Thursday, 25 January 2018

Mail a Card Monday | Fancy Friday Blog Hop

OK.
That's one stamp.
No special tricks.
I inked it and I stamped it.
It came out perfectly.
Apparently it's a new type of stamp called 'DISTINKTIVE' where it gives more depth and dimension by inking parts of the space with less and more opacity.
Am I misunderstanding? Do tell me.

Today's projects were created for the Fancy Friday Blog Hop team. This is a team of current and past Stampin' Up! Artisans so you can imagine that every month you are in for a real treat. Each month we come up with a theme to help inspire ourselves and all of our stamping communities. We are bringing you inspiration this month to mail a card every month with matching envelopes.

PROJECT DETAILS

My projects use the Heartfelt Blooms exclusive Sale-A-Bration stamp set.
So, if you like what you see then you'll have to snag this bad boy before March 31st.

In my project above I stamped the flower image on vellum.  It takes a few minutes to dry but its always a cool effect. I fuzzy cut around the edges and clustered some trims and ribbons under and over the image.  Finally, I heat embossed the sentiment from the same stamp set to create this thank you card that's mailable and ready to go in it's matching envelope.


Here's another simple project showing this stamp set and how easy it can be to create an easy card along with a matching envelope.


Thanks for dropping today - I hope you are having the most amazing week.

Are you following me on instagram? 
This is where I show the majority of my projects and inspiration, along side my loves and life.  
Be sure to find me @cathycaines.

Keep hopping to my friend Jeanna Bohanon! I know she's going to show you something spectacular!

You're Awesome | Stampin' Up! Artisan Design Team Blog Hop


Here's the thing.
"You're Awesome"

It's almost like we don't allow ourselves to believe those words.
But I can assure you that all 16 of these Stampin' Up! Artisans from around the world are most certainly awesome. It is my hope that they have already allowed these words to sink in when they truly realized that they would be representing Stampin' Up! in 2018.
Because guess what?
You're Awesome.
and congrats.


Today marks the first blog hop for this year's team.
We are all so excited to show you our style and projects over the next year.
Thank you so much for the love, support and taking the time out of your day to say hello.
#weloveyou

PROJECT DETAILS

Today's project was created using the Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration item called Epic Celebrations. The sneakers were coloured using the Stampin' Blends alcohol marker: Cherry Cobbler + Smoky Slate. But I know what you are really thinking... where did those stars come from? It's a hidden gem in the Mini Treat Bag Thinlets. They are the perfect size and ever so awesome!

Hope you enjoyed this fun little project!


To hear about my story of this news please see this blog post: 2018 Artisan | OnStage
To hear the story of my 2017 Artisan phone call and receiving my award, you'll have to check out these to blog posts: The Phone Call + The Secret.

Be sure to keep hopping along to Charlet Mallett whom I've been a fan of for a very long time.  I was incredibly excited to hear that she would be joining me this year! I am so glad to have met her in real life and shared this moment together.

BLOG ROLL


Please see below for a list of Stampin' Up! products used in today's project:

2018 Artisan | OnStage Salt Lake City


My feelings are mixed this time. 

I’ve been carrying around this secret since September the 8th. I wanted so badly to tell my friends and certainly my current Artisan Team but that was definitely not happening. 

Secrets I can do but they are never easy. 


I simply can’t believe it. I look at my projects and I am not sure why I’ve been selected to be part of the 2018 Stampin’ Up! Artisan Design Team. 

My heart feels for those that didn’t get selected yet I am so excited to see what is behind the next door. Whose joining me? New friends and old. 


OnStage in Salt Lake City has arrived and It wasn’t long when Dale Hampshire said the words “Artisan Design Team”. I forgot to watch the screen and instead took a moment to breath until I heard my name. I get up and head to the stage. I remember seeing my old friend, Connie whom I spent the afternoon touring the Stampin’ Up! Head Office the afternoon before. 

Cathy Caines + Connie Collins Touring the Stampin' Up! Office

Both of us with secrets that we would never tell. I saw her first and thought about ‘what a sneaky little fox’ she was. In my mind, she is incredibly talented with a signature style: distressed floral creations coloured to perfection. Joining us on stage was Jenni, Kim, Charlet and Elizabeth. None of which are new faces. They are legendary. Stuck between them all I looked out and felt a swell of pride. 

 Connie Collins + Becky Cowley + Cathy Caines + Cindy Schuster

And there we stood waiting for the flash from the camera. Taking that second to enjoy the moment. And I did. I am proud but I was also so proud of everyone on this team. This moment was to be absorbed and not forgotten because it’s on this rare occasion that each of these 16 global Stampin’ Up! Artisan Design Team members should remember to be proud of themselves. “You did it. You are a rockstar. Embrace this moment and shout it from rooftops. You belong here.”

Cathy Caines + Sara Douglass + Charlet Mallett

Elizabeth Price + Charlet Mallett + Cathy Caines

While, I am so excited to share this new adventure in 2018 I’ll miss my 2017 Team. This year Sylwia and Jennifer Winter will be continuing on with me. Both of these ladies show beautiful soft projects with white backgrounds accented with the most perfect touch of embellishments.  

Cathy Caines + Tanya Boser

And with every door that closes another one opens - I can’t wait to watch my Beautiful 2017 friends grow creatively this year. Look out world because here they come. As a personal note to all of them: “Thank you for the memories. The chats. The advice. But most of all the connections - you’ve opened your heart to me and allowed me to be myself. I love you through and through.”


Stay tuned for my Salt Lake City adventures with my beloved travel buddies Colleen Petten, Paula Taylor and Rexene Lockyer - all of whom I perhaps would never have met if it wasn't for Stampin' Up!

Cathy

Sunday, 21 January 2018

You Warm My Heart | Scrapbook Sunday Blog Hop

 

My grandmother and his great grandmother came in for Christmas.
She lives in Corner Brook, Newfoundland which is a 9 hour drive.
It's fair to say we don't see each other often so when we do we try to cherish the moments.

But when Jack Caines voluntarily gave her hugs, it completely melted my heart.
I managed to capture the moment with several photos but I loved this one the most because I can see the happiness in my Nan's face.

And these are the moments I want to remember.
Pictures I'll cherish forever/


Today's project was created for the Scrapbook Sunday Blog Hop Design Team.
This month's theme is a colour theme. The suggested colours were coral, green and black.

PROJECT DETAILS

Since I don't like to scrapbook with large swings of colour, I immediately looked for a photo that I wanted to scrapbook in black and white. From there selecting the paper was easy with the Stampin' Up! Sweet Soiree Designer Series Paper. The paper is foiled and was perfect.  I used the floral paper and cut out the flowers by hand. Clustering each flower as I went, I placed the photo over top the paper. Finally, I added some embellishments to finish the page off including the Irridescent Sequins, Very Vanilla Lace Trim, Silver Metallic Thread and Basic Pearls.


Another page and another memory cherished.

As always, thanks so much for dropping by. Be sure to keep hopping along as we inspire you to document your memories. Next up is my new friend, Jerim Dickins!

Friday, 19 January 2018

Wine With Friends | #tgifc143


Wine with friends... That's the best wine.
Yeah. It is. Isn't it?


This week at the TGIF Challenge Blog we are celebrating friends.
And I couldn't help myself but grab one of my favourite stamp sets by Stampin' Up! called Half Full. And yes, my friends... you can still get it.
They carried this stamp from the Holiday catalog to the current catalog.

Thanks for dropping by and be sure to check out the TGIF Challenge by linking up your projects this week!

Cathy

Friday, 12 January 2018

Just For You | #tgifc142


I ran away.
My daughter and I are in Las Vegas.
Before we left I created this card along with several others.


I picked the stack of unlikely muse... 
Isn't it funny?
I wasn't going to buy this pack of paper but I have been loving the smaller paper as of late and I didn't want to miss out. It simply is awesome. Bright colours. Subtle colours. A bit of A and well, a bit of B.

To create the card, I distressed the sides using a nile file of the green paper and proceeded to edge the die cuts with sponging using the crumb cake ink.
Eventually, I added some linen thread while adding some layers and I finally said my project was complete.


Oh, were you interested in where the flower comes from?
I assume you haven't forgotten about this set because it's an all occasion winner in my books!
Today's project was created using the TGIF sketch challenge.
Every two weeks I join the Design Team in an attempt to inspire.
Hope this sketch helps you grow creatively like it did for me.
You have until Thursday 10am PST to finish your project and submit it to the TGIF challenge blog!
I can't wait to see what you created.

Cathy

Thursday, 11 January 2018

Epic Celebrations | One Stamp At a Time Blog Hop


I am so excited to have joined the One Stamp at a Time Blog Hop [OSAT] Design Team!
This team is filled with talent so sit back, relax and grab a coffee.

Stampin' Up! Demonstrators from around the world have been so excited for the release of the 2018 Stampin' Up! Occasions Catalogue as well as the Sale-A-Bration promotion!

Amongst all the excitement we are showing you some of the exclusive products that you can receive when you spend $60 Canadian [$50 USD].


The above projects use these amazing Sale-A-Bration products:


To create the guitar images, I used a paper piecing technique.
You can see that I stamped on the champage foil, as well as the vellum below.
Adding the metallic black thread to create some fun strings.

Are you interested in knowing where that rockstar polka paper came from? It's the Tuitti Fruitti 6x6" Designer Paper Stack.  You might think it's filled with fruit but instead there's some amazing patterns on each of the opposite sides of the fruity designs.


Any by the way.
Well.
You ARE amazing.
Thanks for dropping by today.
Keeping hopping along to Kelly Acheson.

Wednesday, 10 January 2018

Petal Palette | Stamp to Share International Design Team Blog Hop


2018 is bringing new friends and opportunities.

Today I am very happy to share that I am blogging with the Stamp to Share International Design Team Blog Hop. It's quite an honour as these ladies are incredibly talented Stampin' Up! demonstrators from around the world. Feeling the love for sure - but definitely some big shoes to fill.


Each month a current Stampin' Up! product suite is selected to inspire you. This month the team selected the Petal Palette Bundle included in the newly released 2018 Occasions Catalogue.

PROJECT DETAILS://

This project was created using watercolour paper, refill ink and an aquapainter. On a stamping block, I put a couple drops of refill ink of each of these colours: melon mambo, tempting turquiose and old olive. Using my aqua painter I coloured each element of my stamped image heat embossed with white embossing powder. To make the image pop, I applied some blue on the outskirts of the image. And it didn't take long for this card to be done.


Thanks so much for dropping by today - But don't stop here as Moira McIlroy is going to show you another project to bring the Stampin' Up! Petal Palette Product Suite to life!