Top 10 0f 2011

While it is so hard to get down to just 10 layouts, I realize that my choices are really a reflection of where I am at in a scrappy state in time at the end of this year.  Like many, my current favourite often ends up being the most recently created piece. Yet will that be the case further in time? Then there are pieces that will forever hold a special place for the story behind its' creation.  Thus, this whole process in itself is neat to document and reflect upon at a later time.

This year's edition is in no particular order as that task proved to be even more confounding then picking just 10. LOL!

Without further ado, here is my Top Ten of 2012:

 

Once I whittled this year's collection of layouts down to this ten, I reflected upon my choices as a whole.  What I discovered about my work is it really illustrates the variety of styles, textures, colours, and manufacturers that I enjoy creating with.  Being analytical of mind, I also noticed some interesting things:

•  four were takes on sketches,
•  five were made with the fabulous kits of My Scrapbook Nook,
•  four were inspired by Get Picky challenges,
•  four have sepia or black and white photos
•  six have butterflies
•  seven were multi photo

I am really pleased with how I have grown this past year as an artist.  It is in sharing my passion for scrapping with others that has helped keep my productivity at a consistent level.  I also have been extremely blessed with some great friendships and wonderful opportunities to showcase my work this year.

Thanks for following along in my creative journey this past year.

Wishing you all the best in 2012.

TTFN,

Scrap Happy Holidays! (Something New, a Toot and a Sneak Peek)

I hope that you all had a fun family filled Christmas! If you celebrate some other seasonal celebration, I hope it was fun and family filled too!

Now that Christmas celebrations are completed, I am totally into holiday mode. A little R & R means time to catch up on my project postings and scrapping time.  This is a good thing too as I have a fun and exciting scrappy secret that was finalized this week. I will share more once it is officially announced.

I had a chance to finally get this layout finished.




Supplies: patterned papers (Provo Craft), glitter chipboard letters (K and Company), play chipboard (Heidi Swapp), acrylic journal spot (Maya Road), ribbon (Michaels), acrylic mirror snowflakes( Dollarama), paint (Deco Art), wht pen (Signo), blk pen (Sharpie)

I have a habit of starting layouts (gathering the need supplies and photos, and sketching the design) but then running out of time to finish it as I move on to the next need-to or now inspired-to-do project.  Thus I essentially have a whole selection of ready to go scrappy kits/projects.  For me, it is the case of not enough time to scrap everything that I have ideas for.  The good thing is that I eventually do come back to the projects and get them completed.

Did you notice my blog's new look?  I really did like the green leaf background that I had for the last year.  It wasn't lack of know how in changing it.  In my way of thinking, there is nothing more beautiful than nature and its' wonderful creations, textures and colours.  However, it really did not have a "scrappy artist look" so I thought to give this new look a try. Thanks to the wonderful artistry at Shabby blogs.com for the items.  What do you think of it?

Now for the little toot share.  Yesterday,  I had the thrill of heading over to Two Peas and seeing my two Get Picky postings both in the Top 3. 



Even better is that I am joined by my super talented and sweet friend Danni.  Her creative talent consistently amazes me! Check out her wonderful creations and I think you will agree. She is up on the October Afternoon blog today too!

Lastly, here is a little sneak peek of my next Get Picky layout:

I am delighted with how this one turned out. It will be posted in a day or two and then I can share it.


TTFN,

Get Picky GDT Sketch #15

I was totally inspired by this Get Picky sketch #15.  In fact I could have scrapped two very different layouts with completely different sets of photos.  Now that is what I call inspiration!

Supplies: patterned papers, cardstock stickers, cardstock letter stickers (Echo Park), cardstock (Bazzill), ink (CTMH), butterfly punches (Fiskars and Martha Stewart), wht pen (Signo), blk pen (Creative Memories), sketch (Get Picky), jewels and staples (miscellaneous)

In the end I decided to use the Echo Park Times and Seasons collection that came in the November kit from the Nook.  The rich colours enhanced these precious  photos of my daughter and a family friend.  I love how it all came together... the photos, the product and the sketch! 

As you can see, my take sticks pretty closely to the original sketch.

The prize for this challenge is a store voucher for the online store Scrap Friends.  You have until December 28th (Australian eastern daylight savings time) to enter.  Be sure to see some more gorgeous takes and spectacular scrappy eye candy from the DT on the Get Picky Challenge blog.

I am liking this layout so much, that I am thinking, that it is top ten worthy for 2011.  It is hard to believe it is almost that time of year to pick my top favs. LOL!

TTFN,

Magenta Card Sketch #28

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas..."

Well at least my daughter is given that it is well into December and we have only received a dusting or two with none of the fluffy white stuff staying on the ground.  Thus she was the inspiration for my DT take on the Magenta #28 Card sketch Challenge.




Supplies: patterned paper and chipboard (Magenta), cardstock (Bazzill), sentiment die (Sizzix), paint (Plaid), glimmer mist (Tattered Angels), Tim Holtz Stickles (Ranger)

Here I used the beautiful chipboard snowflakes and the positive diamond shapes from the larger snowflakes spaces to make the third flake.

This is the sketch and the details can be found here.



You have until January 16, 2012 to link up your take for a chance to win some Magenta goodies.

Just a reminder also that you have until December 31st to save on shipping if you order from the Magenta store.

"May your days be merry and bright,
 and may all your Christmases be white!"


TTFN,

Get Picky December Guest Designer

I have been waiting since near the beginning of 2011 for December to come and not just for Christmas.  I am so excited to have the honour of being the guest designer for Get Picky this month.

 Today I am sharing one of the two layouts that are posted in the GDT announcement.

Supplies: MME Quite Contrary Collection & sketch (MME), chipboard letters (Basic Grey & MM), lace (Prima), pen (Staedtler)

This is a never been seen before layout that I have been holding on to for quite some time.  I love these photos of my daughter and they work so wonderfully that multiple of them can appear on the page as that is a key component to the Get Picky challenges.

I have been a fan of the site and its' challenges since its' launch just over a year ago.  Tanya and Nikki have created an awesome multi-photo blog challenge site that attracts talented people from all over the globe.

While many of you know that I really enjoy working with sketches, one thing I have discovered over the past year through Get Picky, is that I love inspiration prompts too!

Be sure to head over to Get Picky to see my other fun layout and check out the gorgeous eye-candy that permeates the site.

TTFN,

Family Tree Twist

When this Magenta Chipboard Tree arrived in my DT package, I was excited because I had an idea on how to use it other than for a family layout.

Photos by: Phil Steingard Photography

Supplies: patterned papers and chipboard (Magenta), cardstock (Bazzill), paint (Plaid), cardstock letter stickers (Lily Bee), punch (Fiskars), ink (CTMH), marker (Sharpie), pen (Signo)

Here I used it to document my daughter's primary school portraits from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 3 for the Magenta blog.  I started by shrunking the wallet sized photos down so that they would fit into the cute little oval picture frames.  Next, I painted the tree trunk and picture frames.  Then I glued up the front of the tree and adhered it to the back of my desired paper.  After carefully cutting it out with an exacto knife, I inked the edges to make it pop.  I prepared my background page and then positioned my tree and title.  Add the grades and years et voila!  A fun way to use up those school pictures.

If you would like to pick up some awesome Magenta chipboard, be sure to take advantage of their current seasonal promotion.  Shop their online store and save with free handling fees until December 31st.

TTFN,

MME Challenge #29

Another fun challenge sketch from MME.  The twist this time was to use brown.  I love brown as a basic colour.  You might have noticed that I use it quite regularly.



Supplies: patterned papers, layered chipboard, trim, (MME), pen (Staedtler), jewels (miscellaneous)

Again using my scraps to create something fun.  The papers and chipboard are from Lost and Found 2 with the tissue paper and lace trim coming from Lost and Found.  Some faux stitching, a little snipping with scallopped decorative scissors, add some jewels and all is done.

TTFN,

Magenta Sketch #27

For my take on this month's Magenta Layout Sketch Challenge, I mixed paperlines and had fun stitching and fussy cutting.

Supplies: patterned papers, stamp, clock and large letter chipboard (Magenta), lace ribbon and small chipboard letters (Maya Road), kraft cardstock and brown ink (CTMH), butterfly punches (Martha Stewart), border punch (Recollections), embroidery floss (Loops and Threads), pen (Staedtler)

 Add in a little chipboard... a little stamping,  a little inking, and punches... et Voila!  This layout represents quite a step for me.  Change happens, it's constant.  The thing to figure out is how to embrace it and go with it.

Here is the original sketch:



You have until December 12, 2011 to link your take on the Magenta Sketch Blog post.  Be sure to join in the fun!

TTFN,

My Memories Suite Giveaway

When My Memories asked if I would be interested hosting a giveaway on my blog, I thought that it would be a great opportunity to give it a try.  I have wanted to try digital for a while but just had not gotten around to it. So after checking out My Memories Suite online I gave it a go.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. It was super easy to figure out and use the program.  Here are the first two layouts that I created:

Supplies: patterned paper (All About Funk collection), Spring Symphony Frame (Lindsay Jane), title (On the Spot) [My Memories Suite], journaling font (CTMH Noodge)

Supplies: Sofia patterned papers (Corina Neilsen), title (A Day in the Life), subtitle (Side by Side), mats, ribbon, flower, tab, flourish [My Memories Suite 2], tab font (CTMH typerwriter)

An added plus to this program is that it works with other digital products (which I had been amassing over the years, like I said, with the intension of trying digi) from a variety of my favourite manufacturers.


My Memories has a great many tutorials for simple lesson viewing available.  Check out this introductory video to get a feel for how it works.


One of the neat things about the program is that it accommodates all skill levels. You can make the pages as simple or as complex as you like or as your comfort level dictates. The possibilities are limitless and not just for layouts but for a multitude of projects including photo books, cards, videos, calendars, etc.

So here is how the giveway works:

1. Visit  www.MyMemories.com and choose a favorite digital paper pack or layout.

2. Come back here and tell me which one you chose by December 1, 2011 in the comment section below to be included in the draw.

Additionally, My Memories is also offering you $10 off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store. Just use coupon code: STMMMS8659.


*** In forgoing any commission, everytime my blog's special coupon code is used towards the purchase of My Memories Suite software, $20 will be donated to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada.


TTFN,

November PageMaps Newsletter

I cannot begin to describe how excited I am about the November PageMaps Newsletter.  Firstly, because I am honoured that I had the opportunity to contribute to it (you all know what a fan I am of Becky) but secondly, I absolutely love how my take on the sketch turned out.

Supplies: patterned papers, dimensional stickers, chipboard, pearl swirl, pearl swirl packaging background, and burlap trim (MME), fabric chipboard numbers (American Crafts), Tim Holtz distress inks (Rangers), blk ink (StazOn), pen (Creative Memories), twine and thread (misc.)

I used the Nook's October Kit and add-ons featuring MME's Lost and Found Two Sunshine collection.  These papers have such a richness to them and with all the textures and layers of the collection products... oh my... how can a girl go wrong?

Here is the sketch that I interpreted:

 

As you can see, I stuck pretty close to the original design. I am grateful for the amazing inspiration that it provided in my coming up with this layout.

A close up shot:

I fussy cut the lace doily, distress inked the edges, stitched it, the layout border edges and burlap trim in a pleated fashion with a golden mustard coloured thread, and used the swirls packaging card as my journal spot after distress inking the top label cut edge to match the other sides. I hymned and hahed over whether to use black and white or sepia photos.  After trying both versions, I went with the sepia as it just went beautifully with the brownish tones and the burlap trim and twine.

If you love the look of glitter paper but not the accompanying mess of glitter virtually everywhere, I used this neat tip I picked up at ScrapFest from the ladies at The Memory Keeper booth.  I lightly sprayed the glittered parts of the paper, layered sticker and chipboard with a nonscented aerosal hairspray.  By george it did the trick and held the glitter in place!  I also discovered that by using a static cling floor wipe like Swiffer sheets, I was able to easily deglitter the plain side of the papers and my work surface. Yeah for alternative uses!

A huge thanks to Becky for letting me contribute.  Be sure to check out her other marvelous sketches and the fabulous sample layouts of my fellow November newsletter contributors here.

TTFN,

Nook Blog Hop and a Mag Giveaway Winner

If you want to ...

a) see some seriously talented womens' gorgeous works.
b) have a chance to win a 3 month kit subscription to one of the best kit clubs out there.
c) have a chance to win a variety of prizes.
d) virtually travel the globe.

then this Blog Hop is for you.  Start with Shellye and follow the DT list and instructions from there.

Scrapbook and Cards Today Magazine Winner

The winner is ....

Samantha said...

That is so sweet of you! I've often wondered what this mag is like! :) Look forward to reading more about Scrapfest

October 25, 2011 10:20 AM

Samantha email me your address and I will send it off to you.

Thanks to all who entered.


TTFN,

Halloween Treat!



Supplies: patterned papers, chipboard moon (Magenta), cardstock (CTMH),
 watercolour paper (Carson), witch and bat stamps (Kraftin' Kimmies),
 sentiment stamp (Cosmo Cricket), ink (StazOn), watercolour pencil crayons
(Reese), punch (Martha Stewart)

Magenta patterned paper along with the new moon chipboard are the perfect halloween accompaniment to the cute Kraftin' Kimmie's Witchypoo stamps.  Stamping, watercolour crayoning, fussy cutting, paper piecing, hand drawn clouds, sanding and border punching are all combined in this cute greeting flying your way today!

Best witches for a fun treat filled day!

TTFN,

Always a first time for everything

It is funny how things work out.  I hadn't updated my galleries for September & October (where did the time go) and had some time on the weekend.  Totally a surprise to go visit Two Peas to do some wish list building tonight when I came across this on the main gallery page.

My first time, that I know of, being in the Top 3 and with 2 very different layouts.  I think that is soooo cool! Can you tell that I am just a little excited? 


TTFN,

Scrapbook and Cards Today Events

Scrapbook and Cards Today magazine host some of the best make 'n takes biannually at ScrapFest and CreativFestival.  They appeal to paper crafters, card makers and scrapbookers alike and are the cutest projects.  This fall was no different, with their Interactive Studio events being sponsored by Maya Road, Zyron, Doodlebug, Jillibean Soup, Core'dinations, Fiskars.

Well as promised, I am sharing one of their Interactive Studio make 'n takes from this Fall's ScrapFest in Durham.  This one was taught by the one and only Caroline Lau, co-owner of Maya Road.

Is this adorable or what?

I vamped it up with some more details when I got home and made mine into a fridge magnet by glueing 4 flat round magnets to the back. 

It brings a smile to my face without fail.

Another cool event that SCT is hosting is their new Crop and Create series.  Having just launched in Saskatoon this fall, it comes to Ontario January 13 & 14, 2012 for its' second installment.  Have you registered yet?



This 2 day event features their reknowned make 'n takes, and a schedule of amazing classes by some of the industry's best.  From my own experiences, I would highly recommend any of Sarah Hodgkinson's card classes and if you are a Becky Fleck PageMaps fan, her Triple Play class was a huge hit at ScrapFest (I will share more on that in another post.).  This time around I have signed up for Kelly Goree's class.  I am so looking forward to it.  Being a teacher, I love to learn new things and experience different teaching styles.

This is sure to be a fun scrappy experience.  They are even hosting pre-event updates and challenges on their dedicated FaceBook page.  Be sure to check out it out and join in the action.

Just 76 sleeps to go.

TTFN,