Are you as linear as I am??

We had a conversation at our table on Saturday about angling vs linear placement of photos on layouts. What we soon realized is that angling either comes naturally or it doesn't. I'm not sure if I'm relieved or not. I've set a number of goals for myself and one of them is just that...to angle more on my pages. It really is something that I have to think about and to be honest, it doesn't get easier no matter how much I try.

While putting this page together, even the anglers in the group agreed that linear placement was probably best. Come to think of it, perhaps they were just trying to make me feel better. Either way, I gave the whole page a slight angle when I adhered the shaped paper to the cardstock...just because. So here you have another of my die cut pages from the weekend. It's called "Home is Where the Heart is".

Journaling Reads: You are my heart...cheesy grin and all.

Supplies: Paper (Websters, Crate, Jillibean Soup), Stamps (myStamp BOX), Flower (Prima), Lace & Letters (Making Memories), Pearls (Kaiser), Sticker & Rub-On (Glitz), Brads (Bo Bunny), Misc. Buttons


Before you go you have to tell me, ANGLED or LINEAR??
Which is it for you?

Playing With Die Cut Paper

Here are a couple of pages I made at the crop on Saturday. I should also mention that it was hosted by Scrapbooking Gone Wild and was the BEST crop I have ever attended. My hat is still tipped to the ladies who slaved in the kitchen for so many hours making EVERYTHING from scratch right down to the preserves. It really doesn't get any better than that.

This first page is called "Look at Me" and shows pictures of Julia before and after her second hair cut. It was so cute that she went straight to the mirror when we got home to check herself out.

Supplies: Paper (Pink Paislee, Crate & Jillibean Soup), Gems (Kaiser & Basic Grey), Stamps (myStamp BOX), Buttons (American Crafts...THANKS, Julie), Calendar (Pine Cone Press), Brads (??)

Here is a detail shot of the cute little female symbol from the He Says She Says stamp set.

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This next page just makes me happy. As previously mentioned I love scrapbooking with the colour purple. Well, I love scrapbooking with YELLOW even more.

"Freeze"

Supplies: Paper (Basic Grey, Crate & Jillibean Soup), Stamps (myStamp BOX), Flower (Pink Paislee), Stickers (Glitz Designs & Heidi Swapp), Chipboard (Riff Raff), Button (Jenni Bowlin), Gems (Kaiser & Prima), Numbers (American Crafts), Trim (Prima), Brad (??)

Here is a detail shot of the clustering and also the STITCHING. Yes, stitching. Those of you who were at the crop will probably laugh at me since I just couldn't leave it alone. I had to add the stitching when I got home. Want to know a secret?? I'm glad I did!! LOL

EDITED TO ADD:
This page was published in the May, 2010 issue of Scrapbook Trends Magazine.

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Stamping Lesson # 2 was posted today at Let's Capture Our Memories. Take a moment and check it out!

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Don't forget to get your name in the draw for the newest myStamp BOX release, A Tree for All Seasons. Just post a comment on THIS POST. The winner will be announced on the myStamp BOX blog on July 1st. Good Luck!!

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I'll be back tomorrow with more shaped paper pages.

Have a GREAT Monday!

A New Card and a TOOT

I am going to start with the good news because I am just busting here I am so excited.

One of the Christmas cards I made this month is going to be in the

Christmas Cards Idea Book

by Scrapbook Trends

this fall!

WOOT!!!

Ok, I'm done. Back to the regular post.

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"Congrats on the New Arrival"

Supplies: Chipboard (Maya Roads), Stamps (myStamp BOX), Paper (Pink Paislee), Transparency (Hambly), Letters (Prima, Websters), Jute & Ribbon (Michaels)

I found yet another use for the Border Lines set from myStamp BOX. One of the stamps is just perfect for making the leaves on this tree. I just stamped several "leaves", cut them out and then gave them a little curl for interest. I hope you give it a try.

Have a wonderful Saturday. I'm off to a crop today. Hope to have lots more to share next week.

Thinking of You

Supplies:

Paper & Rub-ons (Upsy Daisy), Pins (Making Memories), Frame & Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Tulle (Bazzil), Butterfly (Unknown)

Here is my take on sketch 20 at Card Patterns. Be sure to take a moment and check out all the beautiful cards that have been posted. You won't be disappointed.

Are you TIRED of this one yet??

I don't have anything new for you today as I've been out of town all week. BUT, I just wanted to let you all know that the stamps used to make this card are all 50% OFF for TODAY only!! What a GREAT deal!

Out of my Comfort Zone Again

The above sketch is the June Build a Page from Prima. I have a stack of Prima papers and embellishments and decided it was time to put some to use. Here is my page. I took these photos last week the night of Callie's preschool Graduation. These are the first photos I have of the girls where they are both looking and me and smiling. Aren't they adorable?

Supplies: Paper, Stamps, Pearls, Butterfly (Prima), Letters (Jenni Bowlin), Pins (Making Memories) Chipboard (unknown)

Here is a detail shot of the pearls and butterfly. I LOVE all the new embellishments that were released last season.

So how did I do with the pastels? I am totally out of my comfort zone here.

Happy Father's Day

I cannot take credit for any of the design work on this project. I followed an online tutorial combined with a fantastic example made by Julie from the Unity Design Team. It was lucky I already had this stamp set because after seeing her project I'm sure I would have wanted to order a set of my own. I did make one small change to the stamp. I replaced the little boy for a little girl to suit our family. THANKS so very much to both of you for the inspiration.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

to the

BEST DAD

in the WORLD!!

I'm Embracing COLOUR today!!!

Here is a look at my interpretation of Sketch 28 over at 2 Sketches 4 You. The front panel of the card is not as long as the back panel. Therefore a portion of the back (interior) of the card is visible from the front. Consequently, it makes it kind of hard to photograph standing up so I photographed it laying down instead. I hope you can still get a good feel of how the card looks.


The "Happy Birthday" stamp was also repeated on the inside so that the sentiment can be read on the front and on the inside.

Supplies: Cardstock (Bazzill), Stamps (Sassafras Lass, Artful Stamper), Letters (Webster's Pages), Felt & Twill (Creative Café)

I think I will give this one to my daughter this summer on her 2nd birthday.

Mad Scrapping Week

Do you ever have one of those weeks where things just seem to click? Well this week was one of them for me. I'm completely exhausted today, but I'm happy to say that my Christmas cards are all but done, Grandfather's Day cards have been made and sent, and a cookbook for my brother's birthday was also made and presented at a party last night. (Sorry I don't have a photo.) Whew!


Up next, I still have to make my husband a gift for Father's Day. I already have a plan, I just need to do it. I think that will be all for me this week! LOL

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Check out this sheet of patterned paper:


This first group of cards and tags was made with this single sheet of GCD paper from the Chianti line and whatever cardstock you see in the photos. What a quick and easy way to knock out a bunch of cards and tags.

Up next are a few miscellaneous cards.

The first one is one of my new favourite colour combos: Kraft and White.

I just rediscovered this background stamp by Hero Arts. Isn't it just beautiful?

It's interesting. I am a neutral coloured girl through and through. All you need to do is see the interior design of my house or my clothing and you would know. But I am starting to realize that in scrapbooking, I think I'm starting to move towards more of a love of colour. Looking at this group of projects, I think I like the red and white ones best as they are so colourful. Who knows, this may be the start of a new trend for me.

We shall see.

Some FANTASTIC News and a Tutorial

Remember this project??

Well check it out HERE!!

WOOT!!!!

THANKS so much to the Jillibean Soup Team for such wonderful products to work with and for choosing my project as the winner.

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With the closing of Paws on Scrapbooking, there was a LARGE group of floundering scrappers looking for a place to call home. As the old saying goes, when one door closes another door opens. That door this time is a place called "Let's Capture Our Memories". Tanya has been working overtime to get her forum, gallery and store set up. Things are hopping already and I have been asked to manage a stamping forum. What I will do is offer a series of stamping lessons in an effort to get the dust off those stamp collections and give them a place in your everyday scrapbooking habits.



My first lesson was posted yesterday. It's called "It's All About the Layers". Since I have so many blog readers, I thought I'd share my stamping tutorials here as well.

Stamping Lesson 1: "It's All About the Layers"

Layering stamped images is a quick, easy way to create some interest on any project. What you want to look for is a stamp that has portions that can easily be cut out. Flowers work great for this, as do cakes, trees, people, etc. Simply stamp the image once and use that as the bottom layer. Stamp the image again (you may want to try a different colour paper) and cut out the next layer...a smaller portion of the same stamped image. You can create as many layers as you like. Just look at your stamp and try to envision it in 3D.



In this example, I am using a simple plaid journaling block.



I stamped it first onto the orange patterned paper. The second layer was stamped on a cream colour paper and the interior part of the journaling block was the only piece I cut out. I placed them one on top of the other and then carried on with the rest of my design.


Taking it one step further:
Try popping up your layers with chipboard, foam dots or hot glue.

Challenge: Create a project of any kind that uses stamps in two or more layers.

Link your work up here so we can all "ooh" and "aww" and learn together.

HAVE FUN!!!

The Best Grandpa

Supplies: Paper (GCD Studios), Stamps (Unity Stamp Company), Words (Making Memories), Gems (Kaiser)

As promised, here is my first Father's Day card...and much earlier in the week than I anticipated. There's nothing like a challenge with a quick turn around to kick my butt in gear. Since both Grandfathers live out of town, I needed to get going on these and get them in the mail. So here it is, the 2009 Grandfather's Day card. Next up, something for Daddy.

Design Details:
-The plaid frame is a stamp that I cut out and layered in different colours and patterns. The outside edge is covered in Glossy Accents to give it the look of a pre-made frame.
-The stamped figures were also pieced together. The orginal stamp is of a boy and his Dad. Since I have all girls, I pieced a girl on top.

Until next time,
Tracey

Sowing Seeds of Love

OK...before I say anything else, I need to get something off my chest.

I LOVE scrapbooking with PURPLE!!

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It is just so RICH and GORGEOUS!

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I know I am in the minority.

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I'm alright with that.

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OK, I'm done.

Back to the regular post.

I started this one at a crop two weekends ago and am finally getting it finished now. The sun is made from a couple of different stamps: Everlasting Romance and He Loves Me. It took some time to piece together, but it was so worth it to see it finished now. You really need a glue gun for this one.

These photos were taken while planting the garden. The girls absolutely LOVE "helping" with the gardening. You can see how intent they are listening as their Daddy gives them a lesson on planting beans.

Supplies: Paper, Stickers, Chipboard & Bling (Basic Grey), Stamps (Unity, myStamp BOX), Pearls (Kaiser), mini letters (Pink Paislee), Metal Doily (Imaginisce), Button (Jenni Bowlin)

So tell me, how do you feel about purple??

I know there are more of you out there who love it as much as I do!

It's time to fess up!!


Edited to Add:
This page was published in the Spring, 2010 issue of Scrapbooking & Beyond.

On Christmas and Celebrations

As promised, here are a couple of my latest card creations.

Here I am using the totally FUN Border Lines stamp set again. Is it three posts in a row now?? It's really interesting how well this funky set relates with the classy Wisteria paper line. Who would have thought??

Stay tuned next week for some Father's Day cards, another Wisteria layout and hopefully some more Christmas cards.

Thanks for visiting!

"Yes-You"

I know this is post number two, but this page had to linked up to One Little Word today. I also didn't want you all to think I forgot how to make layouts.

The "Word Up" this week is YES and here is my page. It's called, "Yes you" because that is my daughter's version of "Bless You".

Journaling Reads: This is what you say when someone sneezes...your version of "Bless you." It is just so adorable that I haven't bothered to correct you.

Supplies: Paper (Me & My Big Ideas), Letters (Scenic Route, American Crafts), Stamps (myStamp BOX), Chipboard Buttons & Pearls (Jenni Bowlin), Flower & Ribbon (Prima), Chipboard (Riff Raff), Glitter (Pink Paislee), Trinket Pin (Making Memories), Trim & Buttons (Dollarama)

Happy Friday! Stay tuned for some more cards this weekend.

"Wow, Mommy, WOW!"

Magnetic Alphabet Board

Believe it or not, this project was inspired indirectly by a stainless steel refrigerator. Since they are not magnetic, we can't use any of the wonderful alphabet magnets and games that kids just love in our home. When the Journaling Sprouts Contest was announced, it dawned on me to magnetize the journaling sprouts and create my own alphabet board game.

I thoroughly enjoyed putting this together -once I figured out the appropriate paint to use on the cookie sheet. (Thanks, Erin!) I won't deny it was a labour of love with all the layers of paint, ink, glue, journaling sprouts, chipboard, embellies and diamond glaze. BUT the reaction I got from my daughter made it all worth it.

"Wow, Mommy, WOW!",she said when I showed her.

I'm still smiling.

(click on photos to enlarge)

The green border around the perimeter is a stamp from myStamp BOX. I LOVE this set.

Each of the letters has some sort of texture and dimension. I used metal, acrylic, felt, ribbon, gems, etc. etc. to make the whole thing a tactile experience as well. I dug deep in my embellishment box for some of these little treasures.

Each of the letter cards is coated in diamond glaze. Hopefully they will hold up to some of the wear and tear of two toddlers.
I used an ENTIRE bottle on this one project!

Supplies: Journaling Sprouts (Jillibean Soup), Paper (Jillibean Soup), Letters (Jillibean Soup, Cosmo Cricket), Stamps (myStamp BOX, Unity, Sassafras Lass), Felt (Sassafras Lass, Dollar Store), Hedge Hog & Bee (My Little Bit of Whimsy), Flower (Bazzill), Metal (Making Memories, Dollar Store), Chipboard (Bo Bunny, Pink Paislee, American Crafts), Bling (Prima, Creative Imaginations), Acrylic (Clear Scraps), Ribbon (Michaels), Key hole (Melissa Frances), Leaf Pin (Maya Roads)
Here she is playing with her new toy. All my youngest wants to do right now is throw the letters. LOL

We used the board a few ways today:

-We arranged the letters in the correct order.

-We spelled words. (Note to self: Make some extra letters so she can spell her own name.)

-We learned some new words (like hedge hog).

-We also related the letters to the pictures on the cards.

Can you tell I'm a teacher?? LOL

Instructions:

-Spray cookie sheet with a white latex primer. Allow board to dry between coats.
-Cut patterned paper to size and adhere around inside edges of cookie sheet with Mod Podge.

-Once dried, top paper with another thin coat of Modge Podge to seal.

-Stamp design around perimeter of cookie sheet using Staz-On ink.

To create letter pieces:

-Layer chipboard, journaling sprouts, letters and embellishements...the more the better.

-Top with Diamond Glaze.
-Attach magnets to the back of each letter with hot glue.

ENJOY!!

Not Christmas Already!?!

I am determined to make my own Christmas cards this year. That being said, I have decided to start early because otherwise, I know it won't happen. This card is based on Sketch 18 at Card Patterns. I flipped the design on its side for this one.

Here is a second photo of the same card so you can see the cut out window on the front.
I wanted to jazz up the focal point so I cut out a window, added the chipboard frame and backed it with a piece of acrylic with the stamped sentiment. The sentiment is one made by myStamp BOX and the paper is by Upsy Daisy. I love the pink and green combo for Christmas themed projects.

So, stay tuned and be forewarned. The odd Christmas card will find its way to my blog over the next few months. Hope you don't mind.

Have a GREAT day!

Today's Blog Features

Today is my day to blog at myStamp BOX and I posted a tutorial called "Stamping on Acrylic". Check it out if you have a second.

Remember this page?? I am pleased to tell you that it is showcased on the Jillibean Soup blog today as part of their Wednesday Soup Spotting feature. How cool is that?

This same page was also featured in an article, Scrapbook Kit Clubs in Review, that was published by Scrapbook News & Review a few weeks ago.

After looking through this post again, it would appear that I like the colour GREEN, which I do!

Have a GREAT day. Thanks for stopping by.

I Made Top 5!

The results for sketch 17 are posted at Card Patterns and my card made top 5!! How fun is that? CONGRATS also to Windy, Sherry, Yanitza and Karen. Your cards are just gorgeous. Don't forget to check out the latest sketch and play along. There is always so much inspiration to be had.

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Ultimate Card Showdown Update:

While I did not make the top 30, two of my friends did. Please help me congratulate Cindy and Eva and help cheer them on in round two! HUGE congrats, girls. Your cards are SUPERB!!

I *Heart* All Things Red

How about you??

Have a wonderful Saturday.

I'm off to a crop today!

Two Stamps, Two Looks

It's Friday again which means it's Hip Hop Hangover Blog Hop day over at Unity and Splitcoast Stampers. I created these two projects (a layout and a card) using the same two stamps. This was not done on purpose at all. It was just one of those happy happenings so I thought I'd share them both today. I hope you like them.

Journaling reads: Please REMEMBER...Wherever you go & whatever you do, you've got a friend in my for life. Love, Mommy xoxo

The scallop on this page was made using a template by Crafter's Workshop, a neutral cardstock and Glimmer Mist. The mist gives it such a nice shimmer that really doesn't show well online.

This card was made for the Citrus Color Challenge over at Moxie Fab world last week. The challenge was the perfect excuse for me to dig out my new American Crafts Zing lime green embossing powder and lime Glimmer Mist. Such fun colours. I am thinking I should have left the flower white though. It doesn't fade into the background nearly as much in person as it does here.

Hope you all enjoy a fabulous Friday of blog hopping!

Ultimate Card Showdown

Supplies: Paper (Pebbles Inc.), Stamps (Unity, The Artful Stamper), Glitter Embossing Powder (Stampendous), Gems & Pearls (Kaiser), Bird (Prima), Chipboard (Deluxe Designs), Cardstock (Prism)

2 Sketches 4 You is hosting the first annual Ultimate Card Showdown and here is my entry. For week one, the challenge was to create a card using this sketch. I have been having a great time using embossing powders lately. I LOVE the look of this red glitter by Stampendous. I used a piece of chipboard by Deluxe Designs to hold the sentiment and bird detail. It gives me that little bit of dimension that I love on a card. Be sure to take a peek at all the other gorgeous cards that have been created this week.

Just a Little Hello

Here is my take on Card Patterns Sketch 17. I used three different stamps from myStamp BOX. The sentiment, the flower and the embossed background. Since I don't have a Cuttlebug, I had to get creative. I stamped a swirly flower petal over the entire background and heat embossed it with clear powder. So what do you think??

New Card & Giveaway

Supplies: Paper (Pebbles Inc.), Stamps (myStamp BOX), Acrylic (Clear Scraps)

I simply adore this card. This month at myStamp BOX we partnered with Clear Scraps and Helmar Adhesives. I got the best goodie box in the mail last week and here is one of my latest creations. I used an acrylic cupcake from the cupcake mini album set to create the focal point of this card. I traced the shapes onto patterned paper, pieced them together and then topped it with the acrylic shape. My sentiment was added on top with the little flame. The whole thing came together in a snap.
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Today also marks the release of the newest stamp set at myStamp BOX. It's called "Trees for all Seasons". If you would like a chance to win your very own set, comment on THIS POST.


As always, thanks for stopping by.