Monday, April 15, 2013

Welcome to our April Cross Canada Blog Hop.  This month we’re featuring Home Decor projects using fabulous Close to my Heart products.  I used the amazing Claire paper pack and our 6x6 canvas to make an inspirational quote display for my office.

  • This is a circular hop so you can start here and go all the way around
  • If you came from Krista’s “Simply Creating” blog, then you are going in the right direction!
  • And if you want to follow us from coast to coast, then please start at the beginning with Michelle S.’s blog “My Creation With Michelle”.  The complete blog list is also found here if you get lost along the way.  
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My Project:  Inspirational 6x6 Canvas using Claire papers
I have been on a personal journey to lose weight and get healthy – both in my body and my mind.  I am happy to say that, with help from Weight Watchers, the support and encouragement of my family, and my own determination, I have lost 25 pounds so far and am well on my way to my goal.  And I feel GREAT!

Along my journey, I found Bob Harper.  I have always liked “The Biggest Loser” but was never a regular watcher.  As part of my weight loss, I started doing Biggest Loser exercise DVDs, including “Weight Lose Yoga”.  Bob was the instructor.  He is encouraging without being condescending, motivating without being nasty.  Since finding him, I have learned more about Bob and his philosophies.  And I found this quote that I love: "Believe in yourself.  Trust the process.  Change forever.”   It touched me in such a way that I knew I needed to build it into my environment.


Bob Harper's words keep me going and make me feel like I'm on the right track.

That’s why I chose this quote for my Home Décor project.  I wanted to create something simple and impactful.  The Claire papers were the perfect colours and the 6x6 canvas was the perfect size.  I love how the hot air balloon just adds a touch of inspiration and hope, helping me to really connect with the quote and more importantly, the message behind it.  I've placed it in my office, right next to my desk and under my calendar, so I see it every day.

Products used:
  • Claire paper pack
  • Clear Sparkles
  • Art Philosophy and Artiste cartridge
  • Cranberry pigment ink
  • Trinity Esize stamp
  • Outdoor Denim ribbon
  • Small paper flowers (not CTMH)

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What do you think of my project?  Please take the time to leave comments on this post, and other posts as you hop along.  We love to get feedback from our viewers....whether it was something that you really liked or some new technique that was used that you would like to learn how to do....by leaving us comments, we get to hear what you like, and what you want to see.

Your next stop on the Cross Canada Hop is Michelle M.’s “Twirl ‘n’ Time” blog. 

Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you to create your own projects using some of the designs and paper seen along the way. Join us again in May when we will be featuring projects on Canvas.

Thursday, April 11, 2013
It has been a sad week in our household.  Three people close to me lost someone special in their lives.  May those 3 lovely ladies rest in peace and live on in the hearts of those who loved them.

I hope that I am honouring the ones who have passed on, and the ones left behind by creating a card for them, using this week's colour combo.


For this card, I used Sunny Yellow cardstock plain.  I used Black B&T from the "For Always" paper pack.  And I used Pear cardstock with random stamped images on it.  The stamp set is "Words of Comfort" -- a beautiful and classy stamp set good for just such an occasion.  The buttons and sparkle are all CTMH and the black flower is Recollections.

I was inspired by a card I saw in the most recent "Card Creations" magazine on page 108 by Karolyn Loncon.  So simple, so pretty.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Ever wonder how you could take your layouts to the next level?  Just add some interactivity!  I love pages that I can "play" with, especially if it means I get more photos on the page too!

On May 11, I will be teaching you how to add some flips and folds, slides and spins to your layout.  Using the soft and classy Buzz and Bumble papers, we'll do a 2-page layout that has a fun spinner for journaling, a fold-out section that holds 6 4x6 photos, and a "filmstrip" that reveals a secret!


We'll also create some texture and add some fun with stamping, using the fabulous Honeycomb stamp.

Want to join us?  I'd love to have you at this workshop.  Just RSVP by Thursday, April 18 at 5pm and I'll save you a spot!

Interactive Layout Workshop
Saturday, May 11
1:30 - 4:00 pm
$25 each

Then, please stay and play at the FREE Open Crop afterwards: 5pm until midnight!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013
What's better than using Close to my Heart's amazing Stamp of the Month?  Using it multiple times to create a great-looking card!

This week's Tip is actually a Technique: Motion Stamping.  And it really is as easy as 1-2-3.

STEP ONE:
Choose your stamp.  I used the Hot Air Balloon from the "My Sunshine" April Stamp of the Month.  Ink it up really well -- I used Outdoor Denim.  Stamp it once.



STEP TWO:
Do NOT re-ink.  Stamp again, slightly off-setting the image from the original.  This is called Second Generation stamping.


STEP THREE:
Do NOT re-ink.  Stamp a third time, again, slightly off-set from the second image.  Keep repeating until you have created the motion you like, or until you run out of ink on your stamp.



Here are 2 cards, using this technique and the balloon from "My Sunshine".
Believe in Yourself -- Sky cardstock and Chantilly B&T, Outdoor Denim and Sunset ink, clear sparkles.
Enjoy - Sky cardstock and Clementine B&T, Sunset and Saddle ink, Blue buttons.

Feeling like your project can use some motion?  Go ahead and try this technique for yourself.

Thursday, April 4, 2013
One of my favourite things to do is play with different Close to my Heart colour combinations.  So I'd like to challenge you each week to try some of the combos I've come up with.

THIS WEEK'S COLOUR COMBO: Outdoor Denim, Sunset and Cashmere


I'm really pleased with how this card turned out.  The striping of the 3 colours is strong and simple, but the stamped detailing in Outdoor Denim ink with the "In the Background" stamp set adds some pizzazz.  And I just love the Pun Fun stamp sets -- this one is from the Puns of Praise set.  I accented the card with some Outdoor Denim ribbon and Antiqued Gold buttons.  This card would be great for anyone you think is special.

So go ahead -- give this Colour Combo a try and see what you come up with.  And please come back next week for a new combo and creative inspiration.



Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Whether you're prepping for a weekend scrapbooking retreat, or just trying to make the most of your scrapbooking time at home, organizing is helpful ... and it's easy!
 


Where to start?  PHOTOS!
I start with my big box of photographs (usually after a sale on prints from Costco) and my layout folders OR XL zipper bags.  I get my zipper bags from Dollarama and they are 13 inches by 15.6" (33 cm x 39.6 cm) and you get 6 bags for $1.25.

Then I sit down and sort my photos by themes or the layouts I want to do.  I try not to worry about how many photos are set aside for each layout -- I just get them sorted.  Then I put the photos in the zipper bags -- one bag per theme or layout.

Don't forget the MEMORABILIA!
Next, I go hunting for and pull out any memorabilia I've saved from trips and events.  If you're like me, memorabilia is stuff I usually save, then put in a so-called "safe" place, only to forget where that safe place is.  Don't worry -- I usually find it ... AFTER my layout is done.  So I've started keeping a box with just memorabilia in it (a safe place I can find) and remembering to pull out the ticket stubs, brochures, admittance bracelets, postcards and more when I organize my layouts.

Once you've found your stuff, put them in the zipper bags with the corresponding photos.

PAPER is next.
Once I have the photos and memorabilia organized, I go through and pull out the paper I want to use for that layout.  Sometimes I have a specific Close to my Heart paper pack purchased just for that layout.  Other times, I pull out my bin of paper and just see what works.  I don't always know what will work best, or what will inspire me more, so I may pull out more than 1 option.  Then I select cardstock to match.  Don't forget neutral cardstock for your layout bases!  Put all your paper into your bag with your photos.


Bring on the BLING baby!
The next thing to add to your zipper bags is embellishments!  Again, sometimes these have been specifically purchased, like soccer ball brads or Las Vegas stickers, or sometimes they are just what works, like sparkles or cork lettering.  I also pull out any MyAcrylix™ stamps I want to use.  The more you can pull together, the better chance you'll USE what you HAVE in your stash.


Choose your LAYOUT!
Last, I will go through my Close to my Heart how-to books, like Cherish or Make It from your Heart, or scrapbooking magazines and select layouts that I like.  I will either write down the layout name and page number, or, in the case of magazines, even pull the page right out.  Pop it goes into the zipper bag too.

Now, take a look at what I have in my zipper bag: 
  • Photos
  • Memorabilia
  • Paper and cardstock
  • Embellishments
  • Layout ideas
All I need to do now is pack my zipper bags in a bucket, grab my tools and I am ready to scrap.

This process may take you a few afternoons or evenings, but many of the steps can be done in front of the TV.  And when you’re ready to be creative, your layouts are ready for you.  It takes a lot of the thinking out of the equation and lets you focus on the creativity.  For many of us, this thinking or planning is a roadblock to our precious scrapbooking time, so by planning ahead, you make the most of your opportunities.

And if you’re traveling to a crop or a retreat, it helps you to pack lighter, so you don’t have to take ALL your paper, ALL your embellishments, and ALL of your stuff.

I recently created over 40 layout kits, ready for my weekends away this April.  I am looking forward to some very productive and creative scrap time!

 
Give it a try!  Just put together 5 layout kits and see how much easier it is to scrapbook, either at home or away.

Friday, February 15, 2013
Welcome to our February Blog Hop featuring a 2 page layout. This is the first Blog Hop for us where we have featured just scrapbook layouts. We hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we love to get feedback from our viewers....whether it was something that you really liked or some new technique that was used that you would like to learn how to do....by leaving us comments, we get to hear what you like, and what you want to see. Thank you… now on to our hop! 

  • If you came from Krista's "Simply Creating" blog, then you are in the right place! 
  • If you have just hopped onto my blog, you can start here as this is a circular hop.
  • If you want to follow us across Canada then please start at the beginning and join Michelle at "My Creations with Michelle" on the East Coast.

Here is my Surf's Up Layout:



Supplies used:
  • NEW Surf's Up paper pack
  • Lagoon ribbon from Chantilly Card WOTG
  • White Daisy and Lagoon cardstock
  • Antiqued Copper brads
  • NEW Epoxy Bubbles - green
  • Liquid Glass
  • Cricut Cartridges: Boys Will Be Boys (water gun) and CTMH Art Philosophy (letters, flourish)
  • Cherish how-to book: "Designer's Eye" page 70
I love using Liquid Glass, especially to embellish water photos.  Here I used Liquid Glass to emphasize the streams of water coming from the kids' water guns.  I did this throughout the layout.

I'm really happy with how this layout turned out and captured the fun and energy of the day.


NEXT STOP:
Your next stop on the Cross Canada Hop is Brae's "The Brae-er" blog.

If you get lost along the way, go to Michelle's "My Creations with Michelle"  blog for the complete hop list.

Thanks for hopping along with us. Join us again in March when we will be featuring our new 5x7 Hinged Display Tray.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Welcome to the first Blog Hop of 2013. Our January Hop is featuring a “Consultants Choice”, so each consultant has a unique project to share with you. I hope that you will take the time to leave comments on our posts, as we love to get feedback from our viewers....whether it was something that you really liked or some new technique that was used that you would like to learn how to do....by leaving us comments, we get to hear what you like, and what you want to see. Thank you.

If you have just hopped onto my blog, you can start here as this is a circular hop, but if you want to follow us across Canada then please start at the beginning with Michelle S. If you came from Cheryl's blog, then you are in the right place!

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My Consultant's Choice:  La Belle Vie layouts
These layouts started as a challenge from one of my club girls.  She really wanted to do "La Belle Vie", but wanted to do layouts with more layering and a few more techniques than the usual WOTG, plus she wanted to use the "Instant Memories" stamp set.  She showed me a Studio J layout featured in the Fall/Winter Idea Book on page 37.

So here's what I came up with:


This layout uses La Belle Vie paper and the Instant Memories stamp set.  There is lots of layering, and I upped the ante with a 4x6 flip flap on the left-hand page.

I used the spray pen with Blush re-inker and Create-a-Shade paint to add a splash of colour and complement the stamp set.


I also dyed some of the Flutter shapes butterflies with Blush ink too, and embellished with Opaques cream pearls.



Now, I just have to find the right photos for this beautiful layout.

The second layout also has lots of layering.  It's based on "Pattern 6" in the "Make It from Your Heart" book (page 16).  Here it is:


One of my favourite techniques is taking 2-3 stamps and stamping a diagonal line across the base pages.  It add lots of texture and dimension.

I also added in a second stamp set for this layout - "Sweet Moments".  It's featured here in the top corner.


I further embellished with liquid glass, using another favourite technique.  I treated the liquid glass almost like a stamp and randomly placed drops amongst the stamped image for extra shine.



This was a great challenge and I'm so pleased with how they turned out.  And so are my club ladies!

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Your next stop on the Cross Canada Hop is Michelle M's "Twirl in Time" blog.

If you get lost along the way, you can head to Michelle S Blog, as she has the complete blog list.

Thanks for hopping along with us - we hope we were able to inspire you to create your own projects using some of the designs and paper seen along the way.   Some of these papers may only be available until January 31st, so please contact me at justscrapit@sympatico.ca or shop online to get yours before they're gone!


Join us again in February when we will be featuring a 2 page layout using gorgeous new papers from the 2013 Spring/Summer Idea Book.

Thursday, December 6, 2012
Today, I celebrated the highlight of our Christmas season this year: our son's community stage debut in A Christmas Carol.  This was a very big deal for Sam and we were so proud of his performance and his attitude throughout the whole run.  He was dedicated and responsible, getting his schoolwork done before rehearsals, and dealing fairly well with late nights and not a lot of sleep.


The play was a "drama with music", so I used the line from "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" as the title.  And the Pear & Partridge paper pack has just the right feel for the Victorian times.  Then I spiced it up with P&P rub-ons, shimmering brads and CTMH ribbon.

A special thanks to Raph Nogal (www.raphnogal.com) for the amazing photography, taken during the dress rehearsal.  Here's a close-up of my favourite shot:


Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I was 12 years old when Bob Geldof made his ground-shattering, heartfelt appeal to one and all to help those victims of the Ethiopian famine.  His example of using his passion -- music -- to help others is one that touched me at a very fundamental level, and it's an example that I try to follow to this day.  I'm proud that I'm passing that lesson on to my kids too.

Bob did something that no one thought was possible -- he got a whole bunch of STARS together in the same room, at the same time, and got them to perform FOR FREE.  He got them to perform to help people half way around the world.

Back in 1984, my Dad bought my sister and I a video tape (yes, video tape -- VHS) of the "making of" documentary behind the revolutionary song.  We watched it over and over and over, pausing when our favourite stars (George Michael and Simon Le Bon) were on screen.  Maybe at the time, the message didn't quite sink in ... but I still remember almost every scene.  I still own that video tape and I still play it every Christmas.

Whenever I hear the song, I close my eyes and picture each singer singing the phrase or two they were assigned to sing.  When Bono cries out "Well tonight thank God it's them, instead of you", tears come to my eyes.

Because I DO thank God it's not me, it's not my family.  We are so very blessed and so very lucky.

So go and take a trip back to 1984.  And thank God it's not YOUR family that's suffering this Christmas.  Think about giving, even in some small way, to someone in need.  Just because you can.

Do They Know It's Christmas video on Youtube: 

Tuesday, December 4, 2012
I love Christmas music.  As a child, I was a regular member of school choirs and for many years, I was also in the Mississauga Youth Choir.  And even though we didn't sing many kids' favourites like Frosty the Snowman or Jingle Bells, being in choir taught me many more Christmas songs to love.  My very favourite is Carol of the Bells.  I remember singing the soprano parts one year, then singing the alto parts the next year.  I still get misty whenever I hear that song and try to sing along.

Today, I listened to a lot of Christmas music.  Charlie and I sang Christmas Carols on our walk to school this morning.  Then, I left the radio on the station that is playing carols 24-7 at this time of year.  It was lovely and really put me in the Christmas mood.

How can you go wrong with a Christmas song in your heart?

One of my most favourite parts of Christmas is my tree.  It's 10' tall ... and it needs to be to hold all of the ornaments we've collected over the years.  My hubby hates it ... well, hates putting it up and taking it down, and hates the space it takes up in our smallish living room.  Every year, he tells me that next year, we're getting a smaller tree.  So far, we haven't yet.

So as I said, I love my Christmas tree. And when things get crazy, I like to sit in the dark with just the tree lights on and enjoy the quiet.  Things have been REALLY crazy lately, so last night was a perfect night to enjoy my lights.  There are no ornaments on the tree yet, but the lights really worked to soothe and calm me, and make me grateful for all the blessings that I have in my life.


Sunday, December 2, 2012
As you know, I'm a big supporter of SickKids Hospital and am a proud member of the Kards for Kids HSC Smiley Team.  I feel so good about using my creativity and passion to give back.  When I was in advertising, SickKids was one of my main clients -- one that meant so much because we really were saving babies with our work!  So donating cards to make a sick child smile just continues that connection and important work for me.  And I am so very proud that my son Charlie enjoys making cards for SickKids too. 

DECEMBER DAY 2: Making holiday cards for SickKids
So this afternoon, Charlie made a card (he was pretty pooped from a sleepover last night but still wanted to be creative!) and we tied it into a school project he is working on.  He has a "buddy" from school called Nobody.  Nobody is a denim blue, characterless stuffed doll who will spend a week with each child in Charlie's class.  The child has to do something special with Nobody that helps other people, animals or the environment.  So Charlie chose to make cards for SickKids with Nobody.

Here are some pics of Charlie and Nobody making an adorable card.

Charlie and Nobody colouring a stamped image

Nobody making sure Charlie puts the glue on properly.

Nobody, Charlie and their finished card.
I hope we will have time tomorrow to make some more cards before we take them to Anabela for delivery to SickKids on December. 16.  And we're going to check with Charlie's teacher to see if we can bring in supplies for the whole class to make a card for SickKids.  Charlie has to present his activity with Nobody to the class and this would be a great time for all the kids to get involved.

If you would like to make some cards to donate to SickKids, PLEASE DO!  They can be any size, shape or colour.  If you use snowmen, you'll be entered to win some special prizes.  Please put your name on the back of the cards you make.  Then call me and I'll come pick them up from you.  PLEASE NO BULKY EMBELLISHMENTS like brads or buttons as they are choking hazards.  The simpler the cards, the better.

Saturday, December 1, 2012
This year, I want to do something special to celebrate the Days of December leading up to Christmas.  I have lots of fun things planned, alone and with my family.  And I'm going to share it all with you hear.  Then doing a scrapbook layout when it's all done.

December Day 1: Christmas Show to End Breast Cancer

Today, I'm participating in the Christmas Show to End Breast Cancer in Oshawa.  What an amazing cause.  And I'm doing it in honour of my grandmother, who passed away from Breast Cancer before I had a chance to know her, and in honour of my mother, sister and all the special women in my life -- may they NEVER have to battle this horrible disease.

I'm in charge of the make 'n' take and I'm really happy with how it turned out.  But you'll have to come out to the show to see what it is!  Here are the details:

Christmas Show to End Breast Cancer
Saturday, December 1
12 noon until 4 pm
$2 entrance fee
1500 Coldstream Road, Oshawa
Near the Oshawa Cineplex

And here's a sneak peek of some of the things I'll have on hand ...



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COPYRIGHT

If you are inspired and would like to scraplift any of my work for your PERSONAL use, go ahead. We can all learn from each other. However, if you post somewhere, please give credit where it is due. Please DO NOT use or copy my ideas for contests, publication or selling purposes. All images are protected under Canadian Copyright.

For CTMH products, including but not limited to papers, stamps and inks, are Designs Copyright CMTH Co.