Going Loopy

After many, many weeks of searching, I finally got my hands on the Martha Stewart loopy punches - both of them.  Let me tell you, having the corner punch sure beats all the acrobatics you need to perform to try and get a traditional border punch to properly go around a turn.  It worked beautifully the FIRST time and took no extra thought or effort at all.  LOVE this set.

"Embracing the Lean"

Supplies:  Paper (Fancy Pants, SEI, Jillibean Soup), Stamp (Maya Roads), Letters (Pink Paislee, Rose Moka, Jenni Bowlin), Button (My Little Bit of Whimsy), Flower (Maya Roads), Cardstock (Bazzill)

Journaling Reads:

Every time I try to take your photo you lean towards the camera.  Not just a little tilt, but a full blown nearly knock you off balance lean.  Finally I just decided to go with it and got this shot. Who would have thought?

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This next project is very similar to the card make and take I did last weekend.  I used the corner loopy punch for this one.  Simply punch a series of the "corners" along a straight edge, cut them out and glue them on the back side of the circle allowing the loops to show.  You can make your loops go around any shape you wish using this method.

Supplies: Cardstock (Bazzill), Stamp, Rub-On & Paper (Upsy Daisy), Gems (Kaiser), Embossing Powder (American Crafts), Punch (Martha Stewart - loopy)

So tell me. Do you have a favourite border punch??

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One more thing I did this week was add the journaling to THIS PAGE.  I much happier with it now.

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THANKS for stopping by!

I LOVE Border Punches

Supplies:  Paper (Jillibean Soup, Three Bugs in a Rug), Flower (Maya Roads), Letters (Pink Paislee), Stickers (Jenni Bowlin), Scallop Punch (EK Success), Brads (American Crafts)

Over the past couple of weeks I have added three new border punches to my collection. The large scallop you see on this page is one of them.  I can tell already it is one I will be using over and over.  This is the one and only page I got done at the crop last weekend.  Yes, ONE single page!?!  In my defense, I did do a Tattered Angels demonstration and a card make and take using the Martha Stewart loopy punch.  I'll try and get that one posted later this week.  I also had to make time for some shopping and lots of socializing. So all in all, it was a very productive and enjoyable weekend.

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Some NEWS....

Have you heard of the Lil Scrappin' Mama?  They are a new kit club that opened this fall and I was invited to join their premiere design team.  The kits are absolutely gorgeous.  I can't wait until my first kit arrives.  Please take a moment and check them out.  You won't be disappointed.

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Plum Crazy!!

What a perfect name for a paper line, don't you think?? 

I was instantly drawn to this piece of paper the moment I saw it.

I still am.

Wouldn't this just be the most perfect colour scheme for a girl's bedroom?? 

Hmmm...I think I have another idea!

So, here is the page.  One of the first photos I took in this sequence is the one I used on the chair.  I was initially disappointed with the lighting so I moved the chair to take the last few photos.  In the end, the lighting in the first photo really seemed perfect for a story book feel.  It almost seems like the book is magical and illuminating her face as she opens it.  Or I could be just plum crazy, too.  Who knows.  Either way, here is my page.

Hope you enjoy!

Supplies:  Paper (Glitz), Butterfly (Prima), Pearls (Zva Creative), Gems (Kaiser Crafts), Letters (Scenic Route), Edge Punch (Fiskars)

Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

Edited to Add:  If you would like to see more plum inspired projects, stop by Moxie Fab World.  Challenge deadline is Nov. 16th.

Edited to Add:

This page was published in the Spring, 2010 issue of Canadian Scrapbooker.

Purse Album Tutorial

Supplies:

4 sheets chipboard

1 pkg. 7 Gypsies Book Handles

Paper/ Embellishsments of your choice

Sewing Machine

Hot Glue

Finished Size:  7 x 5 x 1.5

Instructions:

1.  Cut Chipboard:

  a)  TWO pieces 7 x 11.5 and scored at 5 inches from the left and right

  b)  ONE piece 7 x 11 and scored at 5 inches from the left and right

  c)  ONE piece 7 x 10.5 and scored at 5 inches from the left and right

The two largest pieces will form the cover (outside of the purse).  Each of the subsequent interior pages is smaller by a half inch to graduate the size of the pages from outside to inside.

2.  Create the Cover/Outside of the Purse:

  a)  Cover one side of the largest chipboard pieces with patterned paper.

  b)  Sew or draw a border around the front and back panels of the purse.

  c)  Attach the book handles, centering them on the front and back panels of the purse.  Squeeze the clips to secure.

  c)  Take the second piece of chipboard size 7 x 11.5, cover it with paper on ONE side and attach it to the back side of the cover.  This will cover up the clips on the inside of the book and reinforce the cover.  You may wish to add some hot glue to the clips at this point to firmly secure them behind the chipboard and keep them from sliding.  Embellish the inside cover as desired.

  d)  Continue to decorate the outside of the purse, using some trim to cover up the clips on the front and back panels of the purse.

 

3.  Interior Pages:

  a)  Cover the front and back sides of each of the remaining two pieces of chipboard with paper.

  b)  Add photos and embellishments are desired.

4.  Bind Book:

  a)  Arrange each of the finished interior pages one on top of the other, centering them along binding.

  b)  Carefully stitch a zigzag stitch down the center.

  c)  Using a strong glue, attach them to the cover, centering them on the spine.

Here is a closer look at my interior pages. 

Please feel free to ask questions if any of this is unclear.

ENJOY!

EDITED TO ADD:

Look for this album in the Spring, 2011 issue of Scrapbooking & Beyond.

Mixing & Matching

There was nothing left of the apple by the time Julia was done but the stem.  It was also the first time she decided she likes to eat the apple peels.  Funny, she hasn't done it again since!

Supplies:  Paper (Fancy Pants, DCWV, Basic Grey), Stamps (my Stamp BOX), Letters (Pink Paislee, Making Memories), Chipboard (Scenic Route), Vinyl Shape (American Crafts), Brads (Bazzill), Journaling Sprouts (Jillibean Soup), Sticker (Heidi Swapp)

I've been looking at my Kraft papers for quite sometime, unsure of just what to do with them to make them pop. I started this page on the weekend and it wasn't until I added the June Bug patterned paper that the page took the direction I was hoping for...maybe even a little bit better.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

Gradient is Radiant!!

The latest challenge over at Moxie Fab World is to use gradient colour, or colour changing gradually. On this card I worked with shades of red, orange and yellow to achieve a gradient look in two different places.  I sprayed the burlap with various shades of glimmer mist and also stamped the honey comb beginning with the dark red hues and ending with the lighter oranges and yellows.

Supplies:  Stamps (myStamp BOX), Letters (American Crafts, Pink Paislee, Making Memories), Bee (My Little Bit of Whimsy), Burlap (Craft Supply Store), Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Inks (Stampin' Up, Staz-On)

Here is a close up of the stamp work and stamp set used. 

Thanks, as always, for stopping by!

Thankful

Today is Thanksgiving in Canada and what better time to create a page about family.  This photo just plain makes me happy.  I am thankful everyday to have such a wonderful husband and two happy, healthy girls and a hobby that allows me to celebrate them.

Supplies:  Paper (Bo Bunny, DCWV), Flowers & Canvas Tag (Prima), Letters (Scenic Route), Bling (Zva Creative, Kaiser Crafts), Chipboard (Chatterbox), Ribbon (Junkitz), Pins (Making Memories)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Home Grown UPDATED

Supplies:  Paper (Cosmo Cricket), Chipboard (Riff Raff), Stamps (myStamp BOX), Rub-On Letters (Jenni Bowlin), Letter Stickers (Scenic Route), Trim (Prima, Chatterbox, Making Memories), Word Stickers (Making Memories)

Just a quick post today.  It seems like ages ago I did this page and am just now getting the finishing touches on it.  It still feels like something is missing. Maybe one of you will know.  I'm tossing around the idea of adding more clouds over the rest of the background paper.  What do you think?

Happy Friday. Thanks for stopping by.

EDITED:  I added the journaling strips and my page is finally complete!!

Journaling reads:  From the day we plant the seeds until the day we harvest the vegetables, you love each and every step of the process. This is what you call home grown happiness.

The Great Mushroom Debate Continues

Several months ago I bought this sheet of die cut paper with absolutely NO idea how I would ever use it. But since I thought it was cute and I needed the challenge I had to get it.  Right??  Several weeks ago, a page on CoriLyn's blog reminded me of this paper again and gave me the motivation to dig it out so I took it with me to the crop last weekend.  At one point during the night, I called it a mushroom and that sparked a debate with Cindy and I since she was as confident it was a tree as I was it was a mushroom.  Well a late night followed by very little sleep was all it took for this to become the next morning's conversation. So I'm throwing it out there to all of you, too. 

Mushroom or Tree?? 

Believe it or not, through all of that I actually did use it and here is the resulting page.  Maybe we can agree to disagree that it is a mushroom used as a tree here. I'm willing to admit that I've never seen a mushroom this large?  BUT one could argue that the whole page is based on a nursery rhyme and well anything goes with that.....  Can you see now how the day went???  LOL  It was all in good fun though and I adore the page whatever you want to call the thing.  I also simply ADORE the "Wishing Your Sunshine" stamp set from myStamp BOX.  Aren't those flourish clouds just adorable???  This is definitely my most favourite stamp set to date.

Supplies:  Paper (Crate, Pink Paislee, SEI), Stamps (myStamp BOX), Letters (American Crafts, Prima), Tag (Tim Holtz), Misc. Buttons

As always, thanks for stopping by!  Hope you enjoyed your visit.

EDITED TO ADD:

This page was published in the Summer, 2010 issue of Scrapbooking & Beyond.

It's All About Baby

I showed you the cover of this mini a few weeks ago.  At the crop on the weekend, I finally put together some of the interior pages.  While the Amber Road line by Pink Paislee might not be your typical baby girl themed paper, I think it suits just fine.  Check out all the Riff Raff I used on this project!  LOVE this stuff.

Supplies:  Paper (Pink Paislee), Mirror Album (Heidi Swapp), Stamps (Unity Stamp Company), File Folder (Paper Loft), Rub-Ons (October Afternoon, Jenni Bowlin), Tulle (Bazzill), Pearl Dangle (7 Gypsies), Pearls & Flower (Prima)

Making Custom Fabric Tags

Join  me on the myStamp BOX blog today for a mini tutorial on making fabric tags.

Have a GREAT Tuesday!

Cruisin'

I will be the first one to tell you that pink is not my favourite colour. In fact it probably ranks as one of my LEAST favourite colours.  I am, however, warming up to it since I really don't have much choice with two girls in the house and another girl on the way. 

I made this page with Basic Grey's Lemonade paper.  Pairing pink with lime green certainly makes you sit down and take notice.  It might just be one of my new favourite colour combinations.  Imagine that!

Supplies:  Paper (Basic Grey), Letters (American Crafts), Bling (Zva Creative), Rub-Ons (Glitz), Gems (Kaiser Crafts), Ribbon (Offray)

Speaking of cruisin', I attended a crop this weekend that got my mojo cruisin' and I couldn't be more thrilled.  I mean really...if sitting in a room surrounded by talented scrappers and oodles of product with the only real distraction the wonderful smells of home cooking doesn't get your mojo kick started, nothing will. 

This is the first in a series of work I'll be posting this week so check back often.

Cheers,

Tracey

Let's Celebrate - Blog Hop

We're so happy that you joined in our blog hop introduction to our new myStamp BOX designers! If you should have happened upon my blog today, please start at the myStamp BOX blog  for an amazing journey of fabulous cards and introductions to all of our new designers.


Here's our rotation for this blog hop just in case you missed some of our designer's blogs:
Ally
Jolene
Leica
Tracey (you are HERE)
Trace
Gudrun
Marci
Cherie


You have a chance to win some wonderful mSB goodies just by commenting on each participating designer's blog and by collecting the letters on each designer's blog to spell a very special phrase. When you have collected all the letters and made all of your comments, please email your phrase answer, along with your full name and email address to Allison at sosketchy@live.com with "mSB Blog Hop" in your subject line. You can send in your answer and information to win up until Sunday October 4th at 5pm EST.

The letters that you are collecting from me are: OMY

Good luck!

 

Without further adieu, I introduce to you the next designer on the myStamp BOX team...

 
 
 

NATHALIE KALBACH

 

"Hi - my name is Nat Kalbach and I live in Hamburg, Germany with my husband on our cat Niles. I do work as a paralegal and use scrapbooking as an creative outlet. I love to include Mixed Media Techniques in my work and my style is quite eclectic!.

I draw my inspiration from everyday life- it is so easy to get inspired by just walking around in this beautiful world and let it speak to you."

Please take a moment to check out Nathalie's blog, Scrapbook Trends.  You'll be glad you did!

Here is a party hat card I made to celebrate this occasion.  It features the Funky Circles and Small Greetings sets.

Supplies:  Stamps (myStamp BOX), Cardstock (Bazzill), Embossing Powder (American Crafts), Ribbon (Pebbles), Pin (Making Memories), Trim (??)

For a tutorial on how to make this flower, check out the June, 2009 Just the Basics newsletter from Basic Grey.

WELCOME to the team, Nathalie!!!!

The next stop on the blog hop is TRACE.

THANKS so much for stopping by!!