soul Retreat:

Ethan Getting Creative

They picked out: a nice lamp, a plant, books & markers, pads of paper and they too wanted their vision board to set the tone for their space.

My mantra for the summer is:

The eye of my eyes are opened.

- E.E. Cummings

This quote is so fitting for me as I feel I have to slow down and enjoy each moment...I want to see what is right in front of me: to focus on what I have rather than on the have-nots...to be grateful for whom and what is in my life. I have much to give thanks for.

Loving this workshop because it's helping me to take a calmer approach to summer, to allow myself and my family to embrace it, to celebrate it for the summer season is a special time to cherish.

 - Thanks For Stopping By! -
* Have A Beautiful Day *
 

Just Bugcause Card

Hello To All!

I am sharing a shaker card I made inspired by working in my garden lately:

 

I made this with the Just Bugcause Stamp Set:

Click here

Also I used the Cotton Candy Sequins:

Click here

Here is a closer view of those gorgeous Cotton Candy Sequins:

This shaker card turned out beautifully - just love these sequins and that cute stamp set!

These products and more can be found at the Craftin Desert Divas Store.

Make a shaker card yourself today - guaranteed they'll love it!

* Thanks For Stopping By *

 

Thanks Shaker Bee Card

Good Day To All!
I made this cute Thanks shaker card using this adorable Just Bugcause Stamp Set from Craftin Desert Divas :

Just Bugcause Stamp Set

I also used this gorgeous sequin mix called Sunny Day Sequins :

Sunny Day Sequins

First I cut out the circle window, then sponged green and yellow ink on that front panel. Then, stamp sentiment on front panel with black ink, emboss with clear embossing powder (optional). Next adhere acetate on the back of front panel. Place foam tape behind front panel around window, place sequins on card base where the window will be, adhere front panel to the card base. Stamp images on white card stock and color; cut out images and adhere to front panel. Optional: I used a glitter brush on the flowers to add sparkle.

Shaker cards are so fun to make and everyone I know loves them, so get out your stamps, your sequins and make one today - so fun! I just have to say that the CDD sequin mixes are so inspiring, the colors of this mix are so summer-y. Go to the Craftin Desert Divas Shop to see all the varieties of stamps, sequins and more!

Have fun card making!

Thanks For Visiting!

Happy News: I'm Part Of A Design Team!

Wonderful Update:

Hello to everyone! This past week has been an important one for me in many respects. I was chosen to be in a Design Team for a stamping/papercrafting company called Craftin' Desert Diva's. Tara Bruening, the owner of Craftin Desert Diva's (CDD), announced her new Design Team members on Monday, June 1st and I'm one of them! Yayyyy - high fives!!!!

Click here to see the announcement: Craftin Desert Divas - New Design Team Members.

I am so happy to be a part of this team, everyone in the team is so talented, so kind and helpful. There's a genuine camaraderie in the group - I enjoy logging into our group and seeing what everyone has to say & what they are creating!

Check out these ultra cute products (click on the product names to see more):

Garden Cuties

The Sky Is The Limit

Cotton Candy Sequins

Tag Essential Dies

Plus there's much more at the CDD Shop.

My term starts soon so you will definitely see my card creations using the inspiring CCD products!

Also check out the Craftin Desert Divas Gallery on Facebook and the Craftin Desert Diva's Blog.

When I started making handmade cards, I didn't know it would take me here...what an amazing opportunity!

Exciting news - thanks for dropping by my blog!

- Peace To All -

Life Update - Part 1 (Mostly Wedding)

Wow - I haven't wrote on this blog since September! Major life events have happened since then: Kiew-nik and I were married, I now home school Isaac, of course there was Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and this week, Isaac lost his first (and second!) tooth...there have been challenges for our family that I won't go into but we are still enjoying life. One just has to take the lead of children: things affect them but they still laugh and play, they enjoy everyday life... they still *shine*.

We focus on all the positive events that have happened and I can speak for myself that I am so very grateful for my boys, the love that my husband and I share...the life we lead.

October 18, 2014 - Our Wedding Day: 

Getting ready - Feeling happy & nervous! Christopher Jenkins (that sweetie!) in the background.

My friend, Tracey Perley and me just after I put my wedding dress on (she helped me get ready)

Walking up to the platform to meet everyone. My sister Laurie, Isaac and Ethan walked with us (of course!)

Mr. and Mrs. Kiew-nik Neptune

Ethan (looking determined!)

Isaac looking so sweet!!

We were married at The Marina in Grand Falls, N.B.:

The Marina - river side view

The Marina has meaning for us: we had one of our first dates here: we took our take-out and ate outside (they have picnic tables) and also we have taken our boys here many times to eat, play by the water and connect to a local walking trail.

The Marina - View from the road

Family and friends came from our community (Tobique First Nation), from Maine and Fredericton, N.B.:

My sister, Laurie and I

Kiew-nik and his sister, Charlene

Kiew-nik, his Mother, Barbara and me

Kiew-nik, me and my Godparents, Graydon and Beth Nicholas

Me holding my beautiful niece, Gema - she is such a cutie!!

Stealing a kiss down by the river!

Our wedding cake
More of My Life Update to come soon plus card creations too!!

True Story Card - Sept. 4/14

Happy September To All!
This is my favorite time of the year - the light, the milder temperatures and of course, the excitement of going back to school...so on that note I made a card filled with books and some cute sentiments. The stamp set is from Simon Says Stamp and is called To Thine Own Shelf. Such a cute stamp set with a whole range of possibilities! I used different colored ink pads and embellished with three enamel dots - the result is colorful and simple.

You can watch the video here or on YouTube:

Supplies / Tools Used:

Simon Says Stamp "To Thine Own Shelf" clear stamp set
Neenah 65 lb. Kraft card stock
Marshmallow White card stock
ColorBox Archival Ink Pads: Orange, Espresso, Lavender, Fresh Green & Canary
Momento Dew Drop Dye Ink Pads: Danube Blue, London Fog & Lady Bug
Tsukineko Versafine Onyx Black Ink Pad
Simon Says Stamp Doll Pink Ink Pad
Momento Luxe Ink Pad: Lilac Posies
Fiskar's Compact Stamp Press
Scotch Foam Mounting Tape
Doodlebug Sprinkles (Tangerine)
Recollections Enamel Dot Stickers
Small Acrylic Block
Ranger Mowed Lawn Distress Marker (Tim Holtz)
Post It Tape (Green)

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG!

- Peace and Love -

My Favorite Things Get Sketchy - August 19th, 2014

Hello All!!

This is a card I made inspired by the MFT Blog Get Sketchy Challenge (Card Sketch 189) :

This is the sketch:

This was so fun to do...really loved the layout of their sketch.

Supplies:

MFT You Were Meant To Sparkle stamp set
Ranger Magenta embossing powder
Momento Luxe Ink Pad in Lilac Posies
Simon Says Stamp Doll Pink ink pad
Pretty Pink Posh Orchid sequins
Foil print paper (sorry - don`t know which brand)
Recollections Card Stock (pink & white)
Fuchsia Sequins

Thank You For Visiting My Blog

Peace To All

Make A Card - It`s Fun!