Hugs and Kisses with BasicGrey

We are so fortunate to have a strong relationship with my mother-in-law.  My daughter gets to spend time regularly with her grandma and they have a special loving bond. What better collection to reflect warm loving goodness than BasicGrey's Kissing Booth?  Here I created a layout for SNR's May 2012 Change It Up sketch article capturing the feel of the photos using the papers from this line a a combination of punched and fussy cut hearts.  If you can believe it, there are actually 10 different patterned papers used in the making of this one.

Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Papers and Cardstock Sticker: BasicGrey; Fabric and Chipboard Letters: American Crafts; Punches: Marvy Uchida, Recollections and Fiskars; Ink: Close To My Heart; Pen: Steadtler, Sketch: Emma Stafrace

My assignment was to change the 12x12 sketch into an 8.5" x 11" version.  Here is the original rendering:

 As you can see, circles became a bevy of hearts raining love and happiness.

TTFN,

Change it up with Watermelon Gazpacho

Today I am sharing a layout that I made for SNR's May 2012 edition Sketch - Change the Orientation article.  I love the vibrant colours of Jillibean Soup's lines.  For this one I used papers from the Watermelon Gazpacho collection and their red corrugated letters. The striped paper worked well with the colours in the photos lending a cohesive look to the page. The orange makes the photos pop especially with the white sanded the edges of the photos and the green title strip.  I matted the stripe stripes with white cardstock.

Supplies: Patterned Papers and Corrugated Letters: Jillibean Soup; Cardstock: Close To My Heart; Chipboard Letters: American Crafts; Pen: Creative Memories; Sketch: Lucy Chesna

The layout features my daughter and her great uncle building or rather engineering a sandcastle.  I used the engineering term in the journaling because he really is an engineer (note the pinkie ring).  It also truly captures and evokes the moment because they really did have some serious but fun discussion in regards to engineering principles for both the design and construction.

Here was Lucy's original sketch:

I rotated the sketch 90 degrees and altered one rectangle area to accommodate my title and journaling.

TTFN,

Hello Friends

Today I am sharing another fine feathered friend but this time from BasicGrey.  Love heading back into my stash, sparked by a sketch and coming up with a fun creation.   This card was based on a Lucy Chesna card sketch for SNR's April edition. 

Cardstock: Bazzill; Cardstock Stickers: BasicGrey; Letter Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps; Ink: Rangers; Twine: Jillibean Soup; Sketch: Lucy Chesna

I used a variety of cardstock stickers from the Offbeat Elements sticker sheet and stamped the "hello" letters on each tag to form the sentiment banner.
TTFN,

A Single and a Double to Share

SNR's April edition saw me digging into my stash (yeah!) to create two of my assignment layouts.  First up is my Fun and Playful stylized take on a Carey Bridges' layout for what SNR terms a reverse sketch; where by the designer takes a layout and creates a stylized layout based on it.  For this one, I used Pink Paislee's House of Three's brightly coloured and fun Soiree Collection.

Supplies: Patterned Papers: Pink Paislee/House of 3; Black Cardstock: Bazzill; White Cardstock: Close to My Heart; Glitter Chipboard Letters: American Crafts; Glitter Sticker Letters: Recollections; White Pen: Signo; Pink Marker: Sharpie; Border Punch: Fiskars; Font: GungsuhChe

I love the pop the paper gives especially with the black or white backing in sections.

Next up is my take on a two page sketch by Lucy Chesna.  I played with this one going for a girlish grunge feel on this layout. I used gesso to alter the background papers prior to heat embossing the stars border and distressing and grunging the edges.

Supplies: Patterned Papers, Phrase Stickers and Pen: Creative Memories; Cardstock: Bazzill and Close to My Heart; Gesso: Golden; Paint: DecoArt; VersaMark and StazOn: Tsukineko; Emboss Powder: Stampendous; Stamps: Close to My Heart and SandyLion; Tim Holtz Grunge Board Stars: Rangers; Chipboard Letters: Lil Davis Designs; Cardstock Letter Stickers: Webster's Pages; Toronto Maple Leafs Sticker: SportStar Decals; Eyeletz: Provo Craft ;  Sketch: Lucy Chesna

Apparently shinny is primarily a Canadian term.  It is an informal pick up game of hockey with no set number of players and does not require regulation equipment.

Here is a look at the original sketch:

Other than using a larger series of three photos and stars in place of scallops, I stuck fairly close to the sketch as it suited my photos well.


TTFN,

Off the Page with OA's Sasparilla

One of my favourite SNR Mag features is the Sketches - Take It Off the Page article where we take the assigned sketch and make a card, ATC or tag from it.

Supplies Patterned -  Paper, Stickers, Die-Cuts, and Journal Card: October Afternoon; Cardstock and Bitty Brads: Close To My Heart; Eyelets: Making Memories; Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps, STudio G; Ink: Rangers, Tim Holtz Distress Ink; Watercolour Crayons: Reeves; Embroidery Floss and Star Clip: Dollarama; Pen: Staedtler

I used the Nook February 2012 kit featuring October Afternoon's Sasparilla, some old denim, and this assigned sketch by Emma Stafrace.

Such a great source of inspiration and an easy trick to use if you are stuck for a card design idea... simply use a layout sketch and make a card with it.

TTFN,

Changing It Up with Some Hello Sunshine

Another SNR Mag layout to share with you.  Fun and playful, here I dug into my Nook Kit stash and used Lily Bee's Hello Sunshine collection.

Supplies -  Patterned Papers: Lily Bee Designs; Letter Stickers: American Crafts; Marker: Sharpie; Pen: Creative Memories; Liquid Glass: Close To My Heart

This layout was my "Change the Orientation" take on Lucy Chesna's sketch for the March edition.

Here is my choice orientation.

I also did a product review on the BoBunny Flex Ruler which is the tool that I used to create the wave lines. A little liquid glass, otherwise known as dimensional glaze, on the water drops gives it a neat wet look in real life.

TTFN,

SNR Take It Off the Page with LilyBee

I really like love how this card turned out! 

Supplies -  Cardstock: Bazzill, Patterned Paper: Lily Bee Design, Square Punch: Creative Memories, Butterfly Punches: Martha Stewart, Stamp: Autumn Leaves, Ink and Stickles: Rangers, Watercolour Pencil: Reeves, Jewels: Dollarama

I used the Head Over Heels LilyBee Design collection featured in the January Nook Kit.  It was made for an SNR assignment for the February addition of the magazine.  The task was to Take It Off The Page and turn it into a card based on this layout sketch:

A really versatile sketch with copious options. Next time you need a quick card look no further than taking a cue from a simple layout sketch.

TTFN,

Kissably Cute with a Sketch plus BasicGrey & an Orientation How-to

Another Scrapbook News and Review Magazine share for today.  This time up is a sketch by Emma Stafrace.  My assignment was to change the orientation.  I used a Y axis rotation of 180 degrees to come up with this take on it.

Supplies: Patterned Papers, Die Cut Stickers, Chipboard, Brads, Cardstock Stickers: BasicGrey, Glitter Letter Stickers: Making Memories, Ink: Tsukineko, Baker's Twine: Jillibean Soup, Pen: Creative Memories, Other: jewels

Such a fun layout and I chose to use up some stash papers and products from the Urban Prairie Collection from BasicGrey that suited my photos well.

This was the original sketch:

Here is the sketch take that I worked from:

Sometimes it is really helpful to see the different orientation variations before choosing which one works best for you.  This was how I went about getting the take that I chose:

1. Right click on the sketch image and then paste it into a word document.  Resize to a smaller version without skewing it by holding down either control or shift and then left clicking the mouse and dragging it to desired size.

2. Right click on the resized image, click on format picture and then select 3D Rotation.  From there you can play with the X, Y or Z axises to determine which take on the sketch you would prefer. Be sure to print off or sketch out the new orientation of the sketch.

TTFN,

Time to Share

It is about time that I share some of my projects that I created for Scrapbook News and Review Magazine over the next week or so.  My work as a staffer began appearing with the February issue but I could not share it with you until after a set time period. 

First up is the Colour of the Month.  The colour that month was... red.  I love the rich vibrance of it and what better line to work with then MME's Lost & Found Union Square. Multiple hues and glitter too... got to love it!

Supplies- Cardstock: Bazzill, Patterned Paper, Die Cuts, Brads: My Mind's Eye; Chipboard Fabric Letters: American Crafts; Glitter Ampersand: Making Memories; Alphabet Stamps: Clear Dollar Stamps; Ink: Close To My Heart; Flower Punch: Stampin' Up; Pen: Creative Memories; photo: Zehr's Markets Barrie

The idea here is to have the vast majority of the layout done in the focus colour with a touch of one or two other colours.  As you can see, I chose tan and black as my complimentary colours to complete the project.  Some stamping, matting and homemade flowers rounds it out.

TTFN,

Scrapbook News and Review Survey and Calls

SNR wants to hear from you! Take their survey for a chance to win $150.00 gift certificate to an oline scrapbooking store of your choice. Find the survey link and details on the SNR magazine blog here.

Also there is still time to submit to the magazine's current May call.  Check out the details here for an opportunity to have your projects appear in the April/May double edition.

TTFN,

A New Chapter Begins

This has been quite the secret to keep for sometime now.  I so excited to be able to share that I have joined the Creative Staff at Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.  It is official with the launch of their new look and format to the magazine.

I have had the great fortune to have many of my projects picked up by the magazine in the past.  It is always such a thrill and honour to get published and it just goes to show, you never know where it will lead.

Billed as the largest online magazine, it is a neat publication with loads of projects for inspiration and not just scrapbooking.  They have sections on Cards and Stamping, Altered Art, Digital and Mixed Media.  Also there are a vast amount of tutorials covering all manner of paper crafting as well as showcases on manufacturers and their products. Not to mention that there are very real opportunities to have your work published.  All you have to do is submit to their calls.

Needless to say it was a surprise to be contacted by the executive editor and asked to join them.  I feel ready to branch out in this new direction. For now, I will be contributing to the Scrapbooking, and the Cards and Stamping sections. So you can look out for me in those areas as well as on the forum with the other talented and friendly staff members.

Thus begins a new chapter in my creative journey.  This has the potential to be quite the ride as Kate, the brainchild behind Scrapbook News and Review, takes the magazine in an exciting new direction.  Looking forward to the new adventure.

TTFN,

Whoo Hoo!!!

Such a scrap happy week! Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine hit the newstand this week and my cover challenge take is on page 8.

Supplies: patterned paper (Upsy Daisy Designs and Pink Paislee), cardstock (Bazzill and Nature's Preserve), rub-on (Upsy Daisy Designs), ribbon (Harmonie), title alphabet stamps and ink (CTMH), date stamps (Making Memories), jewels and metal embellishment (Dollarama), feather (Webster’s Pages), Photo by Shandro Photo, Edmonton, Alberta

 As if that was not exciting enough, today I had 2 double page layouts picked up for publication in Scrapbook News and Reviews magazine.  Definitely starting the weekend with a happy dance! Now if only I could get some scrapping time in with marking student work and prepping for report cards. LOL! So not likely to happen. 

TTFN,

Thrilled with 1 ... Ecstatic with 4!

Sometimes a little patience goes a long way.  When I hadn't heard anything from Scrapbook News and Review Magazine, I had thought I was out of luck for publication submissions for April's call.   Needless to say, I was mistaken in my thoughts when I received a scrap happy email from them today.  Apparently they had a computer glitch and lost a whole wack of data but have gotten things going again for the April Edition.  At anytime I am just thrilled to have one layout published so you can imagine that I was over the moon ecstatic when four of my layouts were picked up for this edition.  It goes live on the 24th so be sure to check it out!

TTFN,

MIA but for a good cause

While I have been quiet on my blog, that just means I have been busy in the rest of my life.  Report card time means limited scrap time but by the end of the week I'll be back at it with an exciting project.  I just got my shipping slip so my supplies for it can be picked up tomorrow.  The upside it is related to this.  The down side is I can't share until June but it I think it will be well worth it.

So to share something scrappy, I am sharing one of my favourite layouts that was recently published in an edition of Scrapbook News and Reviews.

Supplies: CS, chipboard letters, stamps, ink, embossing powder, jewels (CTMH), white pen (Signo)

There are many things that I love about this layout.  First, I love that the pics are from winter and summer from when my DD was 5.  Second, I love how I used up all those U's and thirdly, I am really proud of my title stamping because there is a whole lot of mixing going on but it all works!  

Stamping techniques include:
- heat embossed paisley design background on 1/4 circle paper
- 3 stamps used in "make me"
- "Smile" Solo "S" stamp & chocolate alphabet dragged across ink pad to get distressed look, backed onto misc. chipboard


I have lots lined up for the rest of the month and I haven't even started to use my gorgeous Nook February kit featuring Webster's Pages. 

It too can be picked up tomorrow. It will be a scrap happy product day for sure!  Lots of uhhing and ahhing... and touching ...smelling ...and staring! Geez that sounds so wrong but you crafters all know what I mean!  LOL! I love new stuff!

TTFN,

Perfectly timed!

I had a really challenging day today at work.  I was spent both physically and emotionally when I got home.  I checked my email and lo and behold, I received a publication request for 3 of my layouts from Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.  It totally changed how I felt for the evening and I will be on a scrappy high for a few days especially because the edition goes live on the 16th.  It is something to look forward to this weekend!
Got to love how things happen for a reason and sometimes are truly perfectly timed when you need it most.

TTFN,

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

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!