I’m BACK!! I took a little hiatus from doing the Lawnscaping Challenges, while i was packing, moving and unpacking. But, I am back- and what better challenge to ease myself back into it then a CAS challenge! (Clean and Simple) I have to apologize for the picture, it isn’t the greatest. Still figuring out where/how the best way to take pics in my new place.

My crafty stuff IS unpacked… although I don’t really have a flow of working yet, and not sure where everything is is where it will stay- but for now I DO know where my Lawn Fawn stamps are, my washi tape and my watercolor pencils, so Voila! I whipped up this fun card! Hope you will play along with the challenge with us ;) It’s easy! And all the details are here.

We are sponsored this week by Lawn Fawn, and the winner will get to pick a stamp of their choice!
Here is a detail shot of the letters, I watercolored them then added ultrafine glitter with my quickie glue pen. I then cut them out. I haven’t splurged for the lawn cuts for this set yet, so below i linked the lawn cuts AND my fave scissors and x-acto that i used on this card.

I created this card to wish good fortune to one of my best friends, one of my chosen family- Stacy. I also created it welcoming her new husband Andy, into the chosen family that is so so so special to me. I have seen and been part of 4 of my girls wedding days and wedding events leading up to the big day. Stacy and Andy were married in Hawaii with a very intimate ceremony, and even though i wasn’t there my good thoughts were with them on their special day. I also can’t wait to celebrate with them this summer when they host a BIG celebration for all their friends and family!


I used Copic markers to color in the fortune cookie. I used a white gel pen to color in the chopsticks on the kraft paper it really pops! I also added in a little sparkle pen to the take out container handle, to represent the silver metal. I listed both Memento and Versafine in my supply list below because i always use Versafine for my sentiments. Memento although I love it when used with copics.. I don’t love it for a good crisp sentiment. Creatively using foam tape and curling the paper, makes the cookie and fortune look almost real. I was happy with how it turned out.

I’m also grateful that another one of my best friends was able to be there on Stacy and Andy’s special day, and truly capture it on camera. I am always in awe of Steph’s talent behind the lens… but when it has to do with those near and dear to me… i’m even more thankful. Before you all flood her with emails to shoot your wedding, she isn’t taking wedding requests just yet, BUT family portraits, newborns… she is your girl! A little birdie told me she will have an art shop of her images soon, and don’t even get me started on her talent behind a macro lens! oy!

Mister H definitely knew something was up as I was packing the island- sticking close to me and looking concerned each time i left. The moving day was pretty traumatic for him… he had to stay in the bathroom while we loaded the uhaul, then on a very long drive (which he hates) and then back into another bathroom while we unloaded the uhaul. All he has ever known is the very quiet island, and now he was in an apartment building with noises all around, and in the city.

For the first few days he was very jumpy, and if I wasn’t home he was sleeping under my bed. At night he started sleeping right at my shoulders, not at the foot of the bed as usual. He really wanted nothing to do with the massive windows, which i thought he’d love. I loved however watching him climb on top of the cabinets, the top of my food pantry becoming one of his favorite snoozing spots, he can see everything from up there! As he got a bit more comfortable, and playing with his toys… it was comical watching him slip and slid on the hardwood floors.

Almost a month later, he is settling in very well. He still hangs out with me in the bathroom as I get ready in the morning, and he will race you in there to make sure you turn the faucet on for him. Just like when we were at the island.

I bought him one of the cat grass trays from the pet store, hoping that will curb his cravings for when he used to much it outside at the island. He has also started to look outside the massive windows a bit more. He is still the messiest kitty when eating and using his potty, and still into everything… even helping build some of my new furniture

More on the move and my new space from my prospective soon!

Reminder: you can still create mister harley a birthday card to celebrate his 5th! You have until May 7th more details here.

Upcoming Class on the cape details here

Ok… onto the fun stuff- the CARD ;) I took a bunch of detail shots because i wanted you to get a sense of the dimension and the glitter and the glossy accented bubbles :) Now it’s time for me to design my moving cards!

Today is all about celebrating mister harley’s 5th birthday!! i can’t believe he is already 5. I know how many fans he has so I thought I would include you guys in his birthday celebration. You guys may remember for his 3rd birthday we had a little fun, sharing greetings for him and then HE picked a prize winner. I thought it would be fun to do something like that again. I will be doing a little raffle in honor of his special day!! Create a birthday card, just for him. Post it on your blog or email me a pic (or if you’d like you can mail it to me) …. if you post it on your blog, email me a link… i will put everyone’s names in a hat and draw some winners for some crafty goodness!!

I will also post the pics and links here as well- please email me (jenn@shurkus.com) all pics and links by may 7th, in order to be entered into the raffle!

Mister Harley and I are wicked excited to see what you all create!

This year I started to think about my word in November. I try to think of a few different words and see which one stands out to me more, speaks to my heart more. I came to the conclusion of embrace.

I have quite a bit to share on what I plan on embracing in 2013, but for now – the largest challenge I will be embracing is change.

I’m moving. Leaving the island. in.two.weeks.

i have been working at Providence College for a year and a half now, commuting 150 miles a day, spending WAY too much time in the car, WAY too much $ on gas etc – and am ready to have my week day life back. It is bittersweet. i love the island, i love what the island has given me. i love, love, love being so close to the ocean. But, those of you who have been reading my blog know how i truly believe everything happens for a reason. In 2001 i started working in a little gift shop that had a small supply of rubberstamps for sale which brought me into this wonderful world of papercrafting. 10 years ago i was dating a guy from cape cod, i moved in with him and that brought me to the cape,  and to colorful creations. 6 years ago i realized i deserved better and that brought me to the island, to rediscovering myself. A year and a half ago i was brave and when i thought i was going to fail i  made a major career change and that brought me to Providence.

i guess what i am getting at, is i’m ready. i’m ready to see what is meant to be. i am ready to embrace change, to embrace a new apartment, to embrace new adventures and new experiences. Guess who else is ready?

i found a great little studio apartment that is in a restored factory. Hardwood floors, exposed brick, 12ft high windows and ceilings. It is beautiful. And only 10 mins from campus.

Don’t worry i will be sharing more pictures as i move in- but now i am frantically packing and getting ready because i move in 16 days. s-i-x-t-e-e-n days. The studio is all packed and ready to go- i still plan on creating, even more now that i will have time again. i still plan on teaching. Best yet i have some really cool other things planned, that now i will have time to accomplish!
wish me luck, i’m all done “cooling on my island” for now- ready to embrace what is meant to be. (and if anyone wants to come pack my kitchen, feel free ;) )

1. a baby card (very rare from me) and
2. a congratulations to my friend Laurel who recently had lily and after spending a little extra, needed time in the hospital is strong enough to be home

Some of my stampy friends have put together a blog hop in honor of this special occasion, be sure to visit Jennifer McD. next!  To see the full list of all the hop participants hop on over to Chrissie’s blog.

For my card I added texture using: an edge distresser, liquid applique, ultrafine glitter, layers of paper, googly eyes, twine and foam tape. Also I used a Versafine Smokey Gray ink pad to stamp the bunny, it’s not as harsh as black- too give a softer look on this animal since it is white.

Hope you enjoy this Easter card I created. Remember Easter is early this year, in March.

I’m downsizing my studio space for an impending move (more on that later). The results? Really good deals on some crafty items! Copics, Stamps and more! Hope you check it out, and better yet share with friends, Thank you