Today's creation

This layout was actually started last night, but I managed to finish it up tonight! This is so out of my comfort zone, but I am so pleased with the way this turned out. The colours are actually perfect for these photos.

At Scraptures, T, challenged us all to use a colour that we have a hard time using in scrapping and to also use eyelets on the page. Now, I don't really have a problem using any colour while scrapping, but GREEN is definitely my least favourite colour. If you read my post about my organizing my cardstock, you will have already known that. I also am not a big fan on NEON colours, so that is how I chose what I would base this layout on. I like to step out of the comfort zone from time to time, and this challenge was just perfect for this. Thanks T!

On this layout I used Bazzill cardstock, Daisy D pattern paper and monogram, Bazzill Scallop Edge Cardstock, Fiskars circle punch, EK Success flower punch, eyelets, Heidi Swapp ghost shape letters and flowers. (the colour was not quite right for this layout, so I altered them using Tim Holtz Cranberry Alcohol Ink) "pretty" is AC Thickers

Things are looking up

Well today is going to be a good day, and all I can say, is it is about time! The sun is shining, and the air is crisp, but it is a NO headache day, for me!

I have already had a productive day, so far. I have been busy cleaning through the house, getting some laundry done and soon will be off to the dentist for a cleaning. (to me, this is a good thing)
Then it will be off to Michael's and perhaps the LSS, as well. I am hoping to get a revolving organizer for my scrap room from Michael's, but we shall see if they have any in stock!

Then it will be home, do the dinner thing and with some luck it will be time to hit the scrap room for some creating. I have a layout on the go there, that I started last night and I just can't wait to see it finished. It is so out of my league different, but so far it has been fun doing it. I will share the final result with you, once it is done!

I did do a card yesterday, which I am quite pleased with. I used more of my scraps and Denise's Finally Friday challenge to help me get this one done.



I used Creative Imaginations Gin-X papers, Sakura white souffle pen, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Colorbok black cat's eye ink to create this card.

I always loved this collection of papers, and I am so glad that I was able to use up some scraps.

Keep watching for my newest layout to be shared later today!

Birthday Cards

Well, as always there are some great challenges happening over at Scraptures, and I am definitely falling behind with them, but I did manage to get a couple of cards made.

One of the challenges was to make a masculine birthday card. Ellen posted her card with the inspiration of using buttons and ribbon for her card. The idea was to get us all thinking of doing cards without too much bling for the men in our lives. So many of use struggle with the masculine side of things, as in most cases, there is more for feminine projects, than for men.


For my card I used up some very old Basic Grey and Flair paper and some chipboard stars by Little Davis Designs. This is just a very simple, but effective card.


This second card was done to meet one of Wendy's challenges this month. Her challenge was to get a card done that we HAD to get done. For this challenge, I decided to create an easel card, for my Mother-in-law's birthday. I used old Sassafrass lass papers, Martha Stewart border punch. EK Success scalloped circle punches, EK Success leaf punch, Chatterbox ribbon, Stickles (waterfall) and a button that I had in my stash.

Thanks to both Ellen and Wendy for these fabulous challenges and getting me more active in card making!!! It is such a great way to use up scraps, and anyone that knows me, knows I have tons of them to use!!!

Altered Art

Do you like to alter items? Have you ever looked at something and thought that you could do something pretty cool with that?


I love to alter things and find that I look at EVERYTHING with a different perspective. I love thinking outside the box and changing an item to freshen it up. I love seeing something new, in something that may be old or seem to be a piece of junk. I just love to create and there isn't anything that I wouldn't try at least once, I don't think.
Altered items make for some quick and easy projects and they make for great gifts. It is a great way to personalize an item and let your imagination flow. The possibilities are endless and only limited by your imagination.
It could be something as simple as a composition book, a paint can, a wooden box or even an empty box. The fun part is seeing what you can do with the item and with all of the wonderful papers on the market, you could alter the piece to fit any decor, or suit any personality.

Lousy weather, sunny friendships

Well, the weather here has been quite lousy, and of course this means migraines for me! The past couple of days has not been enjoyable, but I am trying to still be productive. Since my head has been hurting so badly, and Advil will numb the pain for a small window of time, I have still been trying to get some things done that needed to be tended to. Creating is on the back burner for now, but tonight I did start the major task of sorting through card stock and getting my file cabinet in order. It has been going well, and I now can see what colours I have an abundance of and which ones I am lacking. It is funny too, because the one colour that is my least favourite is the one that I seem to have the most of. GREEN!!! There are so many different tones of green, from the lightest to the darkest and everything in between! It is unbelievable, and right now I can just hear Laura giggling at me. (so because I know you are reading this.....STOP IT!)

The task will wait until tomorrow now to be finished, but at least I got a good start on things. I feel good about the progress, but will feel much better once it is completed! Hopefully tomorrow will be a better weather day and I can get it done. I am so itching to get some creating in, and I know that with having all of my card stock organized better, I will be able to be more productive in the creating department. There are challenges to be met, photos to be printed, papers to be used, and I can't wait to feel better.
During this time, I have also been able to spend sometime chatting online with old friends and new friends alike. This always helps to make me feel a bit better and I am so grateful for my online friends. I love to meet new people and get to know them better, and tonight I had the great fun of chatting with my new friend T, from Scraptures. She is always a delight to chat with and I love that she likes to ask questions. She thinks she is being nosey, but to me, it just tells me that she is interested enough in trying to get to know me better and to develop the friendship that I believe we have started. T is also a very positive natured gal, and I LOVE her overall attitude on life. She is truly an inspiration in scrapping and every day living. Thanks T!

I also chatted with my friend, Peggy who is going through a rough time right now. Her poor puppy Daisy is sick and it has hit her heart very hard. It isn't looking good for Daisy right now, but I will be keeping her in my thoughts and prayers. My heart is aching for my friend and I wish that I lived closer so that I could be there with her while she goes through all of this.

So, as much as the weather has been crappy, friendships have been sunny and warm! I am just glad that there is some sort of balance here. Friendships always warm my heart and make even the gloomiest of days a little brighter!

Thanks to my friends!!!!

Post It Note Holder

Well, I have been looking for different projects that will help me use up scraps and this project is PERFECT! It doesn't take much to do this, and it looks awesome! Very functional and will help me keep all my notes in order when I jot down things in the midst of my scrapping!

I am going to be making more of these, as I think they will make a great addition to my Christmas baskets this year!!!

Not much scrapping time for me probably this weekend, but at least I got this done! Will be doing my best to have something else to share soon!

Bo Bunny HOP

Seems fitting to be hopping on this holiday weekend, and what fun it has been! Why should the BUNNY get all of the action and have all of the fun! You should check out the Bo Bunny hop if you haven't already! There is so much great talent on this team and they certainly have been quite busy preparing some amazing projects for our viewing pleasure. Such beautiful inspiration with the most stunning products. The new paper lines are so yummy and there is definitely something for everyone out there! If you like bright and bold, bold and beautiful, then Bo Bunny is the company for you! Check it out and while you are there, remember to do the HOP!!!

Shutterbug Challenge March 29-April 4

Well, T, has been at it again! This week she has us taking pictures from the kitchen!

Since I was late with last week's challenge, I decided that I had better get this one done on time! Some of the gals have taken their photos already, and everyone's vary. We have had cakes, appliances, and of course, I had to be different with mine (AGAIN)

My photo is of something that just sits there, but brings me much joy! It is something that always brings a smile to my face and constantly reminds me of my childhood.

So here we have it, from my kitchen:

Spring's arrival

Well, today's weather is absolutely perfect, with the sun shining bright! The air is a bit cool, but the sun feels warm and the rest of this week is suppose to be gorgeous! I took the opportunity today to get out in the yard and start with the major clean up that is needed, so that all the new growth can breathe and flourish. Everything is popping out of the ground already, and there are even some blooms out there. Such a nice start to the season, and it can only getting better from here on in.
Recently at Scraptures, T has started a Shutterbug Challenge, and although I missed getting mine done last week, when she posted it, I did it today! I figure I had better get better at doing this, as she has already posted another one for this week. The challenge was to take a photo from a bird's eye view. So after being out in the yard and looking down at the beautiful flowers, I
decided that that is what I would take my photo of. (I took 3)

Creative weekend

(Bazzill carstock,Cosmos Cricket pattern papers, Prima leaves, Bohemia Chipboard letter 'A', 7Gypsy arrow photo turns, scrabble letters, Prima IEssentials, Colorbok black cat eye ink, deco scissors (ends of strips of paper)

**This layout based on a sketch from Sketchabilities


Well, as promised, I am back to share the fruits of my labour, from my weekend. My DH had to work on Saturday and so after getting some household stuff taken care of, I headed up to the scrap room and got creative. The sun was shining and I felt good, and the inspiration set in. It was a great, productive day, to say the least.



(Journaling hasn't been done on this yet, but will be before it goes into my album)
(Crate paper, Prima flowers, Making Memory brads, Martha Stewart border punch)
**This layout created using a sketch from Pagemaps
It has been my goal to use up lots of the old supplies that I have sitting around my room, most of all is paper. Some of these papers are at least 4 years old, so it felt great to use them on layouts. It has been great pulling out all the papers and seeing where the creativity will take me. Lots and lots of embellishments are getting used as well, and I am actually making room for some new stuff! Hopefully soon I will be able to look at all the newest goodies that have been coming out and not have to feel guilty because I want to make a purchase!



(Chatterbox pattern papers, Fancy Pants Chipboard swirls, Imaginisce Bling brad, Martha Stewart border punch, Title cut using Storybook cartridge for Cricut)
**This layout created using a sketch from Scrapbooks Etc
The great gals over at Scraptures, posted all of the above sketches as challenges for the month of March. I love a challenge and the gals there always offer so much inspiration. These sketches are amazing, and I was so glad to be able to use them!

FANTASTIC Monday

Well, Mondays are usually up in the air as to how they may go, but today started off with a bit of cloud cover and just kept getting better and better! The sun came out (bonus-no headache), and I have been able to be quite productive today! I have been busy putting together kits for our LSS, prepping for my class that I am teaching tomorrow night, and putting some finishing touches on a few layouts that I was working on over the weekend! Busy day so far, and it doesn't seem to be stopping any time soon!
Got a phone call today that prompted me to turn on my computer and send off an email, and boy, am I ever glad about that! I hadn't intended on getting on the computer until I had gotten all of my 'work' done for the day, because as we all know, it is too easy to get lost in computer land!
While I was in email, sending off what was needed of me, I decided that there would be no harm in checking emails to see if anything needed my immediate attention! Well, I received an email from Joanne Wallace over at Tombow telling me that I had been picked as a WINNER on their blog! What a fantastic day!!! Thank you so much! This really made my day and I just had to share my good news with everyone! Well, back to work, but will be posting again later! I have some new layouts that I want to share!!

Explosion album

Last weekend, Laurie hosted a Scrap-Hour over at Scraptures, and I must tell you, this is one fun project! If you are in need of a quick and easy last minute gift, this is the project for you! It takes very little materials, and isn't very involved, therefore you can get one done in next to no time at all. It is a great way to use up left over pattern papers and embellishments from other projects. Just let your imagination go and you will see that you will be creating these with so many different themes.


I have made these in the past, but slightly different.The ones I made were 3 tier and more involved. This one is so simple, and I know that I will be making many of these in the coming weeks. I have several birthdays coming up, all within a couple of weeks of one another, and this will be the easiest way for me to be able to give everyone a gift!


This project would be good for a baby shower, a teacher's gift, and you can even add a gift card inside. The one that Laurie did for her son's teacher had a triangle pocket in it for the gift card. Because I am keeping this one, I did not add the pocket or gift card.



Thank you Laurie for such a fun project!

Colouring

It seems that there is a really big trend in colouring these days, and Copic Markers are the item of choice to use. Since I don't own any of the Copics, and am not in any way, what I would call a stamper, I have not taken the plunge in investing in these markers. I have seen them being used, and they are very tempting, but getting into those, would mean another major expense of supplies, that I just can't justify at this point and time.
I do like to dabble in colouring from time to time though, and I usually use versamark and chalks, or my chalk pencils, which I really like! Since chalks is one of the first colouring agents that I purchased for my scrapping hobby, I am quite familiar with them and use them quite a bit for different things. They are very versatile and last a really long time.

Over at Scraptures, Ellen posted a challenge about colouring. She wanted everyone to get out their colouring medium of choice (she suggested inks and blender pens), and colour. I wanted to meet this challenge, but without these items on hand, I went to the next best thing, MY CHALKS!
Here is the card that I made for her challenge:


I really love this little hedgehog stamp and simply can't wait to colour more of these and make some more cards. He is just so adorable and could be used on any kind of card, whether it be a Birthday greeting, a Thank you card, or just simply a Hello card.
Well the sun is shining, and it feels like a creating day, so off I go to see what inspires! Hope everyone is having a GREAT Saturday!

Childhood

As scrap bookers, we very often over look preserving our own memories, especially those of our childhood. Many of us, don't like to get in front of the camera now, as adults, and seldom do we stop to think to scrap our childhood photos. It is funny when you think about it though, as our hobby is all about preserving memories, so that our future generations will know what was going on in our photos. Yet, we shutter away from being in those photos or telling OUR story in our albums.



I don't really understand why that is, but it is something that really should be rethought and changed before it is too late and our grandchildren are sitting there asking the same types of questions that we may find, we are asking about our Grandparents now.
Recently, at Scraptures, it has been brought up whether or not we have an album, a mini book or anything with our childhood photos scrapped. Many of the ladies, answered no to this very question. In some cases, it is perhaps because they are not sure how to scrap those photos, perhaps the parents still have them, or even perhaps they don't see the reason for it.



I decided that since the topic was brought up, that I would share some older layouts that I did, in hopes of inspiring others out there to remember to scrap their childhood memories. I don't really have many photos of me as a child, but felt that I should preserve them. I have many memories and in some cases those memories are written down, without photos.

The big questions that we all should sit back and ask ourselves are:

Do we want to be remembered?
Do we really want our Great Grandchildren to know who we were?
Do we think it should be a guessing game?
We have the power, deep within us, to make a change in what happens in our future. I, for one, wish I had the opportunity to sit with my Grandmother and ask her questions about her family, about herself, and about the people in the photos that she left behind. I don't want to see my grandchildren or great grandchildren to have to wish for this opportunity. I want them to be able to sit back, look at the photos, and KNOW who those faces belong to, and what kind of life those people had, including myself.


I am challenging everyone out there to scrap a layout of YOU, from your childhood. If you do, please post a comment here and link to your page!

A good day!

Well today was a much better day than yesterday was, and for this I am truly thankful. No headache and that meant I was able to get lots of things accomplished. It felt good to get back on top of every day life stuff, and to get finished up with my April Classes. Now I just have to get them delivered to the LSS and all will be perfect! It really was not fun being out of commission for 2 days, but today has been productive so far.

I finished the classes, put some kits together, and now need to deliver them. Once that is done, I am hoping to get home to some much 'wanted' personal creating! I have some ideas floating around in my brain that are just itching to get out, shall we say, on paper! I hope my evening goes as planned and then I will have something new to share with you a little later on.

By the way, I have revamped the look of my blog! I hope you like it as much as I do! If you do, and feel the need to change up yours, take a look at shabbyblogs.com. They have some really cool stuff and I just love the look of it! You won't be disappointed and they make it easy for you to customize your blog to better reflect who you are!

Not much fun

Well it is another gray, dull, dreary, rainy day and the killer headache is NOT letting up at all. I had hoped today would fair better than yesterday, but no such luck. I need to be finishing up with some April classes but my creative edge has left the building. I can not function well enough to get the finishing touches done, so have decided that it is best to leave it until tomorrow.

The sun is suppose to be upon us starting tomorrow and be here for the next few days, so I will just have to have faith, and then let those creative juices start to overflow! There is so much that I have wanted to do, so there is NO worries about the ideas being there.

Hopefully I will then have some new stuff to share with everyone soon. Keep your fingers crossed for me that the sun will, indeed, shine soon!

Busy day!

Well, the weather is damp, and not much sun is to be had here at all. After being spoiled with above average temperatures last week, this is really dreadful. I know that Spring has 'officially' arrived, but it certainly doesn't feel like it today.

I am diligently trying to get my April classes done and out of the way, and I have this killer headache. If the weather would only co-operate with me, then all would be great in my world! We know that isn't going to happen for a few more days though, so I just have to deal with things and move forward. I am almost done with classes, so I shouldn't really complain too loudly!
With Spring's arrival, comes Spring Cleaning! Don't you just love it? There is always so much to be done and when the weather is warm and sunny, I don't want to be stuck indoors. I started with the cleaning back in January, by sorting through drawers and purging closets, and lots of stuff went out for donation. This was a great jump start on things and this past weekend, I did the kitchen. That was a full job in its self with hauling everything out of the cabinets, washing the shelves and then putting everything back. It is so much better out there and who would have thought, there is actually some extra space in the cabinets.
Next is going to be the scrap room. Although I just did a revamp of things, I have come the vast conclusion that it is time for me to do a major purge. In the past couple of months, I have been doing personal creating again, and have come across quite a bit of stuff that just isn't grabbing my attention to be used, and I could really use the space for those things I will use down the road. It has come that I have spread some of my stuff into the upstairs hallway, just to get it out from under foot while working in my room, so something has got to give!!! I will be happy once this work is done. I am hoping to be able to get started with it tomorrow before heading out to teach class at the LSS.
This past weekend, I also started a project that was part of the SCRAP-HOUR over at Scraptures that Laurie hosted. It was a lot of fun, and I just know that I will be making more as time goes by. This project will make for some great gift items, and they are quick and easy to make. I will be sharing my project in my next post, so stay tuned to see!

My Beautiful Girl!

Anyone who truly knows me, knows how much my cat and I are as one! She is truly my baby and was a blessing in disguise when she came to me. I love her truly and it is just like having an infant in the house again! She is my 'regular' scrapping
companion, and I just had to create this layout all about her. It reflects her beauty and allowed me to 'play'
with a couple of different products, which is also helping me use up old supplies that I have sitting here!





I made these flowers (the 2 larger ones) using my scallop circle punches and inking the edges. The lighter one is just a scrunched flower and the darker one is sliced where each scallop joins and then folded for dimension. I inked the edges, added Prima flowers and jeweled brads to the centres and I love the way they turned out!



I also added some other Prima flowers to the page with jewel brads for the centres. The chipboard I used Aqua Stickles on Fancy Pants Chipboard Swirls, and the title letters are American Crafts Thickers. Around the photo I did pleating and the border strip was done using a Martha Stewart border punch. I just love that I was able to use so many of my products on this layout and am quite pleased with the end result!

Spring is finally arriving!

Well it is hard to believe that 2 weeks has passed since I last posted to my blog. Time certainly has a way of getting away from us and with Spring arriving (finally), more sunshine is upon us, days are now getting longer, and I tend to spend more time outdoors! There is so much to be done outside to prepare for the beautiful season ahead of us, and that is partly to blame for my lack of getting here!This time of year has so much going for it and I love to get out in the yard and be closer to nature! Look at what I found out there today:
Now with the sun shining more, the birds are singing, the flowers are sprouting, and this means good things are in store! I love this time of year!

I have been scrapping over the past couple of weeks still, although the past week, not as much as I would have liked. I have been doing some challenges along the way and this has really helped to get me more motivated with my personal scrapping again! We all know how I love a good challenge and for some reason, just can't seem to back down from them. I am pleased to announce that I have already surpassed what I have accomplished in personal pages in the past 2 years, in just over a month. It feels fantastic!

Sunny day

Well the day is sunny and bright here today, and I am absolutely LOVING it! Spring is on it's way and it couldn't get here soon enough to please me! Although we really haven't had a whole lot of snow this winter, I am so ready for the longer, sunnier days to be the norm! I am itching to get out and spend more time outdoors, working in the garden and getting out for more frequent walks. It will mean a new beginning to the year for me, for being more productive and more energized. I have been off to a great start in the creating department, but am really looking forward to being more successful in other areas of my life, as well.

I have slowly gotten back on track with eating healthier, allowing myself ME time and balancing work creating and personal creating! This new year is the year I start to take back all things important to me and am so grateful that I have family and friends to help support those decisions.

Today is a 'work' day and I am off to teach class at the The Memory Keeper and it should be a lot of fun! Take a look at what we will be 'playing' with tonight: