Thursday 29 November 2012

Lilybee November Card challenge

I've finally gotten back to checking out some of the challenges that I've missed out on since having my precious little boy on Nov 11th.  It was great to get back into my craft room today!  Thanks hubby for taking the two kids!!

Here's the challenge - its a shape card but if your main embellishment is shaped than it qualifies!! I went for creating a Christmas tree!! Enjoy!  You have until November 30th so check it out here: http://lilybee.typepad.com/blog/2012/11/take-shape-card-challenge-112612.html

Here's my take on the Lilybee November card challenge!
Supplies used was the Christmas Tree collection, as well as the Picket Fence 6x6 tablet and the ABC letters from the double dutch collection. 

Other supplies is Stampin Up punch with silver glitter paper, as well as the linen thread.

Fun, hey?
Cathy


Set of 4 cards

Hi all,

I've got a few cards done today!  I wanted to take part in the Mojo Monday challenge over at the Paperie and had a few things in mind... you can still play along!! Here's the link: http://thepaperie.wordpress.com/2012/11/26/prize-mojo-monday-card-challenge/

I have been in love with the simple white cards lately and have really wanted to play with that idea and the new merry mini punch from Stampin Up.  I came up with 3 Christmas cards and one birthday card for my mom.  I love how they turned out and they were super easy... gotta love it!!
Materials Used (All Stampin Up): Whisper White card stock, Northern Flurry embossing folder, basic black marker, silver glitter paper, Mambo Melon card stock, Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set, and merry mini punch pack (holiday catalogue 2012)

Materials Used (All Stampin Up): Whisper White card stock, Tempting turquiose ink, Pool Party baker's twine, basic black marker, silver glitter paper, Mambo Melon card stock, Christmas Greetings stamp set (retired), and merry mini punch pack (holiday catalogue 2012)

Materials Used (All Stampin Up): Whisper White card stock, Snow Festival DSP (holiday catalogue 2012), basic black marker, silver glitter paper, Got Treats stamp set, and merry mini punch pack (holiday catalogue 2012)

Materials Used (All Stampin Up): Whisper White card stock, Adorning Accents Edgelit embossing folder (retired), basic black marker, basic black ink, mambo melon scallop dots ribbon, Mambo Melon card stock, PS. I love you stamp set (retired), and mini heart punch
 
Have a great day!
Cathy

Wednesday 28 November 2012

My Favorite Stampin' Up Things

Hi again!!

I am in the middle of trying to complete an advent calendar before December 1st!!  And then back to my December Daily project!!  And finally Christmas cards... and baby annoucements... wow, I have a lot on my plate.

Wait, did I mention that I will be participating in the Scrapbooksteals.com December blog hop!! Stay tuned for projects that I create!

I managed to spend a great deal of time and money between Black Friday and Cyber Monday... and I can honestly say I am done Christmas shopping... anyone I missed is getting a gift card. :)  Already my local post office called me to pick up all my packages... hahah... I am not even kidding. 

What did I buy you ask?? Well lets see... I took advantage of deals at Toys R Us, Chapters, The Source, Apple, WorldSoccer.com, La Vie en Rose, Crocs.ca, Peachycheap.com, Scrapbooksteals.com, Hautelook.com, Studio Calico, Best Buy and the Gap.  This does not include the few packages that I am already expecting... Stampin Up, The Source (another one), Adidas, PeachyCheap (another one), etc...

So, in the spirit of Christmas.... I wanted to let you know MY FAVORITE things.  Since I seem to be relying on lists such as this and "best sellers".

Stay tuned for my favorite "non-SU" products list!!

1. Top Note die - Can't live without it!! I used this for EVERY possible project.  Its a must have!!  You need the big shot for this... another item/tool that is essential to a scrapbooker's collection.

2. Stamp-a-ma-jig - Never apply that stamp in the wrong place again!!  Super great tool that's easy to use.  I highly recommend!!

3. Decorative Label Punch - I tend to use this punch on almost all my layers. Gorgeous and versatile!

4. Bakers Twine  - Can't get enough baker's twine.  Makes a big difference to any project! Available in many colors!

5. Lattice embossing folder  - Embossing folders are a weakness but I tend to go for this one.  Stay tuned for some FABULOUS embosisng folders int he Spring catalogues.

6. Crumb cake card stock - You can never have enough kraft paper!!

7. Basic pearls & rhinestones - Love how SU has mini pearls and rhinestones.  The rhinestones are especially shiny... and we all love sparkle and shine!

8. Linen Thread  - I am a sucker for linen thread and twine.  I like the thinness of this.  It gives it a more subtle feel than the old twine. (which I still love especially for masculine items)

9. Tiny tags stamp set & jewelry tag punch - I use this set and the punch for small details that really pack a punch!! Fabulous!!

10. Blender pens - Love the way the color comes out!! All you need is a pen and some ink!!!

Honorable mention:  I am using the piercing mats A LOT these days... I love the look that those pierced dots make.  The new mats and paper piercer ensures that the dots are the same and has that uniform look.

Happy Christmas!
Cathy

Sunday 25 November 2012

Daily Daily Day 2, 3, 4 & 5

Well, there's not much time for yourself when you have two kids!!  I managed to get 5 days of my December Daily completed!!

I also managed to finish over 500 Christmas tags for my Alzheimer fundraiser!!! I was very happy with the outcome. Hooray! 

Day 2: 'Dear Santa

For this layout, I have a big pocket here where I folded the flap over and added some ribbon. Its perfect to hold the precious 'Dear Santa' letters from and to my little kiddies.  I made it with the idea in mind to have an appearance of a letter.
 
Materials Used: cherry cobbler, early espresso & very vanilla cardstock; On Board letters, Be of Good Cheer paper, Organza ribbon, Many Merry messages stamp set, Priority Postage stamp set, soft suede ink, postage punch, decorative label punch, Old Saint Nick rub ons (retired), and modern label punch.


Day 3: 'Oh Christmas Tree'


Oh, this layout I had decorating the Christmas tree in mind. The first thing that popped in my mind was to case the little Christmas tree from the SU 2012 holiday catalogue. And of course a spot for pictures at the bottom!

Materials Used: cherry cobbler, early espresso & very vanilla cardstock; On Board letters, Be of Good Cheer paper, Holly Bouquet buttons(retired), retired Christmas stamp set, lacy brocade embossing folder, Mini Merry punch pack (2012 holiday catalogue),  linen thread, 1/8" soliver mini brads, basic pearls, and glimmer silver paper.

Day 4: Double layout

Oops, this one was supposed to be only a dingle layout but I made a mistake by gluing the page on the back of page 5. Hence, I made due and made it into a doube layout.  You can see that there is an envelope with a journalling tag to be used for journalling or more pictures!

Materials Used: soft suede, cherry cobbler, early espresso & very vanilla cardstock; On Board letters, Be of Good Cheer paper, Victoria ribbon, Dasher stamp set, Evergreen stamp set, soft suede ink, curly label pnuch, corner punch, gumball green embossing powder, Christmas felties (2011 holiday catalogue), and sticky strip.

Day 5:
 

This one is a simple layout without a particular theme in mind. I love this Snow Festival paper - did I mention that already?

Materials Used: soft suede, cherry cobbler, early espresso & very vanilla cardstock; On Board letters, Snow Festival DSP, Soft suede ink, lacy brocade embossing folder, 1/8" silver mini brads, decorative label punch, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, & Four Seasons stamp set
 
Stay tuned for more to come!
Cathy

Sunday 18 November 2012

December Daily: A beginning

Hi again friends!
 
Back again but a little tired! I am guessing I will feel 'a little tired' for a long time now with two children.

There's been lots of chatter with my scrappy friends relating to December Daily projects! Being relatively new to this world, I had no idea what they were talking about but as I navigated the blogosphere I was quickly intrigued and inspired.

I started to make a plan and now have it in action. There's so much material out there that in the little experience I have, I learned very quickly to put pen to paper!!  Put your ideas on paper and create your road map.  Then gather your supplies!! Here's what I've started out with and I threw it in a 12x12 container to keep it all separated.

I decided to do this project mostly using only Stampin Up (SU) products because I've been dying to make use of the 'Be of Good Cheer' and 'Snow Festival DSP' paper packs.  They are gorgeous!! Plus I always adore the cherry cobbler color. :)
 
You can see above that I decided to make this album 8x8 connected by a couple rings. I cut the corrugated cardboard from the cardboard from the glitter paper packaging at SU. Always look for ways to reduce, reuse, recycle!!  You could just use the cardboard from a cereal box though.
 
This is what I did for the cover and the back cover - so simple yet so nice!
Here's the list of materials:
Corrugated cardboard, sanding blocks, crumb cake ink for edging, early espresso paper (7'3/4" x 7'3/4"), Core'o'dinations cherry cobbler paper (2012 holiday catalog) 7"x7", Lacy brocade embossing folder, seam binding ribbon 1/2" crumb cake, Originals Stockign accents bigz (retired but can use scentsations framelits in 2012 holiday catalog), champagne glitter paper (2012 holiday catalog), silver glitter paper, Merry minis punch pack re: star & mini tree (2012 holiday catalog), Memorable Moments stamp set with stamp-a-ma-jig 
 
To start the cover what I did was cut my paper and edged the cardboard with the crumb cake... lots of ink! I wanted to give it a little bit of a vintage feel.
I then embossed a 4"x7" piece of cherry cobbler core'o'dinations paper with the lacy brocade embossing folder. I then took the sanding blocks and went over the top of the embossing.  This will help the ink stick as I go over the top again inking with crumb cake.  I also take this fabulous seam binding ribbon and bring it over top of the lacy brocade embossed paper... I cheat a little bit as I want this bow to be perfect....

Here's what I meant by I cheated.. I have a "bow maker" which helps me make the perfect bow.  I don't always use it but for these purposes, I used it.  I then applied it all together with glue dots!


To finish it off, I used my big shot to cut out the tree, and a merry punch to cut out the star.  I popped this off the page using the SU pop dots. And finally using my stamp-a-ma-jig, I perfectly placed the numbers '2012' on the cover using the Memorable Moments stamp set. I am super pleased with how this came out!!

 
On to my first page!
 
 
Day one: Welcome Winter!
Materials: Northern Flurry embossing folder, Snow Festival DSP (2012 Holiday catalog), crumb cake and whisper white paper, On Board letters, linen thread, Two Tags Bigz die, School Lines stamp set, irridescent ice glitter, Staz On white ink, Midnight muse paper and ink 
 
 

Just to show you, I took the corrugated letters and simply took a sponge to color them with my ink pad (midnight muse). It gets a little messy but it does the trick quickly. 
I then wanted to create some 'frost' so I took my irridescent ice glittle container and my two way gun and sprinkled it on the top of the letters. By the way, this is a great way to store your glitter - there's no messing around with the paper and getting it back in the container. Keep the plastic spoon in the container and just use the lid to shake off any excess glitter.
And that's actually all I have done so far but the plan was the big thing!! Stay tuned!
 
Cathy

Welcome Jack!!

Hooray to our new addition!!

 Jack John Ryan Caines!



He finally arrived on November 11, 2012.  Ironically, Jack's big sister was also born on a 'holiday' - July 4th.  It makes it easy to remember! Jack was 8lbs and 10 ounces - a big boy!  He has big hands and feet and is long in length (54cm).

He is just perfect and I couldn't ask for a better newborn.  He is sleeping wonderfully and hence I hope to get at some projects soon.

Cheers!
Cathy

Friday 9 November 2012

Its a Sketchy Challenge: Nov 2012

Hey all,

Hmmm... guess this baby is determined to be overdue! :) In the mean time, I did get the 'It's a Sketchy Challenge' completed over at the Canadian Scrapbooker magazine completed...  When I saw Sue Sykes sketch I knew exactly what pictures... and then I knew exactly what paper I wanted to use.  But that was about it.  This looks a lot nicer in person... I love the series of pictures most of all.  Capturing moments is what's its all about, right?

Check it out!


Here's my materials list:
Paper: Authenique Enchanted collection (LOVE LOVE LOVE...), Stampin Up Basic Black card stock
Letters: Authentique Enchanted collection and AC sunrise chipboard thickers
Punches: Sizzix Pumpkins #2 Bigz die
Inks: Stampin Up Basic Black
Embellishments: Harmonie chipboard (tree) precut shapes (Cdn manufacturer), My Little Bit of Whimsy black bird (Cdn manufacturer), unknown leaves, Stampin Up twine, Studio Calico Mr. Huey's warm calico, Stampin Up neutrals black buttons, Authentique Enchanted collection elements

Here's the sketch - there's lots of time to play along.  Just click here to go over to the magazine: http://canadianscrapbooker.ca/sketchy/showgallery.php?cat=513

That was fun! Cheers!
Cathy

Thursday 8 November 2012

Glitter Stampin Up Christmas Bulb

Hi all!!

I am literally waiting to go in labor.... any day now... any minute now... pleaseeee. I am due tomorrow, November 9th and have had signs of labour since before Halloween.  Alas, no baby yet though.

So, I continue to make Christmas tags and decided to switch it up today to create the following gor.geous Christmas bulb!  I transformed a clear glass bulb that I picked up from Michaels for $1 and made it into the sparkling Santa suit shown below:

 
This is all Stampin' Up product with exception to the glass bulb itself!!

First, I used the following tutorial from youtube in order to get the glitter inside the bulb: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1odpNdcMjg&feature=g-hist
I used 'dusty durango' water based ink for my base, as well as the fine galaxy red glitter.

The belt I used is the early espresso quilted ribbon from last year's holiday catalog. Using the postage stamp punch I made the belt buckle. I hand cut the small square in the middle.  I then used two glitter brads from the subtles collection to make the buttons.  I used a wire cutter to cut the "brad ends" off.  Everything was adhered using glue dots but I would recommend a glue gun for extra 'oomph'!

How cute and easy is that???

Have a good one!
Cathy