A few cards....

Yesterday was a day for household chores and card making. I cleaned the main floor (it's amazing how fast things can get dirty when you are not home to clean up all day!LOL) Then I took some time to make a few cards. I needed to make a thank you card for a friend and a birthday card for Jared's friends. So I figured why not incorporate them into a few challenges as well.

This first one is a thank you not for my girlfriend who really helped me out in getting my stuff ready and organised for my new job. I used fairly Lily and a Stampin' up sentiment, along with some Basic Grey paper. This was my first attempt at making an easel card. I think the next time I make one it will a little bigger. I made this one for the sketch challenge over at Sketch Saturday (http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/)

This one was for the Friday Sketchers sketch challenge this week. Jared's friend from down the road just celebrated his birthday yesterday and I wanted to make him a card. I used a stamp I received in a stamping swap (I forgot the name of the stamp) and some scraps from my stash.

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy and Very Safe Halloween. I should have some fun pictures of the kids in their costumes a little for you. Off to work on a costume for Jared, plan our Jack-O-Lanterns, and cook up some fresh pumpkin pie!

Finally some Really Good news!!!

Well I got a phone call while at work today! It was from the school board, they were calling about a job I had applied for. He asked me to send in a copy of my diploma and then when he has it, the job is mine!!! Yup that's right: no job interview needed, it is now mine! I am so happy! I know now that I will not have to worry about work until next year.( school year) It is only a contract for this year, but their is a strong potential that it could become permanent next year school year! Yeah!!!!!

And now would you like to know what it is that I have been up to? Cake decorating classes! I just finished that set of classes this week. We had to design and decorate our own cakes for the final class.

This is what our kitchen table looked like for a couple of days, as I made the flowers for the cake! These are all made out of gum paste.

Here is a close up of the finished flowers. Aren't they pretty?

And here is the final product! I know it looks like a wedding cake, but I had a vision in my head and it got away from me! LOL! But it was good!!!

Osler castle

As promised here are some photos from Osler Castle. I am telling you this place is beautiful! You spend an entire day there, and not notice how long you spent there. There are trails everywhere, the old house and a lake to see. There is so much to see and explore. I can't wait to go back!

This is the sign that you see from the road. We were about to turn around, when another couple pulled up and said that it was fine to go up and see the old ruins. The castle is now protected by a barbed wire fence.

Here is the path leading down to the lake. You then hang a right where the path forks. The view from the lake is breathtaking!

I would love to post all the photos of the castle, but alas there were too many( I would be here all day just waiting for them load! ). So I only chose this one to give you an idea of what it looked like! On the other side, to the right is an arch way as well.

Anize walking along the path down from the castle.

Here is Jared sitting down by the lake.

Here is an exert that I found online about the old house:

"Britton Bath Osler (1839–1901) was a famous Canadian criminal lawyer, and also the crown attorney at the trial of Louis Riel on charges of treason. He founded the law firm of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt.

Mr. Osler was also a prominent figure in early Hamilton. When his wife, Caroline, began to suffer ailing health, Osler decided in 1893, to build the 15-room Osler 'Castle' near the Town of Blue Mountain. Mr. Osler hoped that the 'fresh air' would improve her health.

Caroline named this summer home "Kionontio", a Petun Indian word for 'top of the hill'. Unfortunately Mrs. Osler's time in her new home was brief as she died in 1896. Mr. B.B. Osler later remarried and spent a few summers at the castle. He died in 1901 and the empty house was left to deteriorate.

A diary excerpt from the early 1900's read as follows: "while working in that area, I along with a group of friends made several visits to the property on Sunday outings. Not only were all the furnishings gradually being stolen, but people were helping themselves to the stone work as well. However, I assure you, we were not among the vandals."

While the property is owned by Castle Glen Estates development of the area has been stalled by environmental assessments. The reason is that there is an ecologically sensitive lake in close proximity to the site. It is hoped that this structure will be saved from demolition."

Sorry for not blogging earlier. I really wanted to be the good blogger, you know the kind that post something at least once a week. My goal was to post something every Sunday, and here we are Monday night! Oh well better late than never. I have a few projects to share with you.

The first one is a Layout I made using the monthly sketch over at Paper Secrets. (http://papersecrets.friendhood.net/paper-secrets-challenges-f34/october-sketch-challenge-due-10-31-t1025.htm) This is Anize on her 7th birthday. I can't believe she is seven already! Time sure flies by.

The second was for another challenge at Paper Secrets. We had to use My Minds Eye papers for our Layout.Sorry about the colours being washed out, It happens whenever I resize the photo! :o( As you can see this one features Jared with his long hair this summer. We teased him so much about the length, that I was surprised he left it all summer long.

And last but not least here is a card for a friend who is getting married.

Thanks for stopping by. I will be updating a little later this week with some pictures from our little trip to the Osler Castle in Collingwood! Man what a beautiful place to see!

Crafty time

Here are few cards that I made last week. The first one is a Thanks Giving card I made for the in-laws. I just this Tilda stamp. I think I will be using it again and again!  The second is for my brother in-law's birthday.

For all those that love Magnolia stamps here is another blog candy give away. Just go to http://paperinkcolor.blogspot.com/2010/10/october-blog-candy.html for your chance to win some awesome stamps.
 Here is what is up for grabs. Aren't they just adorable?!?!?!