Top 10 of 2010

I want to end the year off sharing 10 of my favourite layouts that I created this year. Well at least the 10 I can show.  Ironically 4 of my favourites I am unable to post, due to future publication.

I look fondly back on this year because I really grew in a scrapbooking sense.  I had a lot of artistic accomplishments that I am most pleased by.  I completed the most layouts ever in a year at 47.  I had my first publications both online and in print.  I started designing double page layouts for my friend Deanna's Queen of the Crop Country Retreats, I attended my first ScrapFest and CreativFestivals, I started this blog to share my creations with others, and I have continued to meet and make friends who share my passion for all things scrap related.

2011 already is on its way to a great start.  I look forward to the Spring issue of Canadian Scrapbooker for another layout publication.  I want to continue in my quest to get published in a variety of magazines and to continue blogging on a regular basis.  I am bursting with ideas (as my sketch book can attest to) and want to create even more layouts this year then last.  I can't wait to see what awaits me in 2011!

So without further ado, here is my countdown to the New Year.


Number 10- Joy

 

Number 9

Number 8

Number 7

Number 6

Number 5

Number 4

Number 3

Number 2

Number 1

Happy New Year!

Snow Surfing Snowman

Supplies: patterned paper, chipboard (Crate Paper), cardstock (Bazzill), chipboard letters (K and Company, American Crafts), ink (Color Box), chalk (CTMH), stickles (Rangers), liquid applique (Marvy Uchida), pen (Staedtler)

This is a fun layout of a cute snowman my daughter made and boarded all around the backyard last winter.  I was inspired by Crate Paper's November sketch for this layout.



TTFN,

PageMaps December Sketch Challenge

Here is my take on the PageMap blog's December sketch.



Supplies:  patterned papers (Lily Bee), cardstock, ink and chalk (CTMH), red letter stickers and fabric flower (BasicGrey), brown and orange letter stickers, sugar picks, twine, corrugated flower (JilliBean Soup), chipboard leaves (American Crafts), pen (Staedtler)

I am a big fan of Becky Fleck's PageMaps.  Her sketches always provide the perfect recipe for a stunning layout.  I used the October My Scrapbook Nook kit featuring Lily Bee papers and JilliBean Soup accessories.  Pair a sketch with a Nook kit and you have gold!
 

Lots of inking and faux stiching add dimension to this great design.  To get the bright red BasicGrey letter stickers to match the red in the Lily Bee paper, I used a light brown chalk on them.  Works perfectly!

I totally love the mischievousness of my daughter that comes through in these photos.  I have to say though that I wasn't lovin' it so much a bunch of shots later in a different part of the yard when she picked up a pile of wet leaves and hit the camera lens.  Live and learn!

TTFN,

Neat Stamped Gift Idea

I made these as a little gift for a friend who loves birds and travel.

Stamps used: bird and frame (Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous), "Discover" and "Adventure" words (Heidi Grace Designs), "Journey" word (7 Gypsies),  "Explore" word (Inque Boutique), letter "L" (CTMH)

I love how they turned out! They looked really stunning wrapped with a black grosgrain ribbon with the monogrammed tile as the top of the stack.  These also make great personalized hostess or teacher gifts.

Supplies Needed:
- unsealed tumbled marble coasters
- stamps (clear acrylic work easiest for placement)
- StazOn ink
- tile sealer or clear acrylic spray
- adhesive backed felt

Instructions:
1. Wipe unfinished/unsealed tumbled marble  4x4 tiles (I found a box of 9 at Home Depot for $5 cdn.) with a damp cloth to remove any dust/particle residue and let dry completely.
2.  Stamp image with StazOn ink onto each tile.
3.  Bake in oven at 350 F for 1 hour to set.
4.  Let cool completely.
5.  Seal with tile sealer or clear matte or satin lacquer spray as per product instructions.
6.  Once dry, adhere precut 4x4 piece of adhesive backed black felt.

You can also make trivets out of larger tiles.  The themes are limitless and are great for personalizing to the receiver's decor or interests.
TTFN,
Cassandra

Scraps of Joy Challenge

It has been a bit, due to distance, but I got to my closest LSS, Scraps of Joy, a few weeks ago and they still had some Scrap's Challenge packs.  So I thought I would give it a go and I purchased the 2nd last one.  The pack is a small kit which you can create either a single or a double scrapbook page from it.  This time it contained 2 patterned papers from Basic Grey's Eskimo Kisses collection, 1 sheet cardstock, a few BG epoxy stickers from the line, some jewels and a square piece of raw chipboard.  As long as you use the kit's content, from there you can add other stuff.  Here is what I came up with:


Supplies: patterned paper and epoxy stickers (BasicGrey), cardstock (ColorMates), jewels (?), chipboard square (Magenta),  black glitter letters and blue puffy letters (American Crafts), rub ons (Making Memories), "Boho frame" stamp (Inque Boutique), postage stamp (Melissa Frances), ink, chalk and liquid glass (CTMH), ink (Rangers), pen (Creative Memories), snowflakes (Dollarama)

Now if only I can get it to the store.  You win the challenge based on customer votes.   Last week I didn't have a vehicle and now that I do we have a major snow storm.  Eventually it will get there.  Hopefully before everybody votes! LOL!

TTFN,
Cassandra

This makes me smile!

Supplies: PP, die cut PP, cardstock stickers (MME), chipboard letters (BG), corrogated letters (JilliBean Soup), paint (Plaid), branch and leaves stamp (Kelly Panacci), ink and cream CS (CTMH), pen (Staedtler), CS sketch #98 and foam pop up squares (Misc.)

Looking at this layout makes me smile.  Firstly because everytime I look at it... I love it.  The photo of my daughter and husband is so cute and I really like how the layout came together to personify that feeling from the photo into its composition and details.  The second reason that it brings me joy is that it was published in the November issue of Scrapbook News and Reviews Magazine. And lastly, it is a Nook kit.  Have I mentioned how much I love My Scrapbook Nook (fondly referred to as the Nook)?  It was another great kit, featuring My Mind's Eye Little Boy Blue collection, in April, that provided the materials for it's creation.  The smaller BG chipboard letters were from a previous kit.  It has been over two years now and I am still thrilled with the Kits Leah pulls together each month!

TTFN!

Cassandra

New Prima Palette Contest and Picks

Well now that it is December and the Christmas season is upon us, check out the beautiful rich and lovely reds and green in Prima's December Picks to inspire us to get in the mood.

Doesn't that just want to make you take out the decorations and decorate!

New this month is a chance to win some Prima Picks loveliness by submitting a Prima based project using this palette.  For further details be sure to check it out on their blog here.

TTFN,
Cassandra

Happy 5th Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine!

This arrived in the mail the other day and I did a happy dance.

It is the 5th Anniversary Collector's Edition for subscribers and those published in the issue.  I have the privilege of being apart of the Winter 2010 edition which hit newstands today.  This is what the newstand cover looks like.

If you look on page 115, you will see not only this layout...

but also a photo tutorial based on my written tutorial on how to achieve the distressed pleated border that I made in the layout.  I was so excited to see that they had chosen to include this also in the edition.  My daughter is pleased as punch that she is in a print magazine.  The concept of ezine publications is just not the same to her as being able to see a magazine edition on the newstand.

On the same day that I got my edition in the regular mail, I also got an email layout publication request from Canadian Scrapbooker to appear in their Spring 2011 issue!  Talk about a scrappy high that day!

TTFN!
Cassandra

Time to Share Them!

Well I didn't make the Creative Memories team but at least I tried.  I was one of 10 ladies cut in the final round.  Of the 27 women who made the team, an amazing 9 girls made it from the Nook.  Congratulations to all!  I look forward to seeing the team's projects.

Here are my favourites from those that I made.  Enjoy!

TTFN!

Cassandra

Creative Memories Design Team Finals

So today was the finalist deadline.  I have had such cloudy and/or rainy/sleety weather this week that my project photos were not so great but then today mother nature shined down in my area.  I had great natural light so a much better photo taking opportunity.  I ended up rephotographing everything to best display my work.

I have been scrapping up a storm with the products that were provided.  I love how this paper collection and embellishments practically scrapped themselves.  I had some great photos I hadn't scrapped yet that went perfectly with the line.  I made a batch of cards too. In total I made four layouts (2 single 12 x 12s and 2 double page 12 x 12s), 6 cards and one pillow box mini gift.  I am really pleased with all my projects and even if I do not make the team, I got some fabulous layouts and cards done.  I can't wait to show them off but I do not know when I can.  Now I am anxiously awaiting the DT announcement on the 29th.  Keepin' my fingers crossed!

TTFN!

Watch out for Mama-razzi!

Today I am finally getting around to sharing my published layouts from October.   First up is a layout made with Bo Bunny's Mama-razzi collection. 

Supplies: patterned paper, die cut, cardstock stickers and strips, chipboard stickers (BoBunny), pen (Staedtler), foam number (Dollarama), ink (StazOn)

It was the perfect paper and embellishments for this photo of my daughter.

Techniques: fussy cut subtitle comment from patterned paper, cut circle border strip in half to look like lace loops above scallop strip, layered chipboard elements

I had already pre-printed the photo in a 5x7 size and it was sitting in my "to-be scrapped" photo box.  The good thing I find about having pre-printed and sized photos already on hand is that when inspiration strikes, I am able to take advantage of it without delay.  This layout appeared in the October Scrap Street Magazine edition in an article entitled "Scrapping Big" about large photo use by Nicole Martel.

Next is an oldie but a goodie.  It is a layout that I originally made for Simple Scrapbook Magazine's "So You Think You Can Stamp?" Contest in 2008.

For a full tutorial on how to make this layout, including the cool transparency technique I came up with for the Spellbound title, check out my article in Scrapbooking.com Magazine.

TTFN!

Do you add-to?

I made this layout during Nook U for Mahlin's Art Class.  The assignment was to create a layout using two painting mediums. I chose to Glimmer Mist the background's star rays and to paint the chipboard star.

While I liked it as is, after seeing it posted at My Scrapbook Nook, I knew that I wanted to add to it before posting it to my blog.  So here is the "add to" version.

As you can see, I needed to add a few more stars which created a visual triangle and repeated some colour element details that fit nicely as well as I decided to trim the overhanging edges of the star.

Here are a few other layouts that I felt compelled in the past months to "add to" them prior to placing them in their albums.

1. Water Pixie: There was too much space between the left photo and top of journaling area that bothered me and just didn’t sit right so I added a fussy cut damask piece.

Before: 

After:

2. Absolutely Absorbed: I added black lace in the space as I found the title cluster & photos had too much space between them.

Before: 

After:  

3. Fedora Fashion:  I had always intended to add the paper pieced fedora near the title to make a visual triangle with the other two Fedora’s but I did not have the supplies needed to make it at the cottage.

Before:

After: 

I equate it to cooking. Sometimes you have to add stuff to adjust the flavour. They're all much better now and I can happily live with them. They just needed that little something.

Have you ever done an Add-to?

TTFN!

Prima October BAP

I did it! I finally got around to scrapping an older photo or should I say younger photo of my daughter.  I did not get into scrapbooking until she was around 5 years old so I have lots of baby and toddler photos to work with.  I have started to sort and gather those that I would like to scrap so that I have many to draw from when inspiration hits.  Sunday night was one of those nights when... wham... it hits you and all comes together.  I looked at the sketch...

... I looked at what Prima papers I had in my stash and (pop) a photograph came to mind and then from there I gathered the other embellishments that I thought I would like to use.

Supply list can be found Here

I love how I used the Raspberry Tea Collection and picked up the mauve of the papers and all the colours of my daughter's sweater. I loved that sweater!  There are many a picture with her in it!

I had originally intended to stitch with floss, to give the artisan shape background piece, but then the doilies came to mind and the colour and texture was perfect.  Once I started this layout, I could not stop.  The pieces just kept coming together and I am loving the results!  I hope you enjoy it too.

TTFN!

Fantastic Friday and Hallowe'en Fun!!!

I am on an unbelievable scrap happy high today!  I have two successes to share!

1.  I found out late yesterday that one of my layouts will appear in Scrapbook News and Review Magazine when the edition goes live on October 31st.

2. It became official today, I am one of 37 Second Round Finalists for a position on the Creative Memories Design Team!  Check out the annoucement here.  An unbelievable 12 members from My Scrapbook Nook made the cut. (I tell you that place oozes talent.)  They are shipping out their Christmas Limited Edition line "Very Merry" paper and embellishments for finalists to wow them with creations.  I cannot wait for it to hit my doorstep!  I already have my ideas sketched out and I am getting my photos ready.  May the mail carriers be speedy in their delivery because the wait is going to be my undoing!

Lastly, I am sharing some Hallowe'en craftiness.

Supplies:  patterned paper and stamp (Cosmo Cricket, Making Memories), cardstock (blk- Nicole, wht- CTMH), ink (CTMH), gauze (Shopper's Drug Mart),  google eyes (Dollarama)

 I made 35 of these with the help of my daughter and her friend, Amanda, for their class.  They were meant to be candy holder mummies (I even found nut free jelly beans and ju jubes.) However, my daughter came home from school yesterday saying the whole school was not allowed to bring in candy.  So there went the candy part but still a festive card to share with her class.  On the bright side, the girls scored as they got to eat the candy while crafting!

TTFN!

Scrapbook and Cards Today!!!

I read Scrapbook and Cards Today's blog regularly.  This week, they have been featuring one of my favourite companies Pink Paislee and a My Scrapbook Nook friend, Lynn Ghahary.  So on Wednesday, when they asked for reader submissions using Pink Paislee products, I naturaly fired off an email with a layout that I made with the Bayberry Cottage collection using a Becky Fleck's PageMaps sketch.  This is one of my favourite lines of theirs and it came to me by way of a Nook kit.  Well imagine my excitement when Catherine emailed me back and asked if I would mind sharing it with readers.  Would I ever!!!  So on Thursday, she featured my Absolutely Absorbed layout.  Be sure to check it out here at Scrapbook and Cards Today!

Supplies: Pink Paislee- PP, die-cuts, pleated ribbon, chipboard astericks, BG- chipboard letters, MM- small letter stickers, Scrapbook Nook March kit- blk buttons, Maya Road- leaf pins , CTMH- gr ink,flower jewels, Damcord- blk ribbon, StazOn- blk ink, Dollarama- blk jewels, Staedlter- pen, Fiskars- lace corner punch, Misc.- thread, lace, PageMaps April Sketch

TTFN!

A boy and his dog card

My nephew hit the big 13 milestone.  A boy and his dog going for a walk in the fall is the perfect personalized card for him.  I used some of my BasicGrey Mellow stash to make this 3/4 front flap card.

Supplies: patterned paper and die cuts (BasicGrey), cardstock (CTMH), fabric number stickers (American Crafts), paint (Plaid), ticket and twine (misc.)

TTFN!

ScrapFest Fun!

I attended ScrapFest in Oshawa on Friday night and it was fantastically fun!

Here was the VIP Swag bag...



VIP Swag Bag


I started off at Canadian Scrapbooker magazine's booth.  I was chatting with Katharina Doyle (co-founder) and Sue Sykes when Sue started to talk to a lady that walked up beside me and lo and behold it turned out to be my fellow My Scrapbook Nook friend Lori Mancini who I had planned to meet at the event!  Then along came her friend Jennifer another Nooker. It is fabulous to get to actually meet in person the people that I chat with on a regular basis in the scrappy Nook world. I love that people are just as sweet in person as they are on the boards and blogs!

I met a lot of other really nice store owners and booth staffers who were very friendly and helpful.  Love that there is so much scrappy goodness all in one location and yes, I did shop a bit. *giggle* Picked up a bunch of stuff from my winter CHA wishlist and some that wasn't on it but amazing to behold!

The above were 75% off finds!

Assortment of fabulous embelishments and the Prima's were 25% off-yeah!



Bella Blvd., Echo Park, American Crafts,
Shabby Green Door, Creative Imaginations, Graphic 45, Pink Paislee/House of 3




My Mind's Eye - some Flocked Haunted craft papers and
some of the awesome glittered  Lost and Found collection


Another of my favourite places and part of the reason I decided to attend this new Fall addition of ScrapFest was the Scrapbooks and Cards Today Interactive Studio.  I had a great time at their studio in the Spring.  Not only are Catherine Tachdjian (founder) and Kimber McGray (DT Member and card maker extraordinare) extremely friendly and fun to chat with, they have arranged some fabulous make and takes with a variety of styles and genres.  I also had a chance to chat with their fellow booth mate Lisa Kisch... such a sweet gal!

Here are the fun things that I had an opportunity to make...




I even won the draw at this one and received a QuickCuts Nest Flower Die Cut set. Woohoo!Looking forward to more Scrapbook and Cards Today fun at CreativFestival next week!