Tuesday 30 April 2013

Cdn Scrapbook challenge layouts

Well, I have returned from a scrapbooking retreat with re-newed energy and motivation!!   I managed to complete 14 new layouts, as well as finish 6 layouts that were incomplete ("the undones" as my local friends would say). Not to mention I had great fun playing with other people's stamp sets and created several cards... mostly "cute" cards... I have them posted on my facebook page if you want to sneak over before I blog them. Over the next few days, I'll slowly post everything that I did... I must say, I love flipping through the album already!

Its way too late for me to be blogging so I thought I would give you a quick post of the couple layouts I have done for the monthly "It's a Sketchy Challenge" over at Canadian Scrapbooker. Here's my take on the challenge!

You'll see that the top layer is actually a FancyPants Christmas transparency... (LOVE!!)  I then used my crop-a-dile to punch holes through it.  I then did some stitching with white baker's twine to show a chevron pattern.  I was simply drooling over Kelly Klapstein's sketch so please check it out as well!!!  She's also done a fabulous video that details her process...  Other supplies are Studio Calico wood veneers, Glitz alphew, Alison Kreft (Webster's Pages) stickers, Maya Road chipbard people and AC Dear Lizzy thickers.

Speaking of Kelly... well, I participated in her "Double The Fun Layout" challenge this month - also part of the Canadian Scrapbooker magazine challenges.  Its likely obvious but this layout is very special because we took little J out to my great grandmothers (his great great grandmother)... this was a good 10 hours drive in the winter.... this will not be done again, in fact.  She will be 101 on June 1st.  Cheers to that!!  You'll notice that there's a pocket n the left for extra picture.  Fabulous.
Materials: Studio Calico (SC) Classic Calico paper, SC Checks paper, Pebbles Seen & noted, SC Tim & Beck paper, SC thickers, October Afternoon Mini Market Letters, Dear Lizzy mini alphas, SC Here & There kit labels, Freckled Fawn washi tape, SC kit envelope (Here & There), Tim Holtz pumic stone distress ink, Pebbles fabric brads, Stazon ink, Technique Tuesday stamps, shopevaicious badges, Basic Gray glazed buttons and Stampin Up crystal effects.

Have a great night - more to come!
Cathy

Wednesday 24 April 2013

Thank You... and we really mean it!

Our family are lucky enough to own a cosmetics franchise and as a service business we are only too lucky to have so many employees that do fabulous work - customers keep coming back and we are so thankful to them.  Every year there is a stylist appreciation day, and of course we want to make sure they know we appreciate them.  This year they will receive flowers and customized cupcakes (hopefully I'll have a pic if my brother co-operates), as well as their lunch paid for.  They also get a little gift card for a little treat!

To keep things personal, I created a card for each of the salons using the Tim Holtz sewing bueprint stamp set.  I adore all these blueprint sets and really should be using them more often!!
I am getting ready for a scrapbook retreat... and well, I don't even have pictures printed... (UH OH) Gettin' on my race horse for that one.

Cheers,
Cathy


Saturday 20 April 2013

Paint can loot bags

I set out to make my top secret "box" project... which may or may not involve paint.  Looking at the paint can I quickly got distracted because I started thinking how cool would mini paint cans be? And hence, the final result was paint can loot bags for art inspired birthdays!!
I topped it off with some ribbon and a tag!  If I were filling these loot bags, I would simply buy some art supplies like paint brushes, markers and some coloring pages rolled up and tied with some string. Super cool and easy!

I say easy... and they were... but I tried to take a short cut. Not a good plan.  The problem was I knew better but I went ahead and did it anyway... I used Miss J's washable paint on the tin cans because all I had to do was squeeze.. hmmm... they looked great when I went to bed... and then pretty darn awful when I woke up. Here's the before bed picture... lookin' good right?
And here's the morning picture... not so much! (Special thanks to my model)
So let this be a lesson to you all!!! Don't take shortcuts! To adher the pipe cleaners, I just used a nail (I used a screw because I didn't want to waste time finding a nail in this house) and a hammer... (ladies... always hide a hammer somewhere... better yet, get a pink one... so no man will take it). Easy peesy.
Oh and at the end of the day, I just used the leftover paint that I used for my son's bedroom.  I took my paint brush and just slapped it on, willy nilly.  Awesome.

So cute!
Cathy


Friday 19 April 2013

a "card-makin'' machine


Well now, I was pretty disappointed last night when I looked in my drawer to see only one kids' birthday cards. I was packing up an order and had somehow completely forgotten that I hadn't stocked up since January!!  Luckily I had both kids in bed by 8 so I sat down to get some samples ready.

mmm. Nothing. I got nothing.

I grabbed the rubber boots again. Nothing screams kids like rubber boots.

Nothing. I decided to check out the weekly Mojo Monday sketch to get the juices flowing...

Supplies used in this one is all Stampin' Up (SU) except for the Mister Huey's droplets: Big Top birthday paper, Boot-i-fuI stamp set, whisper white and tempting turquise paper, as well as cherry cobbler baker's twine... and of course, the stittching is not SU.

"OK, if I get one more done, that's a pretty good Thursday night, I think."  

I received my monthly email from SOUS with their card sketch... I thought I'd give that one a try with the new Stampin' Up stamp set called "Oh, Whale". I figured googly eyes on a whale would be pretty good.  I just love googly eyes on kids' cards... they are simply the best!! I used baker's twine to look like the water!

Well, that's didn't take too long - I thought I could squeeze in one more. I grabbed the Sycamore street paper and just play with my sewing machine and some scraps I had around.  I first had this one on white paper (because I am a white paper addict) but then I tried kraft paper (crumb cake in the SU world..).  "Now we are talkin'"...
Uh oh.... this where my brain starting going on auto pilot at extreme speeds.  I am a lover of the simpliest cards... with small accents.  When I say the kraft paper and the "little heart" from my owl builder punch, there was no stopping me.  Don't you just love them?  
"You're My Type" stamp set
"Carry On" stamp set with silver dazzling details
"Got Treats" stamp set with baker's twine & rhinestones

YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Its always a nice touch to stamp your envelopes... and napkins.. and everything really! (I love that puppy dog!!!... It makes me wann scream... yippeeeeeeeeeee!)
I packaged them up and away we go! Cards are $3 each or 8 for $20. You can always email me or contact me through facebook for customization.

Off to work!
Cathy


Thursday 18 April 2013

An Umizomi birthday

With a child on my lap, just popping in to some some samples I did last night for a Umizomi birthday!! These invites are in the shape of Bot's Belly Belly Screen!  The buttons are popped up and is a cute and easy birthday invite. You could also put your child's face on the screen!


I also used felt to create Geo's belt - you really only need some fabric glue but I used stitching to adher the strips of felt, as well as the velcro.

I also created some party hats with the Stampin' Up "Big Top Birthday" paper collection.  As well as some ribbon and buttons. The elastics aren't in yet but you get the picture. You can customize every part of a birthday party!


And..... part one of my fun fun adventures.... what am I doing with this box? I can't WAIT to show you! :) My husband thought I was nuts but he thinks its cool now!! :)  This is my first project for Miss J's birthday party!
Happy Friday! Is it Friday?  I just don't know anymore.
Cathy

Monday 15 April 2013

Thirteen on thirteen...errr

I decided that I would try the "twelve on twelve" project this month. (Thanks to Sara Case-Strickland who introduced me... check out her April one!) This is where on the twelfth of the month you take twelve pictures to document your daily life. Things were going well until I hit the fifth or sixth picture.... I realized it was April thirteenth not twelfth. Hmmm. And so it's thirteen on thirteen.
 




1. My 5 mth old gets up at 8:15am, after a lengthy 12 hour sleep. I am truly blessed... for now..
2. Miss J tucks her baby Ola in for a nap (a regular occurence.. she's a little Mom)
3. Because the little guy likes to play on his own, I decided straightening my hair would be a nice change for a 'be a mom' type of day.
4. Finally took my tulips I treated myself to out of the Christmas mugs and into a proper vase. Tulips remind me so much of Spring and the markets... I miss the Halifax market. Hmmm.
5. Miss J's lunch "really good lunch, mom'... well, what was it? tomato & vegetable soup, a bowl of tomatoes and a quarter tomato sandwich... hmmm.. I think she likes tomatoes.  
6. De-cluttering... trying to get rid of toys. Next up is coats!
7. Team Umizomi. A new TV show favorite.  
8.  Checking out the backyard.. the dog has the yard a STATE! There's a lot of work to do before we have Miss J's birthday party
9. Miss J and Mr. J - first adventure in the backyard... a bomb-y 4 degrees.
10. Miss J says "Look Mommy, he got my sunglasses on.  And my bracelet!"... he's thrilled.  
11. Ryan chats on the phone with Uncle Bob who tells us they are giving our family a piano! Aren't we the lucky ones?  
12.  I took a pair of socks out of my door... and look what came out? I was too tired to change them. No wonder we are getting caught up on laundry.  "People" are pairing socks willy-nilly!
13. Continuing to work on my quilt topper. Finished the borders! Also working on two other toppers at the same time.

Mother's Day Mini Album

If you are looking for a Mother's Day gift, I am now beginning to take mini album orders. For $75, you will receive a 6x6 inch ring album with 20 pages (10 pages double sided). This does not include adhering your pictures.  Should you want your pictures adhered you will need to print them and label them for an additional $25. The album pictured is last year's album so it will not be exact. All albums will include a Mother's Day card.  Please allow three weeks for delivery. Payment due on pickup.
Should you want a more condense album, the "Rivers" album is an option for you.  This is also 6x6 with 20 pages; however, it is bound by fabric tape rather than a binder.  The cover would also be cardstock similar to the pages.  In addition there is no page protectors. See my "Happy Birthday Rivers" post for more details.
 
And of course, if you need a Mother's Day card - they are $3 each or 8 for $20 (can be assorted).
 
You can email me at cathywoodman@hotmail.com for more detail and to place an order.
 
Have a fabulous day!
Cathy
 
 









Sunday 14 April 2013

Winners and cards... A good combo

With the help of my husband picking numbers the following are the lucky winners for the blog hop. Note that I have videos of the number selection but at the risk of destroying my marriage I opted not to include it... Instead I thought I would include a favorite song that I am loving. (click while you read, you won't be sorry!!)
The grand prize winner of the maya road prize pack is... Daisy B!

The winner of the Stampin' Up alpha is Rhea. Check out her blog, Reason!

Can both ladies email me at cathywoodman@hotmail.com so I can send out your prize? Thanks to everyone who hopped along!!!

"Do you know what day it is today Miss J?" Today is Sunday. We are teaching her the days of the week so we are associating it with an activity done on those days. Today we go to music and then see our cousin... While I go out to a Stampin' Up meeting. As part of the meeting we are swapping cards with a masculine theme. My brain immediately went to Father's Day but it didn't have to. First thing first was to grab some current paper. I grabbed sycamore street paper that I got through sale a bration. I cut them up six by two inches. I just adore this simple , sharp, clean pattern. Hmmm


I had an idea in my head that I would sand the edges and place it on paper with the Dapper Dad stamp set (check out this set. It's really cool with a hand watch and bow tie!). Along with the A Fitting Occasion stamp set (mini mustache). Nope. Not the look I was going for.

I was at my long lost friends house so we were chatting... And I was just playing. Stamp, stamp, stampin' my cute mini moustache. Yip. Let's use that. What I really wanted to do was cut out a orange "polaroid picture" box. But I was too lazy and not equipped. Instead it looks like this. Cute all the same right? Sorry 'swappers' if you see this early! The sentiment stamp for both cards is from the Best Dad Ever which I used last year for Father's Day.
Now. What to do with those stripes? Wait. What's the red box on the floor. What? Mypaperpumpkin arrived! Yeahhhh. I opened that up and literally do this card in two seconds. And you know what? I love it. I love the stamps. Awesome. I popped off the banners and sanded the card edges for extra fun.
 
Want more info? You can email me or ask me about it on my Facebook page. Of course visit the official page as well.. or to order right away! Its $24.95 everything in and its shipped monthly to your door!

Ok. The stripes. I must use the stripes. Now. Can't go wrong with white on white. I am dying to use that stamp set again. And voila. Another card completed.


Now I'd call that a productive day.
Cathy

Wednesday 10 April 2013

Spring! April Crop Circles Blog Hop

Welcome to the first stop on the April Crop Circles blog hop! We had such a great time the first hop - here we are again! This time, we are blogging about Spring.  There's something about Spring that is refreshing.  It always makes me want to re-organize the whole house and want to create lists of what I want to do. I am in that state right now.  I'll warn you, if you come to the house you will likely leave with a bag full of items that I just want to get out of the house!!

Although I am full of energy and had my ideas for awhile, I did this at the last minute.  I wanted to play with burlap... but it turns out this time of year there's not much around. (Stay tuned... I promise its coming).  I started collecting my cans in this little wire basket above my cabinets that my MIL gave me.  Its working out great, don't ya think?  I also thought it would be a good idea to play along with the 'Alter It' Mojo Monday challenge at ScrapbookSteals. 
Spring = flowers... tulips, and baby's breath and daffodils from the cancer campaign. And so, I grabbed my buttons and ribbon box.  And 5 minutes later. Voila.  How simple is that? 
Want close ups? I got 'em!


Spring might mean flowers but it also means rain in Newfoundland.  Which is what led me to a couple stamp sets in my collection. And a great opportunity to participate in the Ribbon Carousel RC80 'Flowers & Showers' challenge.

First, using the Stampin' Up 'Rain or Shine' stamp set, as well as one of my new 'go to' stamp sets from
Stampin' Up called 'Oh, Hello', I created a couple Bridal shower cards.
In the first card, if you take a close look at the umbrella, I have teeny tiny pearls... what a great effect they have!!! I also used the little heart from the Owl Builder stamp set.
On the last car, I wanted to create the rain effect and thought that stitching using baker's twine is perfect! The pearls gave a rain drop effect. Again, I love white on white... how could you not? Not only that, I noticed that the Mojo Monday challenge over at our local scrapbooking store (The Paperie) has a challenge to us stitching.. here we go! That was all I needed to create this card using the Stampin' Up Bootiful Occasions' set. I am beginning to really have an obsession with rubber boots... hmmm.. how cute are they? The clouds embossing folder from Stampin' Up is one of my absolute favorites!! 
You have until end of day Friday, April 12th to complete this blog hop.

WANT TO WIN??
You have several ways to win - first, for each comment you make on my blog as well as all the stops on the way, you will be entered into a grand prize draw of a Maya Road bundle! 

Secpnd, you also can win a Stampin' Up alpha stamp set from my blog in three ways:
1) Become a follower or let me know if you already are
2) Like my new Facebook Page
3) Follow me on pinterest
Let me know what you have done and come back on Sunday April 14th to see if you have won!

Head on over to Sara's blog for our second stop.  There are so many talented people on this hop, you don't want to miss any of it:
Cathy Caines - THAT'S ME!

Have a great day everyone!
Cathy

And since you clearly don't understand my obsession with rubber boots (and umbrella)... here's some pics from around the house.: