Clearly Carla

Sunflower Birthday

2011-12-29T19:33:00.002-04:00

Here's the card I made for yesterday's Creative Inspirations Paint blog post... I was in need of a little sunshine! Check out the full post here...

Goodbye Max...

2011-12-28T19:49:00.002-04:00

On December 23rd, I said goodbye to a true friend. He's been with me from 13 to 31, all my teenage years and my 20's too. That's practically my whole life. Friday was the most difficult decision I've ever made, but he got ill suddenly, didn't suffer for long, and I was with him until the end... not much else I could have asked for when the day finally came. He's greatly missed but will be remembered always and with love as the youthful loving spirit he was that endeared him to all of us. Bye baby, home isn't the same without you.

Creative Inspirations Paint Holiday Blog Hop

2011-12-16T05:00:00.003-04:00

Welcome to the third stop on the Creative Inspirations Paint Holiday Blog Hop (and home of the second letter on your tour; H)! Glad you could join us!

There is a ton of inspiration to be found on the Hop here today so if you've randomly found your way here and you want to start at the beginning... head on over to the Creative Inspiration Paint blog!

You'll want to collect all the letters along the way for your chance to win some fabulous blog candy! You have until 6pm EST Sunday (Dec. 18) to leave your comment on the CI blog with your letters. Winner will receive 3 Creative Inspirations Paints, 3 Resplendence Glitters and 3 Deliquesce Embossing Powders of their choosing.

(I painted the green and pink buttons with Sage and Blush CI Paints. Makes them look pearlescent, very cool effect! I painted a little white hill behind the tree with Gesso and then went overtop with Fairy Dust CI Paint, so shimmery and pretty, you can see better in the close-up!)

Your next stop is Dawn's blog!

Creative Inspirations Paint 2011 Holiday Blog Hop:

Creative Inspirations Paint
Barb
Carla
Dawn
Gini
Kassi
Kendra
Kianel
Creative Inspirations Paint

Thanks for stopping by!

I'm not missing!

2011-12-14T18:47:00.004-04:00

I've been getting ready for Christmas! Only 10 more sleeps until Christmas Eve! Crazy!! Where did December go? Or November for that matter!

Part of my annual "getting ready" always includes making ornaments for the tree. All kinds are welcome! Not many ornaments I met that I didn't like... I think it reminds me of my Grandmother who was always making things, and in the last decade she's been gone, it's how I keep her here at Christmas. (Cue the water works!)

But seriously, I love making them, so this year I painted up some pretty balls, hopefully to find their Christmas home in the next few hours... or days... gotta do the lights first though, I hate doing the lights!

These were made using Creative Inspirations paints, so head on over to their blog for colors and full deets here.

Cheers!
Carla

Another Creative Inspirations Paint project

2011-11-23T04:36:00.000-04:00

I feel like I've been so busy lately! I have so much to share but no time to photograph and post! Ugh! I won't leave you totally empty handed though... I'll leave you with my latest Creative Inspirations Paint project. Check out all the deets on the CI blog HERE.

First DT post for Creative Inspirations Today!

2011-11-09T05:58:00.000-04:00

You can check out the full post here in the November 9th post, which has all the details on how I created this lovely card!

OMG... A Layout!

2011-11-03T07:45:00.000-03:00

So it feels like all I've posted lately has been cards, despite the fact I have a whole album full of Paris layouts, none of which I've shared yet! Crazy! But I'm rectifying that situation right now...

This was both the first layout I did after the Paris trip and the first page in my album... I kept notes while we were away and I used some of those notes to create this layout summarizing some of my first impressions on the first day we were there. I'm not a big writer... I'd rather be "doing" on a trip rather than sitting there "writing" about what I did, but I am so glad I made the time on this trip... when I read some of the things now (after a year) I remember details I know I would have forgotten otherwise. It's also helping me to actually journal! The hard part is already done before I even start!

When I first started scrapping back in the Creative Memories days, half my pages would be nothing but writing but as the years have passed, I find I journal less and less... I'm ashamed to admit some of my pages have only titles for text... and let's face it, the stories are the whole point right! Now whenever I go on a trip I will make the time to capture the details, it's worth it to remember the little moments!

I'm on the Creative Inspirations Paint DT!

2011-11-01T20:41:00.006-03:00

I don't know if you've noticed, but there is a new addition to my sidebar that has me pretty darn excited... I'm on the Creative Inspirations Design Team! Yay! I can't tell you how thrilled I am, everyone is so nice and has such awesome ideas... I am inspired and can't wait to get to work! So keep your eyes peeled for some new projects featuring some bling-y bling-y paints!

Card Class Tomorrow!

2011-10-29T22:19:00.002-03:00

I'm teaching a card class tomorrow and this is one of the cards we'll be doing. All Hero Arts stamps along with Distress Inks... how could I go wrong?! The background stamp is CG245, the tree is CG870 and the stars and sentiment are from set CL459. To do the tree I heat embossed it in white and then used Bundled Sage and Peeled Paint Distress Stains to color it. Cut out the tree and pop it up on the background and you have a pretty simple card.

Button Christmas Card... Vintage style

2011-10-27T19:18:00.002-03:00

I was kinda going for a vintag-y feeling with this card here... I wanted that whimsical 50's Christmas thing going on! The buttons and patterned paper are Stampin' Up and the stamps are Hero Arts (CL551 and CL543). I used the snowflakes from one of the sets to kind of make that flower type thing above the sentiment. Ink some edges, add some pearls and voila! Pretty darn quick card for Christmas!

Just Playing Around

2011-10-22T22:36:00.005-03:00

I was playing around with some of the techniques I learned in Jennifer McGuire's Inspiration Showcase class last month, which is fantastic by the way! I forget what she called this one.... I think it was trapped resist. I used 3 different background stamps from Hero Arts as well as Distress inks, Versamark, glossy cardstock, kraft cardstock, gold embossing powder, ribbon and twine.

The Video with the Picket Fence Distress Stain Resist...

2011-10-17T07:27:00.001-03:00

Without further ado...

The Fruits of my Failed Video Attempt!

2011-10-15T23:55:00.004-03:00

I tried to do another video tutorial today... started off good... then the battery died... then I ran out of space... then I decided it wasn't meant to be today. So the battery is charging and the photos are downloaded and the memory is clear. Hopefully I will have a video to post tomorrow!

In the meantime... this is what I was trying to show you using the Picket Fence Distress Stain I finally managed to get my eager hands on!

Details to follow (video gods willing!)

Another Christmas Card

2011-10-14T23:48:00.003-03:00

Here's another card I made the other day. There is actually a resist technique on there using Goosebumps by Tsukineko. I picked some up at Scrapfest and couldn't wait to give it a try! I hear there's a sparkly version too... I can't think of ANYTHING I could do with that! :)

Anywho... on the banner I stamped the Goosebumps onto white cardstock with a Prima stamp and allowed to dry. Then I inked over the image with my blending tooland distress inks (I think it was peeled paint and broken china).

The background is the raindrop (I think) background from Hero Arts (as are the sentiment andsnowflake stamps), that I inked in versamark and then went over with forever green Perfect Pearls.

For the rosette, I punched a strip of paper with an EK Success scalloped stamp and scored each scallop. Once assembles I sprayed the white rosette with Tattered Angels Wheatfields (my all time fav) for a vintage look. Added some twine and a snowflake and called it Done!

I'm in Full Christmas Card Swing

2011-10-13T22:04:00.003-03:00

I've made like a dozen cards the past few days... which for me is like... ooodles! As always, I'm totally inspired by Hero Arts... can't tell you how much I am loving the Hero Arts/ Sizzix partnership. Those Framelits sets rock! I was playing a little with them tonight for the monthly challenge on the HA blog, and based on one of the sketches, here is the card I ended up with.

Here are the materials I used as well:

Hero Arts/Sizzix Reindeer Framelits set
CG119 - Flourish Background
Distress inks -Peeled Paint, Pine Needles
Pearlized water (perfect pearls)
White Staz-on
Acetate
Kraft cardstock
Martha Stewart twine
Hero Arts Earth Elements button
old patterned paper (I think it's K&Co.)

Happy Thanksgiving & a Paris Mini

2011-10-10T04:08:00.004-03:00

Happy Thanksgiving my fellow Canucks! Hope everyone will be enjoying some turkey later on today and getting to spend time with friends and family... I know that's what I'll be doing!

I managed to get the mini done that I posted in the silk technique video (see pics below) and even 3 cards done this weekend too... I know a long week-end is only one day longer but I get so much more done than just one weeks worth! Love that! On to the mini...

Perfect Pearls Silk Technique

2011-10-08T13:13:00.002-03:00

I was playing around with Perfect Pearls and Sticky Back Canvas and I liked the results! It kind of resembles dingy old silk. I made a video to show it, I'm finding this much easier than it would be to take pics and type up steps... I may make some more!

Not finished the book yet but I'll be working on it today so I'll upload some photos of the finished project when I get it done.

Have a great day! Enjoy the video!

Tim Holtz and other Scrapfest Goodness!

2011-10-05T23:49:00.005-03:00

So I know this is a little late but there were many good things at Scrapfest... I didn't know where to start... So I'll start with Tim Holtz! His class was Awesome with a capital A!

Next... my classes... I had so much fun teaching them. Here is a photo of what the final project ended up looking like... Does it look familiar to you? It should! :)

Here I am teaching one of my classes (standing at the top of the photo at the end of the middle aisle) trying to sound like I'm not nervous!

And don't even get me started on that Mall! I've never seen anything like it! We barely scratched the surface in our time there. And there is a whole store JUST FOR SOCKS! If you know me... you know why this excites me! I have a strange obsession for socks... I love themas much as I love new scrapping supplies... I know... Crazy!

Fall Card for a Card Exchange

2011-10-02T19:36:00.003-03:00

Here is a fall card I made for a card exchange on the Hero Arts Flickr group. I made it using a technique I learned at Scrapfest in one of the Hero Arts classes (which were awesome by the way!). Maybe one of these days I'll give the lo-down on my Scrapfest experience... I'm still processing! :)

OMG... Scrapfest Rocks!

2011-09-16T09:58:00.002-03:00

And it hasn't even REALLY started yet!

Arrived yesterday... overwhelmed is the only word I have! Met so many awesome people already, most of them Archiver's employees! Did lots of shopping and even checked out the aquarium... totally neat place!

Today the real fun starts though! I'm taking a couple classes today and then I also teach for the first time today... Ihope it goes alright! Wish me luck!

Here's what I'm working on...

2011-08-29T22:14:00.002-03:00

I've been busy making ATC cards of late... for a Hero Arts Christmas swap over at the HA Flickr group and also for the awesome people that signed up to take my class at ScrapFest in Bloomington MN. I can't believe it's less than 3 weeks away! So exciting!

The Full Monty and an Announcement!

2011-06-21T00:04:00.002-03:00

Wow! I'm in Charlottetown for the week on training for work with some co-workers. We decided to go see a show at the Confederation Centre while we were here. Turned out that the Full Monty is playing for the summer, so we bought our tickets and tonight was the night! It was soooo good! Those are some very brave boys! Many funny moments with some real human ones too and if the lighting is just right where you're sitting... Full Monty indeed! (Did I mention we were front row center?). I was ill prepared, but highly recommend the show! If you are in the area at all this summer it is well worth going to, you won't be disappointed, it's great! Here's a behind the scenes look from the Confederation Centre's youtube channel:

Also! I can let you know my big news from last week! I won the Archiver's Create-it-by-You Workshop contest!! What does that mean? Well it means that I'll be teaching a workshop at ScrapFest 2011 in the Mall of America, Bloomington MN this coming September 16-18! I am so excited... excited doesn't cover it... stoked might be a little closer! If you're going I'd love to hear from you, I'm gonna need some buddies! Here's a link to the announcement, the project may look a little familiar (with some product tweaking): here

Problem Solved and Huge News!

2011-06-15T21:50:00.003-03:00

Woo-Hoo! I finally got that YouTube situation sorted and a really late video explaining the quilt card (from a few days ago) uploaded below.

And I have totally great news! I'm super excited, can you tell?! But I don't know if I'm allowed to share yet or not... I always see stuff like that on other people's blogs and it totally ticks me off cause I want to know right then! (I'm an instant gratification kind of girl!) I gotta say though, I've never had the opportunity to torture before and I'm sad to say, I kinda like it! It's totally fun to be a tease. So you'll have to stay tuned for my super-exciting-to-me-anyway-news! But at least I'm leaving you with a video right?!

OMG I hate Youtube/Google!

2011-06-12T20:32:00.002-03:00

I'm not loving youtube and google today... I'm no youtube expert, with one measly video to my name but today I tried to add another... well... if I hadn't been bullied into linking youtube with my gmail, I might have been alright, but oh no... I HAD to follow the directions. Now I have no access to my original youtube account and I somehow ended up with a second channel... How did that happen??!! We'll see if their support is any better at this than the people who set up this rediculous system!

Hopefully I'll have another video to post soon! (there's a video on that quilt card I posted yesterday ready to go... just waiting on youtube!)

Cheers!

A Few Cards I made today...

2011-06-11T20:53:00.003-03:00

I know, I know... first sunny day in what feels like months and I made cards today?? Like yeah! But I woke up really early for some reason today and had one done before breakfast... so does that even really count? Also made it to the LSS and back before lunch and the local greenhouse for some pretty flowers too!Love [productive Saturdays!

On to the cards...

Materials:
White and Ivory cardstock
EK Success border punch
Martha Stewart Banner and twine
Studio G "Congratulations Stamp"
Misc. buttons
Jillybean Soup Corrugated heart
Faber Castell Big Brush "Nougat"
Distress Ink "Antique Linen"
Hero Arts "Old French Writing"

Materials:
Pink Paislee 6x6 "Butterfly Collection" papers
EK Success border punch
Martha Stewart Banner
MM Letters
Prima mini roses
Distress Ink "Antique Linen"
Recollections flower (M brand)
misc button

I've Been Scrapping....

2011-05-23T16:42:00.003-03:00

I've just been really really bad about sharing!!

But... I made a little Family Favs recipe album that I thought was cute and I wanted to share. I even made my very first YouTube video! I know! Crazy! Very not me, but it went better than I thought... maybe I should make some more?? We'll see!

Anyhoo... here's my album. I used Tim Holtz Glassine pockets as the base of the book, so much prettier than regular old envelopes! All the paper is Pink Paislee Butterfly garden collection, and of course there are stickles and distress inks that pop up everywhere throughout. The butterflies are Hero Arts stamps (Hint... watch the video to see how I made them!!), and the roses are the Sizzix Flowers 3D die with some Distress Stain (Spun Sugar) and Glimmer Mist (Wheatfields) to perk them up a bit. There are also some House of 3 Parisian Anthology stamps throughout for decorative detail.

Hope you like!!

How about some cards?

2010-06-26T00:20:00.004-03:00

Here are some cards I've been doing to go along with yesterday's LOs...

Wow... It's Been a While!

2010-06-24T22:12:00.003-03:00

Has it been 4 months since I posted anything?? Oopse!

Well I haven't been doing that much in the way of crafting until recently... Had a trip to Niagara Falls for work and it was just what I needed to get me going again... I just needed some Trip Pics!! :)

Here's what I've got done so far:

Still haven't finished that LO...

2010-02-07T21:13:00.004-04:00

OK, so I still haven't finished that LO, but I have a totally good excuse... My very first batch of homebrew wine (well mist wine anyway) was ready and bottled on Friday, and I got a little... Distracted! :)

Seriously, how I didn't figure out how cheap and easy this was in university is beyond me, but I made a Strawberry White Zinfandel and it turned out totally yummy!!! Now I just hope there will be some left for the summer! Luckily I have another batch (a banana pineapple concoction) that will be ready in two weeks to take some of the pressure off the first batch! If it's half as good, I'll be a happy (and well stocked) girl!

So on to a card I did last week-end that I finally took a picture of... Sorry the lighting is so bad, I usually try to take my pics in daylight, but alas here is my Poppy Hello card.

Supplies:
Stampendous stamp
Copic markers
Cuttlebug embossing folder
Stampin up gold paint
Kaiser Kraft bling
Spellbinders die
Distress Ink
Making Memories letters

Long time, no crafting?

2010-02-04T02:31:00.003-04:00

Has it really been more than 3 months since I've touched a piece of patterned paper or had ink stains on my hands? I hadn't even shopped for supplies! How does that happen? I guess every once in a while we need a vacation from our hobbies to keep the interest renewed. I guess they say "absence makes the heart grow fonder" for a reason eh? That's totally applicable to the situation here right?

Anyway... I have actually purchased new supplies, the first step to recovery! And how did I miss that there were new colors of Distress Inks?? When did these come out?? I feel like I need to go buy them all right now (if it weren't 2am I may be on my way to search!) I'm excited, can you tell? :)

After jumping back into the crafty goodness on the week-end, I have 6 cards and 1/2 a LO complete. Here is the first card... rest still to be photographed...

Supplies:
Perfect Pearls
Distress Ink Re-inkers
Hero Arts Stamps
Smooch Paints
Bazzil Cardstock Strips

Spooktacular!!

2009-09-08T22:23:00.002-03:00

I think everyone should send Halloween cards like they do Christmas cards! Why? because I just love the stuff that comes out for halloween! Spiderwebs rock and when else do you get to put purple, green and orange together without getting weird looks? And who doesn't love a good pumpkin?

What am I thinking? I can't even get Christmas cards out on time... but I am still gonna make halloween cards even if I never send 'em!

I used Distress inks to make the background a-la-Tim! Then just stamped on my images and added glossy accents to the spiders and Halloween. Ink the edges and you're done, piece of cake!

Playing with the Kraft again!

2009-09-05T14:08:00.000-03:00

I've said it before and I'll say it again... I love Prisma pencils on kraft cardstock! I don't know if it's the inner 5 year old in me or what but I can't get enough of coloring in images! Kraft, colored pencils, throw in some glitter and I'm a happy girl!

Love this Hero Arts set, it's totally cute! I added a hand drawn border and accented with glitter. The cherry was stamped on a piece of scrap kraft and then colored and cut out. I used red liquid pearls to color the cherry and added a tiny gem for a highlight.

Yes... I started my Christmas Cards...

2009-09-04T23:56:00.002-03:00

I have learned that I suck at getting them out on time even when I don't use handmade cards... so if there is any chanch of me getting cards made to send... I have to start before the leaves turn colors or there's no chance they will be done! I always play first before deciding on an "official" card, so this may not be the one people get in the mail, but it will definately be in the running!

I used Stampin' Up cardstock (sorry, can't remember the color right off), new (i think) Hero Arts tree stamp and Inkadinkado sentiment. I embossed both stamped images with white embossing powder and colored in the tree with Smooch to give it a subtle shine. Very simple card but I like how it turned out.

Crayon Resist

2009-09-02T20:51:00.002-03:00

I saw a video on Stamp TV from Gina K a few months ago on crayon resist. I LOVE this technique! It's so easy and there's always a wow factor when you see the image appear as you add color! I just wish you could buy a whole box of white crayons!!

Anyway, here is one of the many cards I've done with this awesome technique! Stamps are all Hero Arts, inks are Memento and Distress.

Guitar Hero

2009-08-31T07:59:00.000-03:00

Here's the LO I managed to do this past week-end. I took this photo a couple years ago when my brother first got Guitar Hero. I'd been meaning to scrap it forever but just never got around to it. I also have a photo of my father the same day but I'm trying to think of a matching title... but with less "Hero"! ;)

I used mostly Crate Paper... patterned paper, rub-ons and die cuts. I also used some of the new Rock Candy Distress Stickles on those star die cuts, Thickers, Bazzill dot cardstock and Me And My Big Ideas puffy stickers.

Missing Mojo Returned?

2009-08-30T13:27:00.002-03:00

I always seem to be missing my Mojo in the summertime... I don't know if it's the heat or that there are so many things going on that I just don't have time to play... whatever the reason, now that the days are getting cooler I think my missing mojo is returning! Not only did I do a LO this week-end but I also started my Christmas cards and managed to get 10 done! It's a start anyway right?!

This isn't the LO I did yesterday, I haven't photographed it yet, but this is the only other LO I've gotten done this month! There's a whole mish mash of products on here... MM acetate sheet, Hambly acetate screen, Bo Bunny blooms, Prima flowers and felt, Doodlebug glitter, Fancy Pants chipboard, Bo Bunny patterned paper, Bazzill kraft cardstock and I can't remember who makes the green sticker letters I used...

Oldie but Goodie

2009-08-24T10:10:00.001-03:00

OK, here's a card I made eons ago but kind of forgot about...

Made it with K&Co. paper and I made the crochet flower with some Turkish cotton thread I had laying around (from my tatting days). Other than that, I let the paper do the work and just threw on a few things to embellish!

Thanks for looking!!

Hurricane Bill

2009-08-23T22:03:00.003-03:00

Well we just had Hurricane Bill blow through the Maritimes... Not as bad as we were prepared for, so I guess that's a good thing. We didn't even loose our power though several of the communities around us did.

All that prep didn't leave me with much time for crafting however... actually I haven't done much the past couple weeks... we've been in the middle of a heat wave and it's just too hot to be making stuff upstairs. Here is like the one card I've managed to do since my last post! I made some of my own pearl sprays with re-inkers and perfect pearls on the tags there.

Materials:
Hero Arts stamps
Mini Misters (Ranger)
Perfect Pearls
Distress Ink re-inkers
Prismacolor pencil
Cuttlebug embossing folder
Martha Stewart tag
White embossing powder

Quickie Today!

2009-08-09T23:25:00.003-03:00

Just a quickie today... haven't posted in a few days so had to get on to post SOMETHING!

I actuall did this card a few weeks ago but just never got around to posting it till now. Enjoy!

2009-08-04T23:42:00.002-03:00

Here's a card I made last night for the new challenge this week at the Hero Arts blog. I've had this K&Co. paper for a while but haven't been able to bring myself to cut it! I LOVE it... So pretty! But when I saw the first sneak peek (the challenge this week is to use the peeks as inspiration) I knew this was what the paper was waiting for... perfect colors and theme!!

Materials:
white embossing powder
kraft cardstock
Hero Arts background stamp
Hero Arts sentiment
K&Co. paper
Doodlebug glitter
gingham ribbon from Walmart

Thanks for looking!!

The Canvas Affair Continues...

2009-08-02T11:24:00.003-03:00

Here is ANOTHER card using my new favorite thing... canvas!

I started this card for the weekly challenge over at the Hero Arts Blog. This weeks theme is tags, so I started by making a canvas tag by cutting a long strip and then folding over a flap at the top. I used my cropadile to set a couple eyelets to hold the flap in place, and then tied some raffia between them. I stamped the sentiment with paint so it would show up stronger on the canvas. I inked the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

The felt flowers are from Hero Arts. I stuck them down on yellow pp from K&Co. (Wild Saffron collection) and then cut them out. The leaves are also Hero Arts from a set of poinsettias, so I cut them up for use here.

Here is a full list of materials:
K&Co. Wild Saffron paper

Americana paint

HA CL129 Anytime Messages

HA CH179 Fancy Felt Flowers

HA CH152 Art Flowers

HA CH161 Felt Poinsettia & Leaves (I just used the leaves)

Also HA gems from the mini sets

Distress ink - Vintage Photo

Thanks for looking!!

Canvas Butterfly Card

2009-08-01T10:26:00.002-03:00

I think canvas and Distress Stickles may be my new favorite thing! Thank You Jennifer McGuire!! It's still a little blingy without being over the top... lovin' it!

Anyway... This time I primed my unbleached canvas with Gesso and let it dry. Then I used the Hero Arts "Heart Winged Butterfly" stamp and Tea Dye distress ink to stamp on the canvas. The impression was a little too crisp for me, so I spritzed it with a mini-mister full of water until the ink started to bleed a little. Then I cut out my butterfly, inked the edges with Tea Dye and added distress stickles in "Scattered Straw".

For the card I free-handed a curve on the blue cs, then used deco scissors to mirror the curve in white. I put some green cs inside the card and inked the edges of everything with Tea Dye and a blending tool. Then I stamped the sentiment and flourish from the Hero Arts set "Dot Flourish" (again with Tea Dye) and colored in parts of the flourish with Prisma pencils. I put pop dots behind the butterfly wings to make them a little 3D, used some Prima staemens as antennae and added some Basic Grey pearls for the body of the butterfly.

It's Your Party!

2009-07-31T10:08:00.000-03:00

Here's the second LO I've done from Ceilidh's birthday party... isn't she cute? Even when she's scrunching her face?? Papers are all Bo Bunny as are the buttons, flowers and bling. Also on there are some AC Thickers, some glitter letters I got at the dollar store, paint, felt border (I think Anna Griffith?) and some Bazzil just the edge cuts.

Canvas

2009-07-30T09:10:00.000-03:00

Like everyone else I've been following the Thinking Inking videos by Jennifer McGuire on 2 Peas and am blown away by her creativity. The woman is TALENTED! Anyway, this week she's focusing on sticky back canvas and I just had to give it a try. I couldn't find any of that canvas so I went to the local fabric store and bought some unbleached canvas. I've never used sticky back canvas, so I can't give you a comparison, but I got the effect I wanted with the unbleached stuff.

To prep the surface before stamping, I watered down some Gesso and just painted it over the top and let dry. Then I stamped my greeting, inked the edges, rubbed some distress stickles over the surface, and that was it. Piece of cake! I also used some floral Hero Arts stamps, colored and cut out and a button for embellishments. The background is a Cuttlebug embossing folder with some distress inks around the edges.

Feeling "Kraft"y

2009-07-29T21:04:00.004-03:00

I am still in love with Kraft... I love how you can do something so simple and it looks awesome! I made a few Kraft cards last night, all of them in under an hour... gotta love anything that quick and easy!

Little Mermaid Girl

2009-07-28T17:21:00.003-03:00

I swear Ceilidh is part fish! This is a LO I did on the weekend, it's from her 4th birthday party (the week before... imagine! I did a LO only a week after the event!! Wow!!... that doesn't happen very often... I digress...)

Anyway, here's the LO. I think it will qualify for one of the challenges at ScrapCentral. Maybe the "more than 8 flowers" challenge... I think there are 11 on here.

Most stuff was from the Bo Bunny Calypso line with some MM letters, AC Thickers and a Martha Stewart tag thrown on there too.

Kraft & Colored Pencils

2009-07-27T20:41:00.003-03:00

I think I'm in a kraft/ colored pencil phase right now... I'm loving the combination of the two together. Plus, it's just fun to have an excuse to color right?!

I made this card yesterday. The background stamps (dot and paisley) are both from Hero Arts and I think the cupcakes and saying are Stampendous? I made this at a friend's house and the cupcakes are hers, so I can't quite remember... I colored the cupcakes and paisley background with Prismacolor pencils.

Thanks for looking!

Garden Chic

2009-07-26T23:24:00.002-03:00

It's finally starting to feel like summer here... 'bout time! It's almost August! Anyway, the flowers are in full bloom and I was in the mood for a floral card. Here's what I came up with. There's also a crop going on over at ScrapCentral so I think this may be one of the cards I use for the "Suprise" category.

Most of the supplies used are Bo Bunny (patterned paper, brads, buttons, rub-ons), the green ink is CTMH and those little leaf stamps are from K & Co.

Pink Chair

2009-07-19T11:59:00.000-03:00

Check out what I bought at Staples! It was only $50.00 and something I desperately needed! I don't know if you can see that little wicker stool in the background there, but that is what I used to sit on! My back is going to thank me the next all-nighter I pull! And I love that I can swivel now!!! I also love that there are no arms because my space is in a tight u-shape and there's not much room. I'm constantly reaching somewhere, so they'd just get in the way anyhow... not to mention my arms are always on the table, so what did I need them for right??!!

2009-07-18T23:54:00.001-03:00

Here is a birthday card I finished today for my cousin's daughter Ceilidh. I finished in the nick of time too cause her party's tomorrow! I wanted it to be bright and fun and cheerful, so I think I met my criteria.

I had just bought that Cornish Heritage Farms owl stamp and was dying to use it and pop up different layers. I love the way it turned out and I will be doing more of this I think in the future. I also used flower soft on the hat pom-pom and glossy accents on the candles, hat and owl eyes. I colored everything with colored pencils and odorless mineral spirits. The background cloud stamp is from Hero Arts, as is the branch the owl sits on, and the candles were from Scenic Route. I used CTMH inks, MM sticker letters and the 4 is Chatterbox. And I even recycled! The kraft dot background is actually part of the packaging from some K&Co. letters. I feel a little greener now!

Scrap Central Card Kit

2009-07-17T20:44:00.025-03:00

So I'm a little slow at times... A while back ScrapCentral had a card kit that I just got around to picking up this week. I had to play with it right away once it was in hand though cause it was just so darned cute! This was just a quick card I did this week, but I hope to play more "in-depth" this week-end!

Papers, flower, ribbon all included in the kit, as was a stamped greeting which I used on the inside of the card. Additional items used were leaf stamp from Gel-a-tins, Spellbinders die, Distress inks, Birthday stamp (I think from Inkadinkado?) and a dot stamp from Hero Arts.

The bloom was originally a white prima flower included in the kit. To make it match the BG papers, I dyed it with distress inks. To do this, I always mist the flower with a little water first, this lets the inks blend together easier. Then I use a paintbrush and pick up a little color off the inkpad with it and "paint" it onto the flower in the areas I want color. I used "Peeled Paint" in the center and "Worn Lipstick" around the edges of the petals. When the flower was dry I stamped the dots on with "Vintage Photo" and Voila! Custom colored flower to match my project!

I'm Feeling Guilty...

2009-07-16T23:41:00.000-03:00

When Hannah's sister was born, I don't think I'm stretching too much here, she was the MOST photographed child in the county. She was the first baby born to our group of friends, and every other second of the first year of her life is caught on film by somebody! Poor Hannah on the other hand was almost 9 months old before I took a photo of her! Gasp!! Don't get me wrong, there are still thousands of photos of the child, just not the millions like the child before, and none taken by me. But Hannah is a clever girl and she saved up all her cuteness for our first photo shoot! And now that I've taken some pics, I'm not in as much danger of losing my "Fav Cousin" title as I was. I'm usually months behind in my scrapping, but these photos turned out so adorable that I had to scrap one right away... I think you'll agree with me... And there may not be as many photos of her, but she's loved just as much. So without further ado, welcome Hannah to the blog! She's worth the wait!

I used Bazzill Cardstock, CTMH inks, American Crafts stamps, patterned papers, Thickers and pearlescent cardstock, and a Faber Castell pen for journalling.

Thanks for looking!

Another puppy Layout!

2009-07-12T09:10:00.023-03:00

Keeping in theme with yesterday's post, here is a layout I made for our neighbour. This is Miss Sophie. She's a Pug and she gets along really great with our Boston Terriers. The three of them together is kind of like a fur tornado though and all three love to play chase, so when one gets a sock or a shoe it's a doggie Merry-Go-Round around the kitchen table!

Paper is all from the American Crafts "Amplified" line, letters are Thickers as are the white chipboard pieces (Thickers "Accents"), and I just drew along the edges of the patterned paper with my Sakura Souffle pen.

Voila Sophie!

First Layout in Months!

2009-07-11T08:36:00.003-03:00

So I finally did a layout... it has been months since I'd done one, and when I sat down to do it I had the thought of oh no I've forgotten how to do this! But I love the end result! It was one of those fussy layouts I do from time to time that takes forever but I'm pleased with the result so it was worth the time.

I'm sure there are easier ways to get the look of the background, but what I did was glue bright green lace cardstock to neon orange cardstock and then painted the whole thing ivory. It took quite a few coats (I told you it was fussy!), and I kind of like that in some spots you can faintly see the green showing through. There is also some masking done in Distress ink (frayed burlap I think) and some stickles overtop, just underneath the photo and flowers, but I don't think you can see it in the photo, it's very subtle. The rest is a mixture of stuff I had laying around... the majority of the flowers are Prima but a few are ones I picked up at the dollar store. The butterfly was in the wedding section at M's, sequines you can pick up anywhere, the letters are K & Co. and the trims I picked up at Fabricville and Walmart.

There you have it! Thanks for looking!

2009-07-06T20:38:00.002-03:00

I have been in such a card mood lately! Although I did actually do a layout the other day... the first one since April... That's bad right?? I haven't photographed it yet but as soon as I do I'll definately be sharing, I love how it turned out!

So I came across the Thinking Inking classes by Jennifer McGuire over at 2 Peas and WOW is all I can say as far as inspiration goes! It's like a one stop technique shop, so you just know I'm lovin' it! A few of the cards below were definately inspired by some of the stuff in there, so if you're intrigued and like techniques, you definately have to check out the videos here!

I know summer is really just getting started and here I am showing you Fall cards, but I just got that Inkadinkadoo set last wek and couldn't wait to play... so just ignore the fall feel on the 2nd and 4th cards!! I also got a new Hero Arts background stamp and a new clear set as well (cards 1-3). Hope you like what I've done with them! Thanks for looking!

Some Stuff to look at...

2009-06-22T20:11:00.005-03:00

I haven't posted anything in like FOREVER, so here's some cards I just entered in the Paper Crafts Gallery Idol Contest. My first time entering, and I was checking out the gallery and holy moley there are over 1000 cards there so far... Some seriously talented cardmakers, should be a tough call for the Papercrafts people... don't know how they do it!

I've Been Busy...

2009-06-22T19:58:00.003-03:00

Look what I got a last month! Isn't she adorable! Her name's Gracie, and she's a full sister to the male Rocky that we got last summer. She's so sweet and they get along together so well! I forget what the TV is, who needs it when you have these two to laught at and play with?! My cat is pretty pi$$ed at us right now, but he'll get over it... he has no choice!!

And Here's the handsome boy all grown up. He's pretty spoiled too... do you see what he thought he should be having for dinner??

Crazy Ice Beautifulness!

2009-03-04T23:32:00.004-04:00

Wow... so this week I'm going to be back and forth to Moncton for work... Today was our first trip there and back and I was blown away by how beautiful the drive was both ways! A few days ago there was an ice storm between here and Moncton and the trees (not to mention power lines, fences, signs...) were lit up like neon signs in the sun! AND I DIDN'T HAVE MY CAMERA!! I know, I know... I should know better... but apparently I don't. As soon as we got home I rushed right out to try and capture some shots but I was losing light fast and only managed to get a few in the "light ice areas"... I swear near Amherst the ice was 10 times thicker!

Anyway... here are a couple of the shots after a little experimenting in photoshop, and I'm definately taking my camera for the next trip down! Fingers crossed it stays cold! (Did I just say that??!!)

Happy Valentine's Day!

2009-02-14T11:58:00.003-04:00

Here in Nova Scotia it is currently looking more and more like a blizzard outside! But Scrap Central is hosting a Valentine's Day Crop today so that's a good excuse not to go out anyway right??

OK... So let me tell ya what I'm totally excited about... I can't believe I've missed it until now.... you probably all already know... all... about... Flower Soft! I saw the video, a few cards, and I had to order the stuff.... I don't even know how to describe it to you, maybe like flocking on steroids or garden fluff? I dunno, just check out the website, it looks VERY fun, you can be sure I'll show you what I do with it when it arrives... I'll be stalking my mailman until then!

I couldn't post on V-Day and not show you a few Valentines... so here are a couple I made last night, Enjoy! Happy V-Day!

"Be My Valentine" Supplies:
My Mind's Eye patterned paper
Spellbinders Die
Martha Stewart heart sticker
All Night Media Fairie stamp
Impressed Obsession valentine stamp
Distress Ink
CTMH Ink
paper doilie
misc. ribbon and heart gems

"Happy Valentine's Day" Supplies:
My Mind's Eye patterned paper
Martha Stewart Rose sticker
Martha Stewart Lace Heart Punch
Distress Ink
paper doilie
misc. ribbon

Marley & Me

2009-01-24T12:24:00.003-04:00

So I went to see Marley & Me this week, and even though I KNEW it had a sad ending, I still cried my eyes out! If you have ever had a pet or have one now, I am warning you now... take a BOX of Kleenex! It is worth the sad ending though, it was an excellent movie, very sweet and very true to real life. I highly recommend it... now I just gotta read the book!

So with the tears came some mojo I guess cause I managed to get a few layouts done... or maybe that's because I'm participating in a challenge over at ScrapCentral called ScapMap, either way, they got done and here they are... Both are wedding layouts from the wedding I stood in this past summer. Enjoy!

"Getting Ready"

Materials: BG alpha stickers "Sultry", BG paper "Peony", "Whisper", "Swell" and "Smart", Riff Raff "RRo6101", Glimmermist "Key Lime", MM Mini Shimmer Alpha "Gold Metro", CTMH ink "Desert Sand" and "Tulip", Prima Say it in Crystals, BG rub-ons "White Urban Border", a date stamp from Staples and me new favorite thing: Sequines!

"Mr. & Mrs."

Materials: Machine stitched vine & leaves border with white Gutermann thread, CTMH and MM flowers, CTMH ink, Autumn Leaves stamps - flourishes and journal block, Prima Say it in Crystals, Kaiser Kraft pearls, Doodlebug Paper Frills, BG Sultry line, MM Mini Shimmer Alpha, Heidi Swapp letter mask and chalks

New Year, New MoJo!

2009-01-08T23:40:00.004-04:00

Well... my unexpcted scrapping hiatus is over! My mojo is back with a fury... so much so I actually sleep-sketched an idea in the middle of the night last night! I've even got a new sewing machine to play with on my projects, and I may try sewing some actual "fabric" too... stay tuned!

After 3 months layout free, I finally rang in the New Year with a new layout. Here's to 2009 being the bestest year evah!

Materials:

Hambly "Grandma's Wallpaper"

Pink Paislee "Hollow Moon", "Office Lingo Shapes", "Cubicle", "Outside the Box"

Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink "Ice Blue"

Riff Raff "Damask"

Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist "Bronze"

CTMH Ink "Desert Sand"

Cricut Cartridges "Storybook", "Plantin/Schoolbook"

Zig Writer "Platinum"

Misc. Date Stamp

Some Scrappy Stuff...

2008-09-04T00:06:00.006-03:00

...to make up for my very un-scrappy post yesterday!

So I thought I should show you the few things I HAVE done over the summer... The first 4 are LOs done for Scraphoria for their August and September kits... Sadly September will be the last kit, so Head on over and check it out, Tracey is going out with a fantastic kit!

The rest were a few I managed to do in between chaos! Enjoy!

It's Been a Long Time...

2008-09-02T18:52:00.004-03:00

Bad Blogger! This always seems to happen to me in the summertime... it's so darn nice out I forget about the "online" world for a while! So much catching up to do... so much to tell! Let's see, I'll try to do it in a nutshell for you... Since my last post, this is what I've been up to...

- 2 Wedding Showers
- 2 Bachelorettes
- 2 Weddings (in one of which I was MOH)
- a brand new Boston Terrier Puppy (full time job in and of itself!)
- minimal scrapping (oh the horror!)
- a family reunion
- a trip to the beach
- several "away" work trips
- shopping shopping shopping... (I may have bought a brand new Cricut!)
- 3 Birthdays
- and I know I'm forgetting stuff here... feel free to make up some stuff on your own!

So I HAVE to show you some photos right? First up... The Wedding (The one I was MOH)... The photographer did an ah-maz-ing job... the photos are gorgeous! If anyone in central-ish NS is looking for some photos done... Babineau Photography! And I actually like some of the photos of me! Nuff Said... here's some proof!

Now some photos of the boobers we call Rocky... I wan you now... he's pretty adorable!

Scraphoria Design Team Apprentice

2008-07-05T01:15:00.004-03:00

Scraphoria has allowed me the honour of being a Design Team Apprentice for the Months of July and August! My projects for July are up on the site but here's a little taste:

Check out the site here to see the work from the talented Design Team! July's kit includes product from Cloud 9's Sunrise Smoothie collection... absolutely perfect for summer and so easy to work with! Don't forget to check back in August for my final month as Apprentice!

A Tattoo and Fireworks for Canada Day!

2008-07-02T12:12:00.005-03:00

Not that kind of tattoo! The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo 2008 kind of tattoo! So it's only been going on since before I was born, but just yesterday I made it to my first show... I see what all the fuss has been about all these years! I LOVED it! I am definately making this and annual tradition. The bands, performers and military acts were a-ma-zing! There was this one German Drill Team that totally blew me away... I have never seen unison like that in my life!

Here's the ad for the tattoo on YouTube:

So after the Tattoo, we went to the Halifax Public Gardens which are also pretty darn cool. Of course I took way too many photos but what else is new...

After the Public Gardens, we had time to kill before the fireworks so we had dinner at the Argyle. It was crazy busy, but amazing food very worth the wait. For the fireworks we watched from the Dartmouth side... less people and then you get a view of the city too. I think this is my new favorite place to watch from...

Card Crazy

2008-06-29T21:20:00.004-03:00

I have been in card mode the past little while... I don't usually make many cards unless I need them but I figured it's easier to have them all ready to go for when you do need them right?? So here are just a few of 'em!

Not the Brightest Bulb in the Pack!

2008-06-26T13:49:00.003-03:00

I think when you don't use it, you most definately lose it! - - - Your mind that is! I've been waiting to go back to work FOREVER (relative term) now, and I am losing IQ points by the day. Last week I was checking my VISA statement and was positive there was a $700 charge that wasn't mine. I was freaking out! I called VISA in a panic and was totally embarrased when the woman told me what he charge was for and I instantly remembered that I HAD paid my car insurance with my VISA... Woops! Yesterday I sent an e-mail that I swear I checked the address on at least 10 times... cause it was an important one... and then this morning I had a reply that it was the wrong address... I looked at it for like 10 minutes before I found the little "r" I had forgotten... CRAP! At least the poor person who received my wayward e-mail was kind enough to tell me so!

Anyway... there are lots more examples I could tell ya but instead here's some stuff I've been working on...

ScrapCentral Summer School

2008-06-23T15:11:00.004-03:00

So ScrapCentral is having Summer School this year! Not the boring kind, the kind where SC members get to teach each other some nifty techniques! I got to do the very first class today, so hopefully I didn't let the ladies down. I did a tutorial on using embossing paste with brass stencils that I learned from the ladies at the Scrap Shack in May.

Here's a card using the technique (forgive me, I know it's Christmas... but it's never too early to start making these things!!!). Head on over to SC to check out Summer School, there is lots of great stuff coming up!

My Beautius Scrap Space

2008-05-28T12:15:00.006-03:00

OK... I have been a very bad Blogger, but I have a good excuse... I overhauled my scrap space AGAIN! I know I just did that a few months ago but it wasn't the way I wanted it, so I finally got some brackets and shelves and made kind of a built in out of a 5 foot corner in a room. It isn't the most beautiful room I've ever seen but it was pretty cheap to do (about $100.00 for the shelves, brackets etc. and another $100.00 for some additional storage drawers and boxes to add to the ones I already had). I have organized everything as it went back into drawers... everything has a space now and it is so much easier to find things... we'll see how long this lasts!! ;)

Isn't it Beautius?! I love it! And I crammed everything (as neatly as possible of course!) into this one corner, so it takes up waaay less space than it used to!

This is my little stool, it's not ideal but it'll do for now. My ideal seat I think would be something like a piano bench... one because I like to curl up my legs sometimes and there aren't a whole lot of safe ways to do that on this little tiny stool! And two, I would like to add more storage for rarely used items and storage in a bench would be perfect!

I bought those black photo boxes at Walmart and organized all my non-digi photos into categories such as events, travel, people, pets, scenery etc. I also want to replace the pizza boxes on the top shelf with something a little more aesthetic but for now they'll do!

I bought the 3 white sets of drawers at Walmart also. I think Kent Building Supplies sells similar drawers as well. The middle one keeps all my cardstock, the one on the right keeps oversized flowers, adhesives and specialty items like overlays etc., and the set on the left keeps wooden stamps and paper stacks. The black baskets on top of the drawers keep my paints, stickes and glitter glues, pens and markers etc. All of my CTMH sets are bursting out of the one box and my sets that fit in cd holders are in a cd holder that I bought at Staples ( they can also stack vertically). All other stamp sets are in that black binder in heavy duty page protectors (also from Staples) that have a flap at the top so things don't fall out.

This area still needs a little work. I may go looking for a narrow drawer stand and then re-arrange some stuff, not sure yet, it's an odd little space left over, I'll have to think on it for a while.

My clip-it-up is packed to the rafters, so I also have a drawer for this type of stuff that catches the overflow! I keep all my rub-ons, stickers, masks and a wide variety of stuff on here.

Finally, I had to show you my table, because I keep a lot of crap on it! It feels naked if I don't have all this stuff next to me... all my most used adhesives (glue dots always and I am in love with Zip Dry right now... that's me finishing up my very first bottle on the table there and I only bought it in April! Wish I had bought more than 2!). I don't know why I have 4 pairs of scissors, but they are all different and I like them for different things. I have my mini misters, 2 always with water and on with walnut ink mixed up in it (although I can't remember the last time I used walnut ink). My little jar with sponges in it, paintbrushes, glue pens, markers, pencils, sanders etc. You name an essential and it's likely in this mix! Als I ALWAYS keep a nailfile in this area... you wouldn't believe how many times I've broken a nail scrapping! Seriously... it's a dangerous hobby!

I know that was a little long winded but I just love my new space and wanted to share! If anyone has any ideas how to improve anything, I'd love to hear them! Especially about that little odd space! ;)

Scrapping older Photos

2008-05-14T23:36:00.005-03:00

I recently sorted some old photos that I'd taken before I had a digi camera... sounds funnynow... I barely remember those days! But... I found some that I really wanted to scrap... most were not fantastic photos but they marked times in my life I wanted to remember... so for the past little while I've been walking down memory lane and getting some pages crossed off my "to do" list.

Here are a few of the ones I've done... I have more but I don't want to overload ya!!

National Scrapbook Day

2008-05-06T01:37:00.003-03:00

I know it's a few days past National Scrapbook Day, but I was in another province on the actual day and couldn't get online (well... reliably anyway!). I was attending a crop put on by the wonderful ladies at the Scrap Shack in Moncton, NB. This was my third year going and every year is even more fun that the last! Learned some new stuff and even blew my last year record of 2 LOs for the week-end out of the water with 6 whole LOs this year!!! (I think sometimes I do too much talking/shopping and it really cuts into my actual "cropping" time! ;) I didn't take any pictures... again... but I will see if I can "borrow" someone else's to share with you!

Thanks Shirley, Debbie and Amy for another great year! I already can't wait till next year!

I Love Playing With New Stuff!

2008-04-17T11:23:00.005-03:00

Since my return home from ScrapFest, I have been scrapping like crazy! All the new Goodies have me totally inspired and the MoJo is definately flowing! So here are a couple of the layouts that I've done the past couple days...

This one uses the new Heidi Swapp paper (which I didn't buy nearly enough of!) Most of the sheets were so graphic and bold... I just loved them! I also used one of the 5th Avenue spiral bound journal boxes and some cool clear ribbon that I bought by the yard so I have no idea the manufacturer but it's totally cool (I wish I bought more of this too! ;)

And here are some of the details close up....

For this LO I used the new Fancy Pants "About A Boy" line. Again I'm in love with the colors, if it's bright and bold, I totally want it! Initially I wasn't too excited about a FP line called "About A Boy" but then Michelle took me down to the marketplace and showed it to me... Thanks Michelle!!! ;)

And here are some close ups of the details for this one too...

ScrapFest

2008-04-16T22:41:00.002-03:00

I had such a great time at ScrapFest! Sorry I am just now getting around to posting about it! Here is the ScrapCentral gang (minus a few) outside our VIP room! There were 19 of us in total that were able to go and it was so much fun getting to meet everybody for the first time, even though it felt like we all knew one another! I wish I could do this every month, and if I get the chance, I definately want to go back next year!

Bobbi-Lynn was so sweet to let Teresa and I stay with she and her family and they all treated us like gold. I am sure she is the reason ScrapCentral feels like home to so many of us! Thank you Bobbi-Lynn and thanks to your family for putting up with us for 2 days!!

I also got to meet Lucy, who so kindly dropped us off at the airport with her handy dandy GPS! I`ve known Lucy from both ScrapCentral and Scraphoria so it was a special treat to meet her as well and finally put a face and voice to the talent I`ve come to admire!

Now that the mushy stuff is over... the shopping and classes were fantastic! I bought so many goodies but some of the stuff I picked up that I`m most excited about were some Spellbinders dies, the new Dew Drops and Stix 2 Anything. I`ve already started playing and will post some pics soon, so stay tuned!

As for classes I took 2 from Jen Starr and one from Vicki Boutin. Each class exceeded my expectations and I came out with some great projects and some new skills too! And both ladies are super sweet!

Big Post... Lots to share!

2008-04-08T00:20:00.003-03:00

First... Here are the canvases I promised to share... They were my very first attempts, so be kind ;)

The first is kind of inspired by the wizard of OZ, and I tore the illustrations out of a copy of a book. They really are just fun to do but I have no idea what to do with them now... I think a bunch of them on a wall would look really cool maybe.

Here's my second canvas. I think I like it better maybe although it didn't take nearly as long to do as the first one. The word in the circle is WANDERLUST because it's my favorite word right now... I am feeling the urge to travel and go somewhere... unfortunately it is not in the cards right now, so this week-ends trip to Ontario will have to tide me over!

OK... that brings me to my second bit of Information... I am a Scraphoria Apprentice! What does that mean?? Basically there are three of us that are apprentices and at the end of 6 months one of us will be added to the Design Team... clear as mud? You will have to check out the site and follow our progress... the other two Apprentices are amazing and it's worth the click just to check out their work! So huge congrats to Jennifer and Danielle! Can't wait to work with them and the DT. Check it out... it's cool! ;)

Now... the last bit of news it that I leave for Scrapfest on Thursday! Woo-Hoo!!! The event actually starts on Friday and I am going to get to meet a ton of other women that I chat to on ScrapCentral. I am stoked! I think there are 19 of us in total going from one site and we even have our own VIP room at the event! How lucky are we??? I am sure I will have a ton of photos to share when I get back!

That's pretty much it for now!

Spring Cleaning

2008-04-07T00:24:00.003-03:00

I have totally been bitten by the spring cleaning bug this year! I've unloaded, cleaned, painted and reloaded! So my scrap stuff is currently in a state of reorganization! It feels so good to have a place for everything and to purge the things I realistically know I don't need. And with Scrapfest coming up this weekend it was the perfect time to make room for some new stuff too! ;)

I've done my first two canvases too! I'll try and post pics later (in the light of day!). I just Love Donna Downey and her blog, and have long been inspired by her paintings so I finally tried my hand at them too. There will be more in my future! I love playing with paint!

Some Eye Candy after a long absense!

2008-03-30T21:18:00.002-03:00

I know it's been a while since I've posted, but hopefully that won't happen again... I'm going to have LOTS more time to do this in a couple days so I'll try to be a better blogger!!!

I got my wisdom teeth out a few days ago so that kida put a halt to productivity for a few days. I don't know how they managed it (I was completely under) but they cut my lip quite badly and had to stitch it, and there are stitches on the inside of my cheek too (no where near my teeth)... I'd be handling this a little better if they'd told me about it but they basically shoved me out the door before all my wits were about me.

Sorry for the rant... had to get it out! So without further ado... here are the LOs I have managed to do since my last entry.

This was a LO done for a challenge on ScrapCentral. I'm quite happy with the way it turned out, but that liquid glass took FOREVER to do in the background... I doubt I'll do this again anytime soon! But it really does look awesome in person.

This LO was completed for this week's Apprentice Challenge over at Scraptivity and uses this month's Kit.

Here's a LO of my Baby Max. He was laying on my crop tote watching me scrapbook one day when I snapped this pic... sadly some days it's the only way he can get any attention! Poor thing!! LO was done using the March Kit from Scraphoria plus a few extras I had laying around.

A Few of My Favorite Things... Right Now!

2008-03-12T00:14:00.003-03:00

A while ago (sometime before Christmas) I ordered the Lisa Bernsen foam stamps on a whim... I never do that, but I was taken with them instantly and just had to have them! I am so glad I got them because I LOVE them! I used a couple of the stamps to make the background paper on this LO below.

The other things I am lovin' right now are the Maya Road Sheers. These things are just so darn versatile! I know I've used them on at least half of the LOs I've done since getting them. I am dying to get more! They just rock!

Dollarama has some very cool foam letters too. I bought a bunch of them and have been using them like crazy too! The "Chick" in the LO are the foam letters, aren't they just too cute? They come in quite a few colors and I've also painted them with success when I haven't had the color I wanted. They also come in a few different styles. I am all about cheap products as long as they don't look cheap, and I promise these don't!

So those are a few of my favorite things... right now anyway! I'd love you to drop me a comment and let me know what some of your favs are! I am always on the lookout for a new cool product!

Ear Bling and Cheesecake!

2008-03-10T01:24:00.003-03:00

Yesterday I got my ears pierced! Finally! I think there is definately a layout in the future of the whole thing, as my "Wonderful" friends were so kind as to tag along (more like DRAG me) and document the moment. They were finally tired of listening to me say I want my eares pierced I think! We also have a new tradition... whenever one of us puts a hole in our bodies, we must get cheesecake to celebrate! Hey, any excuse to eat cheesecake is completely fine with me!!

I've already bought a half a dozen pairs of earings and I can't wait to wear them, I don't think I can last 6 weeks without taking these studs out... I'm dying for the danglies! It's bling for my ears! What's better than that?

Some more Eye Candy

2008-03-02T20:54:00.005-04:00

Don't have a lot to tell ya today other than got a lot done this week... here are some of the LOs I worked on!

Finally... a Heritage Album

2008-02-27T22:39:00.003-04:00

I have wanted to start a Heritage Album for years now... but the task always seemed so daunting so I never started and I just kept putting it off. The challenge last week on ScrapCentral was to do a Heritage page. I don't think I would have started without the little nudge in the right direction, so thanks Teresa!!! I finally started and now I'm well on my way!

Here's my first "official" Heritage page of my Grandmother Elsie.

2008-02-26T22:54:00.002-04:00

This was a challenge at ScrapCentral, I think it may just be my favorite ever! We had to choose an album cover as part of a team and then do a LO around it. My Dad had an album collection and I asked him to pull out some cool covers... this Charlie Daniels Band album was the first one he thought to pull out and it's the one we ended up using so I thought it appropriate to do a LO with my Dad!

Here is my version of the cover as well as the original:

Finding Mojo Through Competitions

2008-02-26T22:40:00.005-04:00

I've been doing a competition over at ScrapCentral called "So You Think You Can Scrap" and one over at Scraptivity called "Scraptivity's Next Apprentice" and holy cow is the mojo ever flowing! I have been more productive in the last month than ever! Pressure is an excellent motivator and it has forced me to maybe scrap in a way I never would have before... such as simplifying my style and making my process speed up a bit. If you're having trouble with your creativity or even just getting motivated... I highly recomend a little healthy competition... it may be exactly what you need!!

Eye Candy

2008-02-17T03:22:00.001-04:00

Here are a few LOs I've done the past couple weeks...

2008-02-17T03:13:00.002-04:00

Here's some altered stuff I've been doing the last little while... mostly for challenges at ScrapCentral and Scraptivity.

I was Tagged!!!

2008-02-02T17:58:00.000-04:00

I was tagged by fellow Concealed Beauty DT member Lisa! How cool! So here I go...

1. You have to post the rules before you give your answers.
2. You must list one fact about yourself beginning with each letter of your middle name. (If you don't have a middle name, use your maiden name).
3. After you are tagged, you need to update your blog with your middle name and your answers.
4. At the end of your blog post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and that they need to read your blog for details.)

D - I can be a little "Ditzy" at times!
A - I can't think of "Anything" for A....
N - I'm a fairly "New" blogger
I - "Ice cream" is my favorite treat
E - my "Ears" are not pierced
L - I have a "Long" middle name!!
L - three "Love, love, love's" means I like something a lot!!!
E - "Early" mornings are NOT my thing!!

Kasandra, Tabitha, Veronica, Pomaika`i, Melissa, Michelle, Sherry, and Christine.... Tag you are all it!!

Scrap Central's Anniversary Crop

2008-02-01T18:25:00.000-04:00

So I have been hanging out at Scrap Central for a year now and this week-end is their first anniversary crop!!! If you've never heard of it before it is a private forum and gallery site that has some pretty sweet deals for it's members! Bobbi-Lynn is the heart behind the site and she bends over backwards to keep us all happy and does a great job of it!! I urge you all to check it out, it is a wonderful community filled with some pretty great ladies!! If you're lookin' for me this week-end, odds are that's where I am!!! Hope to see you there!

"Computer"... it's a dirty word!!

2008-01-22T17:46:00.000-04:00

I am finally back after almost a week with no computer! It decided to not turn on one day last week... that was the final straw and provided the last little push I needed to give in and buy myself a laptop! Been wanting one forever so I finally bit the bullet and bought one yesterday! Yay!! Still learning how to do stuff with it and trying to orient myself with a new OS so go easy on me in the next few days while I re-learn how to do my scrappy stuff! (Read as... it might be a little bit before I figure out my photo system and get stuff pasted up on the blog! :) I promise not too long though!

The silver lining was that since I had no net access on the week-end I got loads of stuff done!!! I am on the ball and rolling so stay tuned for lots of eye candy!!

Sketches

2008-01-14T18:07:00.000-04:00

Do you use sketches? Draw sketches? Love sketches? Hate sketches?

I used to not feel one way or the other about them, and I never used to draw them, but lately I have started a little sketch book to jot ideas down when I think of them (which still isn't often ;). I used to think that I didn't need them and they wouldn't help me so why bother... but when I finally gave them a chance I noticed that they were great for getting the Mojo flowing again when it had been missing, and I also found that when I used sketches I scrapped much faster (which for a slow scrapper like me, can be a huge time saver!).

I still do the majority of my scrapping sketch-free but they now have an honoured place in their own little book among my scrap things.

Here is a LO I did yesterday from a sketch challenge on Concealed Beauty:

Original Sketch:

My Version:

Huge Thanks...

2008-01-13T11:56:00.000-04:00

I wanted to send a huge thanks to Allison over at Stampin' When I Can... who added me a few days ago to her Newly Discovered blog list. I'm still just getting this blog going and the traffic hasn't exactly been rush hour, so I noticed an increase in traffic one day. I added a live track at the bottom of the page here so I could see how all these new people were finding me... sure enought the majority was through Stampin' When I Can! So thank you, thank you, thank you, Allison!!

And also a huge thanks to everyone who clicked the link to come on over. I hope you saw the beginnings of something you liked and I hope you all come back again! I am definately motivated to post more often now!!

Guest Design Opportunity

2008-01-10T17:27:00.000-04:00

You may remember me telling you that I have the wonderful opportunity to be on the Inagural Design Team for a great kit club called Concealed Beauty. Well now you have the chance to be a part of the Guest Design team! Each month, Terria (site owner) will be holding a challenge to pick the next Guest Designer... you can check out all her details here.

So get busy and apply right away! The deadline for the February Guest Designer Challenge ends on January 28th. Hope to get to work with you!! Good-luck!

Brand New Treasures

2008-01-09T22:41:00.000-04:00

I'm sure I'm not alone in my love of shopping for scrap supplies! Me in a scrap store is worse than a kid in a candy store! I love the colors and the packaging and my favorite... the Bling!! And for some reason this seems to be the worst time of year for going nuts replenishing supplies! I just can't help myself! So I made a deal with myself... whenever I get something new I have to use it right away as sort of "justification"! (Really it's just an excuse so I can spend guilt free!!)

So here is a creation from my last shopping trip with my friend Tracy. Love shopping with her because she's the only one I know who's got it as bad as I do! No one but a devoted scrapper can understand... can they? ;)

Products used were a making memories "Cosmopolitan" Embellishment pack (the patterned paper was even from the packaging), Prima "Say it in Crystals" flourishes and DCWV cardstock.

Better Late Than Never... Right??

2008-01-03T19:36:00.000-04:00

So I realize this is 3 days late but here goes...

My New Year's Resolution for 2008 is to update this blog on a more regular basis!

Actually this is just one of my many many many resolutions this year (can you hear me whine from there?). Usually I don't make them because they are hard to live up to but I thought I'd try out some easy ones this year... You won't hold it against me if I don't post again until February will you? I'm just kidding... it'll be before February... or will it? Maybe I'll keep you in suspense!

Almost Ready for Christmas!

2007-12-14T18:52:00.000-04:00

I am finally almost ready for Christmas. I had the day off work today so I went shopping with my co-workers and bought quite a few gifts. I have only a few small things left to pick up and then I'm done! Woo-Hoo!

I've been making lots of Christmas ornaments lately, I love doing that to put me in the mood for the season. I made some of Christine Urias's Glitter Ornaments, you can see hers here: http://www.scraptime.ca/ I've also been making some ornaments with microscope slides. I love these because they are so quick and easy! You can make quite a few in a short amount of time! If I get around to it I may try to make some to hang on presents.

The house is starting to look festive too! Still no tree but I think that will likely be rectified tomorrow and then the fun of decorating it!

I am Stoked!

2007-12-12T19:35:00.000-04:00

So I was away for work the last two days freezing my buns off in the middle of a potato field, but in the middle of everything I found out I had been chosen for a brand new Design Team! The site is called Concealed Beauty and it is a monthly kit club with a wonderful group of ladies hanging out in the forum. You can check it out here http://www.concealedbeauty.com/ and I hope to see you on the site!

Annual Craft Sale

2007-12-01T23:17:00.000-04:00

Last weekend was our 3rd annual craft sale at the local golf course. It is only small but it starts the Christmas season off with a little extra cash in our pockets and some good cheer! Now that the sale is over and it is finally December I want to pull out the decorations and get my Christmas cards made! I got a start to the cards at least this past Wednesday when we had a CTMH card class. Of course it was all just an excuse to make some orders, so now I just have to wait for my goodies to arrive!!

Christmas Baking

2007-11-17T22:55:00.000-04:00

Well I started Christmas baking... There was a truffle recipe on the news the other night that looked super quick and easy so I thought I'd give it a try! Everything went smoothly until I got to the part where you roll them in your hands. The chef with the gloves on should have been a big flashing sign that this was a messy job, but somehow I missed that message! Chocolate everywhere! I finally managed to get them all rolled, coated in different toppings and into the cute little snowman paper cups that I had picked up. End result... pretty good! They are a Dark chocolate lovers dream, but I think next time I'll try them with milk chocolate and I definately have to pick myself up some gloves! ;)

Ice Wine Truffles - Live at 5 Gets Cooking
Ingredients:
180 grams Dark chocolate
125 ml Whipping (35%) cream
30 ml Ice wine
Finely chopped roasted almonds
Cocoa powder
Directions:
1. Chop the chocolate very finely and transfer to a medium bowl. Bring cream and ice wine to a boil, then pour over chopped chocolate. Stir untill chocolate has melted. Place in container and freeze until firm, about 2 hours.
2. Scoop chocolate into small balls with melon baller, and transfer to a baking sheet. Freeze for 10 minutes. Roll truffles in chopped almonds, then dust with cocoa powder.

Early Start to Christmas Ornaments

2007-11-01T23:42:00.000-03:00

So I was looking at Donna Downey's Blog (at least I think that's where I saw them...) and she had done these clear Christmas balls with transparencies decorated in the centers of them. They are also in the current issue of Simple Scrapbooks with the instructions to make them as well. Anyway, I loved them so much I just had to give them a try... here is the result of my first attempt! I think I will definately be making more!!

My Favorite Quotes Mini-Album

2007-10-31T18:09:00.000-03:00

Finally finished this album today that I started (and forgot about) months ago! Made with transparencies cut to 4x4".

First Ever Blog Post

2007-10-31T17:31:00.000-03:00

Welcome to my brand new Blog... Clearly Carla! This is my first ever Blog post so I guess I should share a little why I started one! I wanted a Blog mostly for Scrapbooking, my main hobby and passion. This will be the center of my Scrapbook world and will hopefully help me keep track of my cyber scrap spaces!