My scrap space

I took some pictures of my reorganized space on Saturday and thought I'd share them here.

So, welcome to my scrap space...


...which is located in a corner of our basement.

On the shelving unit to the left of where I sit, on the top shelf, I store my embossing powders, stamp binders, sheet of fun foam to stamp on, dictionary and tools that I don't use terribly often (i.e. anywhere punch & hammer, CM circle cutters, pinking shears, etc.)


On the second shelf, I store my 12x12 cardstock in clear Cropper Hoppers, my "sketches" binder, my binders containing my alphas (one for black & brown, another for colours) and my Papertrey Ink 8.5x11 cardstock, which I store in hanging files by colour.


On the third shelf, I have clear rubbermaid containers. In these, I store non-Papertrey Ink cardstock scraps (the PTI scraps go back in the hanging file folders with the full sheets), my acrylic paints, my inks and the fourth container has crochet yarn, my SU! spritzer and SU! markers, Q-tips, etc.

On the bottom shelf I have my page protector refills and sewing machine.


On my desk, on the left, I have another hanging files container, in which I store my full sheets of patterned paper, sorted by manufacturer. In front of these, I have my brad holder. Beside the hanging files is a CM accordion file, in which I store my patterned paper scraps. I also have my two trimmers.


I found these colourful baskets at Winners. In the first one, I store my photos. In the second one, I have my tools that I use often (corner rounder, sanding blocks & files, edge distressers), adhesives & thread. In the third are embellishments.


I picked up some more of these black baskets at Dollarama on the weekend. The little one on the left has my Smooch and diecuts in it. The larger one next to it holds my twine, felt & buttons. The one next to that holds my Papertrey Ink stamp sets (which I'm hoping to reorganize this week), my stamps & dies books and my stamp press. The last basket holds my pencils, pens, scissors, craft knives, rulers and craft mat. Behind it are some of my SU! stamp sets.


Next I have some display shelves that Cameron & I had built several years ago when I was selling cards in a couple of local businesses. In these I store my punches (that I use often) and stamp sets.

To the right of my table is the computer desk. If you go around the corner a bit from that, you'll see my new die-cutting station.


I used a wooden island that we had bought years ago at IKEA (until recently, it had been on the other side of the basement, holding an old TV.) You'll notice the pink chair on the right-- this is Sage's craft table. She's quite thrilled that we're sharing the new diecutting station (but that it's actually closer to her!)

I used a couple more baskets to hold my dies...


This larger one holds my alphabet dies (at the back,) my Cuttlebug plates, my TIM Holtz dies and my larger Papertrey Ink dies. It also holds my embossing folders and impression plates. I also have some smaller pieces of Sizzix adhesive sheets in there, too.


This basket holds my Papertrey Ink dies: Mat Stacks, Fillable Frames and flowers.

Thanks for looking!

The difference....

... a year can make!

I've just been blown away by what a difference it is to go for bike rides with Sage this year. Last year, she would complain and often cry when we'd go. This year, she loves it-- which is so awesome because I love to ride my bike!

I made this layout using the MSS product challenge for May: twine. I've struggled to get into the baker's twine thing, but I found some off white and kraft coloured twine at Papertrey Ink and love them! So I used some of the off white here on my layout, on the little Crate Paper journaling tag, over the bike.

I added a PTI fancy flourishes stamp behind the bike, along with some flowers I diecut with the PTI beautiful Blooms dies. The buttons I added are also PTI.


I also used Little Yellow Bicycle & Crate patterned paper, October Afternoon letter stickers, a Hero Arts doily stamp & white embossing powder on the stamped images.

Thanks for looking!

Birthday invites

I decided to make some birthday invitations for Austin's upcoming party using this week's Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday: Make Your Own Spray Mists.

To start, I cut out four die cut shapes using PTI's Mat Stack #5 die and sprayed them with homemade spray mist (made with SU! reinker and water). Then I stamped on them with stamps from PTI's Boy Basics: Game On stamp set.

Then, I decided to stamp on some white cardstock for the background, using the Grunge Me stamp set. I distressed the edges & layered that over some PTI black cardstock. I used some pop dots to attach the die cut in the middle.


Austin & Sage wanted to make some, too, so I let them stamp their own backgrounds. Here's Austin's:


And Sage's:


Thanks for looking!

You Rock

Here is the second card that I made with this week's Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday: Make Your Own Spray Mists:


I used Papertrey Ink cardstock, Simple Circles stamps and die, Grunge Me sentiment stamp, button and twine. The homemade spray was made with an SU! reinker and water.

Thanks for looking!

Thank you card

At first I didn't think I'd play along with this week's Papertrey Ink's Make It Monday: Make Your Own Spray Mists, because I'm not all that fond of misting. I think it's a lack of control thing-- I'd rather place things where I'd like them, not leave it up to chance (& the odds of a clogged nozzle.)

However, as the week progressed, I thought of a few things I could try with it, so I made three cards using homemade spray mist.

Here's the first one:


I used Papertrey Ink cardstock, stamps (the swirls are from Fabulous Flourishes and the sentiment is from Think Big Favourites #3), Mat Stack #5 die, button & twine. I stamped the flourishes with VersaMark and then heat embossed them with white embossing powder. I sprayed my homemade spray mist on afterwards and the stamped images resisted the spray.

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

1. I'm so thankful for the great weather we've experienced this week! Warm and sunny-- so nice!

2. With the nice weather, we`ve been riding our bikes, playing tennis & jumping on our trampoline, so not a lot of crafting going on this week. Of course, with the forecast for rain this weekend, that could change. ;)

3. I`ve also been doing some work in my yard this week. Cameron took our our patio and sandbox and is planning on seeding these areas into grass. I asked, if he was already doing this, if we could also seed two-thirds of one of my perennial gardens into grass as well-- I`ve just felt overwhelmed with what I have to take care of (when I`d rather be crafting.) So, I`ve been transplanting some perennials I want to keep but have some to give away..... which leads me to /4...

4. If you are local, and would be interested in some perennials, let me know. If you would like to come and dig them up then you can have some free of charge.

5. And because I can`t post without a picture...

I posted a Spring Sketch that I created on the MSS blog...


...based on this layout:


I used AC cardstock, MME pp, Studio Calico letter stickers, a Hero Arts stamp and Papertrey Ink dies & ink.

Enjoy your long weekend!
Thanks for looking!

An inspiration challenge

It was my turn to post an inspiration challenge at MSS this month.

I chose this top from Ruche...



... and made this layout with it:


I was inspired by both the colours of the top and the layers of the ruffles on the page. I also just noticed that my theme was also about clothing. ;)

I used American Crafts cardstock, Crate Paper patterned paper, October Afternoon letter stickers, Papertrey Ink buttons, twine and scalloped die, SU! butterfly stamps, my MS butterfly punch and some fabric I picked up at our local quilting store.

Thanks for looking!

Another attempt...

... at this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: selective inking. This time, I decided to try making a layout with the technique.


I used Bazzill cardstock, Crate Paper patterned paper & border sticker, My Mind's Eye alphas, "my girl" sticker and brads. I used PTI felt, Flower Fusion #3 die and stamp and I did the selective inking with the "hello" from the Think Big Favourites #3 set (which I stamped with versamark and then heat embossed with white embossing powder.

Thanks for looking!

I did it!!

I got my black belt today at my tae kwon do promotion test!

Here's a recap of the test (thanks to Shelley Friesen for being my photographer!)

Here's Jonah during our warm-up.



They called up several groups (the black stripes testing for their 1st poom belts (junior black belts), and some groups of white belts before calling up my group (testing for our 1st dan). It was Nima from my club, myself and two people from Carman (my friend, Evelyn and Isaiah).

We started off with some kicks and patterns.




They also had us do some one-step sparring and answer some questions. Then we got to sit down.

Shelley also took some pictures of Jonah and Sage's test (they were testing for their green stripes).






My group was called up again about mid-way through the test. We were asked to kick some targets...



...and some board breaking.


I did a back spin kick (above) and a jump front snap kick (below).




I was so happy when both of my boards broke on my first try!

Austin was testing for his black stripe and was in one of the last groups called up:




My group was called up one last time. We did some three step sparring...


... non-contact sparring and more patterns. Then we could sit down again.

At the end of the test, the instructors gathered all the students around the front and presented their thoughts on the test and some awards. Then they called up the group of black stripes testing for their first poom belt and presented them.

Then they called up my group and presented us with our black belts.



Evelyn and I posed together for a picture:



And the test concluded with a group picture of all of the Premier black belts present at the test.



Thanks for looking!

Today is the day....

... that I test for my black belt in tae kwon do!!

I made a couple of cards (using this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: selective inking) for the occasion.

The first one is for Austin, who's testing for his black stripe.


I used PTI cardstock (orange zest), Seeing Stars die, and stamps from the Boy Basics: Game On set. The selective inking was that I inked the outer "beam" from the Wii remote to add it on to the cord from the GameCube to extend the cord to it ran off the star.

You can see the other card I made here.

Thanks for looking!

And I made this card for my friend, Evelyn, who's also testing for her black belt today. I used PTI cardstock, fresh snow ink, Seeing Stars die and stamps (Fancy Flourishes, a sentiment from a Fillable Frames set and the word friend from the Signature Sentiments: Cupcake set-- this was my selective inking technique).

Thanks for looking!

MIM attempt #4

Here's my fourth attempt at this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: selective inking. I also teamed it with Challenge #36 on the Papertrey Paper Dolls blog.

I used PTI cardstock & stamps. The birdhouse stamp is from Tag-It's #2, which I selective inked the bottom. For the "posts", I used part of the one of journaling stamps from Mat Stacks #1. The bird is from Grunge Me and the greeting is part of one of the stamps from Think Big Favourites #3 (another attempt at selective inking). The ink is SU! and VersaMagic.

Thanks for looking!

Five for Friday

1. Winding up a full week of working today. I worked every day this week (although two of the days were half days, which was good. Gave me a bit of a chance to catch up on housework and with friends.)

2. Excited about the Spring Carnival our church is hosting tonight. Austin & I are setting up a nerf gun booth where the kids will have to knock down popcans with the darts. Should be fun!

3. Super excited about tomorrow, too. I'll be testing for my black belt in tae kwon do at our Black and Colour Belt promotion test in Carman! We had a red & black belt class last night and got to practice some board breaking. I broke two boards with the same kicks that I attempted to break with at the tournament. It's totally helped my confidence level.

4. I made a card yesterday evening for my friend, Susan. I thought I'd try the Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: selective inking technique again. (Sorry about the poor photo-- I'd try to take it again, but I already gave the card away. ;) )


I used Papertrey cardstock (aqua mist), bird stamp (from the Grunge Me set) and sentiments stamps (from the Signature Series: Dress form set and from Think Big Favorites #3-- this is where I attempted the selective inking.) The grass stamp is SU! and the ink is Tim Holtz and VersaMagic.

5. I posted a Spring Sketch layout today on the MSS blog, using Sketch #53, from Inspired Blueprints:


I used Bazzill cardstock and MME products.

Thanks for looking!

Another birdhouse...

& a third attempt at this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: selective inking:


This is the fifth birdhouse that Sage & I made. I used Papertrey Ink Hawaiian Shores cardstock and My Mind's Eye patterned paper. The ribbon is SEI and the button and twine are PRI. This birdhouse was originally suppose to be for me, but this morning, when I woke up and thought about how today was my boys' last piano lessons of the school year, I realized that I'd forgotten to get something for their teacher. So I quickly made a tag & filled the house with some Dove chocolates (the ones with peanut butter in them-- my friend, Susan, had brought these back for me from the States, so it was a little hard to part with them!)


For the tag, I selectively inked the legs of the bird stamp from Grunge Me for the birdhouse post. The sentiment stamp and birdhouse are from Tag It's #2. I also selectively inked the top of the house in VersaMagic Turquoise Gem and the bottom in VersaFine black ink. I was pretty happy with how it turned out.

Thanks for looking!

MIM attempt #2

Here's a second card I made for this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: selective inking:


I used PTI cardstock and Flower Fusion Stamps. The ink is SU! and Jenni Bowlin. The selective inking I did was on the sentiment stamp-- it normally is the first half on top of the other, but I inked and stamped them so they'd be all in one line.

Thanks for looking!

MIM attempt #1

I thought I'd play along with this week's Make It Monday at Papertrey Ink: selective inking.
Here's the card I made:


I used Papertrey Ink cardstock (Aqua Mist & Spring Mist), button and sentiment stamps ("thanks" is from Mat Stack #4 and "so very much" is part of a sentiment from Mat Stack #1). The flower stamps are Hero Arts Basic Grey. I punched the edge with my SU! scalloped edge punch.

Thanks for looking!

Pretty Creative

It's nice to see creativity running in our family. My mom knits and used to do ceramics. I love to scrapbook and make cards. And Sage is showing huge signs of being creative.... love that!

I made this layout (showcasing the outfit Sage made for her Zhu-Zhu pet) for the MSS Triple Threat Challenge for May: we needed to include ribbon, doodling and a brad into a layout.


I used the ribbon I got from a gift bag from Fruits & Passion to make the flower (using the technique that Anne posted on her blog here and put a MME decorative brad in the centre. The patterned paper is Crate, the letters are American Crafts thickers and the cardstock is Bazzill. For the leaves, I used my PTI Turning a New Lead stamp set and dies and drew the veins on the leaves by hand for my doodling.

Thanks for looking!

I can't believe....

... that Austin is turning 12 on Monday! It's crazy! How on earth did 12 years pass so quickly? And to think I'm a year away from being the mother of a teenager.... Wow.

I made him a birthday card this afternoon while he sat near me at the computer-- he was, of course, completely oblivious to what I was doing. ;) I decided to try a fifth attempt with the Papertrey Ink Make it Monday challenge: Impression Plate Tricks #2.


I used PTI cardstock. I stamped some Grunge Me stamps onto the white cardstock before I ran it through my Cuttlebug with the woodgrain impression plate & Fillible Frames die. Then I stamped it with the Fillible Frames stamp and Boy Basics: Game On sentiment stamp.

Thanks for looking!