MIA

Sorry gang that I have been MIA the last little while. I've been so busy with life and so tired from running around that I haven't had a chance to sit down and blog. But now I have a little moment to write. I have been trying to be creative these days and made a few projects which I hope to share with all of you shortly. 

In the meantime I'll share some other work I did last month for DT/teaching.

Here is a mini album I made using Fancy Pants Like Father Like Son line and was my May project for Crop Chocolate. 

Speaking of Crop Chocolate, I had to finally say goodbye to that design team job.  It was too much on my plate, working full time, teaching at my LSS  Pointer Scrapbooking and being on this design team.  My energy now will be focusing on doing more work of my own and perhaps get more stuff published (or at least attempt to get published).

This past month at Pointer Scrapbooking I've been teaching a new class for me, called Rapid Fire Scrapbooking ( 6 pages in 2 hours). The idea being that every month the class would make 6 new pages that they would have completed for their album.  Here's a sample of one I did for the class.

I will try and post some of the layouts and creative stuff I've been up to soon!

Some stuff that has been keeping me busy....

As promised here are the cards I took with Nicky Manel in her watercolouring class at Pointer Scrapbooking.  Ignore the image though of the top right one, I totally messed up the image Nicky gave us and went on my own to do one using the technique she taught us...it's obvious I need more practice. Nicky is an awesome teacher, so if you get a chance, go and take her class.

I recently completed this kit from Basic Grey using their Curio line of paper. Awesome paper line.

There was so much left over in the kit, that I decided to go on my own and make some more cards, inspired by the kit. I didn't put any greetings on the front yet, as I like to have lots of generic cards and put sentiments on before I give them.  Here are the cards I came up with.

And as promised here are some layouts I did recently. (Click on images to get larger view)

It's been a long, long, time...

Sorry for taking such a long break from blogging. It's been busy around here and this weekend being Easter and a long weekend, I'm hoping to get lots of crafting done!

I'll post some of the lovely things from Scrap Fest.  If you are ever in K-W or Oshawa and love all things scrappy, definitely go!

I was so excited about getting this apron. Scrapping Turtle in KW was giving away this for buying $30.00 in  Fancy Pants stuff. Like that was hard!?!?

 Caroline from Maya Road came and did Make and Takes. How could I not do this awesome tag!

 Mr. Fancy Pants himself was doing this Make and Take. It was a very large scrunched flower using their coffee filter papers, PP from FP and glimmer mists. So much fun!

 This was the Make N' Take I created for Pointer Scrapbooking booth. It was fun teaching this and meeting all the wonderful people in the 2 hours I did this at the booth.

 This lovely card was from the Art House and it was again Karen Ellis' largest Make N' Take with the whole crop participating. Love the techniques and will definitely be doing more of these in the future!

 Here was a make n' take we did in the crop. Forget the woman's name but she's a distributor of all things scrappy. Anyhow, it is suppose to be a decor item using the new Tim Holtz easel die on the back, but I'm going to use this on it's own as a card,  and save the easel for another project. Loving the easel BTW!

 This make n' take is from the Learning Factory. Love, that they always do a mini album. Will definitely have to "jazz" this up though. Not sure what I'm going to do with it.

 And here is one of the prizes I won from Mr. Fancy Pants himself. Love this line!

 And the other prize I won by working my butt off! Had to race another woman shaking jelly bean filled water bottles (had to be there).  Wahoo - always love the classes and workshops coming out of the Art House Studio. Now I have no excuse!!!! Thanks Karen!

Last night I took an amazing class with fellow instructor, Nicky Manel in watercolouring stamped images, at Pointer Scrapbooking. Will definitely post those pictures later this weekend with all my layouts I did at Scrapfest too.

Found this Awesome Blog and Scrapfest

Looking forward to the challenges and especially to try and use up my current stash. Loving this new site called Counterfeit Kit Challenge.  So now I have to challenge myself to make them up!

Also just got back from Scrapfest and had a fabulous weekend with my scrapping Peeps! I even won a couple of prizes too! If you ever are in the area and want a fabulous weekend of scrapping, shopping, make n'takes and just all around great scrappiness, definitely come!  I'll post photos later of some of the make n'takes, as well as some of the pages I was able to complete.

Speaking of pages, I forgot to post the stuff I did for Crop Chocolate's Chocolatier challenge, Spring/Easter.  Here  is a layout using Echo Park's A Walk in the Park.

I Don't Bake Cakes

But I will make these diaper cakes and tons of fun doing it too.    A fellow Girl Guide leader is about to have  just had a baby girl.  So we threw her a shower on Monday, sans leader.  Here is the diaper cake I made for her (love making these things!)

Well this week has been pretty crazy. I'm still trying to get back into the groove of things after my trip to Atlanta but I think I have too much on my plate and it feels  like an never ending cycle!  I was able to squeeze in some crafty goodness though. And even got to try out my new Ranger Craft Scrubbie.

My "caked-on, baked-on" painted hands

 Cracking open the Craft Scrubbie

Craft Scrubbie did not let me down!

 Even though the class is now done. I'm still working on my She-Art girls from Christy Tomlinson's class. She'll be offering it again as a download in April and I think it is definitely worth it for anyone wanting to dauble in multi-media art. She gives plenty of videos with great instructions. I'm going to take her next class She Has 3 Hearts Art Journaling  too.
Here is one of my girls from week one.

Speaking of Art-Journaling. I also did this for my cover of my art-journal that I plan on doing.  I used Claudine Helmuth's canvas to cover a sketch book. I then painted it with water colour crayons.  I added some quote rub-ons from Rhonna Farrer (these are ancient!)  And stamps from Pink Paislee-House of 3, Parisan Anthology (I so love this line)

I'm also working like a mad woman trying to get projects I owe to stores done. Here is sneak peak at a mini-album I am doing for Pointers Scrapbooking and will be teaching in April.

Love Ya Ranger!

So being away for the week in Atlanta, I came home today, to this lovely package! It is my prize pack from Ranger for leaving a comment on their blog. I encourage everyone to go and leave them some love...you never know when you'll get something in return.

I'm most looking forward to trying out the new Tim Holtz stains and the craft scrubbie, but all of this stuff is truly yummy! I'll post some results from me playing around with my new stash!

Right now Ranger is also taking applications for Ranger U. Go check out their site for details, but you have until Monday to apply! Keeping my fingers crossed that I get in!

I'm getting on a jet plane...

Leaving for the lovely city of Atlanta, Georgia tomorrow. I've never been, but will be attending a conference there for work. Of course, half my luggage is scrappy creative stuff, but I think that is partially how I am going to keep my sanity at the hotel. Will try and post if I can during the week, and if not I'll post on Friday with my adventures.

Go check out the amazing blog candy!

She Art Canvas

I've always loved the look of multimedia art and wanted to do some art journaling. I've only dabbled in it a bit and was kind of scared to try it out, but really wanted to get inky-painty-like.  When Christy Tomlinson from Scarlett Lime said she was doing an e-course called She Art, I was very interested. Sign up is now closed but she is doing it again as a download starting April 11. It is so worth the money! In the first week alone I learned so much from her.  Here is this weeks She Art I created.  It's my first and I see a few of her flaws but I will just embrace it!

Design Team Stuff for Crop Chocolate

March's Design Team theme is travel on Crop Chocolate. Go check out all the fabulous work from all the Chocolatiers. So I can finally showcase my projects this month.

First up is a box I made DS for carrying his toys in when we go on car trips. I used an old Maya Road tin and altered it with Echo Park's Little Boy collection. I measured a 1" stripe of the candy stripe paper for the outside and adhered it with glossy accents.  The inner blue dot was decorated with stickers from the kit then cut to 5.25" x 4.25". I then used Glossy accents on the inside ridge of the box to adhere the paper. Easy!

Here is my layout using the Making Memories Passport kit.  I used the packaging to mat the photo and then cut the script paper to mat the previous. I fussy cut the flowers to make a photo anchor.  The blue stripe was cut to make a ribbon banner and "road trip" was cut from the blue also using the Slice Travel card.  I also used My Little Shoebox letters in the title.  I finally outlined the centre with a black pen.  All embellsihments are also part of the Passport kit - I love those canvas tags!

Speaking of tags - I made a luggage tag with the kit also.  I'm going to write my info and laminate this baby. I'm hoping that it doesn't get too abused the hands of the luggage handlers!

Getting my craft on this week....

Been busy trying to craft this week with deadlines looming over my head for all creative stuff I needed to get done. Believe it or not I'm actually inspired.  My housework is suffering, but I'm having fun!


Here is a card I made for the Scrapbook Star online crop challenge.   Paper from Stampin' Up, cardstock Prism and stamp from CTMH ( I love this stamp set).

 And for the home decor challenge. This was something that was inspired by one I saw on Fleur's blog awhile back.  After taking this photo though, I did add adhesive pearls to the ribbon.  Birdcage from Michael's, flowers from Pointers Scrapbooking, ribbon from Making Memories Panaroma kit.

 I also did some work for Crop Chocolate, but can't post until Tuesday, I think. So stay tuned.

Wahoooo!

Happy dance - I found out today that I'm a winner over at the Ranger blog - seriously can't wait to see what I get!


A quick ATC I made for Scrapbook Star's Online Crop. Used DCWV pattered paper from the Mariposa Stack (so loving this paper - very different from other DCWV papers: this set is more collage/vintage feel), stamp set from Fiskars, edge punch from Martha Stewart Crafts and clip from Making Memories.

Here is a quick bracelet I made using the Pandora-type beads my dear friend Julia gave me for Christmas. Used leather for the bracelet and tied off the end with spacer beads.

Here are some bracelets I made for a customer recently.

And since I loved the combo of the first bracelets, I made one for moi!

Finally I can post now!

Been meaning to all week but my iPhone was not co-operating with me. All is Zen now with me and my phone. 

Wanted to first share this found great idea online which is a fabulous idea. Go check it out. 

Here is what DH got me for V-day. He knows me so well - jelly beans are the key to my heart!

 I made this mini-book based on Tim Holtz's idea that he posted on his blog. I've made this book in the past but I love the idea of using the tissue tape to seal the edges. I made this one for DH for v-day and filled it with the 10 Things I loved about him.

 And in the spirit of V-day - I love all the colourful flowers in all the shops around (right next to the no name tuna!)

2 in one day?

Yup here is my second posting for technically today. I will say though that the last one was really early into the day, so for me it was yesterday.

Here are some cards I made recently to share with you bloggers.
A couple of male birthday cards. I find making male cards hard sometimes.  The key is to keep it pretty simple. I tried.   Both cards are using the Piggy tales paper and embellies. I then used the Making Memories letters to put the sentiment on.

Valentines day is the time when I can give my boys some frilly things (in my head anyways).  Here is one for DH. It's a tag I did awhile back revisited. I inked it with Brick Red Distress Ink, covered in Red Stickles.  I then found this creative kit from Dollarama of all places, that had the handmade paper, skeleton leaves and burlap in it.

Here is one for DS who is 3. It's a 3-D heart made out of doillies. Got the idea from Heidi Swapp's Ustream video she was doing

Finally, here is a fun and quick project I did using Tim Holtz's grunngeboard. Don't remember who posted the instructions first (might have been Tim?), but here is mine.  Basically you make a bracelet with grungeboard, paint it with whatever medium you want ( I used black paint for the base and top coat of Luminere paint and then sanded the embossing to release some of the black).  I added a Prima flower for my focal point and since I don't own any hitch fasteners, I used velcro for my closure.