Celebrate card

Here's another card I did using my new Fiskars Threading water punch. For this card I layered the scallops and quite like the look. I found it easier to create the scallops on a larger scrap of paper and then cut it into a strip for layering.

The papers here are from K and Co. and My Mind's Eye. I used some Cherry Arte rub on stitches and finished it off with a sentiment stamp from the Kim Hughes' Scripty Words set from Cornish Heritage Farms.

Some more Kaiser Craft paper

I'm just finishing up with some scraps of the wonderful Kaiser Craft paper I received a while back from my guest designer month at Scrapper's Haven. Here's a simple card I made.

I used my new Fiskar's Threading Water punch to make the scalloped border (out of some Basic Grey Lily kate scraps). Then I added some Prima flowers, buttons and a nice sparkly embellishment that I received as part of a homemade embellishment exchange from Scraphoria. The sentiment is a Making Memories rubon.

Lake Louise layout

I've always wanted to try a round layout and I finished this layout that was based on a layout provided in a scraplift challenge at Scraphoria.

All of the papers, rubons and ribbon are from the Chelsea's Place collection by Making Memories. The velvet title letters and mini letters are also all by Making Memories.

Don't you just love my mom's groovy 70s vibe LOL??

Good Luck Card

This is another card I created for Valerie Salmon's Got Sketch blog last week.

The papers are all Rusty Pickle Lucky line. I added some Stickles to bling it up, some Prima flowers, ribbon and buttons. The stamps are from Studio G's.

Another Archaic birthday card

Since I still had some scraps of Basic Grey's Archaic line on my desk I decided to make another birthday card to add to my stash of boy/men cards. For this card I hand cut some dinosaurs and a palm tree to use on the card front.

Supplies:

Papers: Basic Grey Archaic, K and Co.

Stamps: Kim Hughes' Tag You're It sentiment from Cornish Heritage Farms, BG Archaic stamps

Buttons, ribbon

Do the best you can with the time you're given

For this card I used the Cornish Heritage Farms Tiled Scallops backgrounder stamp on the teal paper. I distressed all the edges of the patterned cardstock by sanding and added some flowers and lace to complete the card.

I stamped some clocks from the Time to Stamp set from CHF on transparencies and added them to the corner of the cards.

Finally, I stamped the sentiment on a tag and attached to the card.

Supplies: Stamps all from Cornish Heritage Farms, Papers Joann's, Prima flowers, lace, ribbon, buttons.

Product Spotlight: Cornish Heritage Farms Stamps

I'm not sure if you've noticed in my posts, but I've been using a lot of Cornish Heritage Farms (aka CHF) these days in my card making and a little bit in my scrapbooking designs.
The quality of these stamps are just awesome. Although they are red rubber (as opposed to clear like a lot of scrappers are used to) they come all ready backed with EZ mount and are ready to use with your acrylic blocks. You just have to cut them out and peel off the wax paper and voila...ready to go. The designs range from modern grungy to cartoon-y whimsical.

My two most used lines (and favourite) from CHF are the Kim Hughes stamps and stamps from the Rummage Bin collection.

I also recently learned how to use their backgrounder stamps. As a scrapper turned stamper I really had no idea what to use these for but they are just AWESOME! The CHF backgrounders are big enough to cover an entire standard invitation sized card and I learned so many cool techniques recently on the CHF web site. You can stamp with these backgrounders on your patterned paper for a really different look. These are BIG stamps and well worth the money compared to other background stamps I've seen.

This is a card I made using CHF stamps. I used the Dots and Circles backgrounder stamp on top of some patterned paper from my scrap pile. I only partially inked the stamp (e.g. not the whole thing) to give more interest to my design. The sentiment is a former stamp of the month from the Rummage Bin collection. I added a distressed Cuttlebug Butterfly to finish off my card.

Be sure to check out CHF stamps sometime if you haven't already.......just be sure to have that credit card ready.

Oh and for all my Canadian girls.....I've ordered several times directly from their web site. The service is fairly quick (although my first order took 3 and a half weeks to make it through customs). Your order is usually mailed out the next day and comes by USPS. I haven't got dinged with duty/taxes YET (knock on wood).

Junior man on campus

This is a simple layout I did based on a sketch from May NSD crop at Scraphoria.

All of the supplies are from an OLD monthly kit. The papers are WRMK. The letters are American Crafts and Scenic Route. The mini letters are Making Memories.

Dressing up a plain 'ole brown bag

This is the first altered bag I've created and it certainly won't be my last. What a wonderful way to customize a gift and you could even make a matching card.

For this bag I created a transparent window as the focal point. I took a Heidi Swapp mask and attached it to a transparency then painted with green paint.

I cut the center out of the brown bag and attached the transparency over the hole.

I then covered the rest of the bag with some bold patterned paper from Tinkering Ink and finished it off with a big bright flower.

Domo arigato Mr Roboto

Valerie Salmon asked me to create a card for this week's Got Sketch blog entry and this is what I came up with. I don't do masculine cards very often so I challenged myself to come up with something a little out of my comfort zone. It's visually "busy" but overall I think it would be a fun birthday card for any boy or maybe even man (I know my DH would get a kick out of it).

Supplies: Cosmo Cricket papers, Stickles to outline, Bam Pop Robot stamp, Inque Boutique sentiment stamp.

Sheetload of Cards June sneak peek!

June's issue of Sheetload of Cards designs feature dollar stamps (or for us Canadians the $1.50 stamps----don't get me started on that difference in price LOL!). You know, those stamps we stock pile but probably don't use that often.

Be sure to stop by on June 1st to download the next issue and let's get using those $1/$1.50 stamps!

Bloom with Abandon Card

This is one of my favourite cards I've recently created out of the scraps of the War Bride layout I posted a while ago.

I took a Cornish Heritage Farms backgrounder stamp (Sophicated Swirls) and partially inked it and stamped it onto the teal paper.

Then I stamped the Bloom with Abandon sentiment (also from Cornish Heritage Farms) at the bottom.

I got some really beautiful new Prima flowers that were just perfect with these papers so I added them on top of some Doodlebug paper frill/ribbon.

A few more minis

Here's a few more mini cards I made from the junk on my desk.

These cute cards are such a great way to use up all those little bits lying around.....you should try some!

Supplies:

Papers: Basic Grey

Rubons: Making Memories

Other: Doodlebug paper frills, buttons, rhinestones

Flowers: Prima, Doodlebug, American Crafts

Sentiment Stamp: Cornish Heritage Farms (Silhouette Blooms set by Kim Hughes)

Canadian ladies....RUN to your local Michaels!

I went to Michaels this afternoon to spend my 50% off coupon and I found the much-sought-after Fiskars Threading Water punch!!

I have been DYING to get my hands on one of these babies and looked at about 10 Targets and craft stores on my last trip to the States.

Anyways, they are priced at $24.99 (which is totally ridiculous considering they only cost $9.99 in the States) but there is a 50% coupon all week. And think of all the money you'll save by making your own scalloped paper!!

Look for some projects using my new baby soon!!

Hey Tweetie....a mini card

I sat down at my desk one night and decided to create a few mini cards using only stuff that was on my desk (and believe me, there's always LOTS of crap to choose from LOL!).

This is a quick little 3 x 3 card I created.

Supplies:

Papers: K and Co, Basic Grey

Cuttlebug chipboard flowers

Buttons, lace

Stamps (birds and sentiment): Cornish Heritage Farms Pretty Bird set by Kim Hughes

Scenic Route Altered Notebook

Here's the last of the projects I created with my May DT kit from the Scrapping Turtle. I needed a new notebook for work, so I covered a coil ringed 8.5 x 11 notebook with the Scenic Route Grafton collection.

Tip: when I alter objects I used double sided tape from the hardware section of the dollar store. It sticks really really well and is inexpensive to use.

We are Family

Be you can't get that song out of your head now LOL!

I created this layout using my May DT kit from the Scrapping Turtle. The papers and die cut arrow are all from the Scenic Route Grafton collection and those cute chipboard people are by Maya Road. The felt heart is from my stash (Fancy Pants) and I used QK Diesel font for the title.

It's reveal day! A Scenic Route Grafton layout

This is my favourite of the layouts I created with my May kit from the Scrapping Turtle. My kit featured: papers from the Scenic Route Grafton collection, some chipboard and a Quickutz wave/surf board die.

You can find all the papers from this fabulous collection here in the Turtle store.

She was a War bride

I recently took a distressing ink class with Jen Starr (a certified Ranger instructor) and I learned how to create custom inked background papers. We also customized the papers using Heidi Swapp masks with the distressing inks.

I came out of the class with six different pieces of this custom paper and instead of making a mini album (as was the intent of the class) I wanted to incorporate a piece or two into some projects.

I designed my entire layout around the one sheet of the teal and brown paper and chose my papers and elements to coordinate. I thought that in keeping with the botanical theme of the custom paper my new but unused Technique Tuesday alphabet stamps would work well. I stamped and hand cut them out for the title. To add to the vintage feel of the layout I also added a clock stamp from Cornish Heritage Farms.

Supplies:

Papers: Joann's (it's one of their own lines)

Flowers: Prima

Clock stamp: from the Rummage Bin "Time to Stamp" set from Cornish Heritage farms

Letter stickers: Making Memories

Other: buttons and lace

Happy Birthday Card

I just love the "So Happy" stamp set from the Rummage Bin collection from Cornish Heritage Farms and I created another birthday card using these wonderful stamps.

The papers are from K and Co and Rusty Pickle. The flowers are from Prima.

Pumpkin Patch Kids layout

For this month's design team challenge at Scraphoria I chose to do an art inspiration challenge. The piece I chose inspired me to do a fall layout. The papers are from the old Daisy D's Gyspy Harvest collection. I also used some old felt trim from Queen and Co. Be sure to stop by the forums at Scraphoria to see the inspiration piece and while you're there, don't forget that there is a monthly long crop going on with lots and lots of challenges to get you going.

Whoooo loves you card

This is another card I created from my scrap pile.

The stamps are from the Kim Hughes' UR a Hoot stamp collection from Cornish Heritage Farms. I heat embossed the sentiment with yellow powder to pull all the colours together.

I coloured the owls using Twinkling H20s and added some Stickles for bling.

Happy Mother's Day card

Here's another card I did with some Bo Bunny papers that have been sitting on my desk for a long time now. I promise this is close to the last of the cards you'll see with this paper since I only have a few shreds left LOL!!

The Happy Mother's Day sentiment is from the Rummage Bin collection (So Happy set) by Cornish Heritage Farms. I heat embossed in dark purple in keeping with the colour scheme of this card. I finished it off with some Prima flowers and buttons

Card portfolio tutorial

I've had a few people ask how I made this card portfolio so here's the directions. I originally learned how to do it on Secret Scrapper but I modified the design to one layer from the original two.

Card portfolio tutorial

Supplies:1 sheet of 12 x 12 cardstock (plus one scrap at least 4" x 12")

5 invitation envelopes (5.5 x 4.25")

Pattered paper for embellishing

Die cuts, stickers or other desired items for decorating

Instructions for creating folder

1. Cut piece of cardstock into (2) 6" x 12" strips.

2. Score both pieces at 5-1/2" and 6" (be sure not to score to deeply or it will tear)

3. Fold on all score lines.

4. Put adhesive around the perimeter of one of the 6" squares

5. Overlap second 6" square of the same color to form a 6" x 18" strip. (Be sure if you use textured cardstock to keep the textured sides together.)

6. Fold wrap-around album cover and set aside. You have now created your folder

Instructions for inside portion of folder

1. Using the 5 envelopes, tuck the flap of ONE envelope inside itself. Set aside. This will be the front of the 5 envelope accordion.

2. Fold the flap backward on the remaining 4 envelopes.

3. Stack all 4 envelopes in a stack with the flaps to the back. Lick the adhesive on the top of the envelope and adhere it to the next one. Repeat this so that all 4 envelopes are stuck together and there is one flap remaining in the back. Use a small amount of sticky tape at the bottom of each envelope to stick them together so the accordioned envelopes do not fall out of the folder when opened.

4. Put sticky tape around the perimeter of the back envelope and adhere the 4 envelope accordion stack inside the 6" square section of the album cover about 1/4" up from the bottom edge (if you adhere too high up your cards will stick out of the folder!)

5. Adhere the remaining envelope (set aside in step one) to the top of the stack using sticky tape on backside of envelope.

6. Decorate as desired.

Instructions for band

1. Cut two strips of cardstock 2 x 12".

2. Take finished folder and wrap one of the 2 x 12 bands around the outside and score to fit over the folder (note: you might want to make this band slightly larger to allow to fit when you have cards inside.

3. Using the other 2 x 12" strip of cardstock, cut a piece that fits over the gap left in the other folded piece. Adhere to form a band.

NOTE: You could also use Velcro or some kind of elastic but I have success using the paper band as long as it is slight bigger than the folder.

Finishing and decorating

Decorate your card folder as desired. You can create pockets on the inside by cutting patterned paper and adhering on three sides along the edge. You could also cover the insides and outsides with patterned pattern if you desire. Decorate the band by adding letter stickers or die cuts. Use your imagination!

Have you seen what you can do with Coredinations cardstock and the Cuttlebug??

I'm totally LOVING the new Coredinations cardstock. For those of you who haven't heard of it, it is coloured cardstock with a coordinating coloured core! It comes in a variety of colours (e.g. black with light interiors) and even comes pre-distressed for certain types.

I made this monochrome card using a sheet of Coredinations cardstock and the birds and swirls Cuttlebug folder. After running the cardstock through the embossing folder, I sanded the raised surface and around all the edges to reveal the lighter green core.

This is a RARE card from me.....did you notice.....no PATTERNED paper eeekk!

The sentiment stamp is from the Rummage Bin collection by Cornish Heritage Farms.

A walk through Central Park

Here's another layout I designed with the AWESOME May kit from Scraphoria.

I used the mesh sheet as my background and then the American Crafts Amplified papers. Everything is from the May kit with the exception of the brads and the white cardstock.

More cake anyone?

Well, not a month (o.k. maybe even week) goes by when I don't create some kind of cupcake based card and this month was no exception LOL!

In my May Scraphoria kit I received a bottle of Marvy Uchida Liquid Applique paint. Once someone actually pointed out how this stuff worked (LONG story) I instantly thought....ICING and created this card.

For those of you who don't know what the Liquid Applique is, it's a type of paint that you apply, let dry and then apply heat. It puffifies when it's heated to give a really cool 3D effect! I'll definitely be getting a few more colours of this so be prepared for more cupcake cards LOL!!

On this card I stamped the cupcake card (from Inque Boutique) onto three different papers, cut out and pieced together. Then I applied the icing and heated it up.

Supplies:

Stamps: Cornish Heritage Farms Tag You're It, Inque Boutique cupcake

Papers: American Crafts Amplified collection

Cuttlebug embossing folder

Easter 2008

I think this is my favourite project that I created with the May Scraphoria kit. As soon as my guest designer kit arrived I knew this was "the" photo that would match perfectly.

I used the green Prism cardstock as my base colour and accented with the purples to draw the colours out of the photo.

I created a swirly trail with the purple flower dots. I used my Martha Stewart punch to add a few 3D butterflies and I used the liquid embroidery paint from the kit for the centers of the butterflies and I added some to the wings as an accent.

The large purple flowers were cut out of the foiled paper and I layered the two trims over the photo. I used the gold photo corners to attach my photo to draw the gold out of the papers.

Supplies:

Papers: American Crafts Groovy, The Hustle, Imagine

Cardstock: Prism Intense Kiwi Cloud 9 Rain Dots

Marvy Uchida Liquid Applique - Gold

3L Gold Photo Corners

American Crafts Roller Rink - Glitter Thickers - Plum

Cape Cod layout

This month I received a big ole box of new Scenic Route Grafton for my design team kit from the Scrapping Turtle.

This is the first sneak peek layout that I created using my kit. More designs to come later this month!

Supplies:

Papers and die cuts: Scenic Route Grafton

Buttons: from my stash

Mini letters: Making Memories

Letters: QK Studio Font

Computer Font: Teen

It's National Scrapbooking Day!

Today is National Scrapbooking day (NSD for short) and Scraphoria is celebrating all MONTH long with a ton of challenges to motivate you.

Be sure to stop by the forums and see what's going on!

Do you need some serious scrapping motivation for May?

Secret Scrapper is hosting a MONTH long Scrappy 500 contest/crop for the month of May.

There are lots of fun challenges, games and PRIZES. Be sure to check out the forums for more details.

Oh and if you haven't heard of Secret Scrapper albums, you should check them out. You can order CUSTOMIZED albums for all your scrapping needs! I'll be sharing some of the albums I've altered in the future so stay tuned.

It's May 1st and I'm "Amplifying" my scrapping!

As I mentioned I was chosed to be an apprentice designer for two month's at Scraphoria. At the end of the contest, one lucky girl will be selected to be a permanent designer.

This month I got to work with a fabulous kit featuring American Crafts Amplified collection, some dimensional Marvy paint, glitter Thickers and lots of amazing embellies. Oh and the ribbon is TO DIE FOR!!

Here's a sampling of the stuff I created with the kit.. be sure to check it out before it sells out!!! Seriously, you HAVE to get one here. I'll be posting some more up close photos of my work over the next little while.