In The Cat Cave

Tuesday, 10 September 2013

Artisan Wednesday Wow: Hybrid Halloween Project

I can't believe it's happening...

But I am totally getting ready for Halloween! Maybe its because I am travelling an awful lot between now and then but mostly because its JUST SO MUCH FUN!

Here's my question for you...

Have you tried digital scrapbooking, media or even printables?

Did you know that Stampin' Up! releases new digital downloads every single Tuesday?

And that you can simply download them and then print them or use them in your own projects?

Well, Stampin' Up! also has their own digital software called My Digital Studio (MDS). Which is generally fairly new to me besides creating web design. The BEST part is that its compatible with lots of software AND...

E-CUTTERS!?!

Say whattttttttttt!

Yeah. Break the bank. Let Santa know. Get an E-cutter because its soooo easy.

Don't believe me? I have a Silhouette Cameo and this is my very first project!

This is a stamp, which I bought in a digital download. I then moved it into my e-cutter, enlarged it and cut it out. Don't know how? See Erica's video from last week!!

I used the new orange and black glitter with my Heat & Stick powder, as well as the Witches' Brew washi tape. I promise this isn't complicated and I love it!

Yeah...

So... try it yourself. Go HYBRID. Digital + Traditional.

(and get some skulls washi tape on the way)

I wonder if Cindy has caught the Halloween bug yet... Hmmm. Check her out!!!!

Cathy

She.

I have a group of special friends that I share projects with and learn from called Crop Circles. We often do challenges and different events. Over the Summer, we did a layout tag and this was what I did. I love this layout. Its a picture taken by my daughter and its totally how I feel sometimes when I have a messy desk, house and piles of laundry. ;)

Today is my second wedding anniversary so a big shout out to my wonderful husband Ryan (who is currently mowing the lawn). We will be celebrating on Monday when we head out to Terra Nova National Park for a Mini Vacation "sans bebes".

Have a great day and make sure to come back in the morning for the Stampin' Up! Design Team Artisan Wednesday Blog Hop!

Cathy

Monday, 9 September 2013

Project Life: Use Office Supplies

This week`s Project Life challenge at Stuck on U Sketches is:

USE OFFICE SUPPLIES

Journalling every day is a big thing for Project Life. Although I am not documenting every week I am still trying to document life. For me scrapbooking IS the journalling and everything else is gravy. What helps me is turning off any noise and looking at the picture. I always get inspired. When writing my journalling I always turn on music... but appropriate music... Gangham Style probably won`t work unless you are flicking glitter everywhere. LOL.

This is personal but it is how my mind went through the emotion of my son turning 9 months old. Don`t be afraid to have the journalling as your focal point vs. the picture. Remember you are doing this for you and your children.

Listen to the music while you read. :) Maybe it will inspire you...

Nine months has gone by so fast. You are so gorgeous. You are already melting hearts. But I am afraid mine might be your biggest victim. I rocked you tonight and the night before and the night before that. You seem to be growing in a blink of an eye. Lately you find a little nook in my neck to fall asleep. You are my little teddy bear. I love you so much. I feel so lucky. Truly lucky. Rocking you at night reminds me of the best of times. And I can tell you that these are the best of times. But I imagine that our future is bright, fun and amazing.

What’s 9 months looking like for you? Well, you have four new teeth trying to bust through your gums. You are also trying to crawl all over the house. We think you are more like swimming but it doesn’t seem to be cramping your style. Your favorite toy is Rooney’s dog dish, it’s even better when there’s food and water in them. You are going to be needing those teeth because you love food. We can’t walk around you with food because it’s imperative that you have some too. You grunt and “num-num-num” while you eat. It’s hilarious! At a solid 23 pounds and 29 inches you are wearing size 18 months clothing and size 4 shoes. Your sister is still hugging and kissing you every moment she gets but she’s reluctant to share with you. She takes your socks off every chance she gets. You aren’t a huge fan of this and are starting to let her know how you feel. You aren’t saying a lot besides grumbling and squealing but you are saying Daddy and Mommy when you really want us. You raise your arms to indicate you want us to lift you up. You have everyone drooling over your calm cool style. Oh and the way you tilt your head when you smile. I can’t wait to tell you all about it. Mommy, Daddy, and Jane love you so much.

Thursday, 5 September 2013

Published: Canadian Scrapbooker Fall 2013

How cute is this set of baby cards?

Well, it’s a feature in the Canadian Scrapbooker magazine this month!

The best part is that the magazine came with a free mini album Christmas catalogue!

Thanks for dropping by!

Cathy

Tuesday, 3 September 2013

Artisan Wednesday Wow: Kids Art Canvas

My daughter Jane is three and besides for tucking her babies into bed (often in her brother`s crib), her favorite thing to do is draw... and paint.. and stamp.. “in her office”… where she is “too busy”.

And that means there’s a lot of marker caps all over the house…

… I mean…

Art. There’s lots of true “art” around the house.

Lots of pictures of scribbles or blobs. But I love those blobs and even though I can’t and don’t keep them all, I like to put them on display. I had a large cork board that I was putting all the artwork on (wanna see? check out below). But it was covering all the pictures that we get.

Anyway, it was out of control. So, guess what? I created something new.

This is four 6x6 canvases with some clothespins hot glued on to the bottom. First make sure your canvas is primed. If it’s not, apply one layer of gesso before you begin. I used the Build-a-Banner stencils for the background. To achieve this look, it’s super easy. I heart super easy! Simply add drops of re-inker in your mister along with some rubbing alcohol. My big tip is that you will get some pools of ink on and off the canvas. Carefully remove the stencil off the canvas then roll a paper towel roll. Yes, the whole roll. No, do not dab one piece. Roll that sucker on your canvas like you are rolling dough. It will remove the droplets. If you want it to be darker simply put the stencil back on and mist again.

My canvases with the solid background is gesso + drops of re-inker. Keep adding drops of re-inker until you have the color you want. Still confused? See my post here.

To adher the paper, I didn’t use mod podge or a matte medium because I wasn’t looking for a glossy look but rather a “tidy yet raw” look to go along with Jane’s art.

Don’t forget that you can also use those letter stencils anywhere and everywhere. Enjoy!

Keep hopping along, I am in awe of Cindy’s mad talent so don’t miss out!

Cathy

The Board

Jane`s Room is the Cutest... here`s some reasons why!

Monday, 2 September 2013

Happy Birthday Courtney..sorry its late!

It's three days too late but my sister-in-law had a birthday on Thursday.

She turned... errr.. 22.. again. I fell in love with this cute little cupcake... There's lots of details on this card from the background stamp (My Paper Pumpkin August) on the scalloped circles, re-inker "flicks", tasteful trim edges, dazzling details, pearls, etc. I still vow to keep it simple but I do like a little pop. And looking at this card in "real life" it has that pop!

Since I think its important to get a little mushy sometimes I just want to take the opportunity to say that Courtney is kind of a special brand. She does not seem to EVER get negative, impatient, irritated, bothered, etc. I mean... I don't know how you do it but I admire you. Thank you for always being truly kind, understanding, and a special Aunt to my babies.

Love,

Cathy

Sunday, 1 September 2013

CCC #007: Chevrons..thank you Nancy!

This month's challenge over at Catherine and Cathy Create is....

USE CHEVRONS

Chevrons are everywhere now so join in on the challenge!! Oh, and this month there's more blog candy...so make sure you check it out!! You have until September 30th to play along..

Now... wanna see what I made?

I found out a wonderful childcare provider to my daughter was off to continue her studies and in all likelihood wouldn't be back. Over the past couple weeks Jane has been on and off with different sicknesses. And so it was Nancy who was holding her and going the extra mile while she was at the Gingerbread House daycare. I appreciated knowing the extra details of how Jane had spent the last 7 or 8 hours of her day... to my dismay usually holding hands with boys... or receiving hugs and kisses.. (oh, she's barely three).

I wanted to give Nancy a little gift to say thank you!

This was created using the Stampin' Up! muslin bags. I stamped on it using the chevron background stamp. I used hot glue to hold the buttons on the bag.

The tag is from the "Chaulk Talk" stamp set, embossed in gold on Calypso Coral cardstock.

DON'T FORGET TO JOIN
Catherine and Cathy Create
EVERY MONTH FOR THREE CHALLENGES!!
They are released every month on the 1st, 7th and 14th! All three challenges are due at the end of the month.

Check out this product share as well!

Have a fabulous long weekend everyone!