A Few Feel Good Cards

It is quite amazing how much a card can lift one's spirits.  I really got into making cards more this year. I like that I can use up the stash that I have and create little gems in a relatively short period of time.




Supplies- Patterned Papers and Stickers: My Mind’s Eye; Cardstock: Bazzill; Ink: Close To My Heart; Foam Dots: Dollarama;

Nothing like a little MME.  I like this one for its' distressing, the paper collection, the stars, and mostly because I was able to incorporate seven different patterned papers into it.  It was my take on this Lucy Chesna sketch:

More MME for this next one I did for a No Sew Pleated Ribbon technique tutorial over at SNR Mag. 



Supplies Patterned Papers, Trim and Sticker: My Mind's Eye; Cardstock: Bazzill; Ink and Pen: Close To My Heart; Double Sided Adhesive: Sookwang

 I love the textures, the inking and faux stitching and how backing the sticker with black cardstock tied it all together.  Here is a side view to get a feel for the dimension of it.  I had this one on display in my living room for quite sometime. It makes me think of my family every time I look at it.

This next card just makes me smile for its' cuteness factor. I won this stamp years ago in a stamping contest and finally got a chance to use it. Add in some  October Afternoon and a piece of Cosmo Cricket chipboard whimsy and viola ... cuteness! Nothing like an obscure assignment looking for fruits and veggie cards to spark one's creativity. LOL!

Supplies- Cardstock: Stampin' Up; Patterned Papers and Strawberry Die Cut: October Afternoon; Chipboard: Cosmo Cricket; Stamp: Inkadinkado; Ink: Rangers and Stampin' Up; Label Die: Spellbinders; Green Marker: Close To My Heart; Thread: Miscellaneous

Technique laden, but oh so fun, with some stamping, heat embossing, a bit of watercolouring, a border punch and a touch of Glitter Glam, makes this next card a birthday treat!




Supplies Patterned Papers: Lily Bee Design; Image Stamp, Markers, Ink and Emboss Powder: Close To My Heart; Sentiment Stamps: Studio G; Emboss Ink: Tsukineko; Punch: Fiskars; Glimmer Glaze: Tattered Angels; Pen: Staedtler

Lastly to finish off the feel good fest... a Crate Paper vacation card to send you on your way.  I was inspired by our then soon-to-be adventure to Potter World in Orlando when I made this one based on a sketch for an assignment.

Supplies- Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper and Stickers: Crate Paper; Airplane Charm: 7 Gypsies; Pen:Staedtler; Ink: Close To My Heart; Date Stamp: Trodat; Foam Tape and Twine: Dollarama

And here is the Lucy Chesna sketch that I created my take off. 

My Nook friends will no doubt recognize bits and pieces from various kits in these.  While I miss getting a new kit each month filled with luscious scrappy goodies that are the latest and greatest, I have to say that I will be able to still enjoy the years of goody packages that I have received for quite sometime.  I have yet to have used up one kit in its' entirety.  Sad but true and I am sure I am not alone (other than you past DT members).  I have come close only a few times but still have pieces.   More a lack of time on my part, not ideas and then always the next lovely to come along.  Lucky for me, I still love what I have and look forward to creating with those little bits of Nookness for many moons to come.  LOL!

TTFN,

I'm coming home!



Hello Friend card created for SNR Mag office supplies/elements article.

Supplies- Patterned Papers and Stickers: Crate Paper and Simple Stories; Cardstock Card Base: Halcraft; Brad: My Mind's Eye; Paper Clips: Acco; Staples: Misc.; Marker: Sharpie

That is what it feels like.  I have been away from all things scrapbook related since my last post at the end of August before school started. Wow how I have missed it!  It would be an understatement to say it has been a challenging bunch of months.  I have literally been living to work.  I really saw no other way to get through what I needed to do.  I do know that I cannot continue like I was again, once school starts up in a little over a week from now.  I need to somehow find a balance in the final weeks of my current assignment.  You will know that I was successful if I have things to regularly post once again past the first week of January! LOL!  Wish me luck!

In the mean time, I have the next week to do some catching up.  I have projects that I still haven't shared from earlier in the year, friends' blogs to stop by, visit with the uber talented ladies over at Scraptastic (if I can remember my user name and past word... seriously.. how sad is that? So not like me but par for the course right now), new things to create and new memories to make with my family and friends. Not too tall of an order is it?

I think the hardest part of coming home is figuring out what to do first and in what order... that is the problem with being a planner and a list maker.  I need to let loose and let whimsy be my guide. So whimsy lead away...

As to not leave you with just me musings, here is a vintage layout to share with you from a Magenta 20th Anniversary Challenge.

Supplies: patterned papers, chipboard, stencil (Magenta), cardstock (CTMH), alphabet stickers (Webster's Pages),marker (Sharpie), glimmer mist (Tattered Angels), bead gel(Golden), border punch( Reflections), lace (Prima), muslin, doilie and vintage mother of pearl buttons (Misc.)

Besides oodles of fussy cutting, I used a cool stencil technique for the flowers on muslin and I hid the journaling on the tag.   It is really uncanny how genetics work through time and the resemblance there is from this turn of the century photo to a current day family member. Funny how things work!

 
TTFN,

Remember - One Word Titles

Inspiration can strike at any time.  When I saw this lone piece of Prima patterned paper on a shelf in a scrapbook store, I knew right away it was destined for this photo of my daughter and her friend.




Supplies: Patterned Paper, Doilies, Flowers, Leaves, Rub-Ons: Prima; Felt Flowers: Dollarama; Paint-a-Shade Paint and Marker: Close To My Heart; Pen: Sharpie
Appeared in the June 2012 edition of SNR Mag's One Word Title article.

The colours would compliment the photo and the one word title was a perfect fit to document their special summer sister relationship.

I used some rub-ons from my stash to create a matte and journaling area. Instead of using rub-ons, you could achieve the same effect with stamping instead.

Then I added in cluster mixes of Prima fabric, paper and crochetted flowers, doilies, and leaves. I recoloured the leaves to a shade more suited to the title and background lines using a marker and damp paper towel. I also used the CTMH Create-A-Shade Pearlized paint to paint over the crystal jewel in the felt flowers to coordinate with the centres of the Prima flowers.

I fussy cut around the beginning of the title in order to tuck in a cluster to complete the visual triangle.

It started as only one piece of patterned paper. It goes to show that you do not need multiple pieces of patterned paper or cardstock to create a memorable layout.

 TTFN,

Upcyling cards

Upcycling :verb [with object]

• reuse (discarded objects or material) in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original

We all have cards that will simply be put into the recycle bin and head for what is termed the down cycle where they are broken up and made into another product. Before you toss that card it into the bin, take a second look at it and see if there is something that you might be able to upcycle.

Supplies: Patterned Papers: Bella Blvd; Cardstock: Bazzill; Cardstock Pooh Bear and Happy sentiment: Hallmark Cards; Cardstock Letter Stickers: Lily Bee Designs
Appeared in SNR Magazine's May 2012 edition article - Inspired By Disney

Here I used an adorable Pooh Bear card and upcycled the image and some of the wording by creating a new card, using some cute Bella Blvd's Sunny Happy Skies patterned papers that coordinated well with the primary colours of the lovable little fellow.

I mean seriously, who can't use a little Pooh Bear to bring a smile to your face and brighten your day.  Truth be told I am a huge Pooh Bear fan.  Even my blog sign off... a tiggerism (tata for now)... stems from my love of all things Pooh related.

TTFN,

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,