A couple of challenges

Happy Leap Day!

I had a prof in University who got married today, 20 years ago. So, I guess today he's celebrating his 5th annivesary. ;) (He'd actually told us that was why they picked the date.... so he'd only have to buy her a gift every four years! LOL!)

Anyway, today I want to share a card that I made using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: creating large frames with smaller frame stamps, as well as the latest Papertrey Princess challenge posted by Diane, who challenged us to create a card with a Hawaiian feel.

This is for Sage's teacher, Mme Schofield, who came out of retirement to fill in since the starting of the school year, while Mme. Vigier was on her mat leave. Now Mme. Vigier is back and I wanted to let Mme. Schofield know how much we appreciated her and how much Sage enjoyed having her for her teacher.

To create my larger frame, I used Fillable Frames #8, which I stamped twice.

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (canyon clay, rustic white), stamps (Fillable Frames #8, Happy Day, Think Big Favourites #3), buttons & dies (Happy Day.) The patterned paper is Crate Paper.

Thanks for looking!

A birthday card

My friend, co-worker and fellow scrapbooker, Lindsay, celebrated a birthday yesterday, so I made her a card to honour the occasion. I used some new My Mind's Eye patterned paper, as well as this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: creating large frames with smaller frame stamps. I decided to use my Basic Labels set to create a larger frame for my sentiment and blooms (the not so lined up edges are hidden by the leaves.)

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (rustic white), stamps (rosie posie, label basics, communique sentiments) and dies (rosie posie). The patterned paper is My Mind's Eye.

Thanks for looking!

An award & a card

In the past few weeks, I've been very kindly awarded a blog award from Kara, Crystal & Laurence. Thank you, my friends!

Liebster' is German for 'dearest'. The award is a 'share-the-love' arrangement, given to inspirational bloggers with less than 200 followers.

Here's the to-do list of any Liebster award recipient:

Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
Reveal your five blogger picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog
Copy and paste the award on your blog (see above).
Hope that those you award forward it to their favorite bloggers.

Here are my five nominees, in alphabetical order:
Deb
Denise
Joyce
Sherri
Tara

And before I go, here's a card I wanted to share...

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, aqua mist, new leaf), stamps (iconic images, love & marriage, happy trails) & dies (limitless layers ovals). The patterned paper is Crate and the music note stamp (which I "kissed" the iconic image bird stamp) is Hero Arts.

I hope you're having a great Sunday!
I've been spending my afternoon making cards on my dining room table and tonight, Cameron & I will go play volleyball at our church.

Thanks for looking!

PTI February Blog Hop

Once again, I'm playing along with the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop. This month's challenge is to include an interactive element in your project. I decided to make a card and a layout for the challenge...

First, the card:

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, canyon clay), stamps (boy basics: game on, basic labels) and dies (tag sale #3, basic labels.) The patterned paper and label diecut (on the front of the card) are My Mind's Eye.

The interactive elements are the banners that lift to reveal...

And, finally...

And, here is the layout that I made:

I used American Crafts cardstock (12x12), PTI cardstock (soft stone, stamper's select white), stamps (tiny tags, tiny tags II), buttons, twine & dies (tag sale #5, half & half, tiny tags).  The patterned paper is My Mind's Eye.

Some of the banners I diecut myself and others were MME diecuts...

For the title, I actually diecut it with my Half & Half die from the packaging from my My Mind's Eye product pack, thinking it was the perfect title. I trimmed down the edges slightly and then layered it over a piece of cardstock diecut from soft stone cardstock.

Then, when you lift the title, you reveal the journaling behind it:

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

1. What a great week! We had Monday off for Louis Riel Day, early dismissal on Wednesday and today off for professional development. I love it!

2. Well, I'm currenly on Day 55 of no-sugar, no-deep-fried-foods. :)

3. With Lent starting this week, I put some thought into what I could "give up" this year...

Sugar? Already did.
Deep fried foods? Already did.
TV? I only watch a few shows a week, so this didn't seem like a good fit.
Scrapbooking? This was Cameron's suggestion, to which I replied: "No." (I've found with going back to work that I really need my crafting time to keep me sane and happy.)
Buying scrapbooking supplies? I actually did this a few years ago and it was okay, but not something I wanted to do again this year... ;)
Eating after supper? We have a winner! It will be a little challenging (I've gotten used to making popcorn with Cool Ranch seasoning while I want the Mentalist on Thursday evenings) but Jonah said he'd do it with me, which was nice. :)

4.  I saw this on Facebook the other day and it totally made me laugh!

5. I wanted to share another layout that I made using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Glitter buttons.

I used Bazzill cardstock (kraft), Echo Park patterned paper, Papertrey Ink cardstock (stamper's select white, pure poppy), stamps (leaf prints), button & dies (tag sale #5, alphabet block uppercase).

This layout has an interactive element.... you can untie the baker's twine and open up the little folder I made to reveal some more photos from the day and my journaling.

And here's a close-up of my glittered button on the banner "flag" I made:

Thanks for looking!

Happy Birthday, Marlo

Yesterday was my wonderful friend, Marlo's birthday. I took her to lunch and, because we share a love for scrapbooking, I gave her some new My Mind's Eye decorative brads & matching 6x6 paper pack.

I also gave her this card, that I made using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Glitter buttons. (Isswear I'm getting addicted to this technique!)

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (rustic white), stamps (think big favourites #12, stitches & swirls) & buttons. The strip of patterned paper is Cosmo Cricket. I was inspired by this card by Betsy Veldman (just scroll down a little.)

Thanks for looking!

Furry bliss

As someone who never uses glitter on my cards and layouts, I'm super surprised at how much I'm enjoying this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Glitter buttons. Here's another layout I made with this technique (adding Dazzling Details to my buttons to make them sparkle!) For this layout, I used some photos that I took last Canada Day of Sage at the petting zoo.

I used American Crafts cardstock (12x12), Crate Paper patterned paper and my Quickutz cotton candy alphabet dies. I also used Papertrey Ink buttons & dies (tag sale #3, heart prints).

Thanks for looking!

Everyday moments vs. events

I actually enjoy scrapbooking both "event-type" layouts (places we go, things that happen in our lives, birthdays, etc.) and "everyday moment" type of layouts (funny/cute things the kids said or did, just using a photo of them to tell them how special they are to me, etc.) However, it seems lately, that I've been concentrating more on the everyday moments and neglecting some "event-type" photos taken over the past couple of years. So yesterday, I decided to grab some photos from my photo box and scrapbook some events.

I also challenged myself to incorporate this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Glitter buttons.

I'd taken these photos on the last day of school last June, because the kids' excitement was so palpable (okay, and mine was, too!) I love summer and the anticipation leading up to it. (These photos also make me laugh, because try as I might, I couldn't get both Sage & Jonah in the air at the same time! LOL!)

I used My Mind's Eye patterned paper. Webster's paper letter stickers & SU! Dazzling Details on my buttons to get them glittery. I also used Papertrey Ink buttons & dies (journal tabs & heart border).

Here's a close-up of the buttons and journaling:

Thanks for looking!

Blue belts

On Friday, February 3rd, Sage & Jonah tested for their blue belts. They both did really well! Last Monday, they received their promotions-- I'm so proud of how well they're doing!

When I gave Sage her 18" doll for Christmas, I'd mentionned how there was a taekwondo outfit that you could buy for her, but I thought that maybe I could make one instead.... So I found a pattern for some pyjamas and a robe and decided to modify that instead... Easier said than done, though! I must be too used to sewing on paper, because sewing that little outfit was a challenge! LOL! Shortly afterwards, I called my mom to thank her for all the doll/Barbie clothes she sewed for me when I was little! Here are Sage & Alex (her doll) posing in their blue belts:

And while I'm sharing some taekwondo pictures, I thought I'd share the layout I made today, using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Glitter buttons. At first, Ashley suggested that we use spray adhesive & glitter (of which I have none and the stores are closed today), but then she showed how she added some glitter to her buttons using stickles. I had purchased some Dazzling Details from SU! before Christmas, so I added some of that to my buttons.

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white), buttons, twine, stamps & dies (tiny tags II). I also used Crate Paper patterned paper, a My Mind's Eye decorative brad & Sassafras (grey) & Jillibean (red) alphabet stickers.

Thanks for looking!

Merci

On the PTI forum, Joyce organized a Release Party Redo this week. Its purpose is to show appreciation & honour to the PTI behind the scenes cast, Nichole and Jennifer.

So, I thought I'd share a thank you card that I made with one of my favourite sets that Nichole designed, Stitches & Swirls.

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, spring moss), stamps (stitches & swirls, think big favourites #3) and dies (limitless layers ovals).

I actually tried a version of the ghost masking technique that Betsy did for a MIM last month, except instead of it being a one layer card, I layered the sentiment oval on a decorative oval over the card base.

Thanks for looking!

Make It Monday #53 -- attempt #2

Here is the second card that I made for this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: creative coasters. I diecut my coaster with my Mat Stack #5 die, stamped the sentiment & accent, ran it through my diecutting machine with my woodgrain impression plate and then added some distress ink with my Tim Holtz distresser:

I used PTI coaster, cardstock (canyon clay), impression plate (woodgrain), stamps (think big favourites #12, modern wood mats) & dies (mat stack #5, tag sale #5). I also used My Mind's Eye patterned paper.

Thanks for looking!

Make It Monday #53 -- attempt #1

This week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink is to use the PTI coasters in a creative way. I've actually never purchased coasters, but my friend, Mandy, gave me a couple to try several months ago. So I found one in my stash and was able to use it for two cards. Here is the first one I made, where I diecut my coaster, stamped the sentiment, ran it through my diecutting machine with my woodgrain impression plate and then added a little soft stone ink with my tim holtz distresser:

I used PTI coaster, cardstock (canyon clay), stamps (wonderful words additions) & dies (double-ended banner die, alphabet block). I also used My Mind's Eye patterned paper & decorative brads, as well as their latest sketch on the MME blog.

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

1. I had so much fun playing along with the Papertrey Ink challenges/contests this past week.... although, I'm just shocked that I never won! I'd check for my name and be so surprised that it wasn't listed as a winner for their draws..... ;)

2. I was very excited to get some emails last week from Papercrafts (they requested two of my submitted cards for their next Stamp It magazine) and CARDS (they requested one of my cards for their July 2012 issue---- they acutally requested the wedding card that I'd recently made for my nephew, so I had to call him and ask for it back (temporarily, of course!)

3. I've been sugar-free & deep-fried foods-free now for 48 days! Woohoo! I feel really good (physically) and I went to the clinic to weigh myself on Monday and discovered that I'd lost 3 lbs. It might not seem like much in three weeks, but I'm happy with a slow, but steady loss of weight. :)

4. We had a great Valentine's Day this week, which included a few little gifts & cards for Cameron & the kids, lunch out at Boston Pizza with Cameron (where I got a heart shaped spicy perogy pizza!) & heart-shaped pancakes for supper. Cameron gave me a pretty pendant shaped like a key, which I love!

5. When I took the kids to see the Muppet Movie before Christmas, I fell in love with this song and thought it would be great to add to a layout. So I made this:

I used Papertrey Ink (text) & Fancy Pants (all other) patterned paper, My Mind's Eye decorative brads, PTI cardstock (ocean tides) & dies (alphabet block, bloom builders #3, lunchbox note). I printed out the lyrics on the neutral side of the patterned paper to fit in the lunchbox note die. Then I diecut it and added it to my layout with a flower on the front of it, so when you open it up, it reveals the lyrics:

(Sorry for the poor photos-- I took them in the evening...)

Thanks for looking!

Day 10 Contest -- attempt #4

Here is the fourth project that I made for Day 10 for the Anniversary Celebrations at Papertrey Ink, where the challenge was to make an interactive card, in honour of their new interactive dies. This time I made a layout (which I hope is okay!) I also used the Blog Challenge Sketch on the My Mind's Eye blog.

I used my new My Mind's Eye patterned papers & diecuts that came in the mail yesterday, as well as some decorative brads. I also used PTI cardstock (soft stone, simply chartreuse), twine, buttons & dies (half & half, filligree border, double-ended banner, wonderful words).

Here's a close-up of the journaling:

For the interactive element, I used a half & half diecut that slides into the strip of MME patterned paper, behind the journaling. When you pull it out...

... you see the Bible verse I included.

Thanks for looking!

Day 10 Contest -- attempt #3

Here is the third card that I made for Day 10 for the Anniversary Celebrations at Papertrey Ink, where the challenge was to make an interactive card, in honour of their new interactive dies.

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, aqua mist, ripe avacodo), twine, stamps (happy trails, communique sentiments) & dies (tag sale #3, edgers #3, happy trails). The patterned paper is My Mind's Eye.

For the interactive element on my card, I sewed a pocket, into which I slipped the tag. When you take it out of the pocket, it reveals a second sentiment:

Thanks for looking!

Day 10 Contest -- attempt #2

Here is the second card that I made for Day 10 for the Anniversary Celebrations at Papertrey Ink, where the challenge was to make an interactive card, in honour of their new interactive dies. I also made this card for Steph's Papertrey Princess challenge to make a card using white & one other colour. I picked pink (& added a little bit of black for the sentiments-- I hope that's okay!)

I used PTI cardstock (stamper's select white, raspberry fizz), twine, stamps (half & half, botanical silhouettes) & dies (half & half, bloom builders #3). The patterned paper is Echo Park.

For the interactive element on my card, I sewed the half & half diecut over an extra stamped sentiment and picture on the patterned paper as a little surprise:

Thanks for looking!

Day 10 Contest -- attempt #1

Wow, I can't believe it's already Day 10 for the Anniversary Celebrations at Papertrey Ink. I made four projects for today's contest, which was to make an interactive card, in honour of their new interactive dies. Here is the first of three cards that I made for the challenge:

I used PTI cardstock (vintage cream), twine, stamps (wonderful words additions) & dies (mat stack #4, layerz mat stack #4). The patterned paper is Pink Paislee and the chipboard flower is Fancy Pants.

For the interactive element on my card, I slipped a piece of patterned paper, adhered to a strip of cardstock, into a pocket I made with stitching, that you can pull out to reveal the rest of the sentiment:

Thanks for looking!

Day 9 Contest -- attempt #4

Here is the fourth card that I made for Papertrey Ink's challenge to include both butterflies and leaves on a project. I searched through my embellishment box and found two of these large chipboard butterflies...

I used PTI cardstock (sweet blush, vintage cream), patterned paper (Dearest Jane), stamps (Think Big Favourites #12, Turning a New Leaf) & dies (mega mat stack 4). The chipboard butterfly is Pink Paislee.
Thanks for looking!

Day 9 Contest -- attempt #3

Here is the third card that I made for Papertrey Ink's challenge to include both butterflies and leaves on a project. I searched through my embellishment box and found two of these large chipboard butterflies...

I used PTI cardstock (sweet blush, berry sorbet), stamps (Think Big Favourites #12, Turning a New Leaf) & dies (heart border die). The patterned paper & chipboard butterfly are Pink Paislee. It's hard to see, but for my leaves, I stamped them on the sentiment strip with Versamark.

Thanks for looking!

Day 9 Contest -- attempt #2

Here is the second card that I made for Papertrey Ink's challenge to include both butterflies and leaves on a project:

I used PTI cardstock (hibiscus burst), buttons, twine, patterned paper (Dearest Jane), stamps (Communique Sentiments) & dies (limitless layers ovals, love lives here). The floral patterned paper is The Girl's Paperie.

Thanks for looking!

Day 9 Contest -- attempt #1

I can't believe we're already on Day 9 of the Papertrey Anniversary celebrations! Today's contest is to include both butterflies and leaves on a project. Here is the first of four cards that I made for the challenge:

I used PTI cardstock (vintage cream), buttons, twine, stamps (Think Big Favourites #4) & dies (double-ended banner, love lives here, heart border). The patterned paper is The Girl's Paperie.

Thanks for looking!

Day 7 Contest -- attempt #4

Here is the fourth layout that I made for today's contest at Papertrey Ink which is to add hearts to your project.

I used PTI cardstock (simply chartreuse), button, stamps (lace bouquet) & dies (double-ended banner, heart prints, uppercase block alphabet). The patterned paper is Echo Park & the cardstock and black thickers are American Crafts.

Thanks for looking!