Happy Father's Day!

Hello Friends!

I know things on my blog haven't been as busy as I would like, but suffice to know that I am still creating and haven't forgotten about you.  I have a quick post today to honour a very special Dad who is, and always will be, the star of our show.

"Star of Our Show"

Supplies:  Paper (Hambly Studios), Chipboard (Maya Roads), Twine (Twinery), Stickers (SRM Stickers), Letters (Jenni Bowlin Studios, Basic Grey), Button (Rusty Pickle), Tickets (Purple Pumpkin), Pennant Stickers (Jenni Bowlin), Stamp (Creative Café)

I used all kinds of SRM Stickers on this page.  The Father's Day sheet is just perfect for a page like this.

These photos were taken while waiting to see "It's a Bug's Life" at Animal Kingdom.  Look for another layout coming Thursday using more photos from our trip to Florida last March. 

See you all again, Thursday.  Thanks for stopping by!

1st Plane Ride

One of our assignments this month with SRM Stickers was to create a SMASH page.  While I have kind of dabbled a small amount with the trend, I still feel a little a lot out of my element with this particular style.  I may have it all wrong, but while creating the page I felt like I was using many of the same techniques I used when I first started scrapbooking.  All your expert SMASHERS out there feel free to share your thoughts on that.

Supplies:  Paper, Die Cut (Heidi Swapp), Stickers (SRM Stickers), Pennant Stickers (Jenni Bowlin), Letters (Pink Paislee, American Crafts), Date Stamp, Zipper, Button

I love these photos of the girls waiting with anticipation to get on the plane;  such a great memory. 

Be sure to head on over to the SRM Stickers blog for more details and oodles of stickers inspiration with new posts every day.

Have a wonderful Wednesday and thanks so much for visiting.

The Twinery & SRM Stickers

This month, we had the pleasure as SRM Sticker designers, to product partner with the Twinery.  If you want to be inspired, I encourage you to take a peek at all the amazingly creative ways our team has used twine this week.  Once you've done that, head on over to the Twinery's blog and be prepared to be blown away yet again.  Who knew you could create so many amazing things with twine? 

Before you go, here's a peek at what I created with my twine goodies.  These photos are from our trip to Florida on the March break.

"Sunny Smiles"

Supplies:  Paper (My Mind's Eye, Pink Paislee), Stickers (SRM Stickers), Letters (Doodlebug Inc.), Stamp (Close to My Heart), Calendar die cut (Elle Studio), Chipboard (Essentially Bare, Jenni Bowlin),  Twine (The Twinery)

Have fun checking out the SRM and Twinery blogs.  You really are in for a treat.
Have a wonderful Friday.  Thanks, as always, for visiting.

Imaginisce Snag 'Em Stamps meet American Crafts Ink

We had a fun partnership this month with American Crafts Ink and Imaginisce's Snag 'Em stamps.  I can't imagine anyone has yet to discover the Snag 'Em stamps that accompany every paper line Imaginisce releases, but if you haven't make sure to take a run on over to the their website and take a peek.  These cute, inexpensive stamps come in six different images for each and every line. 

For this project, I chose to mix and match a couple of stamp sets:  Enchanted and the new Bon Voyage line with  Leaf and Chestnut American Crafts ink.  The result is a fun little matching game for my girls.  Take a peek.

I'm sure you can all guess why I chose to use the Enchanted stamps, me having three girls in the house and all.  The circle frame stamp from the Bon Voyage line made a great frame for my title.  I hand doodled a scallop edge around the stamp and then used my liquid pearls to create a dotted design around the perimeter.  Notice how dark and beautiful that Chestnut American Crafts ink is.

What makes this game a little different than others we have here at home is the binding ring.  Since they are round, I wanted to create a quick and easy way to clean up and store the game pieces.  The binding ring seemed like the perfect solution.

Here's the baby trying to get in on the action!

That's all I have for now but you can be sure to see more goodies from the Bon Voyage line real soon so please stop by again.  In the meantime, be sure to visit the Imaginisce blog for the next three days for more fun projects with this great product pairing.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Some Gardening Pages

Good Morning and Happy Thursday!

We are settling in nicely to a new routine here with school back in session and I am finding it easier to make time for scrapbooking again.  YAY!   Here are a couple of my latest pages.  I feel a little rusty, I must admit, but it's a start.

"Home Grown"

Supplies: Paper (KI Memories, Cosmo Cricket), Journaling Sprouts (Jillibean Soup), Letters (October Afternoon), Chipboard (Cosmo Cricket)

"Ready Set Grow"

Supplies:  Paper (Lily Bee Designs, Cosmo Cricket), Ribbon (Cosmo Cricket), Trim (Makign Memories), Buttons & Button Tool (Epiphany Crafts), Stamp (Artful Stamper), Floss (Karen Foster)

Check out all the fun little buttons I made to add some dimension to the paper border.  I used the Round 14 Button Studio Tool by Epiphany Crafts.

I'll leave you with that for today.  Thanks, as always, for visiting.

EDITED TO ADD:

Look for these pages in

Scrapbooking & Beyond:  Summer, 2012

&

Scrapbook Trends: May, 2012 respectively

New Pages

I had the most relaxing and productive evening of scrapbooking out with a few friends on Friday night.  I got some party favours finished that you will see a little later and these two pages.  I used 6x8 photos on each of them, a completely new size for me.   Blacks had a big special on them last week so I thought I'd give it a try.  I think I still favour working with mini prints, but it's always nice to try something new.

"3 Little Canucks"

Supplies:  Paper (Bella Blvd, Fancy Pants), Stamp & Ink (Stampin' Up!), Gems & Pearls (Making Memories), Letters (Kaisercrafts, Basic Grey), Buttons & Stickers (Jenni Bowlin), Crepe Paper & Mist (Tattered Angels), Trim (Kristin Swain), Felt Flowers (Michaels),  Chipboard (Basic Grey & Maya Roads)

It's not often that I find Canadian themed products so when I saw this stamp by Stampin' Up! I jumped on it.  The chipboard leaf is part of a Maya Roads album and is perfect for a Canadian themed page.

"Sugar Crash"

Supplies:  Paper (Bella Blvd), Chipboard (Basic Grey), Die Cut (Little Yellow Bicycle), Letters (My Little Shoebox, Basic Grey), Pearls (Kaisercrafts), Trim (Craft Supply Store)

I have had this Basic Grey "Granola" chipboard for ages and finally found a home for it on this page.  I really love how it looks all layered on top of each other.

That's all I have for today.  Forgive me for not being real eloquent this evening.  We've had a wonderful, albeit busy, summer day of boating and birthday parties.  Everyone is all tuckered out including Mommy & Daddy.  Thanks so much for visiting!

Mixin' & Matchin' Upsy Daisy Style

Today is my day to post a challenge on the Upsy Daisy blog and I want to share a few design details on my blog of the two pages I created for the challenge.

"The Great Outdoors"

Supplies:  Paper, Brads (Upsy Daisy Designs), Sticker (Best Creation Inc.), Pins (Making Memories), Letters (Jenni Bowlin), Chipboard (Technique Tuesday), Twine

One thing I like to do with Upsy Daisy brads is add a mini letter to the center.  They are perfectly sized for this and make an interesting way to add text and titles to pages.  For another example, check out THIS PAGE.

"This is Love"

Supplies:  Paper & Bradds (Upsy Daisy Designs), Acrylic (Tattered Angels), Canvas Flower & Pearl Flourish (Prima), Chipboard Flowers & Journaling Sprout (Jillibean Soup), Chipboard Frame (Technique Tuesday), Stamp (Unity Stamp Company), Lace (Dollarama), Letters (Jenni Bowlin)

This page is all about texture. I added an oversize canvas flower, lace trim, acrylic, chipboard, metal brads, pearls and gems. I really love to create pages with layers of texture.

I also re-purposed the packaging from the Prima flourish.  I used it to stamp the word "love" for my title and to fill the inside of the acrylic frame above it. I really like how so many companies are making packaging that can also be used a design element.

Be sure to pop on over to the Daisy Diaries for specifics on the products I used above and to play along with this month's challenge.

Thanks so much for visiting.

There is no such thing as a mistake in paper crafting.

I love embossing folders.  Maybe I should qualify that statement.  I love to collect embossing folders, or so it would seem.  They really are a wonderful invention and allow paper crafters to create so many unique and custom pieces.  So why is it that I rarely use mine?  It's hard to say, but today I decided I would break that trend...which leads me to the title of today's post. 

I cut out my card base and carefully lined it up in the folder and put it through the machine.  It looked great except for the bottom left corner.  For some reason, the impression wasn't fully made so I was left to decide if I should use it anyway or start again.  I mulled it over for awhile as I fussy cut some flowers from my patterned paper.  In the end, I decided to keep the "defective" card base and use my flower to make that mistake disappear.  Some of my most creative work has been created while fixing a mistake.  I'm not so sure this card ranks up there with the best of them, but it certainly worked and totally drew the attention away from the embossing in that area.  It also feels great to know that you didn't waste a bunch of product and have to start all over again.

Supplies:  Paper & Stamp (Upsy Daisy Designs), Pearls (Kaisercrafts), Embossing Folder (Sizzix), Glitter (Craft Supply Store), Glossy Accents (Ranger), Cardstock (Bazzill)

To give the flower a little more interest, I raised it with foam mounting squares.  I added pearls to the flower center and then filled the entire green area with Glossy Accents.  A sprinkling of white glitter over the wet glue gave me just the look I was after.


This next card is another quick and easy one to recreate.  I used a mix of "Vogue" (used above also) and "See You Later Alligator" lines.

Supplies:  Paper, Brads (Upsy Daisy Designs), Card Base (Stampin' Up), Cardstock (Bazzill)

The corduory brads give such  nice texture to the card and you all know how much I love texture.

That's all for now.  Thanks for visiting.

EDITED TO ADD:  Look for this card in the Winter, 2011 issue of Paper Creations Magazine.

Summer Fun

If I had to pick a favourite Upsy Daisy line, it would by "Vogue".  I simply adore anything navy to begin with and the green in this line works so well with outdoor photos it takes me back, yet again, to summer.  What's not to love about that?  Hope you all don't mind seeing a few more swimsuits and water photos because I have a stack that I have yet to touch.

"Summer Fun"

Supplies:  Paper, Trim & Stamp (Upsy Daisy), Stickers (Jenni Bowlin), Letters (Momenta), Custom Buttons (Epiphany Crafts), Border Punch (EK Success), Circle & Scallop Punches (Marvy Uchida)

The buttons you see in the bottom right corner were made with my Epiphany Crafts button tools.  You all know how much I love my punches and these are no exception.

That's all for today.  Look for several new altered projects this month.  I've got one on my desk right now using toilet paper rolls.  Keep your fingers crossed it all works out like I envision!

Another Card For You - "Hi, What's Up"

If you are here for the Epiphany Crafts Card-A-Palooza blog hop, scroll down to the next post. 

Supplies:  Paper (Kiki Art), Stamps (myStamp BOX), Cardstock (Bazill), Adhesive (Helmar)

Today it's my turn to blog on the myStamp BOX blog and it is my pleasure to show you a card made with the adorable Hot Air Balloon collection by Kiki Arts, one of our sponsors this month.  Cruise on over and check it out for all the design specifics.

Have a wonderful Friday!

Epiphany Crafts' Card-a-Palooza Sweepstakes Blog Hop

Welcome to Epiphany Crafts inaugural blog hop and Card-a-Palooza.  If you have just happened upon my blog today, you may wish to go to the start of the blog hop so you don't miss any of the cards the design team has prepared.  As you hop your way from blog to blog you will see 12 different cards showcasing Epiphany Crafts used with 12 different manufacturers.  As you visit each of our design team member's blogs, make a note of the sponsoring company. After you know all 12 companies visit the Epiphany Crafts Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Epiphany-Crafts/138008244814 and leave a comment on the Card-A-Palooza thread listing the 12 companies (abbreviations are okay) and you will be entered into the drawing for a GIANT prize package. You will be receiving product from each of the sponsoring companies plus tools from EC. Best of all, you will be receiving the 12 handmade cards shown on the blogs, all ready to use throughout the year. This is a huge giveaway that you won't want to miss!

The month of August is full of birthdays in my family so I have prepared a Birthday Card today using the 14mm round shape tool in conjunction with myStamp BOX stamps.

Supplies:  Paper (Best Creation Inc.), Stamps (myStamp BOX), Floss (Karen Foster), Shape Tool (Epiphany Crafts), Gems (Kaisercrafts)

The pennants you see here are a brand new release from myStamp BOX. Look for it on the site in the very near future.  The sentiment is from the "Mention It" set.

I used two different pennant stamps to acheive the look you see here.  I raised the solid shape on top of the scallop pennant with foam mounting squres.  The little stars were punched directly from the Best Creation patterned paper.  You wouldn't know I made them if I didn't tell you.  That's how great these tools are!

Next up on your blog hop is the talented LISA WILKINSON. 

Have Fun & Good Luck!

Swing Me

Supplies:  Paper (Bo Bunny), Stamp (myStamp BOX), Bingo Card (Tattered Angels), Trim (Websters Pages), Doily (Little Yellow Bicycle), Flowers (Prima), Tin Plaque (GCD Studios), Letters (American Crafts)

I don't think there has been a paper line yet named Gypsy that I haven't loved. This Bo Bunny line is no exception.  Funny, when I bought the paper I had fall pages in mind.  Here it is used with summer pictures and I love it.  How can you not love red paired with aqua for any season?  Coincidently enough, I'm working on an order with Gigi Creations for some outfits in that very color palette for my girls. :)

I am always looking for new ways to add the date to my pages.  This stamp from the "Bold Blocks" set is one of many great journaling options available at myStamp BOX.

That's all for today.  Have a wonderful Wednesday!

P.S. I Love You

Supplies:  Paper (Websters Pages, Basic Grey, Pink Paislee), Chipboard (Magistical Memories), Flowers, Canvas Tag (Prima), Metal Clip (GCD Studios), Stamp (Artful Stamper), Letters (American Crafts, Websters Pages), Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels)

Design Notes:  I layered two different pieces of Magistical Memories chipboard to create the title:  the antique sign and the heart details. I simply LOVE their products.

Journaling Reads:  After 7 years, you continue to inspire me with your drive, determination and adventuresome spirit.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, BRETT!!

P.S.  I love you!

Guest Designer & Scrap Within Reach

When Chantal asked me if I'd like to be a guest deisgner and showcase Scrap Within Reach products on her blog, I didn't hesitate to say, "yes".   Here is a peek of one of the pages I made.  Scrap Within Reach released two new lines this season, Urban Garden and Cambridge, and Chantal carries them both in her store. 

This page features the beautiful Urban Garden line.  I know I've said it before, but this colour combination is not one I've ever seen done before and I just love it.

Supplies:  Paper (Scrap Within Reach), Shaped Paper (Crate Paper), Journaling Cards & Paper Bag (Scrap Within Reach), Letters (Scrap Within Reach & Websters Pages), Chipboard (Michaels), Buttons(Making Memories & Jenni Bowlin), Sequins (Rusty Pickle), Stamp (myStamp BOX), Tickets (Making Memories), Gems (Kaisercrafts), Border Punch (EK Success)

I love all the little extras that you can get to coordinate with this line.  The mini kraft bags are just adorable and the journaling cards are double sided.  The alphabet is actually square, but for this page I wanted a round letter so I used a mini circle punch to change the shape. It worked perfectly.  There are just so many possibilities with this line.

Make sure you hop on over to the Scrapbooking Gone Wild blog for more Scrap Within Reach pages.

THANKS again, Chantal, for the opportunity to share my love of Scrap Within Reach products with your customers.

Stamped Titles

Supplies: Paper (Websters), Chipboard (Maya Roads, Pink Paislee), Journaling Paper (Making Memories), Stamps (myStamp BOX), Stickers (Websters), Border (GCD Studios), Trim (Craft Supply Store)

From alphabet stamps, to symbols and sentiments there are many different ways you can use your stamps to create fun and interesting titles.  Join me on the myStamp BOX blog today for a Wednesday challenge on stamping titles!

Check out these links for more stamped titles:

-Puppy Love

-The Look of Love

-Let it Snow

Totally Adorable

Supplies: Paper (Websters), Lace Paper (Basic Grey), Stamps (myStamp BOX), Trim (Pink Paislee, GCD Studios), Bling (Zva Creative, Prima), Flowers & Pearls (Prima), Letters (Websters, Jenni Bowlin), Craft Glue (Helmar)

I have an addiction right now to shaped and lace paper.  My pages just don't seem complete without one or the other (or BOTH)!  I just picked up my Lullaby Lane paper package last weekend and the colours in the shaped paper led me to pair it with the bold, red, lace paper you see here.  It's not a combination I would ordinarily use for a baby page, but I love it.

I also love my Floating Leaves stamp set (myStamp BOX).  With a few foam mounting squares, the stamped leaves look as though they came attached to the flower.  This truly is one set I reach for over and over. 

So tell me. What are your favourite products right now??  Are there just some things that you put on every page??

Totally Sweet

Supplies:  Paper (American Crafts), Lace Paper (Basic Grey), Cardstock (Bazzill), Trim (Prima), Cherries (My Little Bit of Whimsy), Letters (Jenni Bowlin), Alpha Stamps (myStamp BOX), Adhesive (Helmar)

I am so excited to finally get my hands on the Dear Lizzy paper by American Crafts.  What a sweet, sweet paper line.  I have no idea what made me pair it with the Basic Grey lace, but I'm glad I did.  I also found a new and unexpected use of my Helmar Craft Glue on this page.  Don't tell anyone, but I'm a hot glue girl.  It's all Amanda's fault, I swear.  I do agree with her, though.  There are just some things that are so bulky and heavy that they need a strong glue.  Well, since I've been using my Helmar Craft Glue, I haven't taken the glue gun out much at all.  I still can't believe that Craft Glue is holding these clay cherries on this page.  I am officially impressed!

Going Bold

Join me on the myStamp BOX blog today for a product showcase of  Bold Blocks. 

"The Facts About Me"

Supplies:  Lace Paper (K&Company), 12x12 Acrylic Sheet (Hambly), Stamps (myStamp BOX), Flower, Butterfly, Bling (Prima), Buttons, Pin (Making Memories), Letters (Jenni Bowlin, American Crafts), Baubles (Stamping Bella), Adhesive (Helmar)

Jean pockets make the perfect scrapbook embellishment. Make sure you save yours next time you throw out an old pair of pants.  In fact, don't throw out the jeans at all.  Save the fabric to make a mini album.  Don't forget to use your Helmar Craft Glue to adhere your embellishments to the jean fabric.

Here's a peek at one of the "facts" you will read about me on this page.

Don't forget to click over to the myStamp BOX blog for more facts about me and information about this fantastic stamp set.

Check out these links for other Bold Blocks projects:

-Do You Hear What I Hear
-My Baby Belly

Check out that Hair!!

I bet you thought I was going to talk about Daphne's hair, didn't you??? 

While this do is certainly worthy of a page by that name, I'm talking about someone, rather something, else's hair.

 

Do you have any guesses??

There's no way you'll guess this one.

I'm talking about a snowman. 

YES, a SNOWMAN. 

Have you ever seen a snowman sporting a cool do?? 

Well neither had I until this winter.

This photo was actually taken the day Daphne was born.  The day before, the girls made a snowman with their father while I was out to dinner with a few friends.  Well, they couldn't wait for me to see their creation the next day.  Let me tell you, I cracked up when I saw this guy.  Not only did he have a full head of "hair", he was enormous. I'm talking 6 feet tall before you factor in the hair.  I quickly took a few photos that afternoon, fully intending to take some more photos later with the girls standing beside him, but that wasn't to be.  I ended up giving birth to a beautiful baby girl with a cool do of her own that night. 

So here's my page.  It's part of my April assignment for Scrap Within Reach. I used a combination of two paper lines:  Paper Boy and Industrial Park.  I really love yellow and navy paired together.

Supplies:  All Supplies by Scrap Within Reach except bling (Kaiser Craft), Stamp (Unity Stamp Company), Chipboard (Maya Roads, Everlasting Keepsakes), Adhesive (Helmar)

I used my trusty Helmar Craft Glue to adhere this trim.  The glue I was using prior to Helmar did a fabulous job of sticking trim and ribbon in place but soaked through the ribbon and made unsightly "water" marks that never went away.  Not Helmar.  YAY!

And a close up of the story behind the page.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Stay tuned for more Scrap Within Reach pages in the near future.  I have a page started using Urban Garden that I simply adore.

Cheers!