Our library summer reading program

Our library holds a summer reading program every year. The kids sign up and get calendars to track how much they read. Then they can bring the calendars into the library where their reading minutes earn them "library dollars" which they can use at the "library store." They can also enter their names for grand prize draws. There's a different theme every year with a poster they add stickers to each week.

And I don't like it.

I know! Crazy, right? It's the awesome free program and I don't like it.

Keeping track of minutes read drives me nuts. My kids read a lot and really don't need a program like this to encourage them to do so. They do it anyway. And then there's all the "stuff" that gets left around... the posters, stickers, colouring pages, flimsy little toys that get broken-- all cluttering up my house. And then there's the sadness and disappointment when my kids don't win a prize (or worse, when one of them wins and the other two don't!) Yes, Austin was a grand prize winner one year, and that was great, but yeah, it isn't likely to happen again. (And really, we didn't need a two man tent anyway!)

So, this past summer, when Jonah saw that one of the prizes was a Lego Star Wars Brickmaster, I told him that I would buy him a Lego Star Wars Brickmaster if he didn't sign up for the program. Sure, we'd still make our weekly trips to the library, but no reading program. He agreed.

Sage, on the other hand, still wanted to sign up. I couldn't believe it! But she still wanted to do it. I told her she could, but I wouldn't help her write down minutes and she had to keep track herself. (I know, I'm so mean!) And I told her there could be no tears if she didn't win anything. And she was very good about it.

Last night, as I was going through my photo box, I came across a photo of the two of them at the Reading Program Wind-up at the park. I decided to scrapbook it using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Die Cutting Partial Images.

I used My Mind's Eye and Crate Paper patterned paper and MME decorative brads. I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (rustic white), stamps (tag it's #4, Turning a New Leaf) and dies (alphabet block, Turning a New Leaf, double ended banner).

For the MIM technique, I positioned my die on my cardstock and ran it through my Big Shot half-way, and then backed it out. I trimmed off the excess cardstock with my trimmer and rounded the corner.

Here's a close-up, with my journaling:

Thanks for looking!

For Sage's teacher

Sage's teacher, Mme. Vigier, is coming back from her maternity leave tomorrow, so I thought I'd make her a card to welcome her back. Mme. Vigier has taught all three of my kids and I really, really like her, so I'm quite happy she's back! I made the card using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: Die Cutting Partial Images.

I used my Happy Day die to create the partial cut. Then I masked the diecut area and stamped my BB: Houndstooth over the background. I removed the mask and stamped the Happy Day stamp frame.

This card also works for Ashley's Embellish Colour Challenge :

I used PTI cardstock (rustic white, sweet blush), stamps (happy day, BB:houndstooth, Signature Sentiments: Dress form) & dies (happy day). The patterned paper is My Mind's Eye (butterflies, stripe, gingham) and Crate (yellow butterfly punched out with my MS butterfly punch). The little gems on the butterfly are Hero Arts.

Thanks for looking!

Hugs & Kisses

I just wanted to share a layout that I made this afternoon, using both this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: creating large frames with smaller frame stamps and this month's colour challenge on the Crate Paper blog:

Here's the layout I made, using some photos that Sage took last summer at Stanley Park, one evening when we were having a wiener roast:

I used Papertrey ink cardstock (Stamper's Select White) & stamp (Happy Day), Bazzill cardstock (dark grey), Crate Paper patterned paper and stickers, an American Crafts ampersand thicker and Fancy Pants & My Mind's Eye decorative brads.

I made the Happy Day stamp taller by stamping half of it twice and leaving a space in between the halves. To this, I added some Crate Paper stickers to create my title.

Here's a close-up of my journaling:

Thanks for looking!

Spontaneous

I made a layout this afternoon, using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: creating large frames with smaller frame stamps. I used the technique on the large journaling label, which I extended to make it taller. I has planned on hiding the seam with a button, but when I saw that it was hardly noticeable, I decided not to bother.

I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (stamper's select white), stamps (label basics, modern wood mats, grunge me & journaling lines) & dies (uppercase block alphabet). The 12x12 cardstock is American Crafts & Bazzill, the patterned paper is Echo Park (rey on rey stripe, yellow), My Mind's Eye (blue herringbone) & Fancy Pants (title).

Here's a close up of the journaling:

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

1. Well, we finally got winter! LOL! Sure, we've had some cold days, but our temperatures have been very mild and above seasonal this year. However, on the weekend, we finally got snow! The kids have been very happy about this, to say the least.... Better late than never?


2. I completed two months of no-sugar/no-deep-fried-foods & am currently on day 62. :) However, I weighed myself yesterday and had only lost one pound in two (or was it three?) weeks, which was a little discouraging.


3. February is I Love to Read month and at Sage & Jonah's school, the theme this year has been fairy tales. To cap off their month, they were suppose to dress as their favourite fairy tale characters. Sage chose Little Red Riding Hood, so I made her a costume.... (I'm not going to lie-- it was frustrating! Especially because I wasn't using a pattern for the cape, just some ideas I got off the internet. But with a lot of fussing, I got it done. But the end result was definitely worth it....)

For Jonah, I found an idea online to make him a Big Bad Wolf costume using a brown hoodie. We went to the thrift store and scored a dark grey hoodie (a perfect match for my Smokey Shadow felt) for $1.50. We added some ears, eyes, a nose and some teeth ("All the better to eat you with!") We also added a Hello my name is... tag on the front to cover the NorthFace emblem.

Here are some photos I took before they went to school... (they were such troopers, seeing as it wasn't warm out that morning!) I apologize for the "over-exposed-ness" of the photos. I took these, thinking they were fine, and then the phone rang, calling me into work.... Anyway, sorry they're not the greatest.

That name tag just totally makes me smile!


4. On the weekend, I'd brought my crafting supplies upstairs to work on making some cards. When I went to clean everything up, I decided to go through my scraps and patterned paper and reorganize them. I sort them by manufacturer, but my favourite or more popular manufacturers have changed over the years, so I needed to change some categories, etc. I ended up giving quite a bit to Sage and to Jonah's teacher. A bit painful to think of what I paid for it originally, but it felt quite freeing to pass it on.

5. While I was doing #4, I came across a few scraps from one of my favourite manufacturers, Scenic Route. They're no longer in business, but I couldn't let these pretty scraps go to waste, so I challenged myself to make a card with them, as well as with this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: creating large frames with smaller frame stamps:

I used PTI cardstock (berry sorbet), stamps (basic labels, signature sentiments: dress form) & dies (love lives here).

Thanks for looking!

Pages with Papertrey -- Challenge #7

Good morning!

Today, I'm posting this month's Pages with Papertrey Challenge, which is to use a PTI sentiment stamp on your layout. You can stamp the whole sentiment or just part of it. You can use it as a title, subtitle or an extra little embellishment, like I did here on my layout:

I used PTI cardstock (Fine linen) & stamps (Love Lives Here: Holidays). I also used My Mind's eye (cream floral & teal woodgrain) patterned paper and decorative brads, Crate Paper patterned paper (orange) and October Afternoon letter stickers.

Here's a close up of my journaling:

And a close up of my PTI sentiment stamp: I selectively inked the "Homespun" from the "Homespun Hugs" stamp:

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 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!