to the full

Pages with Papertrey -- Challenge #6

2012-02-01T07:00:00.023-06:00

Today, I'm posting the Pages With Papertrey Challenge for February, which is to use your PTI stamps to create your own patterned paper, like I did here in my layout...

I used American Crafts cardstock (12x12) and Papertrey Ink cardstock (stamper's select white, hawaiian shores, harvest gold, pure poppy) stamps (Journaling Lines, Tag it's #6) & dies (two triangles, alphabet block). The red-polkadot patterned paper is My Mind's Eye, which I cut with my star punch.

To create my journaling strip, I printed out my journaling on white cardstock (after figuring out the spacing in Word that would work best) and then I stamped the Journaling Lines stamp in Hawaiian Shores.

Another idea I wanted to share.... I did some recycling on this page! The banner across the top of the page was orginally made for the cake we enjoyed at our back to school feast. I saved it to adhere to my layout.

If you play along with this month's Pages With Papertrey Challenge, I'd love to see it! Please post a link either in this thread or in my comments.

Thanks for looking!

A do-over challenge

2012-01-31T09:19:00.000-06:00

I noticed that the wonderfully talented Amber posted a "do-over challenge" on her blog. The idea is to create a fresh, new take on an old project.

So, I decided to play along, but needed to choose a card. I'm pleased to say that in searching through my cards, I didn't find very many that I felt I needed to "do-over". However, I did find this one, that I made last summer, for a MIM at PTI (you can see the original post here.)

It was for a decreasing apertures challenge. I liked the patterned paper I chose, but wasn't crazy about the triangle (I really struggled with the Tranquility Trilogy set!) AND, I strongly dislike the placement of the flowers. I'm not sure what I was thinking on this one....

Anyway, I decided to try to repeat the design and I challenged myself to use some striped patterned paper again. Here's what I came up with:

I used PTI cardstock (true black), rustic twine, buttons, stamps (Think Big Favourites #12) and dies (Mega Mat Stack #5, Mat Stack #5). The patterned paper is We R Memory Keepers.

Thanks for looking!

Engaged

2012-01-30T15:37:00.001-06:00

In October, as an engagement present to my nephew and his fiancée, I took some photos of the happy couple (one of which they ended up using for their wedding invitations.) I decided to make a layout using some of my favourite shots that day...

I used American Crafts cardstock (white) and Papertrey Ink cardstock (fine linen), stamps (love & marriage, bb:woodgrain), rustic twine & dies (mega mat stack 4, tiny tags, heart border). The patterned paper is Fancy Pants.

Here are a few close-ups:

Thanks for looking!

A birthday layout

2012-01-29T13:28:00.002-06:00

I scrapbooked some of the photos I took of Sage's cowgirl-themed birthday party in September. I used Picasa3 to create a photo collage and had it printed as an 8x10.

I used Bazzill (white) & Papertrey Ink (sweet blush, dark chocolate, stamper's select white) cardstock, Studio Calico patterned paper. For the title, I printed it out on my computer using the font Bleeding Cowboy and stamped over it with my PTI stamps (stitches & swirls). For the star embellishment, I had made Cowgirl cookies to give to the girls. The site had some Free downloads. I used the pink ones to decorate the cookie jars and decided to die cut one of the cowboy cookies labels with one of my PTI Seeing Stars dies.

Thanks for looking!

Six for Saturday

2012-01-28T11:19:00.005-06:00

Because I missed my usual "Five for Friday" post yesterday, I thought I'd post a "Six for Saturday" today.

1. The reason for missing my post is because we took a day trip to Brandon yesterday. The kids didn't have school and the weather was good, so we drove there to pick up some parts for Cameron's cattle oiler and did a little shopping, too. I found a three quarter length black wool coat for $40 (it was regularly priced at $150!) It's very classic and warm-- I'm sure I'll wear it for years!

2. AND, I wasn't the only one to get a new winter jacket.... When we went to Children's Place to exchange a top for Sage, I spotted a pink & black winter jacket for Sage on the sales' rack. It was regular $79.95, marked down to $19.99, PLUS I had a 25% coupon code, so I got it for $15! I also snagged a matching toque for $2.25. I love successful shopping trips!

3. I'm on Day 28 of No Sugar/No Deep-Fried foods. Yay! It's been a little easier lately, probably because I don't want to break my streak. ;) I actually had a dream that I'd had some sugar and was so disappointed in myself. I've been doing taekwondo three nights a week, but haven't started the 30 day shred up again.... yet... ;)

When I stopped at the clinic to drop off something for a friend, I noticed that they had a scale there for the public to use. Since I hadn't weighed myself in months, I thought it might be a good idea to see where I was at. Well, it probably wasn't the greatest idea, because I weighed 5 lbs more than I thought I would... It was a little depressing, to tell you the truth. However, I decided that it would only strengthen my resolve to keep going. I'll wait another 6 weeks or so before I weigh myself again...

4. I got a couple of new additions to my craft space this week.... so I thought I'd tidy up my area and share some photos with you...

My scrap space is located in a corner of our basement. I have a long table that I use as my desk and a wooden shelf (that used to be a window valence at my church) where I display some favourite photos & my wooden stamps:

On the left-hand side of my table, I store my 12x12 patterned paper in hanging file folders, sorted by manufacturer, as well as my Papertrey Ink cardstock, sorted by colours. The little basket in front of the cardstock stores extra diecuts. The little angel hanging there was given to me at church on Christmas Eve (everyone got one-- they're to remind us that God is always with us.)

This is my new revolving four tray storage container that I got this week. Cameron helped me put it together. :)

In it, I'm storing...
Top tray: PTI felt, thread and bling
Second tray: my PTI ink
Third tray: adhesive, tools and twine
Botton tray: my A Muse Studio inks and acrylic block

I have several sections empty, which will leave room for new inks, etc.

Beside this, I have a black metal caddy that holds my scissors, bone folder, large adhesive gun, pencils, pens & craft knife.

Then, I have these three storage boxes:

In the first one, I store my PTI stamps, in Tim Holtz stamp folders. I love this system, as it's super easy to flip through my stamps to find the perfect one for my project! I always think I should store them in alphabetical order, but it usually ends up that I just store them with the ones I used recently at the front.

The second box holds embellishments (diecuts, journaling cards, a few stickers, flowers, etc.)

The third box holds my photos, which are sorted chronologically (most of the time!)

Beside the boxes, I have a card display rack that I use to store my non-PTI stamps & punches.

Adjacent to my table...

I have a diecutting station set up, with my new Big Shot (which I love! Isn't it pretty?) and my PTI dies stored in Tim Holtz stamp folders, a system that works for me.

5. If you're wondering why my Big Shot is new, it's because I replaced my Cuttlebug with it. I found that my Cuttlebug just didn't cut my dies properly. I always needed the shim, even with the "non-intricate" dies, like mat stack 4. I also found that my impression plates didn't impress very well at all. And some of my intricate dies didn't cut well, even with the shim. So, after trying my friend, Marlo's, Big Shot, and finding a great deal online on Amazon.com, I sold my Cuttlebug (& some of my Tim Holtz, Cuttlebug and Quickutz dies) and used that money to pay for my Big Shot and the 12" revolving trays.

6. I had the week off this past week (it was exam week at the high school where I substitute teach), so on Wednesday, my friend, Susan, invited me over for the day to scrapbook (so fun!)

Here's one of the layouts I made that day:

I used Studio Calico patterned paper & letter stickers, a Pink Paislee metal embellishment ("The Best"), My Mind's Eye decorative brads and PTI cardstock (stamper's select white) & dies (mega mat stack #4, doily details).

Here's a close up of the journaling:

Thanks for looking!

PTI January Blog Hop

2012-01-25T07:13:00.006-06:00

Once again, I've decided to play along with the Papertrey Ink blog hop and this month the challenge is to choose a favourite project that I made in 2011 and then use that as inspiration to create another project.

I decided to choose the card I made for the October Blog Hop, orginally posted here:

I love the fall feel of this card and wondered if I could create something with a similar design, but using a different season...

Here's what I came up with:

I used PTI cardstock (stamper's select white, raspberry fizz), stamps (rosie posie, botanical silhouettes), impression plate (woodgrain) & dies (picket fence). The patterned paper is My Mind's Eye (blue polka dots, text) & Crate Paper (green).

Thanks for looking!

Doubling up

2012-01-22T08:56:00.000-06:00

I made another card using both the My Mind's Eye Blog challenge card sketch and this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Ghost Masking.

I used My Mind's Eye patterned paper, decorative brad and banner, star & number stamps. I also used Papertrey Ink cardstock (rustic white, hawaiian shores, true black) & stamps (label basics, wonderful words additions) & dies (seeing stars, wonderful words).

Thanks for looking!

My Mind's Blog Challenges #31

2012-01-21T13:34:00.002-06:00

I decided to participate in My Mind's Eye Blog Challenges #31 this weekend.

I tackled the layout sketch first:

I used Bazzill cardstock (cream, dark grey), My Mind's Eye patterned paper, decorative brad and "favorite" & banner stamps, Papertrey Ink stamps (delightful doilies, label basics) & dies (beautiful blooms II #1, label basics). The alphabet stickers are Webster's Pages.

Here are some close-ups of the title and journaling:

Then, I tackled the card sketch, using some of the same elements:

I used My Mind's Eye patterned paper and "so much" stamps, Papertrey Ink cardstock (smokey shadow) & stamps (delightful doilies, label basics, happy trails). I also used this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Ghost Masking.

What are you working on this weekend?

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

2012-01-20T11:25:00.002-06:00

1. Yay, it's Friday! I'm so ready for the weekend! I worked four days this week, which I find pretty busy. I told the kids this morning that I think tomorrow will be a "Jammies Day." So, I'm hoping to tidy up the house after school today so that tomorrow can be free for some scrapbooking (with a little laundry thrown in, you know, just for fun. ;) )

2. I'm pretty excited about some new additions to my craft space which should be arriving shortly... I sold my Cuttlebug and some Tim Holtz/Cuttlebug/Quickutz dies to a friend of mine and decided to use that money towards purchasing a Big Shot and a stacked revolving tray.

3. So far, I've been doing pretty well with my New Year's Resolutions (which is saying something for me, because I usually tend to drop them in the first two weeks!) I've gone 20 days without sugar and deep-fried foods! Yay! The exercising part hasn't gone as well, though. I'm going to TKD three days a week, but I only made it to day 8 of the 30 Day Shred... and that was a week ago. I need to get back on that...

4. Jonah really likes the old typewriter that I picked up in the summer at a garage sale for $8. Even though the ribbon needs to be replaced (I really need to figure out where to get new ribbon for it), he'll type out notes and messages to give to me. They often include requests for Lego Star Wars and/or chicken noodle soup. Well, before Christmas, they were starting to get a little more demanding, with requests for "$" or he would stop doing the "dishis." They were so cute, I just knew I had to save them! And, what better way to do so than on a layout?

I used the back of a sheet of kraft Fancy Pants patterned paper for my background and added a Crate Paper border strip along the bottom. For the block of patterned paper, I started with a scrap of Crate patterned paper that had polka dots on it, to which I added some PTI Grunge Me, Modern Wood Mats and Label Basics stamps. I created the title with PTI Smokey Shadow cardstock and my PTI alphabet block dies. The little brad is Basic Grey and the other two I made using some left-over stamped images and my SU! Build a Brads.

Here are a couple of close ups of the letters he wrote us:

I used this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Ghost Masking, to add a decorative element to the patterned paper block I stamped:

5. A friend of ours from taekwondo is moving away, so I thought I'd make him a card to let him know how much we'll miss him. We've been training together for several years and he & I tested for our black belts together in May. Since I was making a layout using the ghost masking technique, I decided to repeat it on a card:

I used PTI cardstock (soft stone, smokey shadow, kraft), stamps (grunge me, basic labels, wonderful words) and dies (wonderful words). The patterned paper I stamped on is, again, Crate Paper.

Thanks for looking & have a great weekend!

I'm not sure....

2012-01-19T11:11:00.000-06:00

...if this would be a better wedding card or anniversary one... I made it several months ago using a sketch for an upcoming PaperCrafts magazine, but, unfortunately, it didn't get chosen, so I figured that it would be safe to share it here. ;)

I used PTI cardstock (stamper's select white), stamps (Big & Bold Wishes) & dies (Beautiful Blooms II #1). The patterned paper is Fancy Pants (grey check) and Cosmo Cricket and the decorative brads are My Mind's Eye.

Thanks for looking!

For the record

2012-01-18T10:05:00.001-06:00

We had piano lessons this morning. I drive all three kids there for 8am (Sage's lesson). Then, when Jonah starts his lesson at 8:30, I drive Austin & Sage to their schools and then go back to pick up Jonah. I really love listening to him play! I'm amazed at how quickly he picks things up-- he's very gifted!

While I was driving him to school after his lesson, after telling him how great he is, I thought of how special Jonah is to me. I've always been conscious that he not feel like the stereotypical "middle child" and I'm pretty sure he doesn't. He is probably my most "low-maintenance" child, but he is so good-natured & easy to be around-- I just love spending time with him!

I made this layout last week and realized I hadn't shared it yet...

I used PTI cardstock (kraft) & stamps (turning a new leaf), My Mind's Eye patterned paper & diecut and my SU! scalloped edge punch.

Thanks for looking!

Pages with Papertrey -- Sketch #5

2012-01-16T10:20:00.004-06:00

I apologize for being a day late with this...

I made my own sketch this month for my Pages With Papertrey sketch. I wanted to include room for many photos...

And here's the layout I made with it:

I used Echo Park patterned paper, PTI cardstock (vintage cream, simply chartreuse), stamps (I selectively inked the "the" from Wonderful Words Additions), button & dies (alphabet block, layerz mat stack #4, love lives here.)

Here's a close up of the journaling:

If you make a layout using this sketch, I'd love to see it! Please post a link either in this thread or in my comments.

Thanks for looking!

MIM #48 -- attempt #5

2012-01-15T22:35:00.000-06:00

I decided to make one more project with this week's Make it Monday at Papertrey Ink: creating backgrounds with border dies: a layout featuring a photo of my best, best girl.

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, pure poppy), stamps (wonderful words additions, journaling lines, tag it's #6) and dies (mat stack #4, layerz mat stack #4, heart border). The polka dot patterned paper is Echo Park (red) and Simple Stories (green).

Thanks for looking!

MIM #48 -- attempt #4

2012-01-15T12:59:00.002-06:00

I decided to attempt this week's Make it Monday at Papertrey Ink: creating backgrounds with border dies with a layout.

I chose some photos of my favourite boys taken at this past summer's Corn & Apple Festival.

I used American Crafts cardstock (white 12x12) and PTI cardstock (stamper's select white), PTI stamps, buttons (boy basics: simple circles) & dies (simple circles border, alphabet block). The chevron patterned paper is My Mind's Eye and the label where I put the date is Crate.

Thanks for looking!

MIM #48 -- attempt #3

2012-01-14T07:45:00.001-06:00

I'm loving the idea of using border dies as backgrounds (this week's Make it Monday at Papertrey Ink), so I decided to use it again on a card for my brother's girlfriend, Tatiana.

I used PTI cardstock (kraft, raspberry fizz, rustic cream), stamps (stitches and swirls, happy day) and dies (mat stack #4, layerz mat stack #4, fillagree border die).

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

2012-01-13T13:47:00.001-06:00

1. Well, our Christmas holidays have come to an end this week and it's been back to school/work for our household. Sigh.... Thankfully I get a week off at the end of January for exams at the high school. There's always something to look forward to, right? ;)

2. I got some happy mail this week! Scrapbook Trends magazine requested one of my layouts for their June issue.

3. I wanted to share a layout I made last weekend, using a favourite photo of my boys.

I used Crate Paper & Simple Stories patterned paper (which I used for the title) and some My Mind's Eye (green), Girls' Paperie (map) and Basic Grey (new york) decorative brads. I added a PTI Wonderful Words stamp ("together") to the subtitle with some Versafine Onyx ink.

Here are a couple of close ups:

4. We have a big event tomorrow for Cameron's side of the family. The first grandchild, our nephew, Luke, is getting married. I still remember meeting him when Cameron and I were dating.... he was four years old! And now he's getting married! How time flies....

5. In honour of #4, I thought I'd share the card I made for Luke and his bride, Laura, which I used several techniques, including this week's Make it Monday at Papertrey Ink: creating backgrounds with border dies.

I used PTI cardstock (kraft, aqua mist), stamps (love & marriage), twine, button, impression plate (woodgrain) and dies (heart border).

I cut several strips of the heart border die out of kraft cardstock and adhered it to a kraft base. Then, I ran the whole thing through my Cuttlebug with my woodgrain impression plate. For the sentiment/tree image, I first stamped the sentiment in Versamark and heat embossed it with black embossing powder. Then, I stamped the tree image over the sentiment in Versamark and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. I added some twine and a button to finish it off.

Enjoy your weekend!
Thanks for looking!

MIM #48 -- attempt #1

2012-01-12T13:07:00.000-06:00

This week's Make it Monday at Papertrey Ink is creating backgrounds with border dies. Since my new favourite PTI product is the Fillagree border die, I just knew I had to play along.

I used PTI cardstock (pure poppy, rustic white), stamps (happy day, communique sentiments), button and dies (happy day, fillagree border.) I die cut some Echo Park patterned paper with the border die cut and added some baker's twine from my LSS.

Thanks for looking!

Another Christmas layout

2012-01-11T13:00:00.001-06:00

I made another Christmas layout, using some photos I took of the kids on Christmas morning, with their gifts:

I used Bazzill cardstock (white 12x12), PTI cardstock (stamper's select white), stamps (love lives here: holidays, Christmas labels, holiday lights (I selectively stamped "Christmas")) & dies (Christmas labels). I also used Echo Park patterned paper and Lily Bee stickers.

Here's a close up of the bough and ornaments I stamped with LLH: Holidays.

Thanks for looking!

Some Christmas layouts

2012-01-10T09:56:00.004-06:00

After birthday layouts, I think my least favourite layouts to scrapbook are Christmas ones. I know, strange, right? I think a lot of it has to do with the poor photos I take on Christmas morning. I'm never happy with the quality of them-- eight am in southern Manitoba just isn't bright enough in my living room to take a good picture. And for some strange reason, my kids don't want to wait until 10am to open their presents..... ;)

Anyway, even if they're not my favourite to scrapbook, I know that I'll want to look back and remember these moments, as well as preserve them for my kids. So, I try to get most of them done in January, while the memories are fresh and I'm still enjoying the Christmas patterned paper I bought.

So, that being said, here are two layouts that I made at my friend, Susan's house the other day. We got together to scrapbook while our kids played together-- it was a great afternoon!

Now, I was pretty happy with these photos. Sage had written and illustrated a story for Austin called "The Monster." She'd wrapped it up and everything. I love how he took the time to read it right away-- it was such a sweet moment on Christmas morning!

I used Simple Stories (pointsettia with text, green polka dot) & Echo Park (cream) patterned paper, Papertrey Ink cardstock (rustic cream) and stamps (I stamped three Peace Be Still snowflakes in the bottom right hand corner to balance out the snowflakes on the patterned paper in the top left hand corner.

And all I used for this next layout was some Simple Stories patterned paper. I had to get a little creative with my placement, as the "Christmas Top Five" journaling card was printed on the back of the background sheet I used.

Here's a closeup of the journaling:

Thanks for looking!

Homemade patterned paper

2012-01-09T09:40:00.002-06:00

Elena issued a really fun Papertrey Princess challenge this week: she challenged us to make our own patterned paper. I decided to use my PTI Delightful Doilies stamp set, along with my BB: Text Style I on some Rustic Cream cardstock to make mine. Then I used it to make a layout and two cards.

First, the layout:

I'd bought the top My Mind's Eye patterned paper because I loved it, but didn't have any coordinating paper to use with it. So, when I created my own patterned paper, I pulled my colours from it, so they would go together.

I used PTI cardstock (rustic cream, kraft), stamps (modern wood mats) & dies (half & half, alphabet block). The twine & brad are both My Mind's Eye.

Here are a few close-ups:

And the journaling:

And here's one of the cards I made:

In addition to the other supplies I've already mentioned, I used the Happy Day stamp set and die and a smokey shadow button.

And here's the other card:

I used some stamps from Botanical Silhouettes and Wonderful Words to create my sentiment, as well as a Love Lives Here die.

Thanks for looking!

Good stuff

2012-01-08T08:01:00.001-06:00

Sage just makes me smile.

She is always doing something cute or sweet or unique and it thrills me to no end when I can capture it on film! These are the things I want to remember. This is one of the reasons I scrapbook.

I scrapbooked this photo of her from last fall. Cameron and I had been working on painting our house when all of a sudden, while Cameron was taking a short break to answer a phone call, she comes out of the house with a magazine and perchs herself up on our scaffolding to read it! Too cute!

Here's the layout:

I made this layout using the recap of all the Make It Mondays from the last year. This one is for MIM #5: distressing edges.
I used PTI cardstock (rustic cream, canyon clay), felt and dies (layerz mat stack #4, flower fusion #3). The brown cardstock is Bazzill, the patterned paper is Simple Stories and the decorative brads are My Mind's Eye.

Thanks for looking!

A trio of thank you cards

2012-01-07T09:52:00.001-06:00

I brought a bunch of my stamps and inks upstairs to the dining room table on Monday and made a bunch of thank you card with the kids. Their assignment was to make four each: one for each grandma and their two uncles (& their families). They enjoyed using my stamps (I'm glad I have so many thank you ones to go around!) Some of their favourite stamps were the tiny treats: Valentines and Boy Basics: Game On.

I made three thank you cards, as well. I wanted to keep them one layer, if possible, so that they'd be easier (read: cheaper) to mail.

This first one I made for the recap of all the Make It Mondays from the last year. I chose the very first MIM: the go to sentiment card.

I used PTI cardstock (aqua mist) & stamps (rosie posie, think big favourites #4 & #5, mat stack #1 & botanical silhouettes).

I used PTI cardstock (hawaiian shores, stamper's select white) & stamps (happy day, think big favourites #3 & guide lines 2) & dies (happy day).

And for this third card, I used PTI cardstock (canyon clay) & stamps (stitches and swirls, think big favourites #5). I added a few little gems for flower centres.

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

2012-01-06T10:56:00.000-06:00

1. We've been thoroughly enjoying our Christmas holidays! Lots of movie nights, reading, crafting, going for walks (it's been gorgeous outside!) and relaxing. Very perfect!

2. Jonah won a spot at Winter Camp at Winkler Bible Camp this week. So he spent a fun-filled two days and one night there this week and had a great time!

3. I wanted to share some cards that I made with the leftovers of my Generations line by Simple Stories patterned paper:

This first card was made using a card sketch from Sketch 135 at Got Sketch?.

I used PTI cardstock (rustic cream, kraft, scarlet jewel), stamps (on the couch & additions) and dies (doily details). The twine is SU!

I used PTI cardstock (kraft, scarlet jewel) & stamps (love & marriage).

I used PTI cardstock (fine linen), stamps (happy trails), buttons, twine and dies (fillagree border).

I used PTI cardstock (fine linen, scarlet jewel), stamps (half & half) and dies (half & half).

4. I made several resolutions this year and I'm happy to say that so far, so good!

5. One of my resolutions was about losing weight. (I know, surprise, surprise!) This is my constant when it comes to resolutions it seems... However, this year I turn 40 (can you believe it?) and I don't want to be this heavy when I do so. So, my plan it to cut back on what I eat, eliminate sugar and deep fried foods from my diet and exercise more. So, for the last five days, I've been successful on the eating part and I've done 4 days of Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred (Austin is actually doing the work-outs with me, which has been fun!) I'm definitely taking it one day at a time, but I'd love for 2012 to be a year of success!

Thanks for looking!

Finally...

2012-01-05T11:40:00.006-06:00

Last fall, after reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, I decided to make a Gratitude Journal in which I would record the things for which I was thankful. I got as far as making the title page and first entrey, which you can see here, and that's as far as I got.

I think part of what I struggled with was that I had made it with a fall theme, but I knew that this would be something I wanted to work on year round.

So, using some of my Generations line by Simple Stories, I decided to start over. Here's what I made...

For the title page, I decided to layer, but not too much, as I didn't want it to interfere with my journaling.

I used Papertre Ink cardstock (rustic white for the journaling pages, as well as kraft, rustic cream, fine linen, scarlet jewel and dark chocolate), stamps (gratitude journal, delightful doilies (on the journaling pages), happy day) and dies (mat stack #5, doily details, happy day, jounaling tabs). The patterned paper is Simple Stories and the brad is Basic Grey.

Here's a close up:

I decided to make a little bookmark to mark my place, using a Simple Stories journaling tag and a Mega Mat Stack die. The border is stamped with Love & Marriage stamp set.

Here's my first page, which I stamped and added some Simple Stories stickers (to hide my "oops!")

And some stamping on my second page. The rest of the pages are yet unstamped. I figure I can add to them later if I want.

I also included some sections with the names of my husband and children, so if I wrote something down that included them, I could repeat it in their section.

And that's it. Now that it's done, I'm hoping to write in it daily.

Thanks for looking!

Kind of like a kit

2012-01-04T11:02:00.006-06:00

I don't know if it's from working with scrapbooking kits for so long or what, but when I get a new collection of patterned paper & coordinating elements, I find it easier to treat it as a kit and select many photos that would suit it to scrapbook with it. Then once I'm finished one layout with these papers, I don't need to put them all away. Instead, I just pull out another photo and make another layout. I find this helps me to use my stash a little better, plus, it just feels more efficient.

You'll notice I did this with my Generations line by Simple Stories. I packed it up to take to my friend, Marlo's house last week (which really made it quite simple to pack to go scrapbook at someone else's house-- I fit everything in a 13x13 plastic case and away I went!), where I made the following two layouts. Then, I used it to make a mini-album, the layout I shared yesterday and one more project that I plan on sharing tomorrow.... Which now leaves me several scraps that I think I'll use to make some cards. ;)

So here are the layouts I made at Marlo's:

The first one I made was using this fabulous photo of Jonah that I took in the fall, when we were on a hike. I just love it!

I used Bazzill cardstock (kraft), Papertrey Ink cardstock (kraft, rustic cream, scarlet jewel), stamps (wonderful words, bb:newsprint) & dies (double-ended banner builder, mega mat stack #4, block alphabet). The decorative brad is Basic Grey.

Here's a close-up of my title treatment. I love that with the block alphabet dies, I can spell out "blessed"! I dislike the word "lucky" so is a better way for me to use those stamps.

And the second layout, also taken this past fall, but on a differnt day, on a different hike, in a different location.

I used Bazzill cardstock (french vanilla), Papertrey Ink cardstock (kraft, rustic cream, scarlet jewel), stamps (Think Big Favourites #11) & dies (double-ended banner builder, fillagree border).

This paper was just so pretty, I couldn't resist cutting out some of the flowers.

Thanks for looking!

A layout to share

2012-01-03T10:39:00.007-06:00

Anyone who visits my blog regularly know that I am a huge fan of Papertrey Ink's Make It Mondays. Well, this week, they're having a recap of all the MIMs from the last year-- we can go back and choose to make something using a technique that we missed. In looking back, there weren't very many that I'd missed (only the first 7 and then anything involving glitter or Copics.) So, seeing as I don't own any glitter or Copics (the reason I never did those challenges in the first place), I decided to tackle a few of the first challenges I missed.

I made this layout using two techniques: #5 (Distressing Edges) and #6 (Impression Plate Tricks 1):

I used Bazzill & PTI cardstock (scarlet jewel, rustic cream), Generations by Simple Stories patterned paper, Papertrey Ink stamps (Gratitude Journal), felt, impression plate (woodgrain) & dies (heart border, Mega Mat Stack #4, Heart Prints). The decorative brad is Bo Bunny.

When I ordered prints for my mini-album, I ordered some copies of my favourites to scrapbook. I took this photo last spring in the Pembina Valley.

Here's a close up of the impression plate technique, where you just impress a portion of the diecut:

I just love all the texture in this layout!

Thanks for looking!

A mini- album

2012-01-02T09:31:00.005-06:00

Ever since I got some papers from the Generations line by Simple Stories and some 8x6 photos printed through a special at Black's (50 6x8 photo for $5), I've had an idea to make a mini-album using some favourite family photos.

However, for me, mini-albums are always something I can push off until another day, so I was really thankful for Lee's Papertrey Princess challnge to make a mini-album. It was just the motivation I needed to get it done.

I loved the vertical journaling card elements that were 4x6 inches. So I cut apart some of my boxes that my Papertrey Ink stamps came in and sewed one to a card, stitching them together with my sewing machine. These made great pages to separate some of my photos.

For the album, I used Simple Stories patterned paper & letter stickers, Papertrey Ink cardstock (rustic cream), stamps (love & marriage) and dies (mega mat stack #4, heart border, fillagree border) & twine. The key is My Mind's Eye.

To bind it together, I took it to our local print shop where they coil bound it for me for $4.

Thanks for looking!

Pages with Papertrey -- Challenge #5

2012-01-01T12:57:00.005-06:00

Happy New Year!!

I'm totally excited for a new year! I've made some resolutions, have set some goals and am thrilled with the thought of new beginnings! This year is going to be great!

To kick things off, I have a new challenge for Pages With Papertrey and this month, it's a colour challenge: create a layout using these three colours:

And bonus points if you scrapbook a holiday photo! ;)

Here's the layout I created:

I used American Crafts cardstock (white), My Mind's Eye patterned paper & decorative brads & Papertrey Ink dies (mat stack #4, mat stack #4 layerz & fillagree border).

If you'd like to play along with this month's Pages With Papertrey Challenge, just post a link to your layout here -- I'd love to see what you create!

Thanks for looking!

In 2011...

2011-12-30T20:59:00.006-06:00

I made 354 posts on my blog
--- that's almost one per day!--
the most I've ever posted.

.............................

I created about 100 layouts
and a whole whack of cards.

.............................

I was sad to end a 5.5 year
term as a DT member for My Scrap
Shoppe when Marcy sold her store
and closed the forum and gallery.

.............................

I tested for my 1st Dan
(1st degree black belt)
in taekwondo.
.............................

I discovered a new online stamping store
which has provided me with not only lots of
wonderful product, but also with many new
wonderful online friends.

.............................

I fell in love with the Harry Potter
book series (which I read through twice--
the first time in July and again in December).
I also watched all eight movies with Austin
(& the first three again a second time).

.............................

I worked quite a bit and continued to
struggle with finding a balance
between working and being at home.
Because of this, my word
for 2012 will thrive.

.............................

I played, laughed, sang,
took photos, prayed, cried,
groaned, kissed, hugged,
thought, felt, tried,
learned & grew.

.............................

And, I made a layout to document it all:

I used PTI cardstock (rustic cream) & die (fillagree border), Simple Stories patterned paper and Pink Paislee chipboard letters.

Happy New Year!
Thanks for looking!

2011 top 11

2011-12-30T09:15:00.000-06:00

As 2011 comes to a close, I thought I'd post my favourite layouts that I made during the past year...

I don't think my style changed very much, but my tools certainly did. This time last year, I got a Cuttlebug die cutting machine and immediately wondered why I hadn't gotten one sooner. The first couple of months of 2011 saw me adding Alphabet dies to my stash and in March, I discovered Papertrey Ink & many of their lovely dies and stamps (& paper & buttons & felt & impression plates & twine...) came to live at my house!

I made this layout for using a sketch from Page Maps:

I used some lovely Crate Paper for this layout, along with a sketch from Kelly Purkey's Sketchbook 3 class and it was featured on the Crate blog:

A layout using more Crate Paper and felt, dies & stamps from PTI:

The first layout I made as part of the Scrapping Everyday Miracles DT:

I had won some of the Rocket Age products on the October Afternoon blog and was really happy with this layout that I made with them:

My very favourite line from 2011-- My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose -- Mabel and a photo of one of my very favourite boys-- they go perfectly together:

I loved this self-timer photo I took of Austin & I reading the Harry Potter series at the beach:

One of my favourite things about scrapbooking-- documenting little stories that make me smile that I don't want to forget:

I love how the colours, patterned paper and stamps came together for this great photo of my three favourite people:

It's not often that I know what I want to do with a piece of patterned paper when I see it in the store, but with this one, I did. And look, it's a layout about me:

And one final layout, that I made earlier this week:

Thanks so much for looking!

A few holiday layouts

2011-12-29T13:54:00.002-06:00

I thought I'd share a few layouts I made with some December photos...

For this one, I used Bazzill (green embossed) & PTI (white) cardstock, PTI, My Mind's Eye & Simple Stories patterned paper, PTI felt, twine, stamps (2011 holiday tags) & dies (fillable frames #9, damask snoflake, mat stack #5).

I don't know where this shimmer cardstock came from but I found it in my stash and was pleased with how well it matched the PTI & Simple Stories patterned paper. I also used PTI stamps (think big favourites #10) & dies (block alphabet, Christmas poinsettia). The little green brads are MME.

And for this one, of some photos of Cameron and me, I used American Crafts cardstock (white), PTI cardstock (kraft), stamps (love & marriage, happy day) and dies (happy day, fillagree border.) The large brad is MME, the smaller one is Pink Paisllee and the patterned papers are MME & Simple Stories.

Thanks for looking!

My secret Santa gift

2011-12-27T20:48:00.003-06:00

For the past few years, with Cameron's sister's family, we've been choosing names to exchange gifts for each other and calling it a Secret Santa. We have a few rules we follow...

The gift can be:
1. under $6
2. regifted
3. homemade
4. second hand
5. a "time spent with" gift

This year, I got Jonah. And as soon as I read his name, I knew exactly what I would make for him.

Last year, I made Sage a quilt for Christmas. After she'd opened it, Jonah was looking around under the tree. When I asked him what he was looking for, he said: "Where's mine?"

"Where's your what?"

"Where's my quilt?"

"You want me to make you a quilt?"

"Yes."

So, we went shopping at a few fabric stores to find some fabric to make his quilt. And I cut out the squares.... but that's as far as I got.

So, in November & December, I've been working away on Jonah's quilt in my basement, the whole while keeping it a secret from everyone else (this was trickier than it sounds!) And, a few days before Christmas, I got it done:

It's a twin size quilt. And here's how I made the back:

Jonah was quite happy when he got it (he'd been a little worried he'd been missed, as he didn't get it until later in the exchange!)

Now to find some time to work on one for Austin....

Thanks for looking!

PTI December Blog Hop

2011-12-26T08:17:00.000-06:00

Once again, I've decided to play along with this month's PTI blog hop. This month's challenge is their traditional "Holiday Leftovers Challenge": to use some of the left-over wrapping paper, bows, ribbon, tags, canceled postage from holiday cards you have received, photos from holiday cards and anything else you might have laying around after the holiday preparations have ended to create a project.

I was honestly a little stumped by this challenge, until I was helping Sage wrap a present and some of the left-over wrapping paper caught my eye. I decided to run the scrap through my Cuttlebug with a Tag Sale #5 die and make a tag for my mom's Christmas gift:

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (kraft, soft stone), stamps (tremendous treats: Christmas), twine, button and dies (Tag Sale#5, double ended banner).

Thanks for looking!

Playing with new goodies -- part II

2011-12-25T14:28:00.003-06:00

I got some new PTI goodies in the mail on Friday and decided to make two more tags using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: any die into a folded tag.

This tag is for mother-in-law who will celebrate her birthday tomorrow.

I used my new Happy Day & Rosie Posie stamp sets as well as some new dies:

Thanks for looking!

Playing with new goodies -- part I

2011-12-25T14:07:00.002-06:00

I got some new PTI goodies in the mail on Friday and decided to make two more tags using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: any die into a folded tag.

This tag is for my sister-in-law's mother-in-law who will be at our family gathering tomorrow. I thought she might enjoy a little something to open...

I used my new Happy Day stamp set and dies:

Thanks for looking!

12 Days of Christmas Tags -- Day 12

2011-12-25T07:53:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas!

I hope you're enjoying this day with friends and family!

I just wanted to pop in and share my last tag for my 12 Days of Christmas Tags. I made this one for Austin, using October Afternoon patterned paper, PTI cardstock (rustic cream, white) and dies (love live here: holidays, picket fence). I also added some SU! Daxxling Details, which might have been a mistake in hindsight, but what's Christmas without a little glitter, right?

And again, I used this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: any die into a folded tag.

Thanks so much for looking!

12 Days of Christmas Tags -- Day 11

2011-12-24T07:51:00.001-06:00

I can't believe it's Christmas Eve!

Today, I need to tidy up the house, bake some cinnamon buns for brunch tomorrow, as well as make a fruit salad, ice & decorate the cake for tomorrow night's dessert and my dressing for the turkey. I also need to make two more gift tags & some place cards. Hopefully, there'll be some time in there to relax before our Christmas Eve service tonight...

But before I run off to tackle these tasks, I wanted to share the tag that I made for Jonah's gift. Once again, I used this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: any die into a folded tag:

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, white), stamps (holiday lights, postmarks), button, twine and dies (picket fence, tag sale #3). The teal cardstock is SU!

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday: The Christmas edition

2011-12-23T08:13:00.000-06:00

1. This felt like a great week in terms of getting things accomplished!

I worked on Monday, but on Tuesday, I didn't, so I took advantage of my empty house to wrap gifts, make tags and work on my Secret Santa gift. I got almost all of my gifts wrapped, including all the stuff for the teachers' gifts and my gift tags.

We also went to Winkler in the evening and picked up some skates for Sage & Austin (Austin's old skates thankfully fit Jonah this year), so there all set for ice skating my sister-in-law's Christmas gathering. I also picked up some pretty plaid napkins and a new tablecloth for Christmas supper. And, we got a turkey. This is our first Christmas at home (not counting the year that Sage, Cameron & I had the flu-- there was no nice Christmas supper that year, let me tell you!), so I'm hoping to make it a nice memorable day. :)

On Wednesday evening, I stayed up late to finish my Secret Santa gift (I was tempted to share some pictures, but I think I'll wait until next week... Hee!) and got it wrapped.

On Thursday, I volunteered at Sage's & Jonah's school in the am, which thrilled them to no end.... In the afternoon, I tackled some prep for food for the weekend (sunshine salad dressing, carmalized pecans, a cheese ball, and the cake to make a version of Martha Stewart's Gingerbread House Cake...) So much to do, but it'll be fun, I know it!

2. I wanted to share the card sets that I made for my kids' classroom teachers this year, using PTI cardstock and the Happy Trails stamp set:

They each got two of each card.

3. And here's how I packaged the sets, using my left-over PTI stamp boxes, by Nichole Heady, some PTI cardstock (vintage cream, spring moss, autumn rose, scarlet jewel) & dies (Christmas label, Christmas Poinsettia):

And some close-ups...

Once again, I used this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: any die into a folded tag:

4. I also decided to use a similar packaging idea to wrap up some homemade cards for my friend, Val:

The supplies are the same as above, although I added some Christmas labels & Holiday Lights stamps.

I gave her the cards (which she loved!) on Wednesday, along with these (which she also loved!)

5.

Sage had her class assembly on Wednesday and was so excited that I was able to attend. She played the part of Dancer the Reindeer in the skit they presented and did a fabulous job!

Thanks for looking!

12 Days of Christmas Tags -- Day 9-- Part II

2011-12-22T07:56:00.003-06:00

I didn't realize that I had more than twelve days worth of Christmas tags to share, so I'm doubling up today. You can see today's Part I post here.

This is the tag I made for Sage's present, using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: any die into a folded tag.

I used PTI cardstock (stamper's select white, sweet blush), stamps (love lives here: holidays), twine and dies (damask snowflakes, double-ended banner).

Thanks for looking!

12 Days of Christmas Tags -- Day 9-- Part I

2011-12-22T07:14:00.001-06:00

I made this tag for Cameron's gift, once again using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: any die into a folded tag.

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white), stamps (tremendous treats: Christmas, fillable frames #9) and die (mat stack #1).

Thanks for looking!

Ooops!

2011-12-21T19:34:00.003-06:00

After school today, I was trying to organize the teacher gifts for the kids to take to school tomorrow. Austin came home from school and saw the Butter Crunch bags that I'd made for Jonah & Sage's gym teachers and asked where his were for his gym teacher and his health teacher.

Ooops, I guess I forgot a couple of teachers....

So, after supper, I whipped up another double batch of Butter Crunch. I was out of the small clear bags I'd used yesterday and wondered about making a trip to the store, when I remembered these cute containers I'd gotten at Walmart earlier this fall with exactly this purpose in mind.

And so, voilà:

Two more treat containers for Austin's teachers. Here's a close up of the tags, which I made super quickly with some pre-made blooms that I had on hand...

I used PTI cardstock (stamper's select white), stamps (BB:text style I, fillable frames #9), dies (tag sale #5, bloom builders #3), twine and buttons. The patterned paper on the blooms is Fancy Pants.

And because I love it so much, I used this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: any die into a folded tag.

Thanks for looking!

12 Days of Christmas Tags -- Day 8

2011-12-21T07:15:00.000-06:00

I made some Butter Crunch for Jonah & Sage's phys. ed. teachers this year... and thought I'd share the recipe here:

Butter Crunch:

35 to 40 saltine crackers (unsalted works well, too)
1 cup butter (or margarine)
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1.5 cups chocolate chips
1/4 to 1/3 cup toffee pieces (like skor pieces or bits o'brickle)

Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and grease it. Line the foil with crackers, cutting them in half if necessary to cover the pan.

In a pot, bring butter and brown sugar to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 4 minutes stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour over crackers and spread it out evenly.

Bake at 350F for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and top with chocolate chips. Let the chocolate chips melt and then spread them evenly over the surface. Sprinkle toffee pieces over top. Put in fridge for several hours. Remove from fridge and remove foil backing. Cut into pieces. Store in fridge, with waxed paper between the layers.

And even though the butter crunch is perfectly fine on its own, I decided to dress up the bags with some tags using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: any die into a folded tag.

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (rustic white), stamps (Holiday Lights) and die (tag sale #5). For the inside, I used my Fillable Frames #9 stamps.

I used some glossy accents on the lights to give them a little shine.

Thanks for looking!

12 Days of Christmas Tags -- Day 7

2011-12-20T08:19:00.004-06:00

I had a bag of Ghiradelli chocolates left over from my Crop for the Congo in October, so I decided to wrap them up with a pretty tag & give them to our taekwondo instructor.

For this tag, I used this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: any die into a folded tag, as well as for the latest papertrey Princess challenge by Joyce to include some snowflakes.

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (pure poppy, aqua mist), stamps (peace be still, tremendous treats: Christmas) and dies (Mat Stack #5, double ended banner). I stamped the snowflakes in Versamark and then heat embossed them with white embossing powder.

And here's how it opens up (I love this technique!):

Thanks for looking!

12 Days of Christmas Tags -- Day 6

2011-12-19T12:14:00.000-06:00

Here's a tag that I made for my mother-in-law's gift:

I used PTI cardstock (stamper's select white, kraft), stamps (2011 holiday tags) , twine & dies (damask snowflakes). I also used some Simple Stories patterned paper, a Marvy Uchida scalloped punch and my SU! circle punch.

Thanks for looking!

12 Days of Christmas Tags -- Day 5

2011-12-18T16:09:00.006-06:00

For today's tag, I wanted to share another set of cards that I made as a gift for Jonah & Sage's science teacher. She was Austin's kindergartin teacher and I remember that she used to take the kids to look at her apple tree throughout the year, so they could observe it during the different seasons. This memory prompted me to make her a set of cards using my PTI Falling Leaves stamps set, with the sentiment from Happy Trails. I made them all using PTI rustic white cardstock. She'll get two of each card.

And a close up of the tag:

I used PTI cardstock (kraft, dark chocolate, simply chartreuse, harvest gold), felt ((dark chocolate, simply chartreuse), stamps (tremendous treats: Christmas, Christmas labels), twine, button, woodgrain impression plate & dies (tag sale #5, double ended banner, love lives here: holiday, Christmas labels).

Since we were all dressed so nicely for church this morning (Jonah & Sage have their Christmas concert tonight at church), I suggested that we take some photos in front of the tree. I got this shot of Sage to test the lighting-- she was making goofy faces, but then I got this one when she laughed:

We took this group shot with the timer & tripod, which is always a little hit or miss:

And Austin took this one of Cameron and me:

Thanks for looking!

12 Days of Christmas Tags -- Day 4

2011-12-17T15:15:00.004-06:00

I made some sets of cards for the music teachers in our lives: Sage & Jonah's music teacher at their school, Austin's music teacher at his school and their piano teacher.

I used PTI cardstock (stamper's select white) & stamps (Rhythm & Soul, BB: Sheet Music, Happy Trails). They will receive two of each card, with the music teachers getting the cards with the single violin on them and their piano teacher gettting the ones with the single piano on them. (I hope that makes sense!)

And here are a couple of close ups of the tags I made, using PTI cardstock (stamper's select white), stamps (BB: Sheet Music, Holiday Lights), dies (Mat Stack #4, Fillable Frames #7, Tag Sale #5, Tiny Tags) & felt. The ribbon is Orfray. The red brad is My Mind's Eye.

Thsi decorative brad is a SU! Build a Brad with PTI patterned paper in it:

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

2011-12-16T07:36:00.001-06:00

1. Well, I finally got around to starting my Christmas baking last Saturday. As soon as I mentioned "Christmas baking", Jonah & Sage got all excited, talking about making the roll out cookie cutter cookies. And...that was it. Apparently, the other 8 or so cookies, squares and tarts that I usually make were not worth mentioning.

And you know what? That's okay. If these are the cookies they want, then these are the cookies they'll get. And this way, I don't have to stress about making so much. It's totally win-win.

So on Saturday, I made some Mini Chip Snowball Cookies and on Sunday, I made some whipped shortbread, as well as some roll-out cookie cutter cookies with my two helpers here...

2. On Saturday, we were invited to a surprise 40th birthday party for my friend, Kathy. We were asked to bring 40 of something as a gift. Since Kathy scrapbooks and makes cards, I gave her a box of 40 diecuts.

Here's a close up of the tag:

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, kraft), impression plate (in bloom), button, twine and dies (tag sale #5, picket fence, love lives here). The patterned paper is Crate Paper and the chipboard numbers are Basic Grey.

3. I attended Jonah's school Christmas concert last night, which was really good! Lots of great singing, and it's always enjoyable to watch this cutie....

He played piano before the concert began. He chose to play Deck the Halls and did a great job!

4. And, I wanted to share today's tag for my 12 Days of Christmas Tags...

Isn't it cute? It's for my secret Santa for our family gift exchange!

To make it, I die cut some PTI cardstock with my PTI Alphabet Block dies (the question mark) and Tag Sale #5. I adhered the little question marks to the tag and then layered on a Doily Detail diecut Simply Chartreuse felt. I used my punches to punch the Pure Poppy and white cardstock, which I stamped with BB:newsprint. Then, I added a Jillibean Soup sticker. The button & twine are also PTI and the red ribbon is Offray.

It's going to drive my kids nuts when I put my gift (once I finish it) under the tree with this tag on it! Ha!

5. And, for my fifth item, I thought I'd share this fabulous video-- it totally made me smile with how clever it is!

Thanks for looking!

12 Days of Christmas Tags -- Day 2

2011-12-15T07:55:00.002-06:00

I wanted to share another Christmas tag today, as well as a sketch and layout that I made for Pages With Papertrey.

First the sketch: I got it from October Page Maps:

And here's the layout I made with it:

I used Studio Calico patterned paper and letters (red), PTI cardstock (scarlet jewel, fine linen), stamps (BB:newsprint) and dies (gratitude journal). The fine linen alphas were diecut with my Quickutz Cotton Candy dies.

And here is my Christmas Tag for Day 2 of 12 Days of Christmas Tags:

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (aqua mist, rustic white, kraft), button, twine, stamps (Christmas Labels) & dies (tag sale #3, Damask Snowflake, Christmas Label).

This one is for my very good friend, Val. We went out for lunch together yesterday-- she's so wonderful!

Here's the rest of the gift. Yeah, it's small, but I think she'll like it. You know, good things come in small packages and all that...

Thanks for looking!

12 Days of Christmas tags -- Day 1

2011-12-14T08:53:00.000-06:00

In an effort to get my gifts wrapped and tags made in time for the big day, I've decided to post 12 Days of Christmas Tags, from now until the 25th.

The first tag I'm sharing today is one I made for my very good friend, Susan:

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (aqua mist, kraft), stamps (holiday labels) and dies (tag sale #5, Christmas poinsettia). The patterned paper is Simple Stories and the brad is Basic Grey.

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

2011-12-09T11:57:00.002-06:00

1. The Christmas season has officially begun. The proof? We attended our first Christmas concert last night. Sage participated in her school's grade K to 2 Christmas concert. I've given up trying to take pictures of the concert and just concentrate on getting a photo of Sage. I was pretty pleased with this one. :)

2. In addition to singing with her class & schoolmates, Sage had the opportunity to play piano for the audience before the concert began. She played two songs: Good King Wenceslas (or Good King Wensel, as Sage calls it) and Away in a Manger. She did a great job and I was one proud mama. (She just started taking piano lessons in September.)

Another good shot of my best girl! Check out the pretty felt flowers on her headband-- I made those with PTI Beautiful Blooms dies and felt, and some Basic Grey fabric brads.

3. At the concert, Cameron told Jonah he'd make milkshakes for the kids afterwards. After Cameron had walked away, Jonah turned to me and said: "That's what I love about Dad-- he makes good night snacks!" I said: "That's what you love about dad. What do you love about me?"
Jonah replied: "You're cute, funny & smart. And you think I'm funny." Love it! ♥

4. I thought I'd share a few photos of my Christmas decor...

Here's what's displayed on our entertainment centre:

And on our piano:

And here's the wreath that I made 6 years ago, that I hung in front of our dining room window (sorry for the reflection!)

5. And one Christmas card to share. I made this one for one of the kids' French teachers:

I used PTI cardstock (simply chartreuse, pure poppy), stamps (mat stack #1, peace be still), button, twine & dies (mat stack #1, bloom builders #3). The patterned paper is Making Memories.

Thanks for looking!

A little daydreamer...

2011-12-08T08:05:00.002-06:00

Good morning!

I thought I'd share a few cards that I made earlier this fall. I apologize for the photos not being the best-- something was off with my aperture, I think.

For each card, I used Papertrey Ink cardstock and Daydreamer & Beautiful Blessings stamp sets.

Thanks for looking!

Monday, Monday

2011-12-05T08:28:00.003-06:00

Well, I think a relaxing weekend really did me some good!

Cameron was away for the weekend, so it was just the kids and me at home. After putting up our Christmas tree and lights, we went to Winkler on Friday (supper at McDonald's, followed by going to see the new Muppet Movie at the theatre). On Saturday, we decorated the tree and the rest of the house. This has definitely helped to get me more in the Christmas spirit. We also watched a few movies on the couch, read, etc. It was really nice.

I wanted to share a couple of cards that I made a few weeks ago. They're fairly similar, so I thought I'd post them together:

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (sweet blush, smokey shadow), stamps (think big favourites #7, fancy flourishes) & dies (fillable frames #7, mat stack #4, bloom builders #3), button & twine. I can't remember the name of the brand of patterned paper-- it was in my stash & is several years old.

The only difference in this card is that I used a Mat Stack #1 die instead of #4.

Thanks for looking!

Using leftovers

2011-12-04T13:27:00.003-06:00

When I made this card last night, I couldn't bear to throw the leftovers from the Quatrefoil Cover Plate away, so I decided to make a second card, using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: ribbon pleating.

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (vintage cream, hibiscus burst), stamps (iconic images, communique sentiments), button & die (quatrefoil cover plate). The patterned paper is Crate Paper and the ribbon is Offray.

Here's a close-up of the stamping:

Thanks for looking!

A 65th birthday card

2011-12-04T13:20:00.003-06:00

A friend called me last night and asked if I could make her a 65th birthday card (she wanted to support my fundraising for Congo by buying some cards.) So, I made her this card, using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: ribbon pleating.

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (vintage cream, hibiscus burst), stamps (stitches & swirls, botanical silhouettes), button & die (quatrefoil cover plate). The patterned paper is My Mind's Eye and the ribbon is Offray. The numbers were cut using my Quickutz Studio dies.

I stamped the backgroud with Stitches and Swirls and selectively inked the sentiments from Botanical Silhouettes (the "TH" is from THANK you.)

Thanks for looking!

Such talent!

2011-12-03T09:23:00.003-06:00

After work yesterday, I decided to attempt to make another layout for my latest Pages With Papertrey challenge (create a layout in less than 30 minutes) and this time, succeeded! Having the time restraint really seems to help me make quick decisions regarding product and design. I also used this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: ribbon pleating.

I used PTI cardstock (kraft), button, twine & dies (alphabet block, tag sale #5). I also used My Mind's Eye patterned paper.

And making a quick layout left us time to put up the tree. Here's Sage in the tradional "hiding in the tree box" pose.

We got the tree up and the lights on it last night, and today, we'll decorate it, as well as the rest of the house.

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

2011-12-02T08:29:00.008-06:00

1. I'm so glad it's Friday! I've been feeling quite tired this week. Not really sick, but just not a lot of energy. I'm thinking that a low-key weekend is just what I need...

2. I told the kids that for the advent treat today, we would go see the new Muppet Movie in the theatre tonight.

3. I also promised Sage that we would get our tree up this weekend. For sure.

4. I attempted to make another layout for my latest Pages With Papertrey challenge (create a layout in less than 30 minutes), but it ended up being closer to 45 by the time I was done, which is still pretty quick for me. (I had both printer and sewing machine issues!) I decided to speed things up by using this sketch from the October Afternoon blog. I also used this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: ribbon pleating.

I used Bazzill (black) and PTI cardstock (rustic white), My Mind's Eye patterned paper and brads, a PTI Half & Half die and some ribbon from my stash.

Here's the journaling:

The title is what was on our ticket stubs to see the movie. :)

5. My friend, Marlo gave me some scraps at my Crop for the Congo with the challenge to make a card with them. So I obliged:

I used PTI cardstock (smokey shadow, aqua mist), stamps (Think Big Favourites #7) and dies (mat stack #5, Turning a New Leaf). The patterned paper is My Mind's Eye & Crate).

Thanks for looking!

Pages with Papertrey -- Challenge #4

2011-12-01T09:37:00.000-06:00

I cannot believe it is December 1st today! I have my shopping done, but still need to...

1. put up my decorations
2. put up my tree
3. wrap my gifts and make tags
4. address & mail my Christmas cards (a photo card with a newsletter)-- today's goal
5. do some Christmas baking

So, in trying to come up with a suitable Pages With Papertrey Challenge for December, I've taken all the busyness of the seaon into account. So here's this month's challenge: create a layout in less than 30 minutes.

Now, for me, this means keeping things very simple and not deliberating too long (as I am apt to do) on product choices, etc. It also usually means handwritten journaling and for today's layout, no stitching.

You might notice that the design is similar to this layout that I posted yesterday. That's because I actually made today's layout on Tuesday evening and this layout yesterday morning. I had liked the simple design and figured, why reinvent the wheel? This layout will go in Sage's album and yesterday's layout will go in my family album, so it really doesn't matter if they're similar.

For my layout, I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, harvest gold), button, twine & dies (alphabet block, bloom builder #3). I also used Lily Bee and Fancy Pants pattterned paper & Offray ribbon, which I pleated for this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: ribbon pleating.

Another shortcut I used was to grab an already assembled bloom that I made earlier this fall.

If you'd like to play along with this month's Pages With Papertrey Challenge, just post a link to your layout here-- I'd love to see what you create!

Thanks for looking!

{my favourite}

2011-11-30T12:40:00.003-06:00

Just popping in to post a quick layout this afternoon before I leave for work.

With everything that's been going on lately, I realized that I haven't been scrapbooking very much... but I've missed it. So I decided to make a layout this morning and to keep it simple. I also incorportated this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: ribbon pleating.

I used American Crafts (white) and Papertrey Ink (smokey shadow) cardstock, PTI stamps (Grunge Me), button & dies (alphabet block). The patterned paper is Fancy Pants and the journaling card is Crate Paper. The ribbon is from Walmart.

Here's a close-up of the journaling:

Thanks for looking!

Passing the torch

2011-11-29T15:27:00.003-06:00

Well, my month as torchbearer for Amber Ink has come to an end and I'm excited to pass the torch onto Ashley Nguyen Newell, a very talented papercrafter who designs beautiful cards!

I also wanted to share a card that I made for my friend, Kathy, who's celebrating a birthday today, which fits perfectly with Bethie J.'s Papertrey Princess challenge, to make a birthday card. I also incorporated this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: ribbon pleating.

I used PTI cardstock (stamper's select white), stamps (think big favourites #7), button, twine and die (mat stack #5). The green cardstock is SU!, the ribbon & fabric are from Walmart.

Thanks for looking!

Amber Ink Recap

2011-11-28T13:05:00.002-06:00

I've had a such a great month serving as the blue torchbearer for Amber Ink this month! I wanted to share a recap of my projects that I made this month...

AND, in looking through my project file, I discovered one more Amber Ink project that I hadn't shared yet: a sweet sixteen card...

I used Amber Ink's digital "I believe in pink" stamp, Papertrey Ink cardstock (raspberry fizz, white, kraft, aqua mist), stamps (signature series: cupcake) & dies (doily details, mat stack #5). The pink numbers are Pink Paislee.

Thanks for looking!

Thank you

2011-11-26T22:46:00.005-06:00

I just wanted to say thank you to all of my friends who've offered me their condolences on the passing of my father-in-law this week. Your love and support is very much felt and appreciated!

Our church has been supportive, too, with friends bringing flowers and food (always a great combination!) I wanted to thank our pastor and his wife for dropping off some soup and cinnamon buns for us, so I made them this card using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Layered Background with Sentiment Stamps.

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (soft stone, new leaf), stamps & dies (wonderful words) and Crate patterned paper.

Thanks for looking!

PTI November Blog Hop

2011-11-25T07:30:00.001-06:00

Once again, I've decided to play along with the Papertrey Ink blog hop this month and once again, the challenge is an inspirational photo:

I was inspired by the photo in different ways, so I actually made three cards for the hop this month.

For the first photo, I was inspired by the gingham chair, but unforunately, I couldn't find any red gingham paper in my stash. However, I did find some green Authentique gingham and decided to use that.

I used PTI cardstock (vintage cream, pure poppy), felt (pure poppy), stamps (holiday tags 2011) & dies (damask snowflake, doily details). The patterned paper is Authentique and I trimmed the bottom edge with pinking shears.

For this next card, I took my cues from the different patterns in the photo and the bucket of greenery on the stairs:

I used PTI cardstock (vintage cream, simply chartreuse), buttons (pure poppy), felt ( simply chartreuse), stamps (Christmas labels, tremendous treats: Christmas) & dies (Christmas label, Christmas poinsettia). The patterned paper is Authentique.

And for the third card, I decided to play with my new stamps sets a little to create a one layer card that was inspired by the garland on the banister and the bucket of greenery and balls on the stairs:

I used PTI cardstock (stamper's select white), & stamps (2011 Holiday Tags, tremendous treats: Christmas).

Thanks so much for looking!

MIM #42 -- attempt #2

2011-11-24T10:02:00.000-06:00

Happy Thankgiving to all of my American friends & family!

I made another Christmas card for this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Layered Background with Sentiment Stamps. I had made some one layer cards to sell and on this one, I hadn't been happy when I'd stamped the dove. So I decided to redeem it by diecutting the dove with felt and adding some extra sentiments to the background, as well as some patterned paper.

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, spring moss), stamps (peace be still, think big favourites #9) and die (peace be still). The patterned paper is Authentique and the little pearl is SU!.

Thanks for looking!

Snowflakes

2011-11-23T07:01:00.001-06:00

Well, with the snow we got here last week, I'm inclined to believe, although rather reluctantly, that winter is here.

Sigh.

Oh, well, at least winter lends itself to one of my favourite pastimes-- staying inside where it's warm! LOL!

I wanted to share a few more projects that I made with some Amber Ink digital goodies. First up, a couple of cards...

I used Amber Ink ipaper and a digital stamp for the sentiment. I also used PTI cardstock (rustic white), Peace Be Still stamps and dies, twine and buttons.

I used Amber Ink ipaper and a digital stamp for the sentiment. I also used PTI cardstock (stamper's select white), twine and dies (damask snowflake, limitless layers). The metal star is Making Memories.

And I also made an ornament...

I used an Amber Ink digital stamp for the sentiment. I also used PTI cardstock (stamper's select white, aqua mist) and dies (damask snowflake, limitless layers.) The little pearls are Hero Arts and the glitter is SU! Dazzling Details. Now I just have to figure out how to hang it... ;)

I've had so much fun as a blue torchbearer for Amber Ink this month-- what an honour to have been asked to do this!

Thanks for looking!

MIM #42

2011-11-22T07:59:00.001-06:00

The amazing Betsy Veldman shared a video tutorial for this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Layered Background with Sentiment Stamps, and I just had to play along, using some of my new PTI goodies that I picked up yesterday:

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, scarlet jewel, simply chartreuse), patterned paper, stamps (think big favourites #9, fillable frames #8, fillable frames #9) and dies (mat stack #5, quatrefoil coverplate, poinsettia). The brad is My Mind's Eye.

Thanks for looking!

A card and a layout

2011-11-20T20:35:00.003-06:00

... that I made using some My Mind's Eye sketches.

It's been a while since I played along with a My Mind's Eye sketch. This afternoon, I made this card using their card sketch #29:

I used My Mind's Eye patterned paper, PTI cardstock (simply chartreuse, vintage cream), stamps (love lives here, gratitude journal) and dies (love lives here, edgers #3). The flower die is Tim Holtz.

And I made this layout using their layout sketch #29:

I used Bazzill cardstock, My Mind's Eye patterned paper, "so sweet" diecut, sticker & brads, PTI dies (beautiful blooms II #2). To make the scalloped edge around the "so sweet" diecut, I used the holes that got punched out with my border punch and adhered them to the back of the die cut.

Thanks for looking!

He did it!

2011-11-20T13:47:00.007-06:00

Yesterday, Austin and I drove to Winnipeg for Austin to test for his poom (junior black) belt. He seemed pretty calm on the drive in. His only concern was being asked to do more knuckle push-ups than he was able to do.

He got called up twice with his group. They asked him to perform kicks and patterns, to kick targets, do step sparring and controlled sparring.

He also got to break a board, with the kick of his choice. He chose axe kick and broke it on his first try!

And guess what? They never asked his group to do knuckle push-ups! He was so relieved and happy about this!

Here he is getting his new belt.

And standing with the other three new pooms:

They took a group photo of all the black and poom belts present:

And we got a few other shots, too. Here we are together:

Here's Austin with our instructor, Master Allison Braun (she tested for her fifth Dan yesterday):

And with Master Lea:

And because I was so proud of Austin and the hard work he's put into this, I made him a card to let him know:

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (soft stone, pure poppy, stamper's select white), stamps (wonderful words, grunge me and boy basics: game on) and dies (wonderful words).

Thanks for looking!

Ten tags

2011-11-19T06:45:00.002-06:00

This week, we had our parent-teacher conferences at the kids' schools and I always like to bring a little something for the teachers. You know, just to say: "Thanks for putting up with my kids every day." Ha!

This time, I made some Cowgirl Cookies and put them in bags. Then, of course, I had to make some tags. I decided to use Ren-Yi's Papertrey Princess challenge: "to dust of your old first loves and create something around your favorite stamp sets."

The first PTI stamp sets that I bought were Fillable Frames #8, 9 & 10. So, I challenged myself to make some tags for the bags using these stamps and dies. I needed ten (Jonah and Sage have 6 teachers between the two of them and Austin has four. Crazy!)

So here's what I made:

For these, I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, kraft), stamps (bb:newsprint, happy trails, fillable frames #10) & dies (tag sale #5, fillable frames #10).

For these, I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, harvest gold), stamps (in bloom, fillable frames #8 & 9) & dies (tag sale #5, fillable frames #8).

For these ones, I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, kraft), stamps (grunge me, fillable frames #9) & dies (tag sale #5, fillable frames #9).

And for these ones, I used PTI cardstock (rustic white), stamps (fillable frames #9) & dies (tag sale #5).

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

2011-11-18T07:10:00.002-06:00

1. It's been a good week. Well, except for the fact that I caught a cold. That hasn't been great. But Cold F/X and Tylenol Cold have been helping quite a bit.

2. This is the second year that Jonah has been singing in the voluntary choir at school. He has such a sweet voice-- I love listening to him sing! This week, his choir sang at ChoralFest in Winnipeg. I wanted to volunteer to go along, but they had enough volunteers. And even though Cameron drove the school bus for the choir, Jonah still wanted me to come. So, my friend, Susan, and I drove to Wpg to watch him sing-- the way his face lit up when he saw me was fabulous! It definitely made the trip in worth it! (& listening to the choir sing, too, of course! Oh, and going out for lunch with Susan and doing a little shopping-- that was good, too. ;) )

3. Austin is testing for his poom (junior black) belt tomorrow! I'm so excited and nervous for him! I think I'm more nervous for him than I was at my test in May! LOL! And is Austin nervous? Well, he says he is, but he still seems pretty cool about the whole thing.... maybe it'll sink in when we get there! Regardless, I'm super proud of him and the hard work and commitment he's shown to get here.

4. Amber Ink is sponsoring this week's challenge at Totally Papercrafts, a U.K. challenge site. This week's challenge is Black & White.

So, I made this card (to which I couldn't resist adding a little red):

For this card, I used Amber Ink patterned ipaper & digital stamp, Papertrey Ink cardstock (rustic white), stamps (bb:newsprint, postmarks), and dies (double-ended banner builder, wonderful words).

5. And I had so much fun making the black and white card, that I decided to make a second one. I also combined this with a friendly challenge--- at my fundraising Crop for the Congo, my friend, Marlo, handed me some of her scraps and said: "Here, make a card with these." So, here you go, Marlo...

For this card, I used Amber Ink patterned ipaper, Echo Park patterned paper (Marlo's scraps), Papertrey Ink cardstock (true black, rustic white), stamp (Think Big Favourites #3), and die (tag sale #5).

Thanks for looking!

Some more cards for sale...

2011-11-17T11:33:00.005-06:00

In the comments on my last post, someone wanted to know where they could see all of the cards I have for sale....

Here are the links to the sets of 5 that I'm currently selling for $10 to raise money for my short term mission project to the DR Congo in March: Click here, here, here, here & here.

And here is another set that I made yesterday, using Papertrey Ink cardstock (rustic white) and stamps (Mehndi Medallion, Beautiful Blessings)...

Thanks for looking!

Have you ever....

2011-11-16T06:44:00.000-06:00

... inspired yourself?

After creating this card for this week's Less is More challenge, I thought the design and the stamps I chose would work well to create some card sets to sell for raise funds for my short term mission trip to DR Congo next March.

So here's what I created:

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (rustic white) & stamps (BB: Text Style, Leaf Prints, Beautiful Blessings).

Thanks for looking!

Self-timer shot #3

2011-11-15T07:26:00.002-06:00

I took this shot in the summertime, at the end of July, at the International Peace Garden.

I decided to scrapbook it using a sketch that I'm posting for my Pages With Papertrey Sketch Challenge #3:

And here's my layout:

I used Bazzill cardstock, Authentique patterned paper (from my friend, Marlo!), a strip of My Mind's Eye patterned paper from my stash, Papertrey Ink stamps (fancy flourishes, wonderful words), felt (terracotta tile), button, twine & dies (poinsettia and wonderful words).

Thanks for looking!

Believe

2011-11-14T14:56:00.006-06:00

This month, Amber Ink is sponsoring Less is More: a clean and simple challenge blog. This week's challenge is leaves, with the card being one layer.

For someone who enjoys layering, this challenge was a little more difficult for me, but I did success in making a card that I was happy with and included a bit of layering after all. ;)

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white), stamps (leaf prints, bb: text style). The sentiment is a digital stamp from Amber Ink.

And because I'm sending this card to someone who was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I stamped a verse from PTI's Beautiful Blessings set on the inside:

Thanks for looking!

Chalk Town

2011-11-13T22:41:00.004-06:00

I made one more layout this afternoon, with some photos I took this past summer, using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Reverse Applique.

I used PTI cardstock (smokey shadow) & American Crafts cardstock, PTI dies (love lives here). The letter stickers are Studio Calico and the patterned paper is Lily Bee.

Thanks for looking!

Peace Garden layout

2011-11-13T22:31:00.006-06:00

I started this layout two weeks ago at my crop & finished it this afternoon using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Reverse Applique.

I used PTI cardstock (vintage cream) & Bazzill cardstock, stamps (turning a new leaf), and dies (mat stack #4, bloom builders #3). The letter stickers are Making Memories, brads are Basic Grey and the patterned paper is Authentique (thanks again, Marlo!)

Thanks for looking!

A Christmas card

2011-11-13T15:15:00.002-06:00

Here's a card that I made for this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Reverse Applique.

I used PTI cardstock (simply chartreuse, rustic white, scarlet jewel), stamps (tranquility trilogy, tremendous treats: Christmas), and dies (two triangles). The music notes stamp is a Hero Arts Cling.

Thanks for looking!

A trio of tags-- #3

2011-11-12T19:26:00.003-06:00

I made three tags this week for this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Reverse Applique. Here's the third one:

I used PTI cardstock (simply chartreuse, pure poppy), stamps (peace be still, fancy flourishes), button, twine and dies (tag sale #5, peace be still). I used some ribbon from my stash.

Thanks for looking!

A trio of tags-- #2

2011-11-12T19:18:00.003-06:00

I made three tags this week for this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Reverse Applique. Here's the second one:

I used PTI cardstock (simply chartreuse, rustic white), stamps (tremendous treats: Christmas) and dies (tag sale #5). I punched the circle with my SU! 1.75" circle punch and used some ribbon from my stash. The music notes stamps is a Hero Arts Cling.

Thanks for looking!

A trio of tags-- #1

2011-11-12T19:12:00.002-06:00

I made three tags this week for this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Reverse Applique. Here's the first one:

I used PTI cardstock (simply chartreuse, rustic white), stamps (love lives here: holiday, tremendous treats: Christmas) , button and dies (tag sale #5). I punched the circle with my SU! 1.75" circle punch and used some ribbon from my stash.

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

2011-11-11T07:10:00.002-06:00

1. We had another four day week here, as today is Remembrance Day. I actually had a three day week because I didn't get called it yesterday, which was a nice day to catch up on things around the house and with friends.

2. We found out on Wednesday evening that our taekwondo instructor has decided that Austin is ready to test for his poom (junior black) belt next Saturday! I'm excited and nervous for him, as well as really proud!

3. In other taekwondo related news, I'm attending a referreeing seminar in Winnipeg to get my provincial certification. I'm kind of nervous about this, but excited to learn something new!

4. I made a card using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Reverse Applique. As I love sewing on my cards and layouts, this wasn't a difficult challenge!

I used PTI cardstock (simply chartreuse, rustic white and scarlet jewel), stamps (postmarks, holiday lights, love lives here: holidays, big & bold wishes) and dies (postmarks).

5. And then, because I couldn't bear to let some perfectly good diecuts go to waste, I made another card:

I used PTI cardstock (simply chartreuse, rustic white and scarlet jewel), stamps (postmarks, Fillable Frames #9, big & bold wishes) and dies (postmarks).

Have a great weekend!
Thanks for looking!

Less is More

2011-11-10T12:49:00.003-06:00

This month, Amber Ink is sponsoring Less is More: a clean and simple challenge blog.

Here is the card I created for the challenge to use orange & red:

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (rustic white), stamps (Think Big Favourites #9, Peace be Still) and dies (Mat Stack #4 & Fillable Frames #7). I also used Amber Ink patterned ipaper.

This challenge also coincides with Sue's Papertrey Princess Challenge to create a card using non-traditional colours (& while I realize that I didn't create a fall card, as per her instructions, I did got out of the box using these colours for a winter card.)

Thanks for looking!

Hey, y'all...

2011-11-08T23:16:00.004-06:00

It feels like it's been forever since I posted!

On Saturday, when I went to check my emails, I couldn't get my desktop to appear on my computer, just a black screen with the little white arrow for my mouse! I took it in immediately and picked it up this evening. Thankfully, it was fairly simple and inexpensive for them to fix. Whew!

I wanted to post a card that I made recently, using this beautiful digital stamp from Amber Ink. I was inspired by a card that I saw in a magazine by Maile Belles.

In addition to the Amber Ink digital stamp, I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (rustic white, sweet blush, kraft), stamps (Iconic Images, Signature Series: Dress Form (sentiment)) and dies (Mat Stack #4, Fillable Frames #7). I also used some SU! pearls.

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday: the late night edition

2011-11-04T22:41:00.001-05:00

Well, it'a still Friday when I'm posting this, but just barely...

1. Several weeks ago, the kids and I arrived at home after taekwondo to find a kitten in our house! Cameron had found it on the the side of the highway one evening and brought him home. Because of my allergies, we couldn't keep him, so Cameron took him to the farm to stay with his mom. The kids named him Lynx.

He's quite lovely and pretty good with the kids. He loves to play and grab though and is a good jumper, too!

2. Tonight, Jonah & Sage tested for their blue stripes for taekwondo. (We're still waiting to hear if Austin will test for his poom belt (junior black belt) on the 19th.) It was a great test! As a black belt, I now get to sit along the front of the room with the other black & poom belts:

I also got to conduct a portion of the test (a group of green stripes). I really enjoy conducting. It's definitely a learning experience...

Jonah and Sage did really well!

3. At the test tonight, I received my Kukkiwon certificate, certifying my black belt status! I was very excited! It looks so cool!

Here's a photo with my instructor, Mrs. Allison Braun:

4. There was no school today, so I finished a set of cards this afternoon (in between loads of laundry and tidying up...) I'll be selling these sets at church to raise money for my mission trip to Congo in March.

For this set, I paired my Papertrey Ink Daydreamer and Beautiful Blessings stamps sets.

5. I also made a card this afternoon for this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Multi-stamp Background Building.

I used PTI cardstock (kraft, plum pudding, spring moss and rustic white), stamps (turning a new leaf, iconic images, communique sentiments) and dies (doily details).

Have a great weekend!
Thanks for looking!

HB2U

2011-11-03T07:18:00.003-05:00

I wanted to share a birthday card that I made for Austin's friend, using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Multi-stamp Background Building. I was inspired by this card by Karen Thomas to use my PTI Boy Basic: Game On and Grunge Me sets, which are so perfect for teenage boys...

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, kraft, pure poppy, true black), stamps (Boy Basic: Game On, Grunge Me). I also used my EK Success border punch.

Thanks for looking!

Thank you cards...

2011-11-01T18:39:00.006-05:00

... for the latest Papertrey Princess challenge.

Last Thursday, Sue posted a challenge to make 5 gratitude/thankful cards for people who presently bless or who have in the past, blessed your life. This was such perfect timing, as I had some people who helped me out with my Crop for the Congo that I wanted to thank.

So, for Susan (who helped me make lunchbox note diecut treats and door prizes), Mandy (who came to the church Friday afternoon to help me set up tables and chairs), Val (who made cinnamon buns for our snack Saturday morning) and Nancy (who made muffins and helped with lunch), I made little thank you treats, using my PTI lunchbox note die and this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Multi-stamp Background Building.

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white), stamps (falling leaves, fancy flourishes and Mat Stack #1 (sentiment)) and dies (lunchbox note die). Inside each note, I tucked a Ghiradelli chocolate (from the ones that Kim so kindly sent me) or an areo bar (for Susan.)

When I first ordered the Falling leaves stamp set, I went looking in the PTI gallery to see what the DT members had made with it. I was blown away by this card by Kim Hughes and knew that I wanted to make something similar. So, I made this card for Gloria (who made the lunch for my Crop for the Congo: lasagna soup and Olive Garden bread sticks-- so yummy!-- as well as an apple strudel for dessert):

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, harvest gold), stamps (falling leaves, distressed stripes and Mat Stack #1 (sentiment)).

Thanks for looking!

Halloween photos & Pages with Papertrey #3

2011-11-01T07:47:00.002-05:00

We had a great Halloween! The weather was perfect-- I still can't believe how nice it was!-- and everyone had a great time!

I thought I'd share our costumes...

Jonah was a clone trooper, from the Star Wars Saga. He got the helmet for Christmas a couple of years ago and I picked up the white hoodie at the thrift store for $1.

Sage wore her owl costume again this year and looked absolutely adorable!

I made Austin a Harry Potter costume, using a tutorial from Fiskars. I was really pleased with how it turned out!

And I decided to be Harry's snowy owl, Hedwig. I made the top a tank top I found at the thrift store, to which I sewed large scalloped strips. For the hat, I altered a white tuque (also from the thrift store) and added some polar fleece eyes and nose (the grey eyes I cut out using my PTI damask snowflake dies). It's always fun dressing up, but I do get some people who look at me a little strangely. I try not to let it bother me though, because I know my kids LOVE it when I dress up with them!

Here's the whole gang:

And, on the topic of dressing up, I wanted to share the Pages With Papertrey challenge #3 for November: dress up a sticker with some PTI goodness.

Here, on my layout, I took a Lily Bee sticker, layered it onto a scalloped circle and then onto a Doily Details diecut. To finish it off, I added a decorative brad to the centre.

Here's the whole layout:

I used PTI cardstock (ocean tides, stamper's select white, pure poppy) & dies (half & half, love lives here, doily details). I also used Bazzill cardstock (12x12), Lily Bee patterned paper and sticker and October Afternoon letter stickers.

I tucked the journaling behind the large photo on the half & half die cut:

If you'd like to play along with this month's Pages With Papertrey challenge, just post your layout here in the PTI forum.

Thanks for looking!

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T08:03:00.000-05:00

I've been really looking forward to today. I've always loved Halloween, ever since I was a kid. A holiday that includes dressing up and chocolate? Bring it on!

Actually, I think I would get a little too excited about it.... I remember several Halloweens where I would end up getting sick and spending it on the couch, while my brothers would go out trick or treating. My mom tried to make it fun for me by suggesting I count the trick or treaters that come to the door. Nice try, Mom.

Anyway, last year's owl costume for Sage was such a hit that she's wearing it again this year. And Jonah wanted to be a Clone trooper, so I just found him a white hoodie at the thrift store for him to wear with helmet he already had. Only Austin needed a costume. Enter the Fiskar's email to save the day: they had the step by step instructions to make a Harry Potter costume. Sold! I got it done a few weeks ago. I told the kids we'd be doing a photo shoot today after school with their costumes.

The kids wanted to know what I was dressing up as. I'd thought about being Perry the Platypus from Phineas and Ferb, but then had the great idea of being Harry Potter's white owl, Hedwig. I got my costume finished yesterday, modifying the idea behind Sage's costume to work for me. Sage wanted to be my baby, but we suggested instead that she could be Ron's owl from the books, Pigwidgeon. She's very excited about this!

Okay, enough rambling... I wanted to share my first project that I made as a torchbearer for Amber Ink blog:

I used the Amber Ink digital stamp Love Bug, which I printed out twice. Once on PTI rustic white cardstock, along with the rest of my title, and the second time onto Crate Paper patterned paper. I then cut it out by hand and adhered it over the cardstock title. I added some more Crate Paper patterned paper, PTI stamps (fall elegance, and dies (limitless layers, mat stack #4 and tag sale #5). Also, I did a little recycling on this page. The black mat stack die cut and pumpkin are from this this treat bag that I'd made for my pumpkin carving party. I just love repurposing!

Thanks for looking!

Crop for the Congo recap

2011-10-30T13:56:00.005-05:00

Thanks to everyone who left comments on my blog wishing me well with my crop!

It took place on Friday evening and Saturday until 4pm and was wonderful! I took Austin, Jonan & Sage along with me on Friday afternoon to set up tables at my church and they were lots of help. My friend, Mandy, also came, with her boys and was very much appreciated! We set up for 32 people, as I didn't know for sure how many were coming. In the end, we had 29 in attendance.

Huge thanks again to all who attended! It was a great turn out and lots of fun! Everyone seemed to enjoy the fact that they had a table each for scrapping, the food (thanks again to Gloria, Val, Nancy & Susan for helping me out in that department!), the door prizes and the twelve hours of scrapbooking time. I had about 10 or 11 women participate in my card classes, which was a lot of fun! And lots of talking, reconecting and laughing! It was fabulous!

AND... I got three layouts done! Yay!

Here's one that I made, using some new Authentique patterned paper that my friend, Marlo, brought me back from Minneapolis:

Isn't it pretty? I loved how well it coordinated with my PTI felt (ocean tides, terracotta tile)! I also used PTI stamps (turning a new leaf, gratitude journal), buttons, twine and dies (turning a new leaf, beautiful blooms II #2, wonderful words). The cardstock is Bazzill.

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

2011-10-28T07:57:00.000-05:00

#1.

Earlier this month, I got an email from my online friend, Kristin Robbins, asking if I would like to be a torchbearer (guest DT member) for
Amber Ink for the month of November! I was so flattered that she asked me!

So, I'm very excited to design with some Amber Ink products this month, along with my fellow torchbearers:

Debra
Meredith
Kirsi aka Pipertäjä
Jessica

Feel free to check out the Amber Ink blog: Amber Inklings, too. And you will see my first project that I made using a Amber Ink digital stamp here on Monday.

#2. I've been getting a lot of my Christmas shopping done-- and I haven't had to leave the house to do it! I got a few gifts on Amazon.com last year, but this year, I've gotten gifts for Jonah, Austin & Sage there, from myself and in shopping for my mom for the kids. It's great!

#3. I'm hosting my Crop for the Congo (to raise funds for my short-term mission trip to DR Congo next March) this weekend. We'll be setting up at the church this afternoon and cropping tonight and tomorrow. Wonderful friends are helping with set up, food and clean up, which is so awesome! It should be a great time!

#4. My friend, Susan, came over on Wendesday afternoon and helped me make these little treats for the attendees of my crop:

They're PTI cardstock, cut with the PTI Lunchbox Note die, with a Ghiradelli chocolate inside. (My super nice PTI forum friend, Kim Heggins sent me a box full from California! Thanks again, Kim!!) To finish them off, we added a flower made with patterned paper and the PTI Bloom Builder #3 die.

Susan also helped me crank out die cuts for my card classes. Then, if that wasn't enough, she came over again yesterday afternoon and helped me finish packing door prizes.

I have eighteen to give away and 30 women coming to my crop. I'm thinking that's pretty good odds for winning...

#5. As I mentionned in #4, I'm teaching two card classes at my crop on Saturday and I got everything prepped last night.

Here are the two cards that we're making:

This card is a complete CASE of the super talented Maile Belles, using the PTI Holiday Lights stamps set and some Glossy Accents.

For this one, I used PTI cardstock (I used Hawaiian Shores, but my students will have the choice of this one, Aqua Mist, Rasberry Fizz, Simply Chartreuse, New Leaf and Pure Poppy), stamps (Candy Cane Christmas) & dies ((Candy Cane Christmas, Mat Stack #5). The patterned paper is My Mind's Eye.

What do you think?

Thanks for looking!

Chair-ished

2011-10-26T21:07:00.000-05:00

Things have been fairly busy lately. I worked Monday & Tuesday, but had today day off, so I spent part of the day getting my house in order (vaccuuming, laundry, grocery shopping, baking chocolate chip pumpkin muffins, you know all that fun stuff...) and the other part getting ready for the crop I'm hosting this weekend at my church to raise money for my trip to the Congo. I'm expecting about 30 women, so it should be a really good time.

My friend, Susan, came down this afternoon and helped me prep for my card class and make lunchbox note dies for all the attendees. I'm sure I'll take some photos and post them soon....

In the meantime, here's a card I made about a month ago, but never got around to posting:

I used PTI cardstock (stamper's select white, spring rain, harvest gold), stamps (newsprint, on my couch & on my couch additions, half & half) and dies (half & half). The patterned paper is The Girl's Paperie.

Thanks for looking!

PTI October Blog Hop

2011-10-25T07:01:00.000-05:00

Once again, I've decided to play along with the Papertrey Ink blog hop this month and once again, the challenge is an inspirational photo:

I was inspired by the pumpkins, so I decided to include some by stamping the pumpkins in my Fall Elegance stamp set. I also loved all the patterns, so I included some patterned paper on my card.

I used PTI cardstock (simply chartreuse, rustic white), stamps (fall elegance, think big favourites #7) & dies (picket fence-- these were sent to my from my PTI forum friend, Pattylt!). The patterned paper is SU! (text) & My Mind's Eye.

Thanks for looking!

Pumpkin Carving Feast

2011-10-24T09:50:00.002-05:00

Yesterday afternoon, our friends, Bryan & Joy, with their daughters, Sara & Sonya, came over for our pumpkin carving feast! We had a great time, visiting and carving pumpkins.

We took the pumpkins out to the front deck to pose with our finished creations...

For supper, I'd made chili, a hot bread dip with bread & crackers, tortilla chips and salsa and cut up veggies and dip. For desert, I'd borrowed my friend, Marlo's, bundt pan and made a chocolate cake shaped as a pumpkin. I'd iced together the two "tops" of the cakes made in the bundt pans and then added some rolled up cardstock to make the stem. I curled some strips of cardstock around a pencil to make some vines and cut out two of my PTI leaf print dies to make the leaves.

It was super fun-- something I'm hoping will become an annual tradition.

Thanks for looking!

Another card make-over

2011-10-23T08:21:00.003-05:00

I'd made this card originally to be a part of this set of cards, but when I added some cards with the string of lights stamped in black, these lost a bit of their luster. I figured all they needed was a little dressing up and decided to do so, using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Layered Mats and Frames.

I used PTI cardstock (new leaft, aqua mist), stamps (holiday lights) and die (mat stack #4). The patterned paper is October Afternoon and the scalloped edge is recycled off of a package of The Girl's Paperie stickers.

Thanks for looking!

Treat bags

2011-10-22T09:28:00.005-05:00

I was inspired to make some treat bags for our pumpkin carving feast by this post by Danielle Flanders. I also decided to use this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Layered Mats and Frames.

Here's the first treat bag I made:

I used PTI cardstock (smokey shadow), stamps (Fall Elegance, Think Big Favourites #4), medium glassine bag & dies (Mat Stack #1 & #5). The patterned paper is October Afternoon.

To see the rest of the treat bags I made, click here or scroll down.

2011-10-22T09:25:00.004-05:00

Here is the second treat bag that I made using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Layered Mats and Frames.

I used PTI cardstock (true black), stamps (Fall Elegance, Falling Leaves, Big & Bold Wishes), medium glassine bag & dies (Mat Stack #5 & limitless layers 1.75"). The patterned paper is October Afternoon.

To see the rest of the treat bags I made, click here.

2011-10-22T09:22:00.003-05:00

Here is the third treat bag that I made using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Layered Mats and Frames.

I used PTI cardstock (true black), stamps (fall elegance, Think Big Favourites #4), medium glassine bag & dies (Mat Stack #5 & limitless layers 1.75"). The patterned paper is My Mind's Eye.

To see the rest of the treat bags I made, click here.

2011-10-22T09:20:00.005-05:00

Here is the fourth treat bag that I made using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Layered Mats and Frames.

I used PTI cardstock (true black), stamps (falling leaves), medium glassine bag & dies (Mat Stack #5 & Fillable Frame #7). The patterned paper is My Mind's Eye.

To see the rest of the treat bags I made, click here.

2011-10-22T08:32:00.005-05:00

Here is the fifth treat bag that I made using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Layered Mats and Frames.

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, true black), stamps (fall elegance, Big & Bold Wishes), medium glassine bag & dies (Mat Stack #4 & limitless layers 1.75"). The patterned paper is My Mind's Eye.

To see the rest of the treat bags I made, click here.

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

2011-10-21T12:43:00.004-05:00

1. We have the day off today! :)

And actually, we have the next four Fridays off, too, which is so great, because I have subbed at the school almost every day for the last month, and while it's great to work there, a day off is also very much appreciated.

2.
I've been making some more cards to sell at my church to raise funds for my upcoming trip to the Congo. I started selling them last week and was very happy with the positive response they received!

3. I decided to use my new Papertrey Ink stamp set: Holiday Lights to make another Christmas set to sell. Each set has the following five cards in it and will retail for $10.

This set is so much fun-- I'll be using it for one of my card classes at my Crop for the Congo next weekend...

4. And someone else has been enjoying this stamp set, too.

Sage asked if she could have some of my "flubs" from making the set (see #3) and used her gel-pens to draw in the bulbs:

After using the gel pens, she decided to stamp her own out. So fun sharing a hobby with my girl!

5. And lastly, here's another card that I made using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Layered Mats and Frames.

I used PTI cardstock (new leaf, pure poppy), stamps (Holiday Lights) & dies (Mat Stack #4, Limitless layers). The patterned paper is Fancy Pants.

Thanks for looking!

A birthday card

2011-10-20T07:40:00.000-05:00

Here's another card that I made using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Layered Mats and Frames.

I used PTI cardstock (aqua mist, fine linen, stamper's select white), stamps (gratitude journal, communique sentiments) & dies (two triangles, mat stack #4, limitless layers). The patterned paper is Pink Paislee.

Thanks for looking!