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