10 Things I Love...

Here is a page I shared on the Purple Pumpkin blog today:

"10 Things I Love About Christmas"

Supplies:  Paper & Diecuts (SEI), 10 Things I Love Present (Little Yellow Bicycle), Twine (the Twinery), Buttons (Purple Pumpkin), Brads (Bazzill)

One of my most favourite things about Purple Pumpkin embellishments are their polka dot fabric covered buttons.  Be sure to pop on over to their blog for all kinds of fun crafty ideas.  Don't forget to get your entry in for the January Sketch Challenge either.

Thanks so much for visiting!

All Through the House....

All through our house, Christmas is but a distant memory except in my craft room.  Peachy Cheap had a deal on SEI Christmas paper a few weeks ago and I snagged myself a kit.  I broke into it last night and made this page:

"Happy Holidays"

Supplies:  Paper, Die Cuts (SEI), Brads (Upsy Daisy), Twine (Martha Stewart Crafts), Pearls (Craft Supply Store), Cardstock (Bazzill), Photo by Karyn Fillmore

I love all the coordinating die cuts with this line.  I also LOVE the texture on these corduory brads by Upsy Daisy Designs.

Now that the house is void of decorations, I feel the need to do a deep clean of the house.  Anyone want to come over the help??

Merry Moments

Would you believe that I have an appropriately themed page to share today??  It's a rarity, I know.  I usually create and post most of my Christmas work in the summer. LOL  At any rate, I wanted to post a Christmas page and holiday wish today.

Supplies:  Paper (SEI, Little Yellow Bicycle), Letters (Websters Pages), Button (Purple Pumpkin Crafts), Journaling Sprouts & Pins (Jillibean Soup), Rhinestone Word (Studio 18), Glitter Border (White Blossom)

Photos by Karyn Fillmore

Isn't that Santa just the cutest?  It's another lovely by Purple Pumpkin Crafts.

Before I sign off today, please accept my heartfelt wish for a joyous holiday season with lots of love and laughter. 

Merry Christmas!

Holiday Hairbands

Hairbands are not new on this blog so I won't get into alot of details on how they are made.  You can find other examples in the Hair Accessories label.  The hairbands I have to share today are suitable for the holidays.

Supplies:  Hairbands, i-Top, Medium Snap Daddies (Imaginisce), Ribbon (Michaels), Flowers (Imaginisce, Petaloo, Prima), Fabric & Pearls (Fabric Supply Store)

I really love that Imaginisce has created so many great tools and accessories that I am able to customize hair accessories for any occasion.

Christmas in July

Early in June, the Christams magazine calls start to come out and that is what I've been working on the past month.  So if you're okay with looking at all things green, red and sparkly when it's warm and sunny outside, please read on.  :)

"Deck the Halls"

Supplies:  Paper (Imaginisce), Chipboard (Ezee Pezee), Pearls (Teresa Collins), Letters (Basic Grey, Scenic Route), Chipboard (Scenic Route)

I have really been making an effort to re-acquaint myself with 2 page layouts.  One thing I have discovered is to not be shy about placing focal elements across the seam, like this large chipboard flourish.  All I had to do was mark the cut lines and cut it with an exacto knife before adhering it.

"You Shine"

Supplies: Paper (Little Yellow Bicycle), Glitter Paper (Best Creation Inc.), Die Cuts (Pink Paislee), Flourishes (Kaisercrafts), Buttons (Michaels), Letters (Making Memories), Cricut & Accent Essential Cartridge, Snowflakes (Craft Supply Store)

"Snow Angel"

I think this page is my favourite of the group. 

Supplies:  Paper (Best Creation Inc.), Letters (American Crafts), Stamp & Button (Stampin' Up), Journaling Sprouts (Jillibean Soup), Twine (The Twinery), Sequins (Making Memories), Lace (Dollarama)

I absolutely love pink and red paired together.

Last but not least, I have a mini album as well.

"Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas"

Supplies: Paper, Chipboard, Stickers & Glitter Cardstock (Best Creation), Pearls (Making Memories), Album (Magistical Memories), Dangle (Teresa Collins), Liquid Pearls (Ranger)

I just love all the open flourishes and leaves on the cover.  Best Creation Inc.'s glitter paper really shines through these openings.

The album only has three pages to it.  While I could have easily created more, I decided to take a different approach.  I made photo flip ups and pockets on the pages instead to maximize the number of photos in the book.

I think I had better leave it at that for today.  If you made it to the end, thanks so much for reading.  Have a wonderful day!

Santa Baby

Before I do anything else I want to send out a huge THANK YOU to Kristine Davidson for the blog makeover.  Didn't she do a fantastic job?  If you want to see more of her work, be sure to check out her site for a long list of blogs she has decorated. 

Another bit of news before I dive back into Christmas pages is a blog spotlight on the Clear Scraps blog.  They have a crown album giveaway on now and they have featured one of my albums.  Be sure to take a moment and check it out.  They have all kinds of giveaways on the go with CHA just around the corner.

"Santa Baby"

Supplies:  Paper (American Crafts), Letters (American Crafts, Websters Pages), Bling (Glitz Designs, Teresa Collings), Chipboard (Riff Raff), Baker's Twine (Martha Stewart), Border Punches (Martha Stewart & EK Success), Trim (Pink Paislee), Cardstock (Bazzill)

I have been wanting to make a circular page now for awhile and finally took the time to do it this week.  I just love this Dear Lizzy Christmas line.  You saw some of the sheets from this line used in my last post.  Isn't it fun how the same line can be used to create two completely different moods?

Here is a detail shot of my spray painted chipboard.  This is a prime example of why I love the spray paint so much. I have tried on more than once occasion to paint shapes with this level of detail and everytime, no matter how careful I am, I get paint down the sides and in the grooves and the pieces just loose some of their pizzazz. 

Krylon to the rescue.

The one I use is similar to this product. The only difference is that mine is a primer.  I actually bought it to spray cookie sheets before altering them.  I'm sure any number of spray paints will do just fine but to give you all a better idea of what I have been talking about all this time, I wanted to share this photo.  Thanks to my girlfriends for asking me about this.  Sometimes I forget that you all can't see inside my mind as I type these posts.  If ever there is anything you wonder about, PLEASE ask.  I really do appreciate knowing if something is not clear.

That's all for today.  We've got a busy morning of skating and camera shopping today.  Enjoy your weekend and thanks for visiting.

EDITED TO ADD:

Look for this page in the Winter, 2011 issue of Scrapbooking & Beyond Magazine.

Jingle Bells

Brace yourselves.  Though Christmas might be over, scrapbooking my Christmas has just begun.  Today's page is one of two that I made of Daphne's first Christmas, though interestingly enough not one of them is titled as such.  I guess I may have to make another one.

"Jingle Bells"

Supplies:  Paper & Letters (My Little Shoebox, American Crafts), Stickers (My Little Shoebox), Pin (Making Memories), Baker's Twine (Martha Stewart), Letters

This is not a new technique on this blog but I always like to point it out for those who may have missed it.  I use Glossy Accents often to add some dimension to patterned paper and stickers.  On this page, I added some interest to my tree stickers highlighting stripes and circles.

There were a couple of tree ornaments that Daphne found quite captivating.  This was one of her favourites.  By the end of the month, the bow was tore off but that didn't affect the jingling sound whatsoever.

Stay tuned for more Christmas pages.  Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Epiphany Crafts Holiday Ornament Blog Hop

Welcome to the Epiphany Crafts Design Team Holiday Ornament Blog Hop 2010!!

Our lovely Design Team has created some wonderful holiday projects, brimming with inspiration and of course, Epiphany Crafts epoxies, buttons, and tools! Visit each Design Team member's blog to see what inspiring projects they have to share. Leave a comment on each blog. When you reach the last blog, you'll receive the final instructions on how to enter to win a fabulous prize pack filled with Epiphany Crafts goodies, straight from Santa!!


If you've just happened upon my blog today, you may wish to go to the START of the blog hop so you don't miss a single ornament idea that was posted today.  If you arrived here from Lisa's blog, you are in the right place so sit back and enjoy your stay.

I chose to alter an acrylic ornament for today's post.  I made a band of epoxy snowflake embellishments using a piece of patterned paper from Imaginise's Cottage Christmas line and the Round 14 Studio Shape Tool.  I think this is my most used studio tool right now and word on the street is the 1" round epoxy tools will be in stores soon.  You read that right.  One full inch of custom epoxy lovliness in a compact, handy dandy punch.  Could it really get any better?  Anyway, I digress. Back to the ornament. I filled this one with tinsel trim by Webster's Pages and just like that, I have a one of a kind ornament full of sparkle for the tree.

Supplies:  Paper (Imaginisce), Tinsel Trim (Websters Pages), Epoxy (Epiphany Crafts), Tulle (JoAnn Fabrics), Baker's Twine (Martha Stewart), Acrylic Ornament (Michaels)

The next stop on the blog hop is the talented Monique.  Don't forget to comment as you go along to be eligible for the prize at the end.  Happy Hopping!

Playing with the i-rock

Awhile ago you may remember me mentioning how much fun I was having playing along with the vendor challenges at 2 Peas in a Bucket.  I actually won the Imaginisce one and my prize arrived a couple of  weeks ago. Inside the box was an i-rock tool and the Cottage Christmas line.  I could hardly believe it!  Oh, what fun for this gadget girl! 

So here is my first i-rock/Cottage Christmas project.  I decided to alter an acylic Christmas tree ornament.  Talk about jumping in with both feet. The ornament is slightly concave so it made holding the pattern in place, positioning the gems, using the tool and holding my lip just right all at the same time a bit of a test of patience.  But, I perservered and here is the end result.  It's not perfect but it works and the snowflakes inside the ornament are so sparkly.

Supplies:  Gems, i-Rock Tool, Rub-Ons & Acrylic Snowflakes (Imaginisce), Ornament (Michaels), Tulle (JoAnn Fabrics), Unknown beads

THANKS so much Imaginisce and 2 Peas in a Bucket!!

An Epiphany Crafts Layout Class

This Saturday I will be demonstrating Epiphany Crafts' shape studio tools.  YAY!  It's been much too long since I've taught a class so I'm really looking forward to it.  Here is the page we will be making.  There is all kinds of room to interpret the page to suit your photos. I have a variety of page titles available and the grouping of 4x3 photos is only a suggestion. The page looks great done with a single 4x6 photo as well. 

Here are some close-ups of the custom button and epoxy embellishments I made for the page.  I can't wait for you all to try these tools. They really are so fun and simple to work with.

The class will run twice on Saturday at 10am and 1pm.  The page kits and layout design are courtesy of the generous folks at Epihany Crafts.  I believe there are a few spots left in the afternoon slot if you would like to attend.  All you need to do is leave me a message here or through the email address in my blogger profile.

Looking forward to Saturday!

A Trio of Holiday Cards

Supplies:  Paper, Chipboard, Rub-Ons, Ribbon & Acrylic Snowflakes (Imaginisce), Cardstock (Bazzill), Embossing Folder (Sizzix), Liquid Pearls (Ranger)

This is my first assignment work with Canadian Scrapbooker magazine.  I used the adorable "Cottage Christmas" line by Imaginisce.  I think the first one is my favourite but I'm also really loving the ornament paper on the last one.  For complete, step by step instructions look on page 67 of the winter issue.

Christmas Blog Hop with Best Creation Inc.

Hello and welcome to a blog hop full of festive projects to kick-start the holiday season.  It's our first official blog hop at Best Creation Inc. and all of us are excited to show you lots of fabulous projects.  Because we all love prizes, and it is after all the season of giving, one lucky person will win a $100 prize package of Best Creations goodies and a second person will win our Valentine Collection of papers and stickers. How wonderful is that?


How to play along:
We have thirteen stops and my blog is the first stop.  Leave a comment on each blog as you hop along to collect the letters of our secret phrase. Once you have commented on the final blog (Best Creation Inc.),  email the mystery phrase to teresa@bestcreation.us. The winners will be announced on Friday, Dec. 3rd. Good luck and have fun hopping!

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My Project:

Best Creation Inc. has a number of glittery paper lines that are perfect for any holiday project.  For my project, I chose to alter an inexpensive charger plate I found at Michaels using some of the cute snowman papers.

"Altered Charger Plate"

Supplies:  Paper, Foil Stickers (Best Creation Inc.), Trim (Bo Bunny), Glitter Word & Charger Plate (Michaels), Gems (Kaisercrafts)

I love how the foil stickers pop off the plum colour of the plate. 

Before you leave, the first mystery letter is S.  Hop on over to Karen's blog for another fun Christmas project and your next letter.  Good Luck and thanks for stopping by.

"5 GOLD-EN Rings" (sung in my best shower voice)

On the Scrap Within Reach blog we have been counting down the weeks before Christmas using the ever popular "12 Days of Christmas" as our theme song.  My turn is today and my line is "5 Golden Rings".  Awhile back I mentioned that toilet paper rolls keep finding their way into my craft room and today you are going to see my Christmas version of toilet paper roll napkin rings.  Who would have thought? The funny part is, it took me a few weeks to come up with something clever to make and I was so darn proud of myself to come up with such an original idea.  So I made my napkin rings a month before the deadline. I liked them so much I made a second set for fall and then decided to google handmade napkin rings so see what other people are doing.  Would you believe this is not a new idea at all??  People have been making napkin rings out of everything from beads to toilet paper rolls since forever.  Oh well.  I guess my design is original even if the medium isn't.  So here they are.

"Handmade Christmas Napkin Rings"

Supplies:  Paper (Scrap Within Reach), Ribbon & Pearls (Making Memories), Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Mod Podge

Now they aren't gold, but if you look carefully you will see some gold rings in the design.  I used the "Modern Minimal" sheet from the Urban Garden line to decorate the rings.

Instructions:
1.  Cut a toilet paper roll in half.
2.  Spray inside and out with Scarlet Glimmer Mist.  Allow to thoroughly dry.
3.  Fussy cut design from patterned paper and adhere around ring with Mod Podge. 
4.  Cover the entire outer surface in another coat of Mod Podge to seal. 
5.  Add trim and pearl details.

Aren't they cute?  I'm thinking one could make custom napkin rings for most any occasion.  There is certainly no shortage of toilet paper rolls around and spraying them with glimmer mist made short work of colouring them.  Make sure you let me know if you give this idea a try.  I'd love to see them.

Before I sign off for today, here is another little project I made using the same paper line: Urban Garden.

Be sure to check the Scrap Within Reach blog next week for another installment in our countdown to Christmas. 

Thanks so much for stopping by.