The challenge over at Cupcake Craft was to use things with text on it -- newsprint, books, etc.  I chose to use this adorable paper (by Bo Bunny, I think) with letters to Santa.  Perfect for this time of year.  I loved this challenge because it's hard to design a card without covering up the text that you want to be your focal point.  I also had lots of fun because my little 6-year-old Charlie joined me in the card-making and it was special time for us.  :)

Charlie's text inspired card!

The Hospital for Sick Children is a phenomenal place.  It's a place where hope stays alive, even for the sickest of children.  I have been so fortunate that neither of my children have had to go to SickKids for any serious illness, but in my life as an advertising copywriter, I did work for this client and learned so much about the important work they do.

Did you know that some children don't get to go home for the holidays?  SickKids makes sure that Christmas, or whatever holiday you celebrate, is special for these kids and their families.  And my friend Anabela is one of their elves.  At Christmas and all the year through, Anabela takes cards to SickKids, so that they can give a little happiness.

Anabela's doing another card drive and making a delivery on December 15.  Charlie and I have already started making cards for her to take.

Charlie colouring in stamped images to turn into cards.

Some of our cards, and the goodies we're using to make them.

It would so brighten their day.  The cards don't have to be fancy or covered in embellishments.  Sometimes the simplest cards give the biggest smiles!  Dig in your stash and see if you have any extras that are just sitting, collecting dust or maybe even getting crumpled.  Then mail them to me by December 10 (email me at justscrapit@sympatico.ca or leave a comment here and I'll send you my snail mail address).  I will make sure they get to Anabela to take to the kids.

Click here to check out Anabela's blog.  Become a follower and get updates on when she has her card drives.  Plus you'll get to see some of her lovely artwork too.

I created this special fall card for the Heart 2 Heart challenge.  It reintroduced me to one of my fave fall colours - Autumn Terracotta (also CTMH's VP of Marketing Kristine Widtfelt's fave colour!).  It also let me play around with the Trees and Things stamp set.  I had lots of fun experimenting with second generation and tissue stamping.  Take a look!

(Other colours used, as per the challenge:  Juniper and Bamboo.  All products CTMH.)

This year, I'm making a special gift for 2 of my nieces -- pennant banners with their names.  I've covered all the pennant shapes and now I'm staring to bring them to life.  Mojo Monday's sketch inspired the "T" pennant of Teagan's banner.  I plan to use the sketch in various orientations for most of the pennants.

Here is the T!


Teagan is only two years old so I wanted something that fit in her pink, blue and brown bedroom now, but not make it too babyish so she could keep it for a long time.  I love the paper from 3 Bugs in a Rug April Showers line, and the sketch helped me give it a "look" without being overly complicated.  The little CTMH pearls give it a nice, sophisticated touch. 

Honestly, I'm a paper, glue and scissors kind of gal.  Give me my ribbon, glitter, Cricut diecuts, brads, and more any day of the week and I'm in heaven.  I've been resisting the digital world because I spend most of the day on a computer and really didn't want to take my hobby (and passion) there too.

But as a CTMH consultant, I needed to give Studio J, our exclusive online digital scrapbooking system a whirl.  And over the year or so (or more!) since this has been available, I've tried it.  It was good but it didn't capture my heart.  UNTIL NOW!

A couple of weeks ago, after organizing all my albums (see my previous post), I came face to face with how much I still have to do to get "caught up".  So I uploaded a bunch of pics to Studio J to give it another try.  AND I BECAME ADDICTED!  I was getting layouts done in record time but they don't LOOK like they've been done quickly.  I added brads and buttons and ribbon (virtually, of course) and was able to be just as creative as with my paper layouts.  And I loved how I could move my photos around from big photos wells to small photo wells and back again without having to get the photos reprinted.  I did almost 30 layouts in the span of a week.  It was awesome!

Here are just 3 of the layouts that I did:

 See how I could add journalling right on top of the photos?  Love that!

Anyways, I still have a long way to go to get caught up.  And for me, I still love my hands-on scrapbooking -- it's still my first love and passion.  But Studio J has given me a different way to express myself and it made me think differently.  Which got my creative juices flowing.

Here's another fun Cricut-cut Halloween treat!  It's a cute little Rocket holder made from the "fry box" template, and stamps from the Mischief WOTG.

From the front, full of Rockets

From the front -- see the Random Stamping inside?

From the back, it's a tombstone with a skull perched on top.

Boo! Out comes a ghost.

A spooky message turns the backside of the ghost into a message.

And here's the secret:  attach 2 fry boxes together to create a pocket that the ghost can pop out from!

Just wanted to share these adorable Frankenstein bags I created.  Each piece was cut using the exclusive CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge.  So cute and so easy.  They were inspired by a card I saw on Tina Crocker's blog and thought they'd make great bags too.  Now to figure out how to do something similar for Christmas!

Everyone has their favourite things to scrap with.  You know, those things you take to every crop, every retreat, every class.  Those things you always stock up on and keep on hand.  And you're pretty much guaranteed to use them, no matter what.

Here is a list of my 10 favourite scrap things and why.  Maybe they are your favourites too and we can compare notes on new ways to use them. Or maybe this list will inspire you to try something new ... and maybe gain a new favourite for yourself.

1.  CTMH 4x6 Flip Flaps:  oh, how I love these.  While I love the look of nice, clean, simple layouts with lots of negative space and "air", that's just not my reality.  I have so many pictures to scrap, and Flip Flaps help me "git 'er done".  I can layer on 2, 4, even 6 extra photos in the space of 1.  I definitely could not have done my first Disney album (actually 2 albums) without them.

2.  Ribbon:  Any ribbon will do, but I love, love, love organdy.  And Stampin' Up's grosgrain ribbon comes in so many gorgeous colours.  Even though I have boys, I simply cannot do without ribbon.  My name is Sheri and I'm a ribbon-aholic.

Yes, I have a lot of ribbon.  A LOT!

3.  Basic metal brads:  bronze, pewter, silver, gold.  Well, gold not so much, but the others are common fixtures on my pages.  They add a little extra zing and can even be embossed to change their colour to match my needs.

4.  Liquid Glass:  good for EVERYTHING.  I've used it on photos and on embellishments.  I've used it to create a water look or to adhere prisma glitter.  I've covered chipboard letters and dotted it on Just Blooms flowers.  I've attached clear plastic shapes and finicky buttons.  And just now, I used it to fix my son's thermos.  What is there NOT to love about Liquid Glass.

5.  Plastic canvas:  I have a 1" wide strip that I carry with me in my tool kit.  I use it to space out embellishments and keep them straight and even.  I also have a plastic canvas circle for aligning embellishments "on the round".  This tool is just so hand and only cost me pennies.

6.  Work in Progress Album: I talked about this in a previous post.  It's a binder-type album that I can carry with me wherever I go.  It helps me keep my pages in order (since I don't scrap in order) and it keeps them protected when I travel with my pages.

7.  Inkssentials White opaque pen:  this is the best white pen I've found, and believe me, I've tried many.  It's not perfect, but when it works, it works amazingly.  Great for journalling on dark papers.

8.  Post-it Notes:  A staple in my tool box.  Handy for masking when you're stamping.  Great for writing notes on or doing rough copies of your journalling.  And ideal for writing yourself notes if you have to remember to look up a date or add an embellishment you forgot at home.

9. Glitz Glitter Gel:  I've been having so much fun adding glitter to my pages and cards.  I especially love the red at this time of year -- I've made so many "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeers" lately!  CTMH only has 4 colours -- so not as many as the Stickles line -- but the basics are covered and I've been able to use them with so many different paper themes.  It comes out clean, dries well and there's so much less mess than my old favourite prisma glitter.

10.  Bath & Body Works Mini Antibacterial hand sanitizer:  these are last, but certainly not least.  I carry one with me everywhere.  They smell soooooo good and are great at getting sticky leftover adhesive or messy ink off your fingers.  Perfect when you're at a crop or retreat and it's time to leave your project for a snack or a meal.  Keeps you clean without having to make a sometimes lengthy trip to the ladies' room.

So there you have it.  My top 10 must haves or toolbox basics.  My favourite things.  Do you agree with my favourites?  What are are your faves?

Last week, I organized my albums and got caught up on putting my layouts away.  This week, I sorted, organized and planned more layouts to do.  I have 3 crops in the next 3 weeks, so by getting my stuff together, I hope to get a lot accomplished.

Everyone has a different system for getting ready for a crop.  I start by sorting my photos and finding a layout that inspires me and fits those photos.  These layouts can come from magazines, website sketches, challenge blogs, or how-to books like CTMH's Cherish, Imagine and Magic.  I write down the reference info for the layout I want to use on a slip of paper.

Then I choose the papers I want to use.  I always add extra, including White Daisy or Colonial White as background or support paper.

Then I sort through my collection of embellishments and pull out those goodies that go with the layout.  This also includes the stamps I want to use.

Here's what my supplies could look like:


Then I bundle it all together.  I have special folders that I use, but you can also use 12x12 ziploc baggies that your CTMH papers used to come in, or that you can get at Zellers.

I know I'm only supposed to recognize 5 blogs for the Liebster Award but here's one more you shouldn't miss!  Adair's "Married into Madness" blog is simply hysterical.  She makes me laugh with her stories about her family.  Check her out!

Thank you, thank you Karen for giving me this special award.  Karen's works is simply stunning, so I'm especially honoured to be chosen by her.  Check out her artwork for yourself!

And now it's my turn to pass on the award to 5 other talented people (with fewer than 200 followers).  So here we go:

Tina Crocker: a card-maker extraordinnaire, Tina's cards are cute and detailed and inspiring!

Melanie Logan: I've admired her work for as long as I've known her.  She creates some gorgeous layouts.

Alanna Moses: We've never met but I love the work that she does.  Her cards are simple and clean and stunning.

Jenn Joncas: a great gal I've "virtually met" thru the CTMH network but never met in person.  She does some beautiful work and we share a love of House Mouse stamps. 

And last, but definitely not least:
Kim Mathers:  not a scrapbooker but a fellow writer.  And what a sense of humour she has!  Check out her Loathe Letters and have a great laugh.

Ladies, to accept this award, please:
1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
5. And most of all, have fun!

Thanks again, Karen, for recognizing my blog.  Happy blog hopping everyone!

I like to be organized.  And I'm known in my family for my organizational skills (or anal retentiveness, depends on who you talk too!).  Being organized gives me a sense of peace and definitely reduces stress.  But since starting to work from home, I have not been as organized or as methodical as I would normally like.  I'm trying to change that this month.  I promise you.  And I promise myself!

So last week, when I was feeling particularly overwhelmed with what was on my plate, I took on the monster task of organizing and loading my scrapbook albums with the HUGE pile of completed layouts waiting for just such a day.  And it did take ALL DAY.  But boy, was it worth it!

Here are my nicely organized and labelled albums:


And here is my Close to my Heart Work In Progress album.  It's got the L/Os from 2010 and 2011 (I'm still catching up!) because I don't have enough albums yet.


I love it because it's got the binder clips that lets me put L/Os in and take them out so easily.  So I can do the pages as I feel like it (I'm not a chronological scrapper) and get them ready for the albums even before the album is ready.  It gives great protection for my completed work when I'm away at a crop or retreat.

In the process of organizing, I found out I had two sets of duplicates.  I have 2 layouts using the same Halloween pictures in 2008.  And I did 2 layouts of my niece Alexandra in her Snow White costume with the Snow White doll we gave her.  I had searched HIGH and LOW for those pictures after I printed them, only to go and print them again.  I had completely forgotten that I had scrapped them already.  But I love both layouts!



I also rediscovered some of my favourite moments and favourite layouts.  Here are 3 of them:

My Cute Charlie

Sam and his Big Catch

The boys at Dad's Barber Shop

It was a lot of hard work and I hope to not let it get to this point again where I have so many pages NOT in albums.  But it was so worth it.  And I loved looking at all the precious work I've done over the years.

So I'm organized now.  Well, my albums are organized.  Next step, organize my time.  ;)

Just a fun card using some of my new faves: Garden Gnome stamp set (so cute!!!), cork alpha stickers and kraft cards.  Happy birthday to my friend, and thanks for the reason to create this cute card.


See how I left the "4" natural, with just a little ink on the edges?  See the peek-a-boo butterfuly?  I love this card.

Hooray!  The kids are back in school and quite frankly, they're happy.  They were glad to see their friends and even though they don't really know it, they like routine.

And that means more time for me.  I have my fledgling freelance writing career to focus on, plus my Close to my Heart business -- my passion.  Oh, and laundry, groceries and all of the household responsibilities I've taken on.  But I have also promised to find time for me -- for creating, for relaxing, for me.  Even if it's just an hour here and there.  It's important.  It's one of the perks of working from home.  So I'm going to make sure it happens.

But I think before I create even one more scrapbook page, I need to get my albums in order.  CTMH has some gorgeous faux leather books -- so soft and supple -- and I need to fill them.  I have TONS of completed pages that may just need a date added or a tiny bit of journaling, plus inserting into the album.


See?  I have a HUGE stack of completed pages to organize and take care.

Ding dong!

It's the Canpar guy.  My new goodies just arrived.  Two big boxes of new goodies. (Insert squeal of glee!) Uh oh.  I think my albums might have to wait until tomorrow.  But either way, it's me time.  :)

I just had a fabulous workshop using CTMH's Kraft Borders.  Thanks so much to Alyson Mayo for her inspiration at Toronto Regionals.  Here are the cards we did at the workshop:

Tear Bears are so cute with their round, soft faces.  And so super easy to make.  All you need is some paper, your fingers and some imagination (oh, and some glue too!).  I especially love to make tear bears that peek over the edges of corners and tops of pages.  Love love love.

And Tear Bears are the stars of my first Kids Klub workshop on Saturday, June 25 at 1:30pm -- where kids get to make a bookmark, teabag wallet, treat bag topper (with treats) and a hanging pennant for their teacher or some other special person.  They'll be learning the tearing technique, as well as some random stamping.  Here's a sample of what they'll be making:


Register your kids in the workshop for only $15 and you'll make a great, affordable gift just in time for the end of the school year.  Everyone will be able to customize the colours and stamps they use so each will be very personal and a little bit different.  Recommended for kids 8 and up -- moms also welcome.

Register today by emailing me at justscrapit@sympatico.ca

Another great sketch over at the Sweet Stop -- so inspiring that I did two cards using it!  First, a set of thank you cards for my scrap club (you gals rock!) and a second, slightly simplified version for a set of cards as a gift.  I used the CTMH Mayberry paper pack for both sets, plus the Mayberry stamp set on the first card, and a Suzie Soo stamp on the second.

Here's the first card, that follows the sketch.  Added some faux stitching and an Opaques pearl for a classy but homey look.

Doing the Heart 2 Heart Challenge after some time away.  Here are some little thank you cards that I made using the Sophia papers and Cotton Candy cardstock, and the "A Little Thanks" stamp set.  I really like using paper to make faux pleated ribbon - CUTE!  I want to make some more using Fanfare -- stay tuned!

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t all that interested in digital scrapbooking when we were first introduced to Studio J. I sit in front of a computer all day, and when it comes to scrapbooking, my passion is as much in the hands-on activity of it as in the final product. I love the glue, the glitter, the art of it all.

But let me tell you, once I tried it, I became a believer. It’s fast and it’s beautiful. You can be just as creative, with less mess! You can scrap outside in the backyard or at the cottage (as long as you have an internet connection). And you can change the size of your photo – bigger, smaller, bigger again – without getting … and paying for … multiple prints.  If you've never tried digital scrapbooking before, I encourage you to give it a go -- playing is FREE!

BONUS! Right now, for the month of June, you can get a FREE JPEG file of one of your Studio J layouts. Normally, this is only a feature of our Studio J memberships. Take advantage of this special offer and you can share your layout with as many people as you want by posting on your family blog or sending it by email. There’s no minimum purchase! The hardest part will be choosing which one!

Need some help to get started? Come out to my FREE Studio J class on Friday, June 24 at 7pm. Bring your laptop with some digital photos and we’ll walk through the steps together. Just email me at justscrapit@sympatico.ca to reserve your spot.

Or watch this great video and see just how easy it is.

I am still recovering ... in a good way ... from our latest weekend in Mansfield.  What a spectacular bunch of ladies we had, sharing ideas, stories and Cricut cartridges!  Yes, those Cricuts were a-hummin' all weekend long.  It's so nice to get away and do what I love to do -- scrapbook!  And do it with 19 other gals who love it too. 

I was so impressed and inspired by the artwork I saw.  And of course, I was happy to complete 10 layouts myself.

But the very best part was simply the positivity, the friendship, the shared experience of it all.

The next 48 Hour Scrapathon is in September?  Are you in?

It's really quite easy to take a sketch for a rectangle card and turn it "ROUND".  Come out for a fun workshop where we'll make 12 round cards (2 each of 6 designs) for any occasion.  Using some great stamps like "Circle Together" (one of my new faves) and a great spring-inspired colour combo, this workshop will have you spinning with excitement.


Email me at justscrapit@sympatico.ca to reserve your spot today!  $30 per person