Jac's Scrappin'

#1 Priority

2009-06-27T22:12:00.004-02:30

This digi was inspired by a couple of different challenges. The day five challenge at Jessica Sprague's week long birthday bash was to use a screen shot in your layout so I decided to do a layout about my homepage. Thanks to Jessica's tutorial I learned how to take a screen shot from my computer and use it in layout. The design of the layout was inspired by the Saturday Scraplift Challenge - June 27 on the YMBD blog. The papers and buttons I used in the layout are by Krista Ringham. I created all the other elements from the papers.

I Can Hear the Ocean

2009-06-24T22:50:00.002-02:30

This digital layout was inspired by the Birthday Bash Day 2 challenge in Jessica Sprague's week long birthday bash, which you can read all about here. The challenge was to use a provided template to create a layout. The template was included in the day 2 freebie - ez-pz Template 01 kit by LivE. I used the paper, overlay, and photo frame from the kit. The shells I used are part of Maddy Fernandez Of Sand and Sea kit. I received the shell as a freebie a couple of years ago.

Week 3 of the 92 Days of Scrapping contest at YMBD

2009-06-22T15:25:00.003-02:30

This is my creation for week 3 of the 92 Days of Summer Contest at Your Memories by Design - another digital layout. Once again I loved the sketch, by Heather, which was part of the Week #3 Inspiration post. All digi elements are by April Staker.

You can check out other layouts inspired by this contest here.

Summer Chillin'

2009-06-18T09:02:00.002-02:30

Digital layout inspired in part by YMBD's Marti's June Challenge - Summer Heat - to use the colors red, yellow, and orange. Also inspired by SOS's June 15th Monday challenge to cut at least two shapes from patterned paper or cardstock. As my layout is a digi I had to do digi cutting. I "cut" all the different shapes and letters from the digi papers I used in the layout. Based on a sketch by Jill Sarginson in the June Sketch contest at JustCre8. Papers and ribbons are by Rina Kroes and I recieved them for doing challenges at 3Scrapateers a couple of years ago. I did recolor the papers and one of the ribbons to better match the pictures.

Week 2 of the 92 Days of Scrapping contest at YMBD

2009-06-17T10:49:00.003-02:30

I really struggled with what paper and elements to use with this layout. I redid it about half a dozen times - seriously - but I'm finally happy with the end results. This is my creation for week 2 of the 92 Days of Summer Contest at Your Memories by Design - another digital layout. Once again I loved the sketch, by Heather, which was part of the Week #2 Inspiration post. The sketch was actually for a two pager but I decided to stick with one pagers so I just adjusted the sketch to make it a one pager. I also decided to stick with using all digital elements by Sophia Davies. I received them as prizes for doing challenges at DigitalScrapbookingPages a couple of years ago. You can check out other layouts inspired by this contest here.

The Smile that says....

2009-06-15T01:14:00.002-02:30

Digital layout inspired by Susan's June Challenge - Power of a Smile - at YMBD. Based on Allison Cope's sketch featured in the June 13th Sketchy Saturday post on Scrapbook & Cards Today blog. Papers, flowers, and brads by April Staker of DigiApe Designs, some of her first creations. Doodles by BannerWoman.

Sarah's New Toy

2009-06-14T01:13:00.002-02:30

This digital layout was inspired by YMBD's Saturday Scraplift Challenge - June 12. All digital elements are from Design's by Krista's Gypsy Treasures kit

Digi Masking :)

2009-06-13T01:41:00.003-02:30

This digi was inspired by the SOS June 1st Monday Challenge - to do a layout about 5 favorite things, with some type of masking, and use the color yellow somewhere. I had to get creative about the masking - I did a type of digital masking. I made the title using the text tool and then made a layer over it and used the airbrush and then highlighted the text on that layer and deleted it - sort of like use letters as mask for paint and then removing the letters. Based on the June sketch by Heather at YMBD. Most digital elements from Kimberly Stewart's Spring Is Coming kit

Week 1 of 92 Days of Summer Contest at YMBD

2009-06-09T14:27:00.003-02:30

I went digital this week, probably will most weeks as my scrappy stuff is all over the place and I'm out of a lot, including adhesive, which appears to be rather essential to paper scrapping :) This is my creation for week 1 of the 92 Days of Summer Contest at Your Memories by Design. I loved the sketch, by Heather, which was part of the Week #1 Inspiration post. I can definitely see me using this sketch again - I love it! All the digital elements I used are by Sophia Davies. I received them as prizes for doing challenges at DigitalScrapbookingPages a couple of years ago. You can check out other layouts inspired by this contest here.

It's not too late to join the contest. Apparently the prizes are great, though that wasn't what drew me in. I love the challenge of taking at least one picture a day and incorporating at least one picture per day into a layout per week. It will be such a great keep sake of the summer of 2009! Each week there is an inspiration post with photo ideas, tips and techniques you can use in your layout, and a sketch you can use if you like. I also like the fact that you have until September 30 to submit everything, so lots of time to get it done. There are some incentives to staying on top of things, however, because there will be some early bird prizes along the way too. Another thing that I like about this contest is that all prizes will be by random ballet drawing so you don't have to worry about your work not measuring up or changing your usual style in the hopes that it might help you win. You don't want to miss out on the fun so be sure to check it out.

YMBD Saturday Scraplift Challenge

2009-05-31T00:43:00.003-02:30

On the Your Memories by Design blog they have a regular Saturday Scraplift challenge. I really liked the layout chosen for Saturday Scraplift Challenge May 30 so I had to give it a try. I decided to go digi again. All elements are by DeaSpina. The pictures are some of different poses little one struck for me while declaring that she was the Fire Princess.

SOS Challenge and SoSketchy Sketch

2009-05-30T15:03:00.005-02:30

This digi was inspired by the May 25th Sisterhood of Scrap Monday Challenge - to create a non-people layout. I also used So Sketchy May #19 sketch as inspiration - love the sketch! All papers are from Kimberly Stewarts "Spring Is Coming" kit.

Photo a Day Challenge and 92 Days of Summer Contest

2009-05-26T21:04:00.002-02:30

I started a photo a day challenge the end of April. It was inspired by the 365 day challenges that I'd been reading about since the beginning of the new year but I was late jumping on the band wagon so mine is just a photo a day challenge instead of a 365 day challenge. :) I have been having so much fun doing this challenge! Rather than go for an artist theme and attempting to get really good artist type photos I have been aiming for a day in the life type theme with pictures that share something about our days. It's become sort of my photo journal and I'm loving it!

Tonight I discovered the 92 Days of Summer Contest at the YMBD forum and I'm even more excited about it. Part of the challenge for this contest is to take a photo a day, which I'm already doing, and then to do a layout a week using 7 pictures from the seven days of that week. I love the idea!

I'm so glad I found out about this contest. I've been in a big scrapping slump and I'm thinking that this is going to be just the thing to get me out of it.

Sisterhood of Scrap Forum!

2009-05-19T19:55:00.001-02:30

Sisterhood of Scrap now has it's own online forum - check it out!

Online crop starting this coming weekend

2009-03-09T00:41:00.003-02:30

I joined another Canadian forum. I read about an upcoming online crop on Susan's blog and decided to check it out. The crop starts on my birthday and I'm hoping maybe it might get me out of my scrappin' funk.

From Scrap My Memories Design Team:

Scrap My Memories Design Team would like to invite you to join us for our online crop

Mother Goose visits Scrap My Memories

Friday, March 13th 6 at 6:00 pm EST - Sunday, March 15th at 9:00pm EST.

We will give you until Monday, March 16th, 11:59pm EST to upload your completed layouts.

The Design Team is busy at work with Mother Goose, The three little pigs and Goldilocks to bring you a fabulous weekend of scrapbooking fun, games, lots of chatter and ofcourse lots of prizes too

So, don't forget to mark your calendars.

Haven't been postin'...

2008-11-29T15:39:00.007-03:30

...but I have been scrappin', problem is most of it is stuff that I can't post yet! I did a couple of layouts for layout tag games that are ongoing and I can't post them until the games are done. I really like how they turned out and I'm anxious to post them, but I have to wait.

I just realized that I do have a few creations that I haven't posted here. They were all inspired by challenges in the Apprentice Game at Love Bug.

This one was inspired by an ad challenge. We also had to use at least 5 pictures and no patterned paper. Here's what I came up with:

This one was also inspired by an ad inspiration challenge:

This one was inspired by a progressive challenge. I've done a few of these porgressive challenges before but this was the first time where we had to post pictures of our progress as we went along, and I really liked that. Our first step was to gather the supplies, then we had to cut them according to instructions. Then we had to adhere some according to instructions. Finally we had to put it all together in a layout. It was really fun to do.

This challenge was to use the posted sketch by Traci Boutilier. For this layout I used pictures that Little One took of me a while ago.

This was a challenge to scraplift a layout by a fellow Newfoundlander, Joe. Once again I used a picture that Little One had taken, this time of her big sister.

One more layout and news bulletin before I sign off for the day. :) The layout below is featured on the Sisterhood of Scrap blog today. It was completed especially for them as a sample of the Becky Fleck sketch they are featuring today.

Weekend Scrappy Creations

2008-11-24T15:31:00.007-03:30

The layout above was inspired by a few different challenges that I came across this weekend. At Scrapbooking Fanatics Friday Night Crop, the first challenge was a sketch challenge to use the Becky Fleck sketch posted. I loved the sketch and found the perfect pictures for it. At CompuPro Scrapbooking they had an "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" crop happening and one of the challenges was to use something real and something fake on your layout. I used a real piece of chipboard that I inked yellow, but I also traced the chipboard onto patterned paper and cut it out and used that underneath the chipboard. Also, I used a real leaf embellishment, but I also traced around the leaf onto two different patterned papers and cut those out and used those too. Sisterhood of Scrap had a Blog Crop happening and one of the challenges was to use an embellishment cluster. That inspired me to put all the embellishments together in the layout.

The pretty bow below was inspired by a couple of challenges too. ScrapShotz has a monthly Scrappy Hour and in this month's scrappy hour on Friday night Virginia shared instructions on how to make a paper bow. A Make 'n' Take challenge in the crop at CompuPro this weekend included much the same instructions so this morning I finally found the time to follow the instructions and make the bow. I made it pink for my Little One, whose third birthday is today. This is a real easy project and I will be making more. I'm hoping to find the time to try making a smaller version.

The rest of my creations from this weekend are all meant to be Christmas tree ornaments but truthfully I will not be using them on my Christmas tree. Maybe it's because DH is fire chief but I'm leery of putting paper ornaments on a tree along with Christmas lights. It may be a perfectly safe thing to do, but I'm not willing to take the chance. I may try to incorporate them into decorations elsewhere in the house, such as hanging from swags in doorways, where they will not have any chance of being near any source of heat. We'll see.

The circle globe below was also inspired by a couple of challenges. A while back Lil' Scrappers had a 5th Anniversary Celebration Crop. I didn't get a chance to do any of the challenges at that time but I did record them to hopefully come back to later. This weekend one of the challenges in the CompuPro Crop was to make a Christmas Ornament using 10 circles. This reminded me of Carla's Make n Take challenge in the Lil' Scrappers crop, except you had to use 20 circles. I followed the instructions in the Lil' Scrappers crop and made the creation below. I my try my hand at the other instructions later. Someone in the CompuPro Forum mentioned that they've seen these made with photos and I'm thinking I'd like to give that a try, if I find the time.

Friday someone in one of the forums I frequent, I can't remember which one, pointed out this Christmas Photo Ornament blog post. I had to give it a try and my creation is below. I'm not thrilled with it, but I may try it again. This one was a bit of a rush job just to try it out. It's real easy to do and she gives the instructions in her post.

Later in the weekend a bonus challenge in the CompuPro crop was very much like the photo ornament, except it's just made with patterned paper and the instructions are a little different. The creation below was made for that challenge. It would look much nicer with double sided paper.

And it looks pretty good when it's spinning. :)

Final Challenge for Cre8ive Idol

2008-11-21T12:11:00.004-03:30

The 5th, and final, challenge was to use something old, something, new, something borrowed and something blue on a layout, but it was not to be a wedding theme at all. I almost didn't bother doing something for this challenge because I didn't have a clue what to do. After some cheering on from Jackie and Jean, however, I finally came up with an idea, the morning it was due, and set to work. I'm so glad I did because I absolutely love the result. To see all the beautiful creations inspired by this challenge you can check here. Here's what I created:

The something old was the chipboard and patterned paper I used for the letters and journaling pieces. They were actually a part of a RAK that Jackie sent me a long time ago. The new was the rest of the paper and materials and the picture which was taken just a couple of days ago. The borrowed was Carla's sizzix that I used to make the letters. Sorry for still having it Carla. I promise I will bring it back. :) The blue is the bit in the picture and the bling I glued in the letters.

Featured on ScrapShotz blog!

2008-11-20T16:17:00.002-03:30

Wow! I was rather shocked just now to discover that the Christmas Tree Ornament set I made recently is featured on Scrap Shotz's blog today! Thanks Amber!

I seem to have lost my mojo

2008-11-18T21:01:00.003-03:30

Just can't seem to get motivated at all the last couple of days. The last challenge for the Cre8ive Idol contset is due tomorrow but I just can't seem to wrap my head around it at all. I hate the thought of not doing the last challenge but I have absolutely zero ideas! Oh well. Must go spend some time with my girls.

The Apprentice at LoveBug

2008-11-16T23:52:00.003-03:30

Last week I signed up to play the Apprentice Game happening at LoveBug Scrapbooking. What great fun! The game will be going on for quite a while yet - right into the new year, apparently. I don't plan on doing everything but I will be doing what I can and having fun. Here's a couple of things I made inspired by the game this week.

I love this mini albums. I'm made them before and I will make them again.

This is a neat little gift bag that I will definitely be making again too. So easy and so nice!

Layout Tag at CompuPro Scrapbooking

2008-11-15T23:21:00.003-03:30

Earlier this week I created a layout for a game of layout tag at CompuPro Scrapbooking. The game finally finished up today and the layouts were revealed tonight, so now I can post my layout. If you want to check out all the layouts inspired by this game you can check here and here. We had so many people sign up for the game that the organizer decided to divide them into two teams. It wasn't set up as a race but it did kind of end up being sort of a race and it was great fun! Here's the layout that I did for the game:

Cre8ive Idol Challenge #4

2008-11-14T23:01:00.004-03:30

Challenge #4 was to creative a gift for someone. This one really had me stumped and I didn't have a clue what to do, until the morning of the day it was due! I worked like a busy beaver and managed to get it posted well before the deadline. I am really please with my creation, but I still didn't manage to get any extra points for it. Oh well, it's all in fun. There are some really great gift ideas in the gallery. You can check them all out here. My favorite is the one that won the most points, Leigh's book that she created for her little one. I absolutely love it!

Here's what I created for this challenge - a gift set of tree ornaments and a jar to store the ornaments in:

This is what the jar looks like closed. It is a slightly wider, though shorter, than standard mason jar. I covered the jar with patterned paper. The title on the cover is a rebus meaning "O Christmas Tree".

This is a picture of the jar lid off showing the ornaments stored inside. It acutally holds 4 ornaments, but I think a couple more could fit in there too.

The ornaments are made from the sealing lids of a standard sized mason jar. I glued two such lids back to back for each ornament, securing a hanging loop of ribbon in between the lids, and trimmed the edge by gluing a thin ribbon around it. One side of each ornament has a photo of a different Christmas tree from past years. The edges of the photos are inked and the photo is adhered to a circle of cardstock before being glued onto the lid. The other side of each ornament has an origami Christmas tree, made with patterned Christmas paper, glued unto a circle of cardstock before being glued onto the lid. The storing jar is a larger size mason jar. I cut circles of cardstock to glue to both the outside and inside, so you wouldn't see the actual bottom of the sealing lid when you opened the jar, of the sealing lid before securing the sealing lid to the outer rim.

This is a picture of the origami tree side of one of the ornaments:

Each ornament has a picture of an actually family Christmas tree from a different year on one side. It is really neat to see how different they are. I meant to take pictures of each ones but my batteries died and I hadn't thought about it again until just now. This is a picture of the photo side of the same ornament as above:

I decided to hang them on a tree to give an idea of what they would look like hung on a tree. I think they look pretty good.

Layout Tag at JustCre8!

2008-11-13T08:59:00.000-03:30

Yesterday I finished up a game of layout tag at JustCre8. I was the last one on the list so once mine ws submitted I didn't have long to wait for the reveal. I can't decide which I like better, having to wait for the reveal or having to wait for my turn. :) Anyway, the reveal went up last night so now I can post my layout. TO check out all the layouts inspired by this game of layout tag you can check here. It's really interesting to see how the layout changed as it went through the list. Here's my creation:

The picture is of my oldest son and my oldest daughter all dressed up for last year's youth Christmas formal. Our youth pastor's wife is a photographer and she took pictures of all the kids.

See the flower in the layout? I made the biggest layer with patterned paper. I just took one of my few big prima flower and traced around it on the back of the paper and cut it out. Then I went around the edge of the petals with an embossing tool to make it curve up. I then topped it with a prima and a button. Isn't it neat!

Cre8ive Idol Challenge #3

2008-11-12T08:25:00.000-03:30

Challenge #3 was an ad challenge. We had to be inspired by one of three ads that were posted. It was a tough deciding which ad to use because all three were inspiring, but I kept going back to one. You can see all the beautiful creations inspired by this challenge here. My layout totally pales in comparision to everyone elses, but I still like it. :) Here's what I did:

Here's what I wrote in my description: "This layout was inspired by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Tourism ad. The colors and the placement of the colored item inspired me. Also the doodles made me think of my little one and the words on the ad "Check More Off" made me think of a check list. I searched on line for a "what your Child should know at" list to use. The list I decided to use is actually for 3.6-4 year olds and she's not quite 3 yet but she's already mastered most of the list. I printed the list and cut it up and made it into a little booklet at the bottom of the layout and checked off the things she's mastered. The booklet is held closed by a fancy paper clip I got in a RAK. You can remove the paper clip to check out the different lists in the booklet. The strip of children holding hands across the top of the page was actually on the list I printed off and I just cut it out and inked the edges. The picture is actually a flip up that reveals two more pictures. The pictures are all of Little One enjoying YouTube all by herself. She shocked me when she did this a few weeks back and I had to get pictures of it. They fit in perfectly with the layout. A funny...I had misspelled "already" when I wrote it on the layout and had to cover it up with the correct spelling. Then it struck me how perfect it is to highlight that word because she does know so much of the list already, so I decided to ink the edges of that and make it stand out."

Here are some close ups:
The skills booklet closed:

The skills booklet opened:

The picture flap opened to reveal more pictures:

Layout Tag at The Scrapping Bug

2008-11-11T14:59:00.003-03:30

Yeah! I can finally show you the layout I made for the game of layout tag I played at the Scrapping Bug. I was the first one to complete my layout and I've been waiting since the 10th of October to be able to post it. You can check out the layouts everyone on my team did here. You can check out the layouts the other team did here. And here's my layout:

I absolutely love how it turned out! This is my beautiful DD and the picture is actually one that she took of herself! She's not only beautiful, she's talented. :)

Cre8ive Idol Challenge #2

2008-11-09T23:35:00.004-03:30

Challenge #2 was to use a rubus in your layout. You can check out all the wodnerful creations inspired by this challenge here. I love them all and can't really decide on one favorite, but two that stand out to me are Jessi's and Jennifer's. Here's what I did for the challenge:

The picture is oneour youth pastor's wife took of our youth pastor cuddling with his new born baby girl in her hospital bassinet, and the journaling is something that he wrote in a thank you note. The rebus is the title - Head Over Heels in Love .

More layout tag layouts coming soon!

2008-11-08T14:46:00.002-03:30

I've mentioned before how much I love playing layout tag. I just finished a game at the Scrapping Bug and I'm waiting for the reveal so that I can post my layout for that one here. Well, I also signed up for layout tag games at CompuPro Scrapbooking and JustCre8 a little while ago. I recieved the layouts I have to scraplift for both of those games today - and I'm away from home and my scrapping supplies! They are great layouts and I can't wait to get to work on them. I won't be getting home until Sunday and I'm not sure how much scrapping I'll get done after the 6 hour drive to get home. It will probably be Monday before I get to it. Hopefully Little One will cooperate and let me scrap with out too much distractions. Maybe I'll set her up with her own supplies to keep her occupied. I've had to do that a bit lately. Anyway, that's my news for today!

Ack! I forgot to post yesterday!

2008-11-07T20:34:00.002-03:30

It was a crazy day, and I still can't post the layouts that I would like to post. I'm still waiting for the reveal of the layout tag game before I can post my layout for that. I did finally give the layout to our youth pastors so I could post that one today, but there's one problem - I'm out of town and away from my computer where the picture is for me to post! I'll try to find something interesting to post about tomorrow to make up for this totally meaningless post. Can't make any promises though. :)

Little One's Photo shoots and Layouts to share - later :)

2008-11-05T20:11:00.005-03:30

Little one has taken an interest in taking pictures recently. I can't resist letting her give it a try and she's had a number of different photo shoots lately and I'm one of her favorite subjects, though she also likes taking pictures of herself. :) Here's some of the pictures she's taken.

I have a couple of layouts that I would like to share, but I can't yet.

One of them is the one I completed for the second challenge in the Cre8ive Idol contest. The layout I created is a gift for your youth pastors, who recently had their first child. I want to give the layout to them before i post it on my blog for the world to see. I've been meaning to give it to them for days now, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

The second one is one that I completed for a game of layout tag. I love layout tag! I am actually waiting for my turn in another couple of games on different boards, but I already did my layout for one game almost two weeks ago, but the game is not over yet and you can't post your layout until the game is finished and all the layouts revealed. Hopefully I'll get to do that tomorrow, or the next day at the latest.

The other one is the layout I was up til 1 o'clock last night finishing. It was for the third challenge in the Cre8ive Idol Contest. I'll be able to post that one tomorrow after the reveal tonight.

That's the only scrapping that I've managed to get done lately. I've been so busy with life that I haven't had a chance to do more, much as I'd like to.

1 hour layout contest

2008-11-04T08:45:00.001-03:30

DD and I recently participated in Creative Scrappers October 1 Hour Layout Contest. They put off one of these contests each month and they are a blast! DD has watched me participate in the past and this time she decided to give it a try too. I was thrilled! It was mad scramble time at our house during that hour but what fun! You can check out all the creations from that night here.

Here's what I did:

And here's what DD did:

I absolutely love her layout! She caught that frog just half an hour before the contest started and decided she wanted to take a picture of it to use for the contest. She took the picture herself! I helped her come up with the title and I love the layout! She's so talented and creative!

Cre8ive Idol Challenge #1

2008-11-03T08:37:00.000-03:30

The first challenge was to create a layout inspired by an advertizing slogan. What a lot of great layouts were created! You can check them all out here. My personal favorite was Leslie's.

Here's what I did for the challenge:

I'm participating in ...

2008-11-02T08:30:00.000-03:30

...JustCre's 2008 Gr8 Cre8ive Idol Contest! I know I don't have a chance of actually winning, but it's so much fun to participate!

Why bother joining a contest that you have no chance of winning? Because I love to be challenged! What motivated me to join this contest is the fact that there are no eliminations. You can participate the whole way through without having to worry about being kicked out of the contest. In my mind, I am a winner because I am participating.

The challenge lasts 5 weeks, and we're already into the third week. I will be posting the layouts I created for weeks one and two in the next few days.

A blog posting challenge

2008-11-01T15:35:00.002-02:30

Okay, so I think I'm crazy, but.....inspired by Penelope, I, too, am going to attempt to blog every day for the month of November. I didn't actually sign up to be a member of NaBloPoMo, so I am unofficially doing this, but I think it's a great challenge.

I am going to be so busy this month trying to meet the NaNoWriMo challenge that I won't have much time to put much thought into my blog posts but I am going to try to post something everyday.

Anyone else want to join me in this challenge? I'd love to hear from you if you do.

Happy Mail - Prize RAK's!

2008-11-01T13:57:00.003-02:30

Last week I received some scrap happy mail.

On World Card Making Day Wendy, at Scrapbooking Fanatics, posted a contest for everyone to post cards they made during World Card Making Day and she had a draw for a winner. I was the lucky one drawn and here's what I got:

My name was also picked for a random prize for participating in the week long World Card Making Day celebrations at Creative Scrappers, and here's what Kristine sent me for that:

Thanks, Wendy and Kristine!

Weekend Creations

2008-10-21T10:51:00.004-02:30

Just a quick post right now to be edited later. Having gallery issues at one of my sites so I'm using this as a back up.

Color Personality Challenge

Chocolate Cake Challenge

Pick a Color Monochromatic Challenge

Gives Back Challenge

Color by Numbers Challenge

Metal Mania Challenge

Progressive Cards Challenge

Same Card 5 Colors Gift Set Challenge

Slider Card Make and Take

More Origami Christmas Tree Cards

2008-10-13T17:50:00.005-02:30

This weekend I went to visit my mom and dad for Thanksgiving. My sister and her husband and my son and his girlfriend also joined us. Us girls had a couple of scrappin' sessions and I taught them how to make the origami Christmas tree card that I learned how to make at ScrapShotz during World Card Making Day. Here are their wonderful creations!

This is the tree my Mom made. I actually finished decorating the card for her while she made dinner for us. I used some Fantastic Freeze rubons for the finishing touches.

This is the card my son's girlfriend made. It was her first time doing anything like this and she really enjoyed it. Hopefully we'll get to do it again soon. She added a stamped greeting to the front of the card and inked the edges. The tree top is made from two stamped snowflakes, one pink and one yellow, layered on top of one another and then a bit of bling added to the center.

We tried putting a stamped greeting on the inside but the stamping didn't work that well so we had to improvise. We decided to line the inside with the same patterned paper used to make the tree, in part to cover up the botched up stamping, and then stamp the greeting on a peice of paper and stick it on the patterned paper. She also punched a snowflake from the patterned paper and added that to the white paper. I love how it turned out!

This is the card my sister made. She liked the look of the tree tilted. She also used punched snowflake for a tree top and decided to punch some snowflakes from the front of her card for an added touch.

She used patterned paper and then white paper on the inside of her card and added the punched snowflakes from the front of the card to the inside of the card. I the finished look!

As I mentioned in my previous post when I shared the card that I made, I played with the measurements because I like to make my cards to fit normal letter size envelopes. Here is my card again and here are the measurements I used for my card:

The card base is made from a piece of 7 x 6 1/4 card stock scored at 3 1/2 to make a 3 1/2 x 6 1/4 card, the perfect size for a normal letter size envelope. Then I adhered a 6 x 3 1/4 piece of cardstock and a 5 2/4 x 3 piece of patterned paper to the front. To make the tree I used 6 squares of patterned paper - 1/2 inch, 1 inch, 1 1/2 inch, 2 inch, 2 1/2 inch, and 3 inch. The trunk of the tree was made with a 1/2 x 1 1/2 cardstock. The ribbon is 3 3/4 inches and is tucked around the cardstock adhered to the front of the card. I also used three small Glitter Glamour snowflakes to add a little bling.

I'd love to see your creations if you decide to give it a try.

World Card Making Day Creations

2008-10-07T21:47:00.006-02:30

I had so much fun this weekend! Even though I had a sick little girl on my hands I still managed to squeeze in some scrappin' time and I did a number of challenges for World Card Making Day.

First thing Saturday morning I checked out ScrapShotz, Creative Scrappers, Scrapbookers Clubhouse and CompuPro Scrapbooking for World Card Making Day Challenges. ScrapShotz posted 11 challenges and I managed to do 7 of them. Creative Scrappers posted 25 challenges, but you have until October 12th to complete them. I managed to complete 5 of them over the weekend. Scrapbookers Clubhouse posted 4 challenges and I completed 1 of them over the weekend. CompuPro Scrapbooking posted 9 challenges and you have until either the 15th or 20th to complete them. I have to double check the actual due date because I noticed different due dates posted. I managed to do 2 of those challenges this weekend.

Now before you go all crazy asking how in the world I managed to do 15 challenges and look after a sick little one this weekend, let me explain. I like to combine challenges as much as possible so, while I did completed 15 challenges, I only actually made 8 cards, and one box. :) Let me explain further while I show you my creations.

The first card I made is also my favorite card from the weekend. It was inspired by Virginia's Origami Christmas Tree Card challenge on ScrapShotz. Virgina posted super instructions, complete with pictures and it made this one very easy to make. I love how it turned out and will definitely be making more. Actually, I've had lots of requests from friends that want to learn how to make it. :) This card also fit the Leafy Branch challenge posted by Kristine at Creative Scrappers. She wanted us to make our own tree, making it perfect to combine this two challenges in this one card.

The next one was completed for Jess's Loo Roll Gift Card Holder Challenge on ScrapShotz. I almost skipped this one because I wasn't sure what I thought of it but it was too easy not to do, and, even though I messed up the stamping, I'm pretty pleased with it. This is a gift card holder made with an empty toilet paper roll. It's actually supposed to have a notch in the end for making it easy to grap hold of the card but I don't have a circel punch so I didn't make the notch. I may add it later if I get a circle punch or if I can borrow one. When I messed up the stamping I decided to grunge it up a bit with ink and I actually kind of like how it turned out.

Jen's Corner Pocket with Bookmark Challenge on ScrapShotz was the inspiration for the next card. This card and bookmark are made with just one 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of cardstock. Jen provided us with a great graphic that clearly showed how to cut and fold the paper, making this another easy one to complete.

I used Nicole's Sketch #2 Challenge at Scrapbookers Clubhouse as inspiration for the design of the tag/bookmark that I made to go with the pocket card.

The next card is a very simple card inspired by two different challenges. At ScrapShotz, Carolyn posted "A Christmas Carol" Card Challenge to use a Christmas song as inspiration for a card. At Creative Scrappers, Deanne posted a Sing Out Loud challenge to use a song tile as the sentiment for a card based on a sketch she provided. No problem to combine those challenges! Unfortunately the picture is terrible and you can't make out the "We Wish You a" in pink ink in the upper left corner of the card.

The next card was completed for Virginia's Double Flap Card challenge at ScrapShotz. Once again Virginia posted great instructions which included pictures making this easy to complete. I like it because its not your ordinary card. I made a few changes to Virginia's instructions because I made mine to fit a regular letter size envelope and I used a ribbon to hold the flap closed. I'm going to post the measurements and supplies I used later this week.

Here's what the card looks like closed:

And here's what it looks like opened:

My next creation wasn't a card, but a box to hold cards. Jen, on ScrapShotz, posted a Hostess Gift Set Completer Box challenge to go with another challenge that was posted by someone else. This box is very easy to make and it can hold a number of 3x3 notecards.

The next three cards were inspired by Kathy's 3x3x3 Challenge, at ScrapShotz, to make 3 3x3 notecards. I planned each of the cards so that they would also fulfill requirements of other challenges.

The first 3x3 card was inspired by two other challenges, besides Kathy's challenge. At Creative Scrappers, Carol posted A Monogram challenge to use a sketch she provided to make a notecard which featured a monogram. At CompuPro Scrapbooking, Nicole posted a Faux Metal Embellishment Using Heat Embossing challenge. This is a really neat technique that is so easy to do! I will definitely be doing this again. Anyway, I decided to use this technique to make the monogram for this 3x3 card.

The design for this 3x3 card was inspired by JJ's Scraplift It! challenge posted at Creative Scrappers. She asked us to design a card based on an album cover and she posted an album as an example. I decided to use the album she posted as inspiration for the design of my card.

This last card was also inspired by two other challenges besides Kathy's challenge. At Creative Scrappers, Deanne posted a Thinking About You challenge to create a 3x3 card based on a sketch she provided. At CompuPro Scrapbooking, Tracey posted a Stamped Paper Piecing Technique challenge. I created the flower on this card using that technique. I hope to post a blog post giving more details about that later this week.

And there you have my creations from the weekend, and one very long blog post! Phew, now I'm tired. I'd better go recover. ;)

Scrappy Mail

2008-10-06T22:26:00.004-02:30

Last week I received the blog candy, that I posted about here, that I won from Carla. What a lot of loot! Here's a picture of it all:

Isn't that amazing! I was in shock. Thank-you so much, Carla. I already made use of some of it this past weekend in the World Card Making Day challenges I completed. I'll post more about those over the week, hopefully.

A nice while back I got a RAK from Lee for no particular reason! Once again I was shocked. She PM'ed me on a site we're both members of and told me she wanted to send me a RAK just because. I thought that was so nice. I didn't have a camera when I got the RAK so I didn't get a picture of it but I kept it all together so that I could get a picture when I finally managed to get my hands on a camera. So here's a picture of the RAK Lee sent me. Thanks, Lee!

Vanessa's Challenge

2008-09-28T17:07:00.003-02:30

Last week Vanessa issued a challenge - to take a self portrait and post it. That very day I took a great number of pictures in search of one that I would consider posting. I'm still not really happy with the one I've come up with, but it's the best of the bunch that I took.

Just today I posted a post on my personal blog about my struggle with accepting pictures of me and I shared why I think it is important to overcome that struggle and get more pictures of me. Vanessa's challenge couldn't have come at a better time. Now, hop to it and do the challenge yourself. ;)

Carla's First Blog Card Tutorial

2008-09-27T15:27:00.003-02:30

Carla, aka Moralia, posted her first blog card tutorial and I couldn't resist giving it a try. I didn't follow her instructions exactly, but I know Carla won't mind cause she hardly ever follows the rules. :)

I love Carla's cards! She's the one that got me started on cards when she was part of the DT at ScrapShotz. I always looked forward to her card challenges. Now she is DT on Lil' Scrappers, handing out card and layout challenges, but I'm thrilled that she's also decided to post monthly card tutorials on her blog.

I like to make my cards to fit either letter or business size envelopes that I have on hand or can easily pick up anywhere. So that was my first little change to this card - I made it to fit a letter size envelope. Also, I don't have any deco edge punches so I tore the edge of my patterned paper instead. Then, because my tag was a little too big for the size of the card, I decided to also tear the bottom edge of the tag. Because I don't have much in the way of bling, I also decided not to include the bling on my card. I still like how it turned out.

Here's a list of the sizes of the papers I used, just in case you might want to try making one the same size.
Card base - cardstock cut 7 by 6 1/4 and scored at 3 1/2
Bottom Patterned paper - 1 1/2 by 6 1/4
Top Patterned paper - 2 1/2 by 6 1/4, then I tore the bottom edge.

Check Carla's blog for the rest of list of items used and the instructions on how to put the card together. Let me know if you try it.

Creative Scrappers Scrap Pink Contest

2008-09-26T17:56:00.002-02:30

I just learned about Scrap Pink through a blog and was hoping to find someway to participate online. I should have known that I could count on Creative Scrappers. They are not having a crop but they are having a Scrap Pink Contest. You can read about it on their blog. You have until Sunday 4pm est to create a layout inspired but the sketch.

In a Pinch Designs Blinkie Contest

2008-09-26T17:51:00.003-02:30

Just a few more days to participate. Read all about it here. In a Pinch Designs is a Canadian company that offers easy to use kits. Read all about it here.

Savvy N Sassy's Ten Day Crop!

2008-09-26T09:31:00.003-02:30

From Lacintha's post today I learned about Savvy N Sassy's Diva-licious 10 day Crop which starts today, Friday, September 26th, and goes until Sunday October 5th You can read the rules and guidelines here. They already have 8 Make & Takes, 13 challenges, and 6 classes listed in the forum here. Lots of great inspiration! There are also games besides all that. I doubt I'll get much time to do anything again this weekend but I sure will be watching and wishing I could.

Nancy's Digi Freebie

2008-09-24T12:00:00.002-02:30

If you are into digi, go check out the freebie Nancy is offering on her blog right now. She and her family just survived, and are digging out of the mess left behind by, IKE. She's titled her kit "Relief" as an expression of how she is feeling right now. It's a great, full kit. Go check it out.

I won!

2008-09-21T14:43:00.001-02:30

Carla offered up some great blog candy in this post and I just found out in this post that I'm the lucky winner! Thanks, Carla!

Looking for inspiration this weekend?

2008-09-20T10:16:00.002-02:30

I didn't manage to get one thing scrapped last week or weekend, and this weekend is not looking much better, but I'm scooping out inspiration just in case I happen to get some time.

Because I haven't found time to check out the boards much at all this week, I completely missed the fact that Lil' Scrappers is having a Back to School online mini crop this weekend. It started yesterday and you have until Monday to upload your creations.

ScrapShotz Scrappy Hour is Sunday, September 21 at 8pm est and they've posted a sneak peek of the project and a list of things you need. Looks very interesting!

Scrapbookers ClubHouse Scrappy Island crop is coming to an end. Deadline for uploading projects is Sunday, September 21 at 9pm mst. There are lots of great challenges there. I've been popping in once in a while during the week to check them out just in case I got time to scrap and I finally had to stop checking because the challenges are great and they were making me really, really want to scrap but I just was too busy. If you have time check it out before it's too late. I'm still hoping to get something done for it.

Jean's celebrating!

2008-09-14T10:06:00.002-02:30

My good friend Jean is celebrating her one year blogoversary and is offering up a wonderful Halloween RAK. All you have to do for a chance at the RAK is share a favorite fall project with her by leaving a comment on her post. She will be picking a winner September 24th so hurry over. While you're there be sure to take some time to check out her blog. She's a real inspiration!

Inspiration this weekend

2008-09-12T23:09:00.003-02:30

Scrapbooking Fanatics has started up their bi-weekly Friday Night Crops again, starting tonight. They have 10 great challenges posted. I love the challenges they post for their FNC. They're usually very simple, yet challenging.

Scrapbookers Club House is kicking off a 9 day Scrappy Island Crop Saturday! Can't wait to see what they have in store.

Today's SALT challenge

2008-09-11T09:59:00.004-02:30

SALT is a challenge blog I discovered a while back and have been following, though I haven never actually participated in a challenge. This is what part of their About Us section says: "We are a diverse group of card makers, scrappers and altered art fans from across the world who have been brought together through our love of Jesus Christ and our desire to express our faith in creative ways." They post a challenge every two weeks.

Todays challenge post is titled "He knows us inside and out" and is based on Psalm 139. This happens to be one of my favorite scripture pages and I have used it as inspiration for a couple of layouts in the past, so I decided to repost them.

The above layout is a digital that I created created March 22, 2007 and was inspired by the March Scripture Challenge at Digitals. I used a Heart charm provided by Lifesong Kreations and fiber and paper by Arvita. It is to remind my beautiful daughter that no matter where she goes or who she meets nobody will know her better or love her more than God.

The layout above was completed October 18, 2006 for a journaling challenge at Scrapternity. It is only the 4th layout I'd ever done and I didn't have any fancy supplies. I used just plain cardstock and computer paper. I printed the title and Psalm 139:13-17 with my computer and cut it out and stuck it on the layout. The picture is a photocopy of one of my ultrasounds. In this particular untrasound you can very clearly see the baby's face. My husband and I both journaled our thoughts on computer paper and I backed it with some black paper I found around the house somewhere. My husband's journaling reads "The first time I saw your face in the ultrasound I was amazed at the miracle of life, knowing there was a living human being living inside. I thought of how blessed we are to be having another baby to love and bring joy to our lives." Mine says "I remember the day so well. Your dad and your sibling were all there to have their first look at the little miracle that was you. I couldn't believe how clearly we saw you. You even moved your little hand like you were waving and covered your face like you were playing peek-a-book. We fell in love with you that day and the love just keeps growing." I knew nothing about inking or any of the other cool techniques at that time. Maybe some day I'll redo it but I still love it just as it is.

Like making cards?

2008-09-10T23:42:00.002-02:30

Deanne introduced me to a great blog today - Card Sketch A Day. It's a brand new blog just started by Susan last month. I love what I see there! It is so organized.

Part of what I love about this blog is the "Searching for Card Artists" call in the sidebar. If you love making cards check out the calls and get involved. You email Susan to tell her which call you're interested in and she sends you a sketch, or a few sketches, to work with. I think the concept is brilliant! Anyone that wants to can get involved. Run, check it out!

For Us Ordinary Joes

2008-09-09T22:01:00.003-02:30

I just discovered "Just Your Average Scrapbook"(JYAS), a blog that features us ordinary joes of scrapbooking. It is a fairly new blog, having only started in April, and you can read the concept of the blog in the first post titled "The Beginning". Part of that page describes the blog as "A place for the ORDINARY, everyday, average scrapbooker who is proud of their work! A place to brag and show off their artwork!". And the post ends with this: "This is for ALL scrapbookers. Beginning and Advanced. Spread the word. You too can be "published!""

I love that concept! It's part of the reason why I started the Canadian Scrappers Blog Carnival, as a place where any, and all, Canadian Scrappers, famous or not, could share their creations.

I found the JYAS blog because a good friend of mine, Carla, was the JYAS's Featured Scrapbooker recently. I happen to think that Carla is far from an ordinary joe when it comes to scrapbooking, however. I just love her style!

Anyway, go check out JYAS. Let me know if you end up as a featured scrapper.

Stamp out word verification!

2008-09-08T00:13:00.002-02:30

Back in April Allison wrote a post announcing that April 29th was Global Anti Word Verification Day. Julie had declared it so in her blog post titled Is this necessary? I was thrilled! I was finding it more and more frustrating to have to type in word verifications to make comments on blogs and often decided not to leave comments when faced with it. I was also embarrassed to admit that I had both word verification and comment moderation enabled on my blogs. After reading this posts I changed my blogs so that they no longer had word verification enabled and I haven't had any trouble with garbage coming through. I still have comment moderation enabled.

The topic has shown up in blogs again today. I read it on Heidi's post and Deanne's post. Through their posts I found this site that is offering a RAK for those that leave a comment saying they are considering changing it and this post offering blog candy to those that change it.

Maybe we should declare September to be Global Anti Word Verification Month. I know that I would be thrilled to not have to type them any more and people would be more likely to get comments from me if I didn't have to type them. They are frustrating and time consuming. If you want to protect blog from garbage comments use comment moderation instead. The blogs linked above tell you how.

Pictures of Prizes and Happy Anniversary to Me!

2008-09-05T23:37:00.006-02:30

Back a while ago I recieved some prizes for participating in crops, but at the time I didn't have a camera to take a picture ot the prizes so I kept them unused until I could get a picture. I finally took pictures of them tonight.

This is a prize I got from Scrapbookers Clubhouse. I can't wait to start playing with it because it's so yummy!

This is a prize I got from ScrapShotz. Can't wait to use these either.

And because today is my anniversary, I am posting pictures of us from 21 years ago, and today. I was hoping to get to scrap them but I didn't. Maybe tomorrow. We'll see.

I have a Camera!

2008-08-31T22:58:00.005-02:30

My parents gave me a camera for my anniversary, which isn't actually until next Friday but Mom couldn't wait to give it to me. I'm so excited! That means no more having to bum a camera to post pictures of my creations.

I made the following two cards quite a while back, but I didn't have a camera to get a picture of them so I couldn't post them. They were inspired by Allyson's August Sunburst Card Challenge on Scrapbookers Club House. This is such a fun, and easy, design that Allyson came up with! It's a great way to use scraps to create something beautiful. You just need a card base, whatever size you want, and strips of different papers, about 2-3 inches long and in a variety of widths. Put two-way tape around the edge of your card base front and place the strips of paper around the edge in a sunburst. The edges of the strips will be sticking out over the edge of the card base put don't worry about that because you'll trim them off after. When you're done placing the strips around the edge, flip your card over and trim off the ends that are sticking over the sides of the card base. Flip it back and cover up the middle with a stamped image on a peice of cardstock, or an embellishment of your desire, and you have a beautiful card. Check out Allyson's instructions because she explains it much better than I do and she shows pictures of the process. You should also check out all the neat cards this challenge inspired.

Here's the first one I made:

I haven't quite finished the second one yet. I need to add the stamped image, but I decided to show it anyway so you could see what it's like without the stamped image. This one is going to be a Christmas card.

Isn't that neat! If you give this a try I'd love to know what you think and be able to check out your creations. Please leave a comment letting me know about it and where to check it out.

Deanne's Doing Card Sessions!

2008-08-28T13:11:00.002-02:30

I don't know if anyone local actually reads my blog or not, but I'm going to post about Deanne's classes just in case. You can read all about it in Deanne's post. I'm assuming these classes will take place in Robert's Arm. It sure sounds like fun. You get to make 6 Christmas cards for $5 and you don't have to bring any supplies! If there were enough people interested in our community maybe we could car pool and have a fun girls night out. I hate driving in the night but I'd love to be able to go to Deanne's classes, or at least to go to one of them. Let me know if you're interested.

So You Think You Can Stamp Contest

2008-08-24T16:53:00.002-02:30

Just heard about this from Heidi's post. I'm not planning on entering but I figured I'd post about it incase someone else might be inspired to enter.

Simple Scrapbooks is holding a "So You Think You Can Stamp Contest". You have until August 29th to enter. You can read all the rules here.

There were 73 people entered into the contest when I checked and I recognized one familiar face there. You can check out the contestants so far here. Good luck, Suzy!

If you decide to enter, leave me a note to let me know. Can't wait to see all the great creations!

One Hour Sketch Contest!

2008-08-23T23:35:00.002-02:30

If you have never participated in a one hour sketch contest, you don't know what you're missing! They are so much fun! I was introduced to them recently at Creative Scrappers. They have one every once in a while.

Here's how it works. The moderator posts a sketch to the One Hour Sketch Contest thread in the forum and you have one hour and 15 minutes to create a layout inspired by the sketch and to post it to the gallery. It is wicked fun!

Wanna give it a try? Check in at Creative Scrappers Monday August 25 9pm est. Actually, check in at Creative Scrappers before then so that you can be sure you're all set up and ready to participate.

Unfortunately it's very doubtful that I'll be able to play this time around because our life is a little up in the air right now. DH is on his way to be with his family as his dad is not doing so well so I'm kind of expecting that I won't be home to play. I'd be playing if I could because it is so much fun! Give it a try, and don't forget to thank me after. ;)

Blog Award Card

2008-08-14T18:37:00.004-02:30

Earlier this week Jackie was kind enough to give me the award above. Jackie has a very special place in my heart, even though we've never actually met in person. I met Jackie on an online scrapbooking board a couple of years ago. We clicked because Jackie is a displaced Newfoundlander and I'm still living on the rock. Knowing that I had little chance of seeing much in the way of real scrapbooking supplies where I am Jackie sent me an amazing RAK of scrapbooking supplies. I cried I was so thrilled. I actually did a layout about it. Here it is:

Anyway, a nice while later through discussions on scrapping boards and email we realized that we had a real life connection. Her parents and my grandparents were actually really good friends and she had spent a lot of time at my grandparents house many years ago. It was a pretty neat discovery. The scrapping board we were a part of closed and our main form of contact now is through our blogs. I miss when Jackie goes on bloggin'/scrappin' breaks. Her blog is full of creations inspired by her love of nature and her love of her family.

Well, the award came with some rules which I have to post so here are the rules:
The rules for the "Blogging Friends Forever" award are:
* Only five people allowed
* Four have to be dedicated followers of your blog
* One has to be someone new or recently new to your blog or lives in another part of the world.
* You must link back to whoever gave you the award.
* The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.

Following some of the rules is a problem for me. I don't think I have even 4 dedicated followers of my blog so I decided to go through who had commented recently on my blog and I'm using that as the basis for some of the awards I give out.

First I want to award this card to another very special lady that I met through a scrapping board - Jean. I actually met Jean on the same board where I met Jackie, and she, too, sent me a beautiful RAK. I am still using Jean's RAK in many, many thing that I make because part of the RAK was two beautiful sets of Autumn leaves acrylic stamps. Unfortunately I didn't think to take a picture or do a layout of Jean's RAK, but I can show you a card I made, and sent to her as a thank-you, using part of the RAK.

I love checking out Jean's blog! She is one very talented lady, and I love that even though she's not a Canadian, she is, I think, one of my more faithful followers, and commenters, on the Canadian Scrapbookers Blog Carnival that I run, besides being one of the few faithful followers on this blog. Her comments, either here or on the other blog, are always a great encouragement to me.

The second person I want to award with this card is Deanne. I know Deanne follows my blog because she keeps showing up at places that I mention, or thanks me for pointing something out to her that she didn't know about. :) Deanne is a super fast, and creative scrapper. I have also had the privilege of scrappin' with Deanne in real life. She's a real inspiration.

The third person I would like to award with this card is Carla. I know Carla fits checking out my blog into her very busy schedule whenever she can. Carla is an amazing lady and she's a real life friend - she actually lives maybe a 5 minute walk from me. We are also fellow homeschooling moms and get together for homeschooling related activities, as well as for scrapping. It was Carla that actually inspired me to get into scrapping. She does truly beautiful work. Recently Carla and one of her friends have started having scrapbooking classes and get togethers in our community and I love when I get to join them!

The fourth person I would like to award with this card is Ali. Ali and I only met recently, through the Canadian Scrapbookers Blog Carnival that I run, but I already consider her a friend. She is one amazing lady. She is the PR person for a couple of Canadian sites and she does a great job. She's also a nurse and a mom, and a great scrapper.

The fifth person I would like to award with this card is Sheryl. I also met Sheryl recently through the Canadian Scrapbookers Blog Carnival that I run. She was one of the first ones to send me a submission, and she's been a fairly faithful contributer every since. She's a great scrapper and has recently been rewarded with requests for publications.

Happy Scrappy mail!

2008-08-11T19:16:00.003-02:30

I got my prize from Scrapbookers Club House today! It was for being drawn the winner of their July Scrappin' Perfect Fun crop. If I had a camera I'd take a picture to show you my yummy stuff. I'll try to get a picture soon. Thanks, Scrapbooker's Club House!

Scrappin' Olympics challenges!

2008-08-08T13:11:00.002-02:30

A couple of my favorite scrappin' boards are running Olympic inspired events over the next couple of weeks.

At CompuPro Scrapbooking check out the Summer Olympics section of their board for daily challenges over the next 17 days to help you win a CompuPro Scrapbooking Summer Olympics gold, silver or bronze medal! All the information can be found here.

At Scrapbookers Club House check out the Olympications in their online crop board. They are also posting daily challenges Monday - Friday and two challenges each Saturday for the next two weeks. Check out all the information here.

If you decide to join in the fun PM me so I can say hi.

Deanne's Blogoversary Celebrations!

2008-08-07T17:54:00.002-02:30

Deanne is celebrating her 2 year blogoversary with a week long celebration August 8-13. She will be posting challenges every day, so be sure to check it out and play along for a chance at a grand prize. If you want to increase your chance to win the grand prize be sure to blog about it on your blog and to leave Deanne comments all week long.

Cruisin' with Scrapbook & Cards Today

2008-08-04T11:28:00.002-02:30

See my new Scrapbook and Cards blinkie? Go pick one up for yourself on the Scrapbook and Cards Today blog and read all about the contest they have going on for the month of August.

Stamping Bella's Stella Artist Finalist in Tissue Box Design Contest

2008-08-03T23:27:00.004-02:30

In Bloggabella's latest post she tells us that her Stella artist, Jan Dolby, is a finalist in a contest and encourages everyone to go cast a vote for her.

Don't know what Stamping Bella or Stella are all about? Stamping Bella is a Canadian Rubber stamp store that is worth checking out, if you haven't heard of them before. They have some really fun stamps available. Stella is one line of stamps.

Don't know who Jan Dolby is? I didn't either til a few minutes ago. :) You can find out all about her and her work at The Pink Suitcase. I got all excited when I discovered she was born in Newfoundland. I love promoting fellow Canadians and especially fellow Newfoundlanders.

Carla has Blog Candy up for Grabs!

2008-08-03T15:54:00.003-02:30

Run over to Carla's blog and leave a comment for a chance to win the yummy blog candy she's offering. She's displaying a gorgeous masculine card she created, and she's not sure if she likes it. I say the woman is crazy! Check it out for yourself.

Z-fold Cards

2008-08-01T09:39:00.003-02:30

I just found out that one of the DT challenges at ScrapShotz this month is to make a z-fold card. It reminded me of the one I made just this past month. It's actually quite different, and more complicated, than the z-fold card challenge at ScrapShotz.

I found a new to me Canadian site - Stampin' Canada - a while back and they were having a VCD (Virtual Day Crop) when I joined so I joined in the fun as much as I could. One of the challenges was to make a z-fold card. I had never heard of these before and the sample they showed was so beautiful I simply couldn't resist trying it. These are z-fold cards with the added feature of being pop-ups. You can see samples near the end of the following blog posts - cute little monkey card and beautiful butterfly card.

Mine is not near as nice as those, but I'm pretty pleased with it just the same.

Scrappin' Fun!

2008-07-24T15:17:00.003-02:30

I have been on a scrappin' high! I've been busy with online crops and even a real life crop, which I haven't managed to blog about yet, but I will. Fun! Fun! Fun!!

I've decided to create a crop journal for myself. My plan is to create digi pages for each crop that I participate in. Each page will tell a little about the crop - where, when, challenges I completed, etc. - and showcase my creations inspired by the crop. Earlier this week I created two for the crops I participated in last weekend - one at the Scrapping Bug and one at CompuPro Scrapbooking. You can see them in my last post. Here's another digi I made to record the creations that were inspired by the week long scrap I participated in at Scrapbookers Clubhouse this past week.

The crop had already started before I joined the board and I didn't even know it was going on when I joined, but I jumped right in. I'm so glad I did. I had so much fun, and, shock of shocks, I was the lucky person drawn to be the crop winner at the end of the crop! I was happy enough with the fun I was having and the layouts and projects I completed, winning the crop prize was an added bonus!

If you take the time to check out my crop journal pages you will notice that some of the same layouts are featured on different crop journal pages. That's because of my love of combining challenges from different sites into one layout. If you're interested, you can learn more about how I do that in this recent post.

This coming weekend I'm hoping to be able to join in the fun at ScrapShotz "Music Mania" crop and Creative Scrappers "Sketchfest". Both promise to be fun and inspirational. If you're looking for something to do, drop by and check them out. If you do decide to drop by, be sure to holler at me! :)

Here's what I've been doing all day

2008-07-22T20:26:00.005-02:30

It shouldn't take all day to do it but I have a terribly slow computer. Oh for a new, fast laptop! Anyway, I've been all day working on a couple of digi layouts to highlight the scrapping I've done in the past week or so. I still have another one to create for another online crop I participated in this past week but I need a break from the computer for a while.

This is one that shows my creations inspired at least in part by the July Last Minute Crop at the Scrapping Bug July 11-12. The ladybug, doodle and buttons are by Digital Scrapbook pages Ketcham.

This two pager of 8 1/2 x 11 layouts showcases my creations inspired at least in part by the Yellow Polka Dot Bikini Crop at CompuPro Scrapbooking July 11 - 20th. It was so much fun! The notebook paper is from Peppermint Creative and the other elements are from 3Scrapateers designers - kls,ljc, emr, and jak.

Canadian in Paper Crafts Gallery Idol Top 15!

2008-07-18T18:56:00.002-02:30

Yes, that's right, Carla, AKA Moralia, made it to the Top 15! It says so right on the Paper Crafts Gallery site. I'm not the least bit surprised. This girl makes amazing cards!

I can't wait to see what she comes up with for the next challenge. Be sure to watch for her creation among the creations that will be posted July 21st on Paper Craft's site, and then make sure you vote. You will have until noon MST July 24th to do so.

Wouldn't it be great to see her in the Top Ten!?! I know she has the talent, the question is will we actually get out and vote for her talent. You know what happens in these Idol Contests on TV. It's not necessarily the ones with the talent that get through - it's the ones that get the votes. If it was based on talent alone, I have no doubt that Carla would make it right to the end. Let's help her do that!

Garden Gate Mini Album

2008-07-17T23:53:00.002-02:30

Back in June, as part of Lil' Scrappers Second Online Crop, Aimee posted a Garden Gate Mini Album Make 'n' Take. I loved the project and loved what everyone created. I didn't get to work on it until after the crop but I did post about it earlier when I was working on it.

As I said in that post I found these great instructions for this project on the Funky Phresh Blog. They were a little different than the instructions Aimee posted and I actually did mine more like the blog instructions. I really loved the peeled paint technique which she described on her blog. It was so easy to do, and I love the look of it.

I made a slight change to my Mini Album. I added a ribbon to hold it together. Before I put the backings on the chipboard covers, I put an 18' piece of ribbon under it. It holds the back of the album together so it's more like a book than an accordian and it also functions for a closure, by wrapping it around the gate "handle" brad at the opening of the album.

I made this for my sister and she loves it! She has a beautiful garden and she's going to take pictures all season long and put them in at the end of the season. She's instructed me that I have to make her one every year!

Mini Pizza Box Card Set

2008-07-16T17:39:00.003-02:30

I've had some people ask me about the instructions for the mini pizza box I made for my card set so I thought I'd post about it here.

The set was inspired by the card set featured on this blog here. I found the blog a while ago and followed the instructions given to make my first mini pizza box. The instructions on that blog make a 4 x 4 box, and it suggests to use it for 3 x 3 cards. I thought the box was a little big for 3 x 3 cards.

I played with the measurements for the Mini Pizza Box I made this weekend. I made my box so that it was 4.5 x 4.5 finished and I made my cards 4 x 4. I started with a sheet of cardstock 12 x 6.5 and scored it at 1, 5.5, 6.5, and 11 on the long side, and turned it and scored it at 1 and 5.5 on the short side. Other than that I followed the instructions on the blog mentioned. It is really, really easy to make.

Paper Craft Gallery Idol

2008-07-15T23:03:00.002-02:30

It seems there was a mix up in the voting system in the Paper Craft Gallery Idol last week, so they issued a new challenge to the top 20 and the voting is now opened again, this time with the problems fixed. You can check out all the cards of the Top 20 here. I'm fairly confident that once you check them all out you will want to vote for the one Canadian that is in the group - Carla, AKA Moralia. Her card is stunnning! Here is a link directly to Carla's card. Clicking on the "Love it" button in the top right hand corner of that page will tell Carla that you visited and that you loved her card, but it won't count as a vote for her. To vote you have to scroll down a bit and find the "Click here for your favorite" link. This will bring up a page with a list of top 20 and the titles of the cards they created. Be sure to check the cards out and to vote for your favorite.

Productive weekend!

2008-07-14T23:25:00.010-02:30

Boy did I have fun this weekend! Spurred on by two online crops, I decided to check out recent challenges on a number of online boards I am on and I tried my hand at creating projects that filled a number of challenges at once. I love doing that!

I started off easy with just a simple card that only filled the requirements for one challenge. This one was a challenge to scraplift a bug on the Scrapping Bug. I decided to scraplift Ally's card "Nuts About You" and here's what I created:

I managed to combine two challenges into the next creation. The challenge on the Scrapping Bug was to make a card using the bug colors - red, black, green, yellow, white. At Lil' Scrappers Michy had posted a picture of a girl, wearing red shoes, a black jacket, a green dress, and yellow belt, standing on a rock in a garden and our challenge was to take inspiration from that picture to create a card or layout. Made for an easy combination. Here's what I did:

The three card set I created was inspired by three different challenges. One of the Scrapping Bug's challenges was do pick a DT challenge from the last three months to do. I chose Ally's June card challenge to create 3 cards, each with a different theme, and a container for the cards. At Scrapbooking Fanatics Nicole had posted a challenge to make a set of cards. At Lil' Scrappers Carla had posted a card sketch challenge and I decided to use Carla's sketch as inspiration for the cards for the set. Here's what I made:

The next creation was made for a Fast Scrap at CompuPro Scrapbooking. What a fun challenge! They posted a sketch and we had one hour to create a layout inspired by the sketch. I didn't have time to try to combine other challenges into this one because I was half an hour late discovering the challenge so I actually only had half an hour to do it. Here's what I did:

My one digi layout this weekend was inspired by another quick challenge at CompuPro Scrapbooking. It was a race to see who would be the first to create and post a layout of someone in a bathing suit, preferably a bikini. I didn't win the race but I did get a layout created. The background paper is by April Staker of Digi Ape Designs and the sunglasses are from ScrapGirls. The rest is mine. Here's how it turned out:

I managed to combine four challenges in the next creation. At the Scrapping Bug there was a challenge to do a layout with no humans in the photos used on it. At Lil' Scrappers Aimee's July challenge was to do a layout about a favorite thing of summer. Based on these two challenges I decided to do a layout about my parent's summer cabin and boat. I found the perfect picture for it. I decided to use Kristine Davidson's sketch posted in the 72hr sketch challenge at CompuPro Scrapbooking for design inspiration for the layout. At ScrapShotz Neisey's July challenge was to choose one inspirational element and repeat it three times. I decided to use one of the patterned papers three different ways in the layout. I used one of the patterned papers that I used in the layout to make the letters for the title and also to make a flower. In her Blurfing Friday post, Deanne had posted a link to a Little Plaid Flower Tutorial and that inspired me to make the flower. I didn't have the punch used in the tutorial so instead I traced around a chipboard flower onto the patterned paper and cut it out. I used the trick in the tutorial to give the flower some shape. I used a smaller prima flower as the center, and then a brad. Here's the end result:

My next creation is really different. At CompuPro Scrapbooking I was given a challenge to create a layout about a moment without a picture. If you're a regular reader of this blog you know that I have ben cameraless for over a year now. There have been many moments during the past year that I wished I had a camera to get a picture. This challenge inspired me to pick some of those moments from the past couple of months and journal about them and turn the journaling into a layout. Sounded crazy at first but I really like the idea now and I may do it some more. I managed to combine three other challenges into the layout. I decided to use Sheri's sketch in the Bug Sketch challenge at the Scrapping Bug as inspiration for the design of the layout. One of the moment's I was journaling about was Canada Day so I decided to use Martina's Scrapbooking Fanatics July DT challenge to use red and white and/or a maple leaf on a layout as inspiration for the colors of the layout. I even used a maple stamp on the journaling circle for the Canada Day moment. Nonie's July DT challenge at ScrapShotz was to use something that isn't a typical scrapbooking supply on a layout or card. A certain kind of icecream that we buy has a scalloped circle cardboard inset in the cover and I had been eyeing it for a while thinking it would make a great addition to a layout. It fit perfect with the sketch so I covered one with patterned paper and used it as one of the journaling circles. The end result of all of that is the following layout called Missed Photo Ops:

The last layout I completed today and it was inspired by four different challenges. At the Scrapping Bug there was a challenge to make a title from letters provided. I really struggled with this one but I finally came up with one. I decided to use Kristin's Davidson's sketch in the "Just 'Cause" contest at Creative Scrappers as inspiration for the design of the layout. Inspired by the CompuPro Scrapbooking challenge to make your own polka dot background paper I used my versamark ink pad and a sheet of paper hole reinforcement circles to make my own background paper for the layout. Carla's June 25th Layout challenge at Lil' Scrappers was to use four rules to make a layout - no paper layering, one color scheme, bling, and at least one sticker. The sketch didn't involve paper layering so I thought I could incorporate this challenge into the design too. Here's how it ended up:

There were six challenges posted for The Scrapping Bug's "Last Minute Crop" this weekend and I managed to do them all! There were a nine numbered challenges posted for CompuPro Scrapbooking's "Yellow Polka Dot Bikini Crop, but there were a number of other challenges thrown in too, including 4 fast scrap challenges. I managed to do a number of them, but we have until June 20th to do them all so I'll probably get more done yet.

I managed to get pictures of my creations to upload for this post because I borrowed a camera. I also took pictures of other creations that I've made but haven't posted yet so I'll probably post them in the following days. It feels so good to be able to do that!

Hope you enjoyed checking out my creations and finding out how I combine challenges. It's fun to do.

Check out this layout!

2008-07-11T12:27:00.002-02:30

Kim, of Kim's Kreative Korner, created this awesome layout that you just must check out! She created it for a challenge in Lil' Scrappers Big Summer Win contest. The challenge was a great challenge - to scrap about a time when you were struggling with personal growth and include a creative self portrait and hand journaling. I'm telling you, you need to check out this layout! It's gorgeous to look at, the self portrait is so creative, and the meaning behind it is something I think most all of us can learn from. Quick, go check it out this layout and tell me if I'm wrong. No, wait! Tell me if I'm right, because I know I'm not wrong so I'll never hear from any of you if you have to tell me if I'm wrong. :)

Canadian in Paper Crafts Idol Top 20!...and Scrappin' Events online this weekend

2008-07-10T12:06:00.002-02:30

Did you know that we have a Canadian in the Paper Crafts Card Idol Top 20!?! Carla is the one that got me hooked on scrappin' cards. She's a great card maker! Right now voting is going on for the Top 15. Everyone had to do a Patriotic Card. Her's is the only Canadian card there. Wanna help her get to the next round? It's easy. Just vote for her card here.

If you're in the mood for scrappin' this weekend, check out these two fun online crops:

CompuPro Scrapbooking, a new forum I just discovered, is having their first ever online crop - a Yellow PolkaDot Bikini Crop. You can read the announcement they made a while back about it on their blog here. Here is a link to their Yellow Polkadot Bikini Crop board of their forum, where the fun has already started, they already have 9 challenges posted! The crop is not supposed to officially start until Friday the 11th, so there's still lots more fun to come, and you have until July 20th to post most of the challenges, though some have different requirements so it is important to read the challenges carefully.

Scrapping Bug is having a "July Last Minute Crop". You can read about it, and find a link to the forum, on their blog here. Challenges will be posted Friday July 11th or early Saturday. You will have until Monday July 14th at 11:59pm PST (2:59pm EST) to upload your creations.

SOS Text Thursday Challenge - 5 Random Photos

2008-07-03T19:09:00.004-02:30

Sisterhood of Scrap's Text Thursday challenge today is to post 5 random facts about yourself or post five random photos, or combine both. I've decided to post five recent pictures of little one that I have been wanting to scrap, but couldn't because I didn't have the ink to print the pictures. I now have the ink and hopefully will get them printed and scrapped soon! Isn't she a cutie pie!?!

Scrapbook & Cards Today...

2008-06-21T23:45:00.003-02:30

...Summer Issue 2008 is now available for download on line. They also have a new blog with a contest. I tried to leave a comment but the comment feature wasn't working when I tried. I hope I remember to check back. I tried adding the blog to my reader but the RSS feed wasn't working either. Hopefully that will be fixed before too long too.

Editted: I figured out why I couldn't comment or get the RSS feed - you have to register for both - well, you have to register and then you can both comment and get the RSS feed! I hate that! Oh well. Maybe it will change after a while. In the meantime I have yet another password to try to remember! Grrrr....

I'm working on two projects tonight!

2008-06-20T22:02:00.002-02:30

One is a really neat Mini Photobook Make 'n' Take that was part of a recent online crop at Lil' Scrappers. I wasn't quite getting the instructions so I searched to see if I could find more online and I finally found some at Split Coast Stampers that are a little different but have the same result and that I could figure out at. It is so neat! I won't be able totally finish it tonight because I need 2 jumbo eyelets and I don't have any. I also need to get pictures printed for it. This is a pattern I will definitely be making more than once. Actually, I already have plans for at least three of them. :)

The other one is a Garden Gate Mini Album, which was also a challenge at the recent Lil' Scrappers online crop. Because you can't view the Lil's Scrappers forums unless you are a member, once again I went searching for similar instructions online to share on my blog and I found this great tutorial which is very similar, but slightly different. I'm glad I found it before I put mine together because I'm going to make a few changes to my original plan. Once again, I won't get it all completed tonight because there are some things I need to get to complete it but I already have most of the supplies cut and ready to assemble. This is another really neat project that is well worth checking out.

I am so excited because I actually have plans for both of these projects! Lots of times I see a neat project and I just have to try it out because I like the project, but I don't have any real plans for them. For these two, however, I have very specific plans that I am quite excited about. I'm not going to say what those plans are right now because it would ruin some surprises, but I'll let you know when they've been given away - and hopefully I'll even get to post pictures of the completed projects!

I scrapped again tonight!

2008-06-19T23:41:00.002-02:30

Yippeee!!!! I actually have two layouts almost totally finshed, except for journaling.

Carla and Deidre had another scrappin' session tonight and there were close to a dozen people there. Great fun! Once again they supplied a couple of sketches as inspiration and they had some of their own things for people to use if they wanted.

I was a little late getting there. I thought it started at 7:30 but it actually started at 6:30. Oh well, I still managed to do both layouts and I had a great time.

Can't wait for next time!

Tried some new stuff!

2008-06-18T23:55:00.003-02:30

Woah! It's been a while since I posted. Haven't had much time to scrap, but I also find it really hard to be motivated to blog about my scrappin' when I can't show pictures. Oh to have not lost my camera! I tried out a couple of new things tonight that I'd love to be able to show you.

In today's newsletter from Splitcoast Stampers there was a tutorial for for a Pull-Out Scrapbook. It looked so cool I had to give it a try. I love it! Sure wish I could show you what I did.

I discovered that the tutorial was written by a Canadian gal, Corrine AKA Roxy, so I wanted to give her a shout out too. Sure would love to have her join the Canadian Scrapbookers Blog Carnival. :-)

In GinaK's blog post today she posted a card that she had used a crayon resist technique on and she also included instructions on how to do the technique. I had read about it before but I just loved the look of it in Gina's sample card and I had to give it a try. I love it! Once again I wish I could show you what I did. It's a fun, easy, very cool technique. Be sure to check it out and give it a try.

I actually scrapped!

2008-05-30T10:19:00.003-02:30

Deidre and Carla, a couple of ladies from our town, have been trying to encourage scrapbooking in our community. Deidre and her mom run a business in town and they recently started stocking scrapbooking supplies. Carla and Deidre have been getting together to scrap for quite a while now and I joined them at Carla's a couple of times before. Recently they've held a couple of scrapbooking classes and a NSD event. I didn't manage to get to any of those but it seems that interest in scrapbooking is growing in our town.

Last night the girls held a scrapbooking class and I finally got to go! I even finished a layout while there! That's the really amazing part. I've only been to a couple of real life scrapping get togethers before and I don't think I've ever finished a layout at one. I wish I could show you my layout. I love it!

The purpose of the class was to introduce different embellishments and show how they could enhance a layout. It was a very basic class because most of the scrappers are just starting out. I debated going because I've had quite a bit of experience using embellishments but I decided to go anyway just for the chance to get out and socialize.

We were told to bring certian sizes and numbers of pictures and to bring our own paper. I only had a couple of pictures here and they didn't really fit the sizes they had suggested but I decided to use those anyway - I really didn't have much choice. I grabbed a kit that I had received for a prize at CC&S a nice while back and headed out.

I was a little late getting there as DH didn't get home from work until late so everyone was busy working on their first sketch when I arrived. I staked out a spot next to Coralee, a fast becoming scrappin' addict, and started in to work.

The girls had two sketches for everyone to work on. When they got the pictures and papers put together for the first sketch the girls helped them decide on embellishments to add to their layouts before starting to work on the second sketch.

Carla and Deidre had brought quite an assortment of emblishments and tools for everyone to try out - buttons, flowers, ribbons, brads, eyelets, etc. I tried out Deidre's silent setter. I want one! Deidre even had her cricut set up and cut out titles for anyone that wanted one. What a cool machine!

My pictures really didn't fit with either of the sketches so I improvised. I'm to the stage in scrappin' where I kind of like doing my own thing, anyway, rather than just follow a sketch to a T. I didn't start out like that, mind you.

I used my own embellishments that I had brought, except for some eyelets. I love eyelets but I could never get them to work. I couldn't resist trying out Deidre's silent setter. I really, really want one!

Anyway, it was a fun night. There were about a dozen of us there. Hopefully we'll do it again before too long.

New Edition and New call up at Canadian Scrapbookers Blog Carnival

2008-05-24T15:22:00.002-02:30

The 5th edition is posted and there's a call for the 6th edition. Help spread the word.

Cool Grid Technique!

2008-05-18T00:24:00.004-02:30

Last night I tried out the grid technique. It is so cool! I learned about the technique in the Splitcoast Stampers Weekly Inkling newsletter this week. I wish I could show you what I did, but alas I can't. I need a camera! Be sure to check out the link for yourself. It is a really easy technique, but it is so cool. I don't have a score pal so I just used my cutter with the scoring blade in it instead of the cutting blade for some of what I did and I used my Top Score Multiboard. I tried out a number of different colors and designs. Hopefully some day soon I'll be able to show you it, but in the meantime check out the instructions and samples at SplitCoast Stampers.

A New Sketch Blog!

2008-05-15T19:09:00.003-02:30

Wow! It's been a long time since I posted, and just as long since I've scrapped. I'm starting to feel the need though, and I've seen some things lately that I really want to try so hopefully soon I'll actually get around to it. I also have some things that I've done that I want to get posted but haven't been able to manage that yet either. I need a camera!!!

Okay rant over. :)

Ally has started a new blog, So Sketchy!, dedicated entirely to her sketches! I love Ally's sketches! Her sketches inspired many of my layouts during my time at CC&S. I am really excited about her new sketch blog. Of course I'm also excited because she happens to be a Canadian and I just love promoting my fellow Canadian scrappers. She already has a layout and a card sketch posted and she's offering a RAK to anyone that uses her sketches and links their creations to her blog post. Make sure you check it out!

Oh! I almost forgot to tell you! The 4th edition of the Canadian Scrappers Blog Carnival is up. Drop by and check out the links to scrappers all across Canada. If you are a blogging scrapper living in Canada, why not join the carnival? We'd love to have you.

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

2008-05-03T14:46:00.002-02:30

I've been trying to do some scrapping to celebrate but I haven't managed to do any yet. I sneak in and have a look at the online forums when I can and I've seen some very interesting challenges. Hopefully I'll get around to them some time. Can't wait to see what everyone creates.

BTW, the Second Edition of the Canadian Scrapbookers Carnival was posted yesterday. Check it out a leave a comment, and don't forget to check out the blogs in the carnival and leave them comments too.

National Scrapbooking Day Plans

2008-05-01T19:00:00.002-02:30

In case you haven't heard, Saturday, May 3rd is National Scrapbooking Day. Scrappers all over the place have plans to celebrate, either with real life crops or online crops.

Up until this afternoon I thought I was going to actually get to attend a National Scrapbooking Day Party in my community this Saturday. Deanne, and her sister Carla, and their friend Deidre have a fun day planned for the ladies in our community. Actually, come to think of it, there probably will be ladies there from our whole area, not just our community, because although Deanne is originally from our community, she now lives in a different community in our area so she'll probably have some ladies from her community joining her here for the fun. They're all going to gather in a local church and scrap the day away. I'm not sure what all the plans are but you can be guaranteed it will be fun. I'll bet there will be challenges and games and instructions on great projects. Man, do I wish I could be there! Hopefully someone will take lots of pictures and maybe even post a blog post about the fun. (hint, hint) :)

Unfortunately my plans have changed and I won't be able to attend. I'm so bummed! DH is going to visit his parents and give his sisters a chance to have a break with helping with the care of his father. DD has decided she wants to go and spend some time with her grandfather so we're heading out of town tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to the 6 hour drive! I think I will pack some of my scrapping supplies to take with me and have my own little party. Won't quite be the same as I'll likely be the only one there but oh well.

If I had a really good laptop, or even access to a good computer there I know what I'd be doing. I'd be hanging out at Digital and 3Scrapateers. Last year there wasn't anything planned around here for National Scrapping Day and I spent my time at these two digital sites and what a great time I had. Besides the great time I also managed to pick up two wonderful, big, digital scrapping kits in the celebrations. If you don't have any where to go to celebrate and you are into digital scrapping I suggest you check them out.

Digitals is taking a week, May 3-10th, to celebrate NSD 2008 with the theme "Weaving Time in a Tapestry". They have created a huge Digitals NSD & May '08 Challenge Kit for participants. Participant pick up pieces of the kit as they participate in the different things happening at the site all week long. Complete the monthly forum challenges to earn pieces of the kit. Check Bonus Gallery and store free downloads during the week for more pieces. Participate in Amanda Thorderson's famous Treasure Hunt every day for more pieces. They also have loads of crops planned throughout the day and week where you can pickup more pieces. It's a really fun place to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day

At 3Scrapateers there will be Chats, Challenges, and lots of Freebies! Fernelda the Freebie Fairy flies all over the forum dropping of freebies to be picked up. There is a Kick off Chat Friday May 3rd in the 3s Chat room at 8 PM EST. I had so much fun there last year! I didn't know about Fernelda the Freebie Fairy and I almost missed some of her freebies! If you manage to find all of Fernelda's freebies, attend the chats, and do the challenges, you can accumulate a wonderful NSD digital kit. Lot of fun!

If I had a good laptop to take with me I'd also be checking out the happenings at ScrapShotz, Lil' Scrappers, and WeScrap.

Oh for a good laptop to take with me! Though I really wish I could be home to get in on the real life crop. Oh well, maybe next time.

First Edition of Canadian Scrabookers Blog Carnival is up!

2008-04-28T00:08:00.003-02:30

You can check it out here.

Canadian Scrappers Blog Carnival has it's own blog!

2008-04-26T14:38:00.002-02:30

I've decided to start a separate blog for the Canadian Scrappers Blog Carnival. I still only have two submissions for the first edition but I am going to post the first edition on Monday whether I have more submissions or not. If you want to get a post in the first edition of the Canadian Scrappers Blog Carnival then you must send me a link to your post before Sunday. You can send your link to canadianscrapbookerscarnival@gmail.com and please indicate in your email what part of Canada you are living in. Don't forget to take the time to check out the new Canadian Scrappers Blog Carnival Blog and help spread the word about it.

Some scrappy find this week

2008-04-25T16:47:00.002-02:30

I had heard about The Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine before but I'd never actually seen it. This week I discovered their online site.

The CC&S blog highlighted a neat tutorial on how to make a Mini Teabag Album in their resources wiki this week.

It's Friday Night Crop night at Scrapbooking Fanatics and teh challenges have been posted.

Anyone thinking about trying the 2009 Memory Makers Masters Contest. Lots of time to prepare as the deadline isn't until July 31.

Update on Carnivals and Scrappy finds

2008-04-21T22:16:00.002-02:30

I didn't post the Carnival of NL Scrappers because I didn't get any submissions!! I didn't expect to get a lot, but I did think I would get a couple. No such luck. I will try again at another time, especially if anyone expresses any interest in it.

I also still haven't posted a Carnival of Canadian Scrappers because I haven't received the ten posts that I set as needed for the first edition. That really shocked me! There are so many great Canadian Scrappers out there with blogs that I really thought getting ten posts would be a breeze. Guess I was wrong. I did get two submissions. I'd like at least a couple more to go with that but I will be posting it the end of the week with or without more.

Now, on to some scrappy finds.

The first is not a Canadian find but there are at least a couple of Canadians on their design team. I didn't know it but Scrapbook Heaven has been running an Amazing Race on their board. While it's too late to join in that race they have decided to start a second race that you can still join. Sure sounds like fun!

Allison recently posted about some Some Different Stitching. I love the look and I want to try it some time. She got the idea from Scrapbook Lounge Episode Building Bridges.

ScrapShotz Scrappy Hour is Monday April 21 8pm. Oh my goodness! It's probably happening now! I must go check it out. Okay, I'm back. :) Jess has posted instructions on how to make a neat mini album using tabbed index cards. Looks really neat!

Scrapshotz is also into the third week of their HotShotz contests. What great creations are being posted! I am oh so proud of a fellow Newfoundlander that has managed to stay in the race so far in the HotShotz Cardz contest.

Wendy recently posted on her blog that she will be offering online classes!

Reminder about the Carnivals of Scrappers

2008-04-16T22:11:00.002-02:30

Just a quick reminder of the Carnivals. I only have one submission yet! Come on, blogging scrappers! Submit a post. Share about the Carnivals on your blog. Encourage your friends to submit. I'd really like to be able to post teh first editions of the Carnivals by the beginning of next week. If you're not sure what I'm talking about, click on the link in the right hand column.

Contests and Challenges

2008-04-15T18:46:00.002-02:30

Crafty Al is encouraging sheetload readers to "Share a "Sheetload of Cards". I love this idea! She was inspired by the May 2008 CardMaker Magazine's "Readers Reach Out" article. The idea is to make and donate cards to a Nursing Home. Great idea!

In WeScrap Newsletter I discovered another Canadian site, Scrapbookers Clubhouse, and they have a sketch contest happening (deadline april 28).

At CC&S blog I found out about Scrapdango's crop this weekend - April 19 - 20.

PageMaps is turning 2 in May and they're hosting a Sketch Contest Celebration. The contest started today and ends May 22.

Scrappy finds from this past week

2008-04-12T19:42:00.002-02:30

In one of Ally's posts on CC&S blog she wrote about a tutorial on how to Make a Mini Flip Flop Album in CC&S wiki. I haven't tried it yet but I want to.

Wendy made a really cool travel tic-tac-toe game and posted pictures of it on her blog. Love it!

A couple of things in Split Coast Stampers newsletter caught my eye this week. I love the effect of Thumping on stamps with another color. I haven't tried it yet but I plan to. I also love this card organizer. So easy to make and so functional! Another one I want to try.

GinaK revealed her new stamps Kindred Spirits on her blog this week. I love the way she revealed them, and the stamps are so neat!

Took a little closer look at a couple more Canadian scrapping boards this week. Love the name of the board JustCre8. I think that is so cool. I was reminded of this board by their sponsorship of a prize in the Sisterhood of Scrap celebrations this week. Haven't really checked it out much yet but it looks neat. My friend Carla has been a loyal member of LoveBug Scrapbooking, singing their praises to me, for quite a while. It does seem like a fun place to play. Carla is Guest DT there for a while and she was playing with the gorgeous kit they sent her to play with today when we were scrapping together. Nice stuff!

I have really been enjoying checking out all the fun at Sisterhood of Scrap Anniversary celebrations all week. I love how creative they were in having their challenges tie in with their theme of games. It was fun visiting all the different blogs to find the challenges. There's still time to join in the fun if you're interested. They start giving out the prizes next week.

It's Carnival Time!

2008-04-10T21:41:00.003-02:30

I recently discovered the world of blog carnivals - and I love them. They make it easy to find blog posts on a topic that you are interested in.

When it comes to scrapbooking, I am very interested in seeing the work of other scrapbookers in my country and province. I searched for Canadian and Newfoundland scrapbooking carnivals and came up with none, so I decided to start my own.

In case you don't know what a blog carnival is, I'll share with you bits and peices of what Wikipedia has to say about it:

A blog carnival is a type of blog event. It is similar to a magazine, in that it is dedicated to a particular topic, and is published on a regular schedule, often weekly or monthly. Each edition of a blog carnival is in the form of a blog article that contains permalinks links to other blog articles on the particular topic....

There are many variations, but typically, someone who wants to organize a carnival posts details of the theme or topic to their blog, and asks readers to submit relevant articles for inclusion in an upcoming edition. The host then collects links to these submissions, edits and annotates them (often in very creative ways), and publishes the resulting round-up to his or her blog.

Many carnivals have a home page or principal organizer, who lines up guest bloggers to host each edition. This means that the carnival travels, appearing on a different blog each time.

Communities of blog readers, writers, and edition hosts form around specific carnivals. The carnivals provide an aggregation of recent posts by the community on a given topic, and the host provides a level of editing and annotation that helps readers find posts they are interested in. Writers who submit their articles to blog carnivals are rewarded with traffic...

I have decided to start both a Carnival of Canadian Scrapbookers and Carnival of NL Scrapbookers. These Carnivals are to highlight scrapbookers, stampers, and cardmakers living in both Canada and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Newfoundland and Labrador scrappers can submit their posts to both carnivals if they want. I will host the first editions of these Carnivals in my blog but I will be looking for other bloggers that would be interested in hosting future editions, so let me know if that interests you.

I know there are a lot of Canadian scrapbookers out there that blog. I've decided that rather than set a date as a deadline for posts for the first edition of the Carnival of Canadian Scrapbookers, I will put together and post the first edition when I have 10 submissions. The faster I get them, the earlier the Carnival will be posted.

I don't know of too many scrapbookers living in Newfoundland and Labrador that blog so instead of giving a number of submissions as the deadline for submissions I've decided to set April 17 as a deadline for submissions for the first edition of the Carnival of Newfoundland and Labrador Scrapbookers. I will post the first edition April 18.

To participate in either Carnival all you have to do is send me a link to a post on your blog that you would like to have included in the carnival. It can be a new or old post. It can be a post about anything scrapbooking/stamping/cardmaking related. It can be as short or as long as you like. If you have any questions or suggestions you can post them in the comments and I will edit this blog post with answers. Send your submissions to jacqueline hillier AT g mail DOT com , but leave out the spaces and substitute the correct symbols for the capitalized words.

Please help spread the word about these Carnivals.

I actually scrapped this past weekend!

2008-04-09T12:40:00.015-02:30

Not layouts, but cards. Made 8 of them actually, inspired by challenges at ScrapShotz's Spring Fling crop. Two of the cards were for the special ScrapShotz Gives Back Challenge. Thanks to all the scrappers that completed the challenge ScrapShotz made a donation of $165 to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Here are my creations:

For the Gives Back challenge I choose to do 2 cards instead of one layout. The challenge was to have flowers in your creation somewhere, somehow. For the first one I used a big prima whisper flower that I got in a RAK. I didn't even know what the flower was called until someone commented on it in the gallery. :) I made the card for my in-laws. FIL was diagnosed with a brain tumor in February. Since then he has had surgery and has just completed the last of his post surgery treatments. He is finally at home and doing well.

Closed:

Opened:

My second card for the Gives Back Challenge was also inspired by another challenge to make a transparency card. The front of the card is actually a transparency with a strip down one side of it to hide the side of the picture that is underneath and the sentiment that is inside. When you open it up you see the other side of the picture, and also the inside sentiment. There are flowers on the pattern paper I used. I made a card for my DH telling him that I am proud of the good son he has been to his parents through this time.

Closed:

Opened:

I got the idea to make the tranparency card from Virginia's "Lighten Up for Spring" challenge. She gave great instructions on how to make a transparency card. The paper I used for this one was part of a beautiful RAK I received from Nonie as a prize for another ScrapShotz challenge a while back.

Heidi challenged us to make a "Pocket Card" and she provided a link to a pattern to download to make a heart pocket. I didn't want to download anything and I wasn't feeling hearts right then so I went searching for different pocket card ideas and I found Brittany's Double Fold Card Class. Love this! You use a single 8 1/2 x 11 double sided paper to make a card that has two pockets. My DD and her friends love going to Tim's so I decided to make the card for her and attach a Tim's card to each of the tags in the pockets. The paper I used for this was part of a RAK I received from Sisterhood of Scrap as a prize for a challenge a while back.

Heidi's "It's Finally Spring Challenge" was to use a page map sketch. Loved this sketch!

I loved Heidi's "Punch it" challenge to use only plain papers and to use punches to add pattern to a card, but I was kind of limited because I only have one size of punch to use. I made up for that by using different sized needles to punch different sized holes. Not great, but okay.

Inspired by Jen's "April Showers" challenge I used different sized objects around my kitchen to stamp different sized circles on the papers in an attempt to make the look of raindrops in puddles. Jen's challenge was to create a card inspired by rain and I've always been fascinated with the ever widening circle pattern that is created in puddles when rain drops fall in them.

For Jen's "May Flowers" challenge she challenged us to use a photo of a flower on a card. I used a photo DD took last year of my crocuses.

I had a great time creating this weekend! It felt good to be back at it. I had been in a scrappin' slump for some time and I wondered when I was going to get out of it. I missed creating. I think what kicked me out of my slump was entering ScrapShotz HotShotz Cardz contest. I didn't even make it into the first round of the contest, and I was a little disappointed at thatm but I really think that I would have missed the fun this weekend if I hadn't entered the contest. It was the kick I needed right then.

A chance to give, and a chance to win...plus other stuff

2008-04-04T22:59:00.002-02:30

Earlier this week I told you about Scrap Shotz Sping Fling crop this weekend and the planned ScrapShotz Gives Back challenge, which involves ScrapShotz donating $5 to the Canadian Cancer Society for every layout completed for the challenge. Well, the crop is happening now and the challenge has been posted and the giving keeps on growing! Board member Lacintia has offered a generious RAK to be awarded by a random draw to one of the lucky participants, while board member Dea has extended the giving through her blog. She's going to match ScrapShotz donation on her behalf and is also offering to give $1 for everyone that posts on her blog after completing the challenge! How cool is that!

And here's a chance to win some prizes. Do you like to write? During the month of April Scrapbooking.com Magazine, a free online magazine, is running a National Scrapbook Day Essay Contest. In 400 words or less tell what scrapbooking means to you from one of two topics - 1. Why I scrapbook or, 2. The one thing I want people to remember about my scrapbooks is...Why? Can be submitted through their form online and must include one layout or photo. They're looking for good content, not good form. They have editors that will help you tell your story in good form. First place prize has a value of $600, second place $300, and third place $125.

Here's a couple of links to projects you could make that would make great gifts. Erika, Stampin' Mama, has this special Bake it, Make it & Take Feature every once in a while and the feature this time was a Muffin in a basket. The post includes instructions to make the basket and the recipe for the muffins. In this post she gives instructions to make a neat CD tin Mini book .

Beginning of the month happenings, plus other stuff

2008-04-02T17:48:00.002-02:30

Many scrapping boards have unveiled their kits for the month of April, along with some special plan for the month:

The Scrapping Bug's April Monthly Kit

ScrapShotz has an April calendar posted on their blog where you can check out what they have planned for the month. They're having a special Blog Comment Sale - for next two weeks, April 1-15. Leave a comment telling what you love about Prima products and get 15% off Prima Products. Their April kit, Pump Up the Volume, is now available with a 3,6, or 12 month subscription. Yesterday was reveal day for the DT's creations with the kit. Nonie posted her reveal on her blog.

Lil' Scrappers has posted the DT Reveals for their "April Blooms" kit and a planned DT Challenge Schedule, while promising that other challenges will still be popping up from time to time. You can check out Carla's reveal for the kit on her blog. They have a special Card a Day Challenge for April. They will also be starting a Monthly Card Kit, with the first one to be showcased April 15th.

April challenges are up at Scrapbooking Fanatics

April's Sheetload is up and so are April page Maps.

Recent Online Scrappy Finds

2008-03-31T15:36:00.002-02:30

At Scrapping Bug crop this weekend there was a really neat make your own journaling tags challenge. I thought that was such a neat idea. She said she got the idea from a friend at Love is in the Details. Of course I had to go check that out and, boy, am I tempted to join this new-to-me board. It's a Canadian board, too, which makes it even more of a draw for me.

I was kind of concerned that you wouldn't be able to see the Scrapping Bug challenge that I linked to above if you weren't a member of the board so I went searching for instructions online somewhere else just in case, but I couldn't find it. While looking for it, however, I came across this neat page with instructions for making a Matchbook-Style Scrapbook Journal Box. It is really neat!

Michy, at Li'l Scrappers, is hosting a Make'n'Take class Wednesday April 2nd at 9:00pm EST. She's going to teach us how to make a "super cute Wallet Gift Card/Photo holder".

ScrapShotz is having a Spring Fling online crop April 4-6. At crop kick off on Friday, April 4 at 8pm EST, they will be posting a special "Scrap Shotz Gives Back" Challenge! "For every member who completes the challenge, SSZ will donate $5 to the Canadian Cancer Society! In addition, anyone who completes the challenge will get a special "I made a difference! SSZ Gives Back" blinkie which will be made available during the crop!"

Sisterhood of Scrap is planning a week-long anniversary blog crop for April 6 -12th. This blog is special to me because it's run by some Newfoundland girls! They also run weekly challenges and this week's challenge, due April 6th, is to use some sort of hidden element.

Fun Contest for Canadian Scrappers and Card Makers!

2008-03-28T12:40:00.002-02:30

Starting April 1st Scrap Shotz is hosting two amazing contests - HotShotz2 and HotShotz Cardz, especially for Canadians, with amazing prizes! Both contests are running simultaneously and you have to pick which one you want to enter.

The contest involves a total of 5 contest challenges. Each Sunday during the time of the contest a challenge will be issued and you will have until the Friday of that same week to upload your submission. Active board members (those with at least 25 posts to the board that week) will then get to vote on their favorites and the top 80% in each round get to move one to the next round.

To enter the contest you have to join the ScrapShotz board and between April 1 and April 4 you have to enter your best single page layout to the HotShotz2 gallery or your best card to the HotShotz Cards gallery. The really neat thing is that this doesn't have to be something new, just something not published before.

To advance in the contest you have to win the votes but you also have at least 25 meaningful posts to the board each week. With all the chatter and happenings on the board it should be no problem to fulfill that requirement.

There will be a grand prize winner and a runner up in each contest. The grand prize winners will get their winning entries published in the Winter 2008-09 edition of Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine! As if that isn't enough, they will also get a $100+ prize package and a new Big Bite Crop a Dile from ScrapShotz and a chance to be a guest designer with ScrapShotz for a month! The runner up in each contest will each get a June Scrap Shotz Monthly Kit. Aside from those prizes there is also going to be a random participation draw for each round. Lots of chances to win!

I participated in a contest something like this on another board last year before the board closed and it was so much fun. I felt like a winner just for participating. I'm tempted to join in on one of these contests, but we'll have to see if I actually do or not. I've been in a bit of a scrapping slump lately.

Let me know if you decide to give it a try.

Online Crop this Weekend...

2008-03-26T19:33:00.003-02:30

...at the Scrapping Bug. One day only - Saturday March 29. Check it out!

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Scrapbook and Cards Today Magazine

2008-03-25T18:56:00.002-02:30

If you've never held a Scrapbook and Cards Today Magazine you don't know what you're missing. Scrapbook and Cards Today is a Canadian free to consumer quarterly magazine full of seasonal inspiration on creating scrapbook layouts and cards. Their website says that the Spring 2008 addition will be available in select stores March 26th.

There are three ways that you can get this free magazine.
1) Select stores provide the magazine free of charge to their customers.
2) You can download a copy from the website and either read it in pdf form or print it off. You can download and check out previous editions here, and I'm assuming you will be able to download the new edition there sometime after it is released to stores.
3) You can subscribe to the magazine and have it delivered to your door. All you have to pay is the shipping costs.

While it is great to be able to download the magazine and read it digitally or print if off to read, there is nothing like getting an official printed copy of it. I haven't figured out yet how I'm going to get my hands on an official printed copy of this edition. There are no scrapbooking stores around here to get it from. I used to get it from an online scrapbooking board but the board is closed and I haven't noticed any other boards offering it to members that don't actually order from them. Can't say I blame them there, but DH is still leary about online orders so I'm yet to do that. I may have to be content with reading it online and printing off what most interests me. Be sure to check it out. It is well worth whatever it takes to get it in your hands.