Guesting with Bella Blvd. Today

I'm up over on the Bella Blvd. Blog today with some fun layouts and a peek into how I create them !!

Like most Mom's, there are many hours in a week spent waiting for kids at practices and activities, so I always make sure I have my paper pad, a pencil and my very well used mini ruler .... I am in no way an artist and must have a nice straight line so i use grid paper to sketch out ideas for future layouts and projects so that when I go into my studio i have a bit of a head start on what I want to create !!  

I have tried and tried to stray from my linear style and step outside my own box, but I somehow find myself heading back inside the box making sure everything has a measurement .... i'm learning to accept it :)

On these layouts I did 2 takes of the same sketch as I knew I wanted to use (1) 4 x 6" photo on each.  'Santa Socks' stayed pretty true to my original notes. I love the Freestyle Sophisticates as a base rather than plain cardstock and the large 'chevies' was 

perfect for this Christmasy pic. 

I cut 'santa' using my Silhouette and finished the title using some Alphas + Bits.  One of my very fave additions to the Bella collections are the 'paper pieces' packages.  They are absolutely filled with fun bits to add to any project !!  

The best part of Bella Blvd. is that you are always able to pull an embellishment or 2 from older collections to use with the new, which is what I did here with the chip tree ..... a bit of typewriter journaling and this one is complete !!

For this layout you can see that I chose to use a larger yellow patterned paper in the centre rather than the red chevies down the middle.  I also used a 4 x 6" journal card as the title and built around it, adding my typewriter journaling on top.  

This photo of Emma really sums up our summer, so I had a lot to say and my handwriting is not super so I often turn to my typewriter to help me fit all I want to say into a smaller space :)

Again, I mixed the embellishments from a few collections, raising several with 3D foam.  I find it so fun to see how your own scrapbooking evolves based around the product you're working with. Stephanie has created such fantastic bits to pretty up our projects, that sometimes I have to remind myself that I don't have to find a spot on just one layout for every single chip shape and sticker !!!

I love that one sketch can result in 2 layouts that are similar but different and will both look fantastic in an album, even if they end up side by side !!  

Head on over to the Bella Blvd. Blog and check out all the other fabulous designers' inspiration ..... 

TFL ..... Talk soon.

..... a little bit of Santa on Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas Eve (& Christmas Day too :)) everyone !!!

Boy has it been a BUSY couple of days ..... but the baking is done, the house is clean (temporarily) and the gifts are wrapped ..... and the kids are EXCITED :))

I've been meaning to blog a few more of the holiday projects that I created over the past week or so but time flew by and here we are .....

I used some Core'dinations cardstock to make these fun little gifts.  Both are using cut files by Silhouette .....

These were sooooo easy to put together and i love how cute they look all done up.  The 'coffee sleeve' was put onto the new cup from Starbucks and given with a gift card and the 'santa bag' was filled with chocolates !!!

I am taking off for a few days now to hang out with the kids and Scott until he goes back to work on the weekend ..... and then I'll be back with LOTS of fun projects to share :))

I have so many exciting plans for 2014 and can not wait to share another year with all my crafty friends ..... xo

Wishing you all a VERY merry Christmas !!!

TFL ..... Talk soon.

Core Christmas Tree Cards

Like many of you I know, I too have been making Christmas cards like crazy lately and I've got a couple to share with you today !!

I started with an A7 (5 x 7) David Tutera card base and put it through my embossing machine with my fave Darice snowflake embossing folder.

I created the first 'tree' by punching snowflakes from Core'dinations white Glitter Silk cardstock and rasied them with 3D foam.  I embossed a piece of brown cardstock from the Tim Holtz & Ranger Distress 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" paper pad (LOVE these - cardmakers NEED these pads) ..... I used the Darice woodgrain embossing folder and then sanded the top lightly to show the pattern !!

I added a star and sentiment from the David Tutera Celebrate Step 3 embellishment packs and finished this one off with some red twine ......

I created the 2nd card using the same steps but different cardstock !! 

I started with the same kraft card base and then punched smaller heart shapes from Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Shattered cardstock and raised them using 3D foam .....

I punched a circle from the Tim Holtz & Ranger Distress cardstock pack and embossed it with a circle embossing folder and lightly sanded off the top for the 'trunk' of the tree ......

...... again the tree top and sentiment are from the Step 3 packs by David Tutera Celebrate with a little red twine wrapping it all up with a bow !!!

....... 2 different ways to create the same Christmas-y card featuring Core'dinations and David Tutera Celebrate !!!

TFL ..... Talk soon.

'mountain climber' .... Part 2

Yesterday I shared a layout of my boys climbing Mt. Rainier and today I want to share the mini album I created for all the other pics from their special day :))

I used this fun little Maya Road chipboard album and covered it front to back with this great Imaginisce collection ...... I added a piece of burlap underneath a few die cuts and finished off the cover with some twine and a couple of buttons too !!

LOVE these burlap Thickers by American Crafts .... totally my new fave !!!

Scott took so many great pics of their day but this one was by far my favourite one ... I was so proud of him that he thought to take a photo of their boots on the mountain - SUCH a great shot !!!

...... yes Alex was wearing shorts in the snow on the mountain in August ;))

This one speaks for itself ..... LOVE this boy of mine !!!

TFL ..... Talk soon.

my little mountain climber

Happy Monday everyone !!  I am sorry I've been so absent this past week-ish ..... as all you Mom's know, this is an absolutely CRAZY time of year with kids !!!

Mine are now out for the holidays for 3 weeks and I could not be more excited to spend this time with them .... I've been taking lots of pics of all the Chrismtas-y things I've been making and will share them with you this week right up to Christmas .....

..... but for now I have a few non-holiday related projects I thought you might like to see :))

Alex and Scott are HUGE into climbing and these pics are some of my faves from their first time hiking Mt. Rainier this past August.  We were in Washington for Em's riding and the boys had an amazing time exploring this fabulous mountain .....

...... and I was thrilled that Scott has been paying attention all these years as some of the pics he took were FABULOUS !!!

I used Core'dinations spotted cardstock for my base and then filled it all up using some great Imaginisce patterened paper and die cut shapes ..... finished it off with some fantastic burlap thickers by American Crafts and a little bit 'o' twine too !!!

I couldn't stop with just one layout of this fun boys trip so come on back tomorrow for a great little mini album that I created using the rest of the pics :))

TFL ..... Talk soon.

'thank you' card

I know we're in the holiday season but I wanted to share a cute little card that I made recently using some cute Imaginisce die cut shapes.

I created the 5 1/2 x 5 1/2" base using white Spotted Jillian Dot cardstock by Core'dinations (a FAVE) ..... I layered on a piece of striped patterned paper and then raised a square of multi-colored grid with rounded corners .....

I thought this cute little calculator die cut was so sweet so I added it slightly off the right edge and put the rule die cut along the bottom  .....

...... I used a Martha Stewart punch and 'poinsettia' Core'dinations cardstock for the 'thank you' sentiment  ..... I used my typewriter for 'i can always count on you' and added this underneath ..... a fun play on words with the calculator die cut :))

A little red and brown waxy twine wrapped around a few times tied in a bow to finish it off ..... so fun and ready to give :))

TFL ..... Talk soon.

Core'dinations Hops with Tombow

All this week Core'dinations is hopping with Tombow so get ready to see some fabulous projects and enjoy the chance to WIN a fabulous prize pack too !!

It's no secret that I am in LOVE with my Silhouette .... and Core'dinations cuts like a dream in this machine so I was able to use this fantastic, detailed cut file to create a couple of Christmas cards AND use my fave Tombow glue pen too adhere them !!

For this first card I started with a 5 1/2 x 5 1/2" kraft card base and added a 5 1/4" piece of white spotted cardstock.  I used THIS cut file for the Santa head and cut it using 'Nightfall' from the Core Essentials collection .  This file is perfect to be able to use the cut AND the negative image !!

I thought Santa need a little sparkle so I adhered this on top of 'Red Flash' from the Glitter Silk collection - LOVE this cardstock !!  

I wanted a bold sentiment for this card so using the same black 'nightfall' cardstock, I cut THIS file using my Silhouette.  It cut beautifully and to just the right size for this card.

A couple of pieces of twine and this card is ready to put in the mail  ....

 

For the card using the original cut I was able to really layer this as it is just an outline of Santa. To start I used another 5 1/2 x 5 1/2" card base from the David Tutera Celebrate collection and layered on a piece of black Jillian Dot Spotted and then a piece of Scarlet Tillie Dot Spotted cardstock.

Using a snowflake embossing folder, I ran a piece of Pearl Gemstones cardstock through my embossing machine and the rounded the corners.

The Tombow Glue Pen became a VERY important adhesive in my kit a LONG time ago.  It is exactly what you need to adhere these tiny little pieces with.  It writes on like using a pen and the adhesive is super strong .... for my larger pieces I am addicted to the Tombow Mono Multi liquid glue - LOVE this one and has been a fave of mine for many years.  Definitely a staple for anyone that truly wants their product to stay where they put it ;))

I wrapped some twine on this one as well and added the same sentiment to finish it off ..... They look so cute side by side - a shame to mail them (but I will ;))

Thanks so much for stopping by ..... now make sure to head over to the other girls' blogs today AND ALL WEEK LONG !!!

Don't forget to check out the Core'dinations Blog AND the Tombow Blog too for a chance to WIN .....

Tombow: http://blog.tombowusa.com/
Debbie: http://debbiedee.blogspot.com/
Clare Buswell http://clare-buswell.blogspot.com
Gail Lindner http://www.gaillindner.typepad.com/
Jennifer Edwardson http://3dfoamandasandingblock.blogspot.com/
Core’dinations: http://www.coredinations.com/index.php/cat...scrapbook-blog/


TFL ..... Talk soon.

Guest with Scrapbook & Cards Today

Today I am SOOOO excited to be a guest over on the Scrapbook & Cards Today Blog !!!  I had the absolute BEST time creating this fun project to share with all the SCT fans and wanted to post it here for you to see as well .....

This sweet burlap tree was made completely from scratch ..... starting with a styrofoam tree/cone ......

All the cardstock bits are from Core'dinations ..... Mini tags and burlap by David Tutera for Darice ..... Wood Veneer  snowflakes by Studio Calico (LOVE) and you can find the Silhouette cut file for the tree topper STAR here and the DOILIE 'tree skirt' here ......

...... and ALL the details can be found over on the Scrapbook & Cards Today Blog INCLUDING a step by step tutorial !!!  Head on over for my project and so much more .....

TFL ..... Talk soon.

Christmas with Bella Blvd.

Christmas is in full swing around our house and so is the card making !!!

I'm in LOVE with the Bella Blvd. 'Christmas Countdown' collection and it was perfect for this fun holiday card for a certain special someone ;))

I started with a red glitter card base by David Tutera Celebrate by Core'dinations and then just started to LAYER ..... Patterned papers mixed with die cut shapes, designer tape and a wooden button too !!

EXCITING blog post tomorrow so come on back .....

TFL ..... Talk soon.

Chic Tags Challenge

Today I am sharing a layout I created based on the current sketch from Chic Tags ..... LOVED their designers' take on Ashely Horton's sketch and I had fun playing along !!

I have had 'Persimmon' by Basic Grey on my craft table for some time now and thought it went perfectly with these fun mini polaroid pics i took of Em and Alex just before we went trick or treating on Halloween .....

I snuck in a great strip of gold shimmer polka dot  paper from the American Crafts Dear Lizzy '5th & Frolic' collection .....

What I love so much about this collection is the mix of colors lends itself to adding embellishments from so many different manufacturers ..... I was able to add stickers from the 'Persimmon' collection as well as wood veneer, alphas by Jillibean Soup, Thickers from American Crafts and some fantastic shiny gold star sequins by Studio Calico too .....

So much fun playing along with this great sketch ..... Thanks Chic Tags and Ashley Horton !!!

TFL ..... Talk soon.

a thank you card

I have a happy little Bella Blvd. thank you card to share with you today ....

I've had the negative piece of these butterfly punchies sitting on my desk from another project for a while now and finally decided to use them on a new card !!

They were created by adhering Designer Tape onto cardstock and then punching the butterfly shapes out of the cardstock piece. I love the cut out that was left over and was able to mix them in with the new 'Snapshots' Collection by Bella Blvd.

For the sentiment I typed 'so much' onto white cardstock with my typewriter and then clipped it to the inside of one of the butterfly cut outs with a pre-stamped 'thanks' mini clothespin .....

A couple of stickers, some twine and a few little gems and it's ready to go !!

Okay, now back to my studio to work on more Christmas gifts :)) .... which of course I will share in the coming days !!!

TFL ..... Talk soon.

Thank You Bag

Today I thought I'd share a 'Thank You Bag' today instead of a thank you card ?!?!

I was feeling pretty inspired with some new bits that just arrived from Elle's Studio so I decided to create a Thank You Bag instead of the standard card - and I'm pretty happy that I did .....

I started with a small plain kraft handled bag from the David Tutera wedding collection and added a distressed tag before I pulled out my new die cut pieces from Elle's Studio.

I lightly sanded the edges of a journal card and adhered it on top off to the right edge.  I LOVE the bits that Elle adds to her kits and the 'thanks so much' tag was great to centre on the front of the bag.

I clipped a small faux stitched circle in a pre-printed mini clothespin by Pebbles Inc. and added a wooden butterfly and button from Studio Calico and a 'smile' pin from Little Yellow Bicycle too !!

To finish it of I wanted just a touch of another color so I punched this butterfly silhouette from a piece of Core'dinations cardstock and really sanded off the top to distress it ..... a couple of pearl adhesive dots by Studio Calico added that last little touch .....

...... With a gift bag as cute as this - who needs a card to go with it !!!

TFL ..... Talk soon.

Winners Winners .....

Winners Winners chicken dinners ..... okay so you're NOT winning chicken ..... but you are winning CARDSTOCK from Core'dinations - lucky ladies !!!

HUGE congratulations to JOY for her adorable star ornaments for the David Tutera Ornament Challenge !!!

..... and LINDA who created her own pattern for this pretty ornament for the Core'dinations Ornament Challenge !!!

Thanks SOOOOO much to all of you that played along with all of us for the latest Hard Core Crop .... As always Core'dinations was so generous with their prizes - see you at the next one !!!

WINNERS: 

Congratulations and THANK YOU for playing along with our Hard Core Crop !!  Your entry has been chosen and we'd love to send you some more cardstock to use for your next projects !!

Please email: coredt@coredinations.com

INCLUDE:

• your full name
• address
• phone number
• challenge name in the email subject line

Again, thanks for playing and CONGRATULATIONS !!!!

TFL ..... Talk soon.

a 'spooky' little layout

I know I know ... halloween is over BUT ..... I had to share some of the fun I've been having with Bella Blvd's 'Trick or Treat' collection !!

I figured that I needed to get 'caught up' on the kids' pictures from last year BEFORE i started to work with this years' pics ;))

I am LOVE LOVE LOVE-ing the die cut pieces with Bella's latest collection ..... don't be afraid to even cut them up a bit - i punched the grey 'October' from a larger piece - mixed with all the fabulous stickers - PERFECT !!!

I even made my own little 'flag pin' using a flower pin and and 'little spooks' sticker ...... Mix all of that with a whole bunch of awesome patterned paper and you've got a perfect Halloween-y layout to showcase you own 'little spooks' :))

TFL ..... Talk soon.

Hard Core Crop Challenge - Day 2

Whoo Hoo ...... Here we go again !!! 

Today I am sharing my designs for my 'Christmas Ornament' Challenge featuring Core'dinations ..... I've got (3) samples to show you !!!

We want you to play along with us - so remember, you can find the Master Challenge List HERE ..... and the rules HERE so check it all out and then come play along !!  You have all week to finish the challenges and post here to win ..... 

I find it hard to create anything using Core'dinations without running a piece or 2 through my Big Shot with a fun embossing folder !!  For the green circles, I embossed the cardstock and sanded it FIRST and then punched out my shapes.  I find this easiest especially if your punches are small so that you don't tear your shapes when sanding :))

I built all the pieces together onto the green circle and added the doily LAST .... i LOVE LOVE LOVE the Core Couture cardstock - the glitter on it is FABULOUS and you can really see it sparkle on the snowflake punchies !!!!

This swirly ornament is super easy to do and was the perfect shape for more Core Couture to show off the sparkle ...... 

 I cut the strips to 1/2 x 12" and then folded them in half.  I rolled each end in towards each other over a pen and then adhered one curl on top of the other with a glue dot.  Once I had all (6) pieces ready I glued them all together in the center !!  Super quick, super easy and super cute ......

For my last ornament, I really wanted to show off a few pieces of Core'dinations cardstock from different collections ...... I used some Spotted Jillian Dot, Spotted Tillie Dot and Whitewash too.

I embossed the White Wash with a fun snowflake embossing folder by Darice and lightly sanded off the top on all (4) colors.  I cut each strip slightly shorter than the last but approx. 2" wide - enough to roll.

I gently wrapped each piece around a journaling pen and then adhered the end to the roll using a quick dry liquid glue.  Once all the rolls were adhered together, I used my Crop A Dile to punch a small hole through each piece.

I strung a piece of May Arts ribbon thru to create my tree 'trunk' and then created a star on top using a small star punch.  I folded (3) stars in half and then adhered them to each other to make it 3 dimensional and then added it to the loop at the top to hang onto the Christmas tree - LOVE ......

Now go get your stash of Core'dinations out and start cutting, embossing, sanding and creating your own fabulous tree ornaments to hang from your tree this holiday season !!

Can't wait to see what you come up with - don't forget to link them here for a chance to win a fabulous paper pad from Core'dinations Color Core Cardstock !!!

TFL ..... Talk soon.