My new hobby.

Recently I've discovered a new hobby!

Digital scrap-booking. It was always a mystery to me, until a friend introduced me to a free program online called "Picmonkey.com". It's a strange name, but a marvelous program. Last month they advertised a special, so I bought a year's membership which works out to $3.00 per month.
I've also discovered free scrap book images to work with online. I simply type "free images" in Google search engine, and voila, magic happens. For the above image I used a square shape to begin with, then I added a lace image, a poem by Emily Dickinson, a rose border and the sweet old-fashioned little girl.

The above image was one of the first ones I created for a doll group I'm in.

I love "png" images as they can be layered on top of other things, without any white; they have clear borders. 

A few weeks ago I participated in a contest in one of my online doll groups for Chatty Cathy, and I created a series of collages which I'll share here. I had great fun making these! All the photos are taken by me, using my Chatty Cathy doll collection and their cute props.
The above Chatty is a soft face glassine eye pig tail brunette, which I sold in 2014 to a friend.

The little washing machine is vintage, re-painted by a friend, Patricia Jean Floyd, who passed away in 2011 at the age of 58. She was very talented. 

This is my childhood Chatty Cathy. I got her in 1964 so we've been together a while!

She is wearing a dress I bought, with an apron by "Gloria's Goodies", a mother daughter sewing team on eBay. The hutch and chair were purchased in Fife WA last month. The little vintage iron was purchased in Vancouver for only $2.00! The background is a scene from American Girl's Molly character, no longer made. I love to iron, too!

Here is my childhood doll again, wearing a dress made by me. The child's sewing machine was made in the USA zone of Germany, after WWII. I paid $30 for it years ago, and bought it here in Vancouver. 

I had fun creating this one, as I LOVE to shop! Especially for fabric!

Or dolls and their props! I bought this buggy (that's what we call them in Canada) a long time ago. They used to be popular for holding fresh fruit on your kitchen counter.

I'm afraid that's never happened! The "Picmonkey" program has the darling typewriter style font.

This is a prototype Chatty Cathy; she is the first one produced by Mattel in 1960.

Here is my childhood Chatty at work again.

The vintage toy fridge was also painted by Patricia. I'm glad I bought her cute items when I had the chance. 

I had fun creating this collage too! There are a few talented artists who share their cute designs for FREE online! Here is my childhood doll on the right, with a visiting Chatty doll. I made their hair ties and aprons.

Ah...the day of rest. It seems not many people stop and relax from all work on Sunday these days, but in our home we sure do! We still attend church in the morning, have a quiet lunch, and read or nap in the afternoon. We also go for long walks with our dog. This Chatty is a pigtail glassine eyed Canadian doll. She is one of my favourites. My husband bought her cute violin as a surprise for me a few years ago. I gave the piano to Jackie, a friend in Bellingham, WA.

I hope you enjoyed viewing my collages.

By Loretta Houben

A date at the library...

My new love at the moment is PicMonkey, free online!

I look for vintage photos from the public domain, save them, and then play around with them in PicMonkey. It's Such Fun!

Robert and I went downtown in the pouring rain today, and spent some time in the archives on the 5th and 7th floors at the main library branch. This is the first time we've done this.

In particular, he was searching for a copy of a photo of himself and his sister, Margaret, sitting on a swing set near Deer Lake in Burnaby. He was wearing his Scout uniform. 

Robert believes the photo was taken in the spring of 1971, and put in the Vancouver Sun newspaper. Well, we searched a few rolls of microfiche until our eyes gave up, and we had lunch at Blenz coffee shop and then came home.

I discovered the volumes of Vancouver cross city directories, oh joy! I took a few pictures of what I discovered and will add them here later.

By Loretta Houben

700th post! Valentine cards...

I adore Valentine cards like this!

I randomly take them from blogs I come across.

I love this design.

This is my 700th post and I find it amazing! That's a lot of posting!

Here are 8 tiny Bleuette sized cards I made today.

I had the first migraine of 2012 this morning, so I'm happy I got this much done.

The migraines are occuring at 4 or 6 am recently and that suits me just fine, as I can sleep most of the pain away. The aura was very bright today, which means hardly any pain. Whew.

But I still felt out of it today, which is why I'm glad I could make these tiny cards, the first of 2012.

Easter Cards...

Here's a selection of Easter cards I made for this year.

I have fun creating them, but I wish I had a friend who enjoyed making them with me!

Sometimes I feel very lonely...

Here's a closeup of one of my favourites.

I used a vintage image which I find online for free; I printed it out on my colour printer which is my favourite appliance in the house (next to the washer/dryer) and glued it onto a piece of lavendar cardstock, which I had trimmed using a pair of my fancy scissors.

I put pop-ups underneath and stuck it onto a piece of glittery scrapbook paper, which I'd glued down to a ready made card. I buy the cards and envelopes at Michael's when they're on sale. Then I don't have to cut cardstock in half and fold it. Tee hee...

I love making cards, and I miss my monthly Stamp-in-Up classes I used to attend.

An adorable calendar idea

Isn't this a cute idea for a calendar?

I bought the little calender sheet set in the US at Christmas. I wasn't sure how to use it, and then I came across this neat idea at HOUSE OF HAWTHORNES.

Hopefully the link will take you to the proper post.

I'm often rambling through Blogland during the day. It's one of my favourite hobbies!

I love the photos and ideas out there. Anyhow, this is my version of the calender. I used 2 vintage photos (copies of course!) of my Mom on her first birthday in 1934. The upper left photo shows her with her sister Emma. I gave this calender to my Mom the other day...she loves polka dots. My Dad said "Who's the little doll in the corner?" Tee hee...well, she is as cute as a doll, isn't she!

Arts & Crafts

I'm on a roll this year!

I've made 11 cards so far. Now if I could only keep it up!

The image above was purchased online from Lili of the Valley Stamps. 

Their designs are simply DARLING, however they come without any adhesive, as they are used on a clear block, and finally I found a spray can of adhesive at Michael's Craft Store. I had wanted to use this image for a Christmas card, but I made it after Christmas so it turned into a thank you card instead. I added a narrow strip of silver ribbon at the side, with a few snowflake brads. I'm still trying to use what I have in my house! I coloured the image with Stampin' Up water colour pencils and blended them with a water blender.

This is a get well card for a friend who injured herself in a bad fall. I stamped "Oopsie Daisy" on the ribbon at the side. I used an image I found online. Isn't it cute? I love these vintage pictures.

I've given up on writing for now so each Wednesday I'll showcase something I've crafted during the week.

First cards of 2011

I actually crafted on the first day of the New Year and I'm very pleased with myself.

I made 6 little Valentine tags, because of Paula's New Year's Eve crafting tutorial which I thoroughly enjoyed. I hope to keep this up. We'll see if it happens.

Yesterday I purchased a nice large desk calendar in booklet form, and I'm trying to block out sections of the week devoted entirely to crafting or sewing. This is so my poor sieve like head will not forget to actually make time to craft and sew. I really enjoy doing these things, but often get interrupted by errands or housework, if you can believe it. I'm sure if I lived all alone, I would hardly eat any meals, and I'd most likely get way more accomplished in my craft room. Tee hee...

Crafting late at night...

Here I am late at night on December 31 making a Valentine tag, if you can believe it.

I'm participating in an all night tutorial at Paula's New Year's Eve Craft Along.

Here's my corner to craft.

Here's my Valentine tag I created using an image Paula provided on her blog.

This is my idea of New Year's fun! Thanks, Paula!

Last day of 2010

This is a before picture taken Wed Dec 29, showing my sewing craft room.

It was even worse before this! I have a terrible habit of putting things in piles to be dealt with tomorrow!

I wonder if anyone else has this habit. I had to deal with it by the end of yesterday, as Leona is coming to stay in this room today, while she finds another place to live. Her 2 sons moved out recently, and they were helping to pay the exorbitant rent in an apartment nearby. A one bedroom in a clean apartment is $1200. It's unbelievable. The government removed the rules to limit rent increases, so now landlords can charge very high rents and they get away with it. When Robert and I were married in 1982, our rent for a one bedroom apartment including parking, balcony, and a storage locker was $375. I don't understand how young people can get ahead nowadays.

I did it! I tackled one pile at a time.

This is the only way I can clean up! I put things away where they belong, and some things I had to put in my room and the office. I will have a HUGE sale of some of my used items in 2011. I'll list them on Craigslist first, and then on eBay if they don't sell. Once a room is clean I feel so much better. At least now Leona will have somewhere to put her bed! Whew...

Christmas cards...homemade

Each year for a long time I've created my own Christmas cards.

This year I got rather bogged down due to intense migraines, and even though I had a break of 4 weeks without any headaches, I just didn't feel like making cards. Plus Margaret hasn't been down to Vancouver for a few years now, and she always gave me incentive to create. Therefore I'm mostly blaming this on Margaret! It's all her fault!

Anyhow, I felt badly after my Mom expressed shock when she got a store bought card. So I sat down in my craft room and came up with these very easy cards.

To begin with, I bought a package of plain white cards from Michaels, on sale. Envelopes are included.

I used red velveteen ribbon along one side. Then I used a smaller square of pearlized white paper, run through my Big Shot machine using a snowflake embossing pattern. This is so easy to do, yet so effective! I used blue pearlized paper on some cards to give a different look. I added trim across the middle, and used lovely Victorian type stickers which I found at Michaels.

I used "Flower Soft" Vintage Christmas to embellish the middle square; if you don't know what this is, check out your local stamping store. It's just too cool! I thought the cards turned out lovely.

They were quick and easy. I stamped the inside and mailed them off, so a few friends will get a homemade card this year. I made my Mom a thank you card so she won't feel so bad.



Christmas memories past...vintage Christmas cards

My Mom gave me some of her vintage Christmas cards a few years ago. I decided it was time to scan them in. I especially love the Nativity scenes. The image above was inside the card below.

This card above says inside: "May the lovely Star that lit the way to where the little Christ-Child lay-

Enshrine this Christmas through and through with Holy Peace and Joy for you."

To Jack & Family From Dennis (Jack's younger brother)

The inside of this card says:

"As Christmas worship brings to mind God's precious gift to all mankind,

May faith in Christ our hope increase and give you joy and newborn peace."

Love, Pat and Judy (Pat was my Mom's sister in law)

I hope you enjoy these images. Please feel free to use them for your own projects.

A lovely day

After church today, and a simple lunch consisting of sandwiches, Robert kindly drove me to Sue's house for the very last time, as Sue is moving next year. I love Sue's garden. Here are 2 lovely shots of the garden with snow. I think Sue and her hubby will miss their garden very much. I know I will!

I've been going to Sue's on and off over the past 6 years, for scrapbooking and card making.

I've enjoyed every moment. Here is a sample of the beauties we made today. The above card was designed by Sue, and includes embossing.

This is my favourite. I learned a new trick called ribbon ruching.

It looks exquisite!

Robert picked me up afterwards, and we went to Boston Pizza for supper, because it was the last day for Outrageous Rib special. Rest assured I didn't eat any! I had a cheese pasta dish instead.

It was a most lovely day. It was crisp and cold (-2 C) and there was snow on the ground, but not the roads.

The full moon was rising as we drove home.

Thanksgiving Day Cards

I made a few Thanksgiving cards this year, for family.

Due to my migraine headaches I didn't have time or effort to make any for my friends, so you'll have to enjoy looking at them here!

I also decorated some of the envelopes.

These were super easy to make.

I simply bought plain white cards from Michael's and added yellow or burgundy cardstock, and then glued on a piece of gorgeous paper with a leaf design. On top of that I layered a small piece of orange paper, and then a piece of white paper I had stamped on. (I bought the stamp at "I'm Impressed" for only $4.00)

I added 2 leaf brads and voila; a simple yet lovely card to give!

Happy Thanksgiving!

(a little late for my Canadian friends, but quite early for my American ones)

Pretty flower cards

Aren't these fantastic cards? And I made them myself! Of course, I didn't "invent" them; I took a class with Alison Solven. She had a display of her cards at a booth last weekend at the stamp event I went to at Granville Island. I love to learn new techniques.
I just LOVE sweetpeas, so I just HAD to learn how to make these!
Would you believe they are made with a butterfly punch? Then they are misted with water and crumpled and voila; sweetpeas!

The pretty pansies are also made with a butterfly punch!

The white flower is made with a flower punch, and also misted and 6 of the designs are crumpled and then stacked and held in place with a brad.

The rose is also a punch; this one was too knit-picky for me, although the result is lovely.

I had a grand time meeting at Alison's studio today.

Fundraiser stamping show for Breast Cancer

As most of you are aware, I love to scrapbook and create cards.

This involves learning new techniques, and purchasing supplies! I had the chance to do that yesterday, at the Granville Island Hotel, at an event to stamp out breast cancer, put on by

I'm Impressed, a wonderful stamping store in the Granville Island kid's market.

I won 2 tickets to this event, and I asked my friend, Colleen, to go with me.

She is the one to blame for getting me involved in this hobby.

This is Deanna, an inventor. She has designed a fabulous product which you must see to believe. There is no way to explain it, but it does involve lots of glitter!

Two of her cards are below.


Deanna designed the above card. I wish I could learn how to do this!

Here are some more marvelous cards, designed by Alison Solven.

I had a marvelous day, and I think Colleen did too! We ate lunch outside at the market place, looking at Burrard inlet and watching the boats come and go under Burrard Bridge.

Who could ask for more?

Mother's Day cards

I enjoy creating cards. I've been doing this for around 6 years now.

I designed these 2 cards myself and thought they turned out cute.

I'm trying to use up what I have on stock. It's formidable! I printed the picture from

Two Crazy Crafters blog; they have the most delightful ideas I've ever seen.
The above card is one I'm giving to my sister, Leona, and the one below I'm giving to my Mom.

What do you think?

My new machine

There is a grand sale on at "I'm Impressed" at Granville Island Market. I went there today, in a terrific wind storm, and found a Big Shot machine 30% off! I came home and tried it out.
If you click on the photos, you can see the designs better. This is a fantastic way to create beautiful cards. I'm intrigued with embossing. It's so easy! My stamping friend, Colleen, got me hooked on this machine. I'm using my Christmas money to pay for it.

After the Olympic Fever

I had to take a mini-vacation from blogging. I had an Olympic hangover of some sort. I missed the Olympics on TV, I missed the Olympic news at night, I missed the exciting Olympic hockey games, I missed the energy of discovering which athlete won which gold medal, and I missed the buzz downtown. Whew. No wonder I suffered angst. But never fear, I plunged into spring cleaning and card making. I made 8 cards yesterday. Colleen brought over her Big Shot machine, and I discovered embossing! I'll never be the same again. Here are my kind stamping friends; Colleen and Bernice. After 2 hours of card making, we sat in the living room and had tea. It was a fun afternoon. I also put some of my Olympic photos into an album, but I need a bigger one... Today I saw a few snowflakes. Now isn't that just too strange for words?