Featured Project

I don't usually post twice in one day, but I am just too excited not to share.  I made the featured project at Two Peas in a Bucket today!!

I will post more details on the project next week.  Until then, you can see the project in my gallery, HERE.  AND, those cute little epoxy characters were made with Epiphany Crafts' Shape Studio Tool. 

My Life is Complete

Today's page was made using one of my most favourite colours to scrapbook with:  PURPLE.  Upsy Daisy Designs came out with THIS LINE over a year ago and I still just love it.  The photo is a newer version of one you may have seen before.  I had to have another one since our family has grown. Thanks, Mom!

"My Life is Complete"

Supplies:  Paper (Upsy Daisy Designs), Flowers, Leaves & Pearls (Prima), Metal Plaque (Fancy Pants), Bingo Card (Tattered Angels), Punches (Marth Stewart, Marvy Uchida), Doilies (Little Yellow Bicycle), Letters (Basic Grey), Stamp (Unity Stamp Company)

For more PURPLE pages, check out these links:

-A Flower for You
-Sleeping Beauty
-Plum Crazy

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Edited to Add:  Look for this page in the Summer, 2011 issue of Scrapbooking & Beyond magazine.

H2O Fun

Remember that stack of summer photos I have yet to really work with?  Well, I have vowed to dig into them between all my Christmas and Fall assignments.  Today's page uses a whole mix of paper from different companies and my Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Tool.

 Supplies:  Paper (Little Yellow Bicycle, Echo Park, Jillibean Soup), Chipboard (Bo Bunny), Letters (Sassafras Lass), Baubles (Stamping Bella), Twine (Jillibean Soup), Rub-On (Upsy Daisy), Custom Epoxy Shapes (Epiphany Crafts)

Check out this epoxy shape.  I decorated my paper with a rub-on and then turned it into an epoxy embellishment.  I just love pinwheels. I can't believe it's taken me so long to finally make one.

That's all for today.  I really have no idea what I will be posting next.  It could be anything from summer to Christmas, just to keep you all (and me) guessing!

Falling for You

Here is the second page from our fall photo shoot.  I think fall photos are the most fun to take and definitely the most fun to scrapbook with.  It might have something to do with the fact that I love earthtone colours.  

 Supplies:  Paper (Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker), Letter Stickers (Basic Grey, Websters Pages), Custom Epoxy (Epiphany Crafts), Button (Jenni Bowlin)

Design Notes:  I've mentioned this one before.  I used my Glossy Accents to give the leaves on the tree a little more definition.  It's a simple little extra that really makes a difference.  I also did the same with Little Birdie's eye.  You might be able to see it better on the larger photo.

The title was made with my Shape Studio Tool.  When adding epoxy over letter stickers, I recommend that you take a stylus and trace around the letter on the back side of the epoxy once it has been punched.  This will help the paper to fully adhere to the epoxy.

I'll leave you with that for tonight.  Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

A Different Twist on a Halloween Banner

We are in full Halloween mode here now that Thanksgiving is over and it dawned on me that I never really put alot of effort into decorating for any other holiday than Christmas.  As of now, I have vowed that will change.  I dug out my Halloween lights and decided to make a banner for the mantle.  I had initially intended to spell "SPOOKY" with my banner and once I got into it, I asked myself why my banner has to spell anything at all.  The answer was simple.  It doesn't.  So I continued about my business and made 6 completely separate and unique panels for my banner.

Supplies:  Paper, Chipboard, Metal Tags (Best Creation Inc.), Tulle (JoAnn Fabrics), Felt (Basic Grey, Little Yellow Bicycle), Transparencies (Making Memories), Chipboard Coasters & Housese (Maya Roads), Glitter Cut (Fancy Pants), Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Bingo Cards (Jenni Bowlin), Dangles (Heidi Swapp)

To add further interest to my panels, I allowed elements to spill over the bottom and sides.  Above I attached a chipboard piece to the bottom using jump rings.  Below, I positioned the house so that it spills over the left side of the panel. This way I had more room to create my scene.  The fence you see is one of Martha Stewart's new border punches.  I can see this one being used over and over again.

Where I didn't dangle chipboard signs, I added fringes of trim.

I just love this little (I mean BIG) guy.  The Dollarama sells packages of foam shapes that my girls like to scrapbook with.  Lucky for Mommy, there is a chipboard shape in each package.  I snagged this one and covered it with Best Creation's Glitter Cardstock.  The photo just doesn't do this one justice.

I used a half a roll of tulle to tie the pieces together.  JoAnn Fabrics sells it by the roll and I will definitely be needing another black.

So there it is.  I hung it last night before I went to bed to surprise the girls in the morning and you'll never guess what my oldest asked me......"What does it spell, Mommy?"  I guess my creative license got lost on her.  LOL.  Oh well. I learned long ago you can't win them all with toddlers!

It's All About the Climb

I didn't realize until I signed onto my blog to post this page that I inadvertently scraplifted myself!  I guess the whole multi 4x6 photo thing must have gotten stuck in my subconscious. Oh well.  No harm, no foul.  Hope the little differences on here are enough to keep you all from being bored.

"It's All About the Climb"

 Supplies:  Paper (Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker), Button (Jenni Bowlin), Felt & Lace Cardstock (Basic Grey), Letters (Pink Paislee)

I'm not a doodler, but all the little doodled circles in this line inspired me to give it a try.  I actually like how it turned out.

Because of the cute little tree and beaver named Bucky in the bottom corner, I had to get creative with my frame.  What I decided to do was cut the paper strips to a point where they meet Bucky, reminiscent of what trees look like after they been chewed by a beaver.  :)  Cheesy, I know.  But it works.

FYI:  I'm happy to say I finally found a Canadian store that carries Nikki's new lines:  Tiny Seed Scrapbooking.  Do check them out because the new releases this season are simply fantastic.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for that Halloween banner I promised.

Cheers,

Tracey

Good to the Last Bite

It's interesting how fads come and go in the scrapbooking world.  When I started seven years ago I worked primarily with 4x6 photos and always made two page layouts.  Always.  I never would have considered doing anything else.  Then a few years later, two page layouts were out and single page layouts with one photo were in.  That one threw me for a loop.  How was I ever going to keep up putting only one photo on a page?  It almost seemed wasteful to use that much product for only one photo.  That was a fleeting concern for this shopaholic and eventually I was converted, as I always am.  I found it almost painful thereafter to work a two page spread.  I still do if you want to know the truth of the matter.  After that, the 5x7 (or larger) photo craze came and went.  Thank goodness. That one got expensive.  Today we have the best of the fads all rolled into a single, multi photo page.  Wallet and mini photos are my new best friends, except when I'm sitting at the photo booth painstakingly creating a separate order for each two wallet set, but that is a whole other discussion.  Which brings me to my point.  Finally, right?  I still can't help but print 4x6 photos.  It's totally engrained in my brain.  Not surprisingly, I have stacks of them sitting on my desk.  So last night, I decided to try a multi 4x6 photo page for no other reason than sheer necessity.  The photos I wanted to use somehow didn't get printed in wallet size. This page is the result.  I can't say that I'm in love with the page.  It really does feel like the photos are too large.  It's funny how we get programmed, isn't it?

"Good to the Last Bite"

Supplies:  Paper (Imaginisce), Chipboard (Ezee Pezee, Magistical Memories), Lace Doily (Basic Grey), Custom Epoxy Shapes & Buttons (Epiphany Crafts), Floss (My Mind's Eye, Karen Foster), Trim (Pink Paislee), Punches (Marvy Uchida)

This page is full of custom button and epoxy shapes.  I used the Button Studio Tool Heart 20 and the Shape Studio Tool Round 14.  Check out those cut little apple epoxy shapes.
 

So there you have it - a walk down memory lane and my take on a multi 4x6 photo page.  

I'll leave you with that and a question.  What will the next fad be?

Birthday Mini Album

From the moment I saw this chipboard mini album by Magistical Memories, I knew I had to get one and make a book for one of my girls.  I absolutely love the design element where that the words "Happy" and "Birthday" stand above the size of the actual page.  Clever.  This whimsical birthday line by Imaginisce pairs just beautifully with such a fun album design.  So here it goes - my first ever birthday mini album.  I have no idea why, but I shy away from birthday projects and pages for some reason. 

"Happy 3rd Birthday"

Supplies:  Paper, Chipboard, Rub-Ons, Springing Stickers (Imaginisce), Trim (Websters Pages), Chipboard Album (Magistical Memories), Chipboard 3 & Felties (Maya Roads), Stamp (Prima), Acrylic (KI Memories), Button (Jenni Bowlin), Bind it All (Zutter), Border Punch (EK Success)

These little springing stickers take me back to my childhood when we played with these little poppers at my Grandmother's house.  I have no idea what they are called but they were little characters held together by a spring and suction cup and you pushed them down and waited from them to pop and give you a scare.  This is the first time I've seen anything like them in many years.  So I'll say it again, CLEVER! 

I used another springing element sticker ("Make a Wish") on this page.  I had a heck of a time trying to get the thing to stop wiggling so I could get a photo.

Oh, the Websters trim again.  Am I the only one who loves the feel of it?  I have to run my fingers through it everytime I use it.  I think part of it is the sheer amazment of how the fabric never wrinkles or gets matted down.  No matter what you do to it, it springs right back up and looks perfect everytime.  That is what I call wonder fabric.

That's all for today.  I've got a Clear Scraps mini album to show you very soon and I'm almost finished a Halloween banner.  Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.  Thanks for stopping by.

EDITED TO ADD:

Look for this album in the Create Mini Albums magazine in May, 2011

Halloween Treat Can

There are some really cute packaging ideas for scrapbook supplies and this paint can from Prima is at the top of my list of favourites.  I finally decided to re-purpose it into a Halloween treat container.  It's actually full of candy corn right now.  It was my daughter's idea.  Since we are counting down the days to Halloween using the magnet board, it only seemed right to get a treat everyday.  Right?   I couldn't really disagree since candy corns are one of my weaknesses, too.

Supplies:  Paper & Metal Tag (Best Creation Inc.), Glitter Cut (Little Yellow Bicycle), Crystals (Prima), Tulle (JoAnn Fabrics), Punch (Martha Stewart)

Have I mentioned lately how much I love border punches?

And of course I had to add some glitter cardstock to the project.  I just can't get enough of this stuff.

There's only one thing about this project that is irritating me.  My haunted house won't stick.  It keeps letting go and pulling the crystals off with it.  I seriously have tried everything I can think of.  I tried two different adhesive runners and neither of them worked.  After that, I tried using photo mounting squares on the bottom corners where it wouldn't be seen. Still not working.  Last night, I tried my Stix 2 double sided tape and it isn't working either. I am at a complete and total loss. I've never had a project get the better of me on the adhesive side.  So what next?  Any suggestions?  Keep in mind the can is clear so I'm trying to preserve the integrity of the piece.

I'll leave you with that for today and will be forever grateful to anyone who can solve my troublesome haunted house issue.

Paper Pumpkin Centerpiece

Supplies:  Glittered Cardstock & Tag (Best Creation Inc.), Flower (Prima), Ribbons & Wire (Craft Supply Store), Paper Crimper (Fiskars), Toilet Paper Roll, Hot Glue

Here is a project that I made a few weeks ago playing around again with my Best Creation Inc. Glittered Cardstock and a toilet paper roll.  I've come to realize that TP rolls really come in handy in the craft room. This is the first in a series of two different beyond the page items I've made this month with them.  Look for the other at the beginning of November.

Directions:
1.  Cover a toilet paper roll with cardstock (4x12).
2.  Cut several 2x12 inch strips of cardstock.
3.  Glue the strips to the inside of the paper roll at the top and bottom, spacing them out as your go along.  Add as many as you want.  Overlap them as you go.
4.  Draw and cut out a leaf on green cardstock.  Crimp it with a paper crimper.
5.  Crimp a 4x12 piece of green cardstock.  Roll it up to form the stem.  Before adhering it together, pull one end of the roll up to elongate the stem.  Hot glue inside the top of the pumpkin.
6.  Embellish with leaf, ribbon, flowers, tag and curls of covered wire. 
7.  Arrange on your table with a vase of flowers or other festive pieces.

The only thing I would do differently if I were to make this again is to colour the back side of the glittered cardstock.  I find the white showing through rather distracting.  It's got quite a sheen to it so I'm thinking a little alcohol ink would do the trick.

To all my Canadian friends, I hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend with family and friends.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

EDITED TO ADD: 
Look for this project in the Fall, 2011 issue of Paper Creations Magazine.

Summer Fun

If I had to pick a favourite Upsy Daisy line, it would by "Vogue".  I simply adore anything navy to begin with and the green in this line works so well with outdoor photos it takes me back, yet again, to summer.  What's not to love about that?  Hope you all don't mind seeing a few more swimsuits and water photos because I have a stack that I have yet to touch.

"Summer Fun"

Supplies:  Paper, Trim & Stamp (Upsy Daisy), Stickers (Jenni Bowlin), Letters (Momenta), Custom Buttons (Epiphany Crafts), Border Punch (EK Success), Circle & Scallop Punches (Marvy Uchida)

The buttons you see in the bottom right corner were made with my Epiphany Crafts button tools.  You all know how much I love my punches and these are no exception.

That's all for today.  Look for several new altered projects this month.  I've got one on my desk right now using toilet paper rolls.  Keep your fingers crossed it all works out like I envision!

Countdown to Halloween

It's official.  Today is the first day of October and the countdown to Halloween has begun.  I have always loved this time of year and now that I have little ones who simply can't wait for the next celebration, I'm excited too.  I decided to create a countdown to Halloween project similar to the Advent Calendar I made for Christmas last season.  There was no question what product line I would use.  Best Creation has two of the most fun Halloween lines I've ever used.  What's better is that there are so many different chipboard and metal embellishments to match that a project like this was put together in no time. 

"Countdown to Halloween"

Supplies:  Paper, Glittered Cardstock, Chipboard & Metal Tags (Best Creation Inc.), Felt (Little Yellow Bicycle, Basic Grey),  Journaling Sprouts (Jillibean Soup), Masks (Tim Holtz), Transparent Shapes (Little Yellow Bicycle), Letters (Momenta, Pink Paislee), Bingo Card (Jenni Bowlin), Trim (Prima), Misc. Number Stickers, Cookie Sheet, Wiggle Eyes, Acrylic Spray Primer, Acrylic Sealer, Staz On Ink

I have decided that working with aluminium is one of my most favourite mediums to alter.  You may remember the Magnetic Alphabet Board or Travel Tin I did last year.  Both are among my most favourite pieces.  As a side note, if you'd instructions for the Travel Tin, you can find a step by step tutorial in the fall issue of Scrapbooking & Beyond.

All three of these projects pretty much went together the same way.  I sprayed the cookie sheet with a white acrylic spray paint and then masked on a design.  On this sheet, I put spider webs in opposing corners and then joined them with barbwire - perfect designs for Halloween.  I used a make-up sponge to apply Dove Grey Staz-On ink over the mask with a light coating of black ink on top around the edges.  Once that was done, I was ready to add my title and space out my numbers.  You might notice that the numbers are evenly spaced and 30 fit perfectly on the sheet.  The only problem was where to put the 31.  Lucky for me, I was making this at a crop and Michelle made a brilliant suggestion:  the spider. Of course, the spider!!  She saved the day because my type A personality could not fathom having irregular spacing to accommodate 31 days in October, or even worse not having a 31 on there somewhere.  Thanks, Michelle!

Up next was decorating the sides and this picture really doesn't show you just how sparkly that purple Best Creation glittered cardstock really is.  They have glittered cardstock in an array of beautiful colours and designs and it is so much fun to work with. It cuts beautifully and the glitter is 100% sealed in so there were no sparkles all over my face for this project.  Ink and glue, perhaps, but no sparkles. 

After all of that, I was ready to make my magnet pieces, 30 of them.  Again, using pre-made chipboard and metal tags is a great way to speed this along.  To add a little extra to the pre-made pieces, I added wiggle eyes.

Here it is with all the pieces on the board.  The girls love it.  I love it.  I hope you do, too. 

Thanks for visiting and don't forget to link me up if you decide to make one for your family.  I'd love to see it.