Do what you love.....love what you do!!

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween!!!

Just some random layouts to share with you today!!!  Tomorrow I can share another with you, that was published in the October 2012 issue of Scrapbook Trends!  Happy Halloween!!






Tuesday, September 11, 2012

My Inspiration

Where do you draw inspiration from??  I just returned from an incredible week up in the Muskoka region, a lovely resort called Cedar Grove Lodge on Penninsula Lake, between Huntsville and Algonquin. Cedar Grove has been the home away from home for vacationers since 1927!  It has been our home away from home for the last 8 years. The view from our cabin:


It was a week filled with nature, kids, fun and relaxation.  A week to recharge and be inspired by my surroundings.  I love the area, the sunsets, the landscapes, the mix of rocks, water and trees.  Pure heaven in my opinion. 
I also had the opportunity to take in a watercolour and wool workshop, offered by a very talented artist, Pam.  Pam owns and operates the Morgan House Bed & Breakfast and Woolworks.  Pam raises her own sheep, shears them and then dies the wool.  My friend and I created a "watercolour" canvas using wool.  It was such a relaxing, remarkable morning.  Up in an old barn studio, surrounded by every shade of wool imaginable, letting the canvas take shape as it will;  here is my creation:

 

You can click on the picture and see that everything is died wool, we created the background first, then added layers on top.  I choose to do a landscape, my friend an abstract.  I cannot wait to try to incorporate some of the techniques I learned up in that barn studio into my scrapbooking and altered art/mixed media designs. 

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Pencil Crayons or Distress Markers???

Pencil Crayons with odorless mineral spirits on the left, Distress Markers on the right.  Which do I prefer...hmmmmm.  This question will go unanswered today!! 

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Cousin Time

Wow, almost a month has gone by without any creative time!!!  How sad is that!?  My family arrived this week from Manitoba, and they are staying with us for the week.  I have been frantically getting the house into a cleaner, more organized space.  Our spare bedroom had sadly turned into a "lets put it in here for now" room.  The bathrooms got spruced up with new paint etc., and the whole house got a good cleaning.  That took up a LOT of my spare time!  But my brother, sister in law, niece and nephew have arrived and the 4 kids are having a blast together!  Loving this week!! 


Let's hope September is a craftier month!!  Have a great day!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Wild Ones!


This is a kit I put together for Scrappin' Great Deals.  Perfect for those dinosaur lovers out there!!  Everything you need to complete the above layout, except adhesive, is included in the kit! It will be available soon over at Scrappin' Great Deals, both in store and online!! 

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Real Boys Play with Trucks


It's true you know!  My boys love their trucks, and the bigger the better.  Monster Truck Big!  Here is a layout made with BoBunny's "On the Go" Line, perfect for my boys!


Nothing too technical about this page!  I used the 12 x 12 chipboard shapes, the brads and the paper, all from the one line. I also matched up some of the Double Dot Cardstock.  Some fussy cutting from the cut-outs paper, and the banner trend is still big right now so I layered some 1" strips, folded them and made the banner below the title.  Love the colours, so bright and happy!

 

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

My Sunshine


Good morning everyone!  Looks like we have another heat wave heading our way here in Southwestern Ontario!  I will enjoy today's temperatures while it lasts - hot but not as much humidity!

I have another layout to share today - created with Scrappin' Great Deals July Scrapbooking Kit.  Sadly, it is also the last of the monthly kit program.  Happily we are still creating kits - just in a new direction.  We are making DIVA kits.  Layouts, cards, altered items;  kits with full instructions to create one layout, or a group of cards or even an album.  I will post more details as we get them underway!!

Right now here is:  "MY SUNSHINE"


I had fun playing with a new Ranger stamp set, Dylusions - that is the flowers along the left side, stamped in Tattered Rose Distress ink, hilighted with my Distress Markers.  I used an EK Success border punch on the Authentique patterned paper, and then used a Prima flourish mask to add some dimension to the paper.  The rest of the embellishments are in the kit - the wood butterflies by Maya Road, a lovely little folder by Simple Stories, ZVA roses, pearls, ribbon, twine.  Loving the orange & pink colour combo!

Have a fabulous day!!

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Sunshine Makes Me Happy!!


It is that time again!  The beginning of the month means it is time to present Scrappin' Great Deals July's Scrapbooking Kit!! Look at all that yummy paper and embellishments, and the theme this month is "Dreams Create the Future" courtesy of a Unity Stamp that is included in the kit!


Tons of summer colour; paper by Echo Park, American Crafts, BoBunny and Authentique; May Arts ribbon, Darcie twine, ZVA flowers, Favourite Findings Buttons, Maya Road Butterflies, Simple Stories Memo Pockets; etc, etc, etc!!!  STUNNING!!

I have one layout to share today:  "Sunshine Makes me Happy"


Tools and Media I used to create the layout not included in the kit:

Studio Calico Bubble Mask
Donna Salazar Bubble Wrap Stamp
October Afternoon Mist
Glimmer Mist
Sew Easy and Embroidery Cotton
Distress Ink and Stain
Dylusions by Ranger Stamp Set

I love building layers upon layers using my paper and media, love texture, fussy cutting, stamping and misting!  I just can't seem to keep it simple!!

Hope you have a fantastic day, keep cool and enjoy the sunshine!! 

Monday, June 18, 2012

Happy Father's Day T-Shirt


Hand prints on a t-shirt!!  Is there a better way for kids to show their love forever??  I don't thinks so!

Hope all the dads out there enjoyed their day! 

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Playing with my Distress Markers

 So I will confess that I have had my Tim Holtz Distress Markers for some time now, played with them a bit and now have finally gotten around to taking a picture of my first efforts with them! Here is a flower from a Flourishes stamp set, that I coloured in with my lovely new markers; the image was stamped using Rangers Archival Ink on Rangers specialty stamping paper.


These markers are water based and are really different from any others that I have used.  I don't think I did too badly for my first attempt though!  Not only can you colour with these markers, you can stamp as well!  Simply colour directly onto your stamp, then give a "huff" of breath on it and stamp on your paper, like so:


This technique works really well for more solid image stamps like I used above.  You can take your time colouring the stamp, all you have to do is breath on the stamp and it moistens the ink and it is ready to stamp. 

I can't wait to play a bit more with these markers - I need more time in the day!!  See ya!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Art Journals

Art Journalling has become a very hot topic lately.  It has been around for awhile, but lately it seems to be everywhere!  Some of the SGD divas are trying to make an effort to get together once a month for some art journalling.  We met this past Friday and here is a page I added to my journal (my journal that I started March 2011 with Donna Downey and has remained closed since!!)
An art journal - also called an inspiration journal, a life journal - is a place to try new techniques, create new designs, record thoughts, experiences - no rules, anything goes.  Get out stamps you have never used, paints that you have never opened - experiment, get messy and have fun! 
 
A list of all the "STUFF" I used on my page can be found on today's blog post for Scrappin' Great Deals.
 

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Holiday Weekend at the Playground!!


No craftin' to share today!!  While Daddy was off working this past weekend, Malcolm, Ben & I spent lots of time outside!  It was a fantastic weekend; the warmest Victoria Day weekend that I can remember!  Here we are at a local playground, soaking up the sun:



 

 

Me and my boys!

Friday, May 18, 2012

Ruffled Tissue Paper!!


I am really loving the new line Neapolitan by American Crafts!  Lots of springy colours, pinks, yellows, oranges.  There is also some fantastic paper that has strips of ruffled tissue paper!  LOVE it.  I used it on this layout: (Excuse the photo - not quite enough light!)






The colours completely matched those used at my cheeky niece's 4th birthday party last year! I matched up the American Crafts paper with some of the Victoria Park line from Lily Bee.  It has been awhile since I did a double page spread, I need to do it more often!! 


Looking forward to this year's party Anna!  Hope it is as fun as last years!!  xo


Monday, May 14, 2012

Love Wish Dream


This is a little 6 x 6 mixed media canvas, that I made for a class I taught last March at Scrappin' Great Deals.  Mix up some Prima paper and masks, along with some Tim Holtz inks, stamps, stains and tissue paper, add in a Unity Stamp, and you get a vibrant piece of inspiration for your studio!

Friday, May 4, 2012

Create Together


This is my second layout from Scrappin' Great Deals' May Scrapbooking Kit.  My two boys having so much fun with water, chalk and a scrap piece of wood.  Little artists in the making, so I go a little artsy with my layout!  Lots of misting; I made my own stencil of a "paint splat", and sprayed some glimmer mist through it, then outlined them in black.  I also made some splats with pumpkin coloured smooch ink on white cardstock, covered it in glossy accents for dimension and cut them out to add to the layout. My Tim Holtz alpha mask was used for the word "create" in my title.  I also used my WRMK Sew Stamper to add the cross hatching around the layout.  A few different Tim Holtz stamps were also used for the background.  I coloured the white Thickers with the same pumpkin coloured smooch ink.  LOVE my smooches!!

A couple close ups:



Enjoy your day, and I hope to see you tomorrow out at Scrappin' Great Deals to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day!!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Oh So Lovely Ladies!


It's that time of the month again!!  Scrappin' Great Deals' May Scrapbooking Kit will be released this week.  Sheila and I played with the kits during our weekend retreat at Woodeden a few weeks ago.

Here is the kit, it's theme: "Colours of the Rainbow":


Here is my first layout to share:

Oh So Lovely Ladies!


I layered the background with Basic Grey, White Cardstock and lastly American Crafts Vellum.  Some Prima flowers, Pebbles Candy Dots, a Prima Art Tile, American Crafts Fabric Brad, lots of layers!!  The American Crafts Thickers included in the kit are white foam, and I coloured them with Peridot Mixed Media Ink.  The pink floral burst border is punched from an EK Success punch and is included in the kit.  The white scroll border, is also an EK Success punch,(not included in kit).

Another note: Remember that it is NATIONAL SCRAPBOOKING DAY on Saturday, May 5, 2012!! 

COME CELEBRATE
NATIONAL SCRAPBOOKING DAY
WITH SCRAPPIN' GREAT DEALS!!!
SATURDAY, MAY 5, 2012
FROM 10am until 1pm
We are having one of our famous
FREE CUSTOMER EVENTS!!
MAKE 'N TAKES ~ RAFFLES ~ DOOR PRIZES ~ TREATS
THIS IS A PINK EVENT!
PLEASE CONSIDER BRINGING A TOONIE TO HELP SUPPORT BREAST CANCER RESEARCH!
I hope you all can make it!! It will be a truly outstanding day!!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Moments in Time

Today I have a project up today on the Scrappin' Great Deals Blog.  It is a layout I completed on the weekend at the retreat, titled "Moments in Time".  Here is a glimpse of it, and you can pop over to the blog to see the whole thing!!



Happy Crafting!!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Where will you be this weekend?!!

Hopefully the answer is:
"Cropping at Woodeden with the Scrappin' Great Deals gals!!"

Just in case you hadn't heard about this incredible weekend, here are some of the details:

Weekend Scrapbooking Retreat with SGD's!

Join SGD's for a Scrappin' Great Weekend!! Nothing but laughter & the best hobby ever!! Stay in your PJ's all weekend if you like!! (Sheila will be!!) Make this weekend all about you & your craft!
Location: Wood Eden Easter Seals Camp - Glendon Rd., Komoka (a hop, skip & a jump from SGD's!!)
TWO OPTIONS NOW AVAILABLE!!
Full Weekend Retreat: Friday, April 20 @ 6:00pm - Sunday, April 22 @ 3pm $199+hst Click here to register
Daytime Retreat: Saturday, April 21: 9am - midnight! Includes brunch & supper, pink carry tote, goodies, snacks & so much more! $80+hst Click here to register
Registration & deposit is required to hold your spot. Final day to register: April 19, 2012
Meals: Pizza & snacks Friday night. Brunch & Supper Saturday (catered by Marshalls). Brunch on Sunday (catered by Marshalls). Snacks, bottled water, refreshments, treats, Tim Horton's Coffee supplied all weekend! We will feast like the true Diva's we are!!
Each participant will receive an exclusive SGD's pink carry tote bag with goodies!! You will also receive a 20% discount on all regular priced, in-stock items at SGD's (your discount will be valid April 18 - 22. SGD's will be on site with some supplies. Visa, Mastercard or cash will be accepted. Our store is just a stones-throw away! Raffles & Make n Takes!!

We have the one and only Karan Gerber doing an exclusive make n take for the participants, have a look at it:

Karan will be using acrylic paint, texture paste, smooch spritz and more!! We'll be getting messy I think!!

I will be demonstrating how to use a melting pot, utee and dye inks to create your own embellishments, and Andrea will be showcasing her copic skills!! We do promise to leave you SOME time for your own projects!!! :)

So if you are looking to make some last minute plans for the weekend, give the store a call 519-473-5751!!! We would love for you to join us!! It will be a memorable weekend!! I for one, can't wait!!

Monday, April 16, 2012

Two Layouts to Share!


ENJOY THE JOURNEY

This layout was from Scrappin' Great Deal's March Scrapbook Kit.  I shared it over on the store's blog last month but thought it deserved a spot here too!!  Love that picture of Malcolm, and I really wanted to remember him saying "My energy hurts!"  Two year olds have the best lines!!



STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS 

Pictures of my Benny smelling the tulips.  The pictures were totally staged, he was smelling them, but then I had to go grab the camera and get him to do it again! This layout used April's kit at Scrappin' Great Deals.  A couple of the kits are still available in the store, they aren't posted online yet.



Have a great day!!

Thursday, April 5, 2012

What I Like About You!


Another Layout using Scrappin' Great Deals' April Scrapbooking Kit!  Really like all the colour in this month's kit - the navy paper by Authentique, yellows & oranges, splashes of red!  And the MME of course - love the latest releases (On the Bright Side, Fiddlesticks and Follow Your Heart are represented in the kit), they are all so versatile!! 

Hope you all have an amazing Easter Weekend!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

My Favorite Blessings


My three boys taking a break in the shade of the tree, sipping on juice boxes.  Love this picture of them!  The layout was created with the April Scrapbooking Kit from Scrappin' Great Deals.  I even managed some white space, which is a challenge for me!!  I used some stamps from the Unity SMAK kits that come magically to my house every month!

Pop over to the store blog today to see the whole kit and some layouts that Sheila created!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Oh Baby!!

A beautiful picture of my sister-in-law Julia holding my Benny just days after he was born.  The layout was put together using the incredible March Scrapbooking Kit from Scrappin Great Deals.  Loving those blues and yellows.  And the MME Bright Side Line "Sawyer" - that is the wood look background paper - Adore it!!  There are several different styles in the new collections and they are flying off the shelves!!!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Nap Time?

I found this picture recently of my son Malcolm, from ages ago.  He is just too cute, can't help but smile at it!  He however informed me that that couldn't have been him! (Oh yes dear, it was!)  Here it is scrapped using Scrappin' Great Deals' March Scrapbooking Kit:


Gorgeous new papers from MME - Miss Caroline collection and BoBunny's new Weekend Market.  A Tim Holtz mask helped with the background and his matching Sizzix die made the chipboard timepiece and is included in the kit.  Yellows and blues - very hot right now!!!

You can head over to the stores blog today to see what the whole kit looks like and check back in here over the next couple of days to see the other layouts I have done!

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Some sneak peaks!!!

Good morning!!! I have some sneak peaks to share with you today of Scrappin' Great Deals March Scrapbooking Kit!! LOVE this kit (I know, I love them all!) Here's a little teaser of the actual kit:

Sheila and I played with the kit last Saturday at the all day crop, and here are the peaks of the three layouts I manage to finish:

I will be back to share the whole layouts later this week when the kits will be available for sale!!

Enjoy your day!!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Be Still My Heart!!

Hey All!!!  I have my third and final layout from Scrappin' Great Deals February Scrapbooking Kit to share with you today!

Here is the kit once again:


 and my layout, "Be Still My Heart"

Malcolm and I cuddling on the couch.  I love that he is such a cuddly guy, hope that doesn't change for a very VERY long time!!!  Love the layers of paper, punched with a Martha Stewart doily border punch.  I have seen it done on various blogs, and thought I 'd give it a try.  Quite happy with the result!! 

Make sure you pop over to Scrappin' Great Deals' blog today.  You may have heard that BoBunny is coming to the store!!!  Well, you heard right!! All the way from Utah, JoAnn, BoBunny designer, has a weekend full of classes for us, on February 18 & 19.  We finally have some pictures of the projects we will be making!!  Head over to the blog to have a peek!!!

Have a fantastic day!!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Love My Sooss!!


Wow, does my little guy love his sooss (our soother terminology!!)  So many pictures, so many soothers!!  This is my second layout using Scrappin' Great Deals' February Scrapbooking Kit.  Love the MME paper!  I added a heart to the paper using a Crafter's Workshop template, a ranger foam tool and weathered wood distress ink.  I also used some Glitz stickers, Lily Bee Paper, and Jillibean Soup Heart Pins - All of course included in the kit!!! 

Enjoy your weekend!!! 

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Heartfelt Sentiments!!

Happy February Everyone!!!  Although outside it feels more like the end of March, crazy winter we are having here in SW Ontario!!! Today I am sharing Scrappin' Great Deals February Scrapbooking Kit, its theme "Heartfelt Sentiments"!!  It will be available for sale later today or tomorrow.


Full of designer paper by Lily Bee, Basic Grey, Kaiser and MME, with a ton of co-ordinating embellishments!!!  Love is in the air, in the shades of pink & turquoise!!! 

Here is one of the three layouts I made with this kit, a wedding picture of my valentine, my hubby: (side note: wow does he look young! It was 9 years ago!!)


Lots of fussy cutting, distressing, embosssing, stencilling.., my usual!!  I don't know that I have ever used grey in a layout before, but it certainly looks nice with the turquoise of the Kaiser & Lily Bee papers!! 

So there you are, I'll share more over the next couple of days!