Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours,

Merry Christmas!

3-2-1 Jump!

Here's a layout that I made of Ema. In Hollywoodstock there is an indoor pool that my kids have been taking swimming lessons at for years now. Ema has been in Water Adjustment Level 1 for six sessions now. Six. Six sessions at $50 a pop. That's $300, by the way.

The only way you can get out of Water Adjustment Level 1 is if you can jump into the pool without anyone holding onto your hands or catching you.

So, low and behold, she finally did it. More importantly she did it on a day that I had brought my camera. Thank goodness.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup patterned paper, printed kraft, kraft, Journaling Sprout, twine and corrugated letters, Fiskar border punch, Sure Cuts a Lot and Cricut machine for diecut numbers, Making Memories paint (Spotlight white), Xyron Sticker Maker (to adhere twine), Font: Impact, other: foam layering tape.

The Hodgkinson Christmas sweat shop

It's a tradition. 100 Christmas cards. Ususually I get them started in late November and have them in the mail by the first week of December. Vomitting and "other" delayed this plan. So, on Thursday, December 17th, from 9:15am until 11pm we worked as a family to get these suckers pumped out. 100 of 'em. Yup. It turned into the Hodgkinson Christmas sweat shop.

I hear they pay more in Thailand for labour than what I paid my kids and husband.

Enjoy!

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Ruby Vintage, Snowflake white, French Roast brown), Jillibean Soup kraft paper, Creative Impressions twine, Sizzix embossing die ("Merry"), diecut (branch) and Big Shot embossing machine, Fiskars punch (Cardinal), Cuttlebug/Provocraft embossing folder, We R' Memory Keepers Corner Chomper, 3M Quick Dry glue, other: foam layering tape.

Dare we say we are all better?

It's been 48 hours and not one Hodgee has thrown up. I think the flu has finally flown away from our home. Whee!

Here's another layout that went up this past week on the Jillibean Soup blog. They are photos from the summer but I used the December sketch by Allison Cope from Scrapbook & Cards Today. If you haven't got your mitts on it yet, the Winter issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine is delicious. You can download it for free by clicking here.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup patterned paper, felt flowers and leaves, twine, letter stickers and corrugated alphas, Scenic Route grid paper, Queen & Co. brads and other: foam layering tape. This layout is based on the December 2009 sketch by Allison Cope for Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine.

Flu update

It has officially been 24 hours since anyone has thrown up in our house. Sadly we are excited about this fact.

Yesterday I started whipping up some Christmas gift tags with some scraps that I had left over from the class that I taught in Ottawa, ON, a few weeks ago. I love simple.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Snowflake white and Core Impressions Jenni Bowlin Collection), Jillibean Soup kraft, Creative Impressions twine, Tsukineko ink, Stampin' Up stamp and punch, Heidi Swapp edge distresser, Making Memories sanding block and other: foam layering tape.

More Christmas goodness

The flu continues to reign at our home. It truly is unbelievable at this point. I have stripped everyone's bed at least three times now. I have scrubbed each bathroom out countless times. We Hodgees have had enough.

Again, here are some projects that I made a while ago. Hope they inspire you.

P.S. You may want to go and wash your hands and spray your keyboard with Lysol after visiting our blog.

Supplies: For a detailed list of supplies and step-by-step instructions visit this blog entry over at the Jillibean Soup website.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Snowflake white, Forest green and Core Impressions - Jenni Bowlin Collection), Jillibean Soup button and kraft paper, Unity Stamp Company stamp, Creative Impressions twine, Tsukineko ink (Olive green StazOn), Spellbinders die (holly leaves), We R Memory Keepers Corner Chomper and Heidi Swapp edge distresser and Making Memories sanding block.

Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-Flu

I have been hit with the flu.

My entire family has been hit with the flu.

It's been two weeks - two full weeks of regretting that we didn't get the flu shot.

In the meantime, here are some projects that I made before I got sick.

Enjoy...and get your flu shot.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup patterned paper and kraft paper, Stampin' Up stamp ("Happy Holidays"), Queen and Co. adhesive pearls, Tsukineko ink (VersaFine), Fiskars border punch, Sure Cuts A Lot scalloped circle, Cricut machine, Spellbinders circle die, other: sewing machine, thread, foam layering tape.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Snowflake white), Jillibean Soup printed kraft, kraft, printed paper, ribbon, button and corrugated alphas, Making Memories paint (Spotlight white), Font: Mason, other: sewing machine, thread and foam layering tape.

It's gonna be a cool beans Christmas

I have an addiction.

Cool Beans. Jillibean Soup makes 'em.

Yup.

Buttons.

They come in green, red and brown and I love them. I love them so.

Here's what I made with some of them.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (French Roast), Jillibean Soup patterned paper, kraft, Cool Beans buttons, corrugated alphabets and twine, Stampin' Up binder punch, Cricut machine and Sure Cuts A Lot (holly leaf), Making Memories sanding block, Spellbinders star diecut, Tsukineko ink, other: sewing machine, thread, foam layering tape.

Merry card-mass

This past weekend I got A LOT of scrapping projects done. No kids. No cooking. No distractions. I highly recommend Memories Manor if you live close to Saint Clair, Michigan. The meals were incredible. The mansion is breathtaking. Every aspect of this weekend was perfect...including the fact that I got to spend some time with my good friends - Sarah, Mel, Charlene and Carol.

Here are some cards that I finished up for a class that I am teaching on Wednesday, November 25th from 7-9:30pm at All About Scrapbooks & More in Woodstock, ON. "Merry Card-Mass" includes 15 cards and 6 gift tags...all for the low, low price of $20!

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Whitewash, Snowflake white), My Mind's Eye patterned paper and chipboard, Sizzix embossing die and texture plates, We R' Memory Keepers Corner Chomper, Heidi Swapp edge distresser and Making Memories sanding block.

Challenging mystery challenge

Just a quick post sharing a recent project for Custom Crops. I was sent a Mystery Challenge box and was instructed that I had to make a project with everything in the box.

The seven mystery items each designer received were the following:

1. A box of Lucky Charms cereal

2. German glass glitter

3. Grafix Shrink Film

4. Jillibean Soup kraft paper

5. A set of plastic ware

6. Mini Gel Pen set & Mini Gel Pen Holder

7. Sizzix embossing dies

Here is a sneak peek of what I came up with. For detailed photos of the whole project and instructions click here.

Thankful for so much

First of all, I wanted to say that I am so thankful that we had so many friends help us with our move during the past month. I am thankful that we have lovely new neighbours and have finally found a perfectly safe and healthy home to raise our children in. Ema, our daughter, has several medical needs and this new house meets all of those requirements.

Next - totally centering her out - I am thankful for my new neighbour and good friend Kim. She celebrated her 8th 29th birthday on Monday. I made her this card and slipped it into her mailbox before I headed off to work. Very handy since she lives next door!

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (from the Ebony & Ivory Collection pack), Jillibean Soup twine and A2 kraft envelope, Stampin' Up stamp and punch, Tsukineko ink (VersaFine), Cuttlebug embossing folder, Making Memories sanding block, other: foam layering tape.

Also, I can now finally reveal a layout that went up today on the Jillibean Soup blog...and the fact that it's my first project with Custom Crops. You can head to the Custom Crops website and see step-by-step instructions on how to create this layout.

Supplies: For a detailed supply list and instructions, click here.

Also, my first project with Big Picture Scrapbooking will be ready soon...after some delay. I must admit that I have been really nervous about this project and I want it to be prefect. Stacy Julian has been more than patient with me. More details to come soon!

I will never move again

Fact: Moving is a huge task.

Fact: Moving makes you take stock of everything you own.

Fact: We have a lot of junk!

Here is a picture I took of Matthew on the night before we moved. Behind him was a sea of boxes, wrapping papers and chaos. I would have to say the boy looks scared.

This past weekend was our move to our new house. I am currently sitting in our new craft room. Yep. Just like the Jeffersons..."we're a movin' on up!" We used to craft in our dining room so this is very exciting for Ema and me.

Now, as if the move wasn't crazy enough, on Tuesday of this past week I got a call on my cell phone as I was about to load my kindergarten class onto a bus for a pumpkin patch field trip. It was my son's school calling to say that he was sick and that he needed to be picked up. My husband picked him up and my dear mother watched him for us for the rest of the day. Turns out it was the flu. I was then up until 1am with him at the emergency waiting to hear if it was H1N1. Although it was never confirmed it has been a long three days of fever, vomitting, and troubles with his breathing. The fever finally broke this morning and now he is determined to make a 100% recovery by tomorrow night for trick-or-treating.

In other news, my retailers' class in Ottawa, ON, has been postponed until November 29th and 30th. It will be a two day event with cards, mini-album and other projects. Keep watching my "Up Coming Classes" section for more details.

Boxes, boxes and more boxes

Our house is almost packed up now. We move this weekend.
I was in Toronto, ON, last Friday for the CreativFestival and I had a fleeting thought as I arrived. I was carrying a box filled with supplies for the class and make and takes that I was teaching. I noticed that it was labeled "Kitchen Goods" on the side. Luckily it was labeled by the previous owners of the box and my supplies were inside.
I have a quick little project to share today. It appeared on the Jillibean Soup blog last week but I haven't had time to post it here.
All you need is small kraft paper bags, a border punch, a Hallowe'en stamp set and some Jillibean Soup.

Supplies: Jillibean Soup patterned paper, Hampton Art stamps (pumpkin, Happy Halloween), Tsukineko ink, Stampin' Up binder punch and scalloped border punch, other: foam layering tape, kraft bags.

P.S. I had a SUPER time at CreativFestival! It was so nice to spend a day "in the land of my people."

P.P.S. If you happen to see this magazine, be sure to look inside for the Hodgkinson Christmas card made with Core'dinations cardstock. It's a card that features a picture of all four of us sitting in front of our house. We will have to get a new photo done for this year's card...in front of the new house.

Happy Thanksgiving, my Canadian pals

It's Thanksgiving here today in Canada. Sadly, there was no turkey for the Hodgkinson family this year. I think it had a lot to do with the fact that I can't find my turkey roasting pan. My kitchen looks like this right now:

I did, however, make a card. It appeared on the Jillibean Soup blog today. I love how it turned out.

Supplies: Jillibean Soup patterned paper, kraft A2 card and stamp (Give Thanks), Tsukineko ink, Coloring Book image of turkey (http://sunniebunniezz.com/activities/thakcbk03.htm), Font: Teletype (inside sentiment), other: sewing machine, thread, foam layering tape, and googly eye.

This Friday...in Toronto...

I will be teaching a class this coming Friday (October 16, 2009) for Scrapbook & Cards Today at the CreativFestival in Toronto, ON. I will also be providing two make and takes (images below) throughout the day as well. You can register for the class by following the CreativFestival link (http://www.creativfestival.ca/).

The class includes a double page layout (image below) and a card. As part of the class, each participant will receive a 150-Xyron Sticker Maker and a Fiskars' XL Round and Round circle punch. This class is sponsored by Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock and Jillibean Soup.

Here are some images...hopefully to tempt you even further...

Supplies: Jillibean Soup patterned paper, twine, button, printed twill, number sprouts (Alphabet Soup Collection), kraft paper; Scenic Route grid paper; Tsukineko ink; Fiskars circle punch; 3M adhesive and double-stick clear dots; Font: Another Typewriter (downloaded from the internet); other, foam layering tape.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Barn Siding/Whitewash), Jillibean Soup patterned paper, twine and journaling sprout, Maya Road chipboard, Sizzix die cut (tag), Cuttlebug embossing folder, We R' Memory Keepers corner rounder, Making Memories paint and sanding block, Hampton Art letter stamps, Tsukineko ink, other: hole reinforcer, foam layering tape.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup patterned paper, kraft, journaling sprout, Maya Road chipboard, Stampin' Up scalloped circle and circle punch, Making Memories sanding block, EK Success marker, October Afternoon stamp (cloud), Hero Arts stamp (woodgrain), Tsukineko inks, Font: Teletype, other: foam layering tape.

That's my boys

First of all, my "older" boy turns 40 today. My plans are to take my husband out for dinner and then a hockey game. We usually are asleep by 8pm on Friday nights so this could prove to be a very long day.

Next, I made this layout of my son, Matt, after one of his recent swimming lessons at our local pool. In light of the fact that our new house has a pool our kids will be in swimming lessons until they move away from home.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup patterned paper, corrugated alphas, ribbon, and twine, Maya Road chipboard ("odd as a cod"), Fiskars border punch (Boundary Waters), Tsukineko inks, Stampin' Up stamps (fish) and binder punch, Font: Teletype, other: foam layering tape, sewing machine, thread. This layout is based on a September 2009 Sketch by Becky Fleck.

Ichthyosis Awareness Week

This week (October 4th to 11th) is Ichthyosis Awareness Week. As a parent of a child affected by ichthyosis, I wanted to mark this week by creating something that reflected what my daughter and I like to do together. Ema and I made butterflies using a Cuttlebug die/embossing folder set and then sanded them lightly...using Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock, of course. I then typed out a few facts about ichthyosis and added them to the body of the bookmark.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup patterned paper, journaling sprout and kraft paper, Scenic Route grid paper, ProvoCraft/Cuttlebug butterfly diecut and embossing folder, Stampin' Up heart punch, EK Success marker, Making Memories sanding block, Font: Teletype, other: foam layering tape.

Here's a few of the facts and figures from the bookmark because I know it's hard to read them from the photo:

- "Ichthyosis" is taken from the Greek root for "fish".
- Ichthyosis affects more than one million Americans.
- The ichthyoses are a family of genetic skin disorders characterized by dry, thickened, scaling skin.
- Dermatologists estimate that there are at least twenty-eight varieties of ichthyosis, with a wide range of severity and associated symptoms.
- Ichthyosis is the result of a genetic mutation passed from parent to child.
- In some rare cases, the genetic mutation occurs spontaneously in the affected generation.
- There is no cure for ichthyosis, only treatments to help manage symptoms.
- Ichthyosis is currently classified on the basis of clinical appearance and inheritance pattern. This system, which relies on a few sophisticated tools and tests, has worked remarkably well for diagnosing and classifying most patients with ichthyosis.
- Ichthyosis can be a disfiguring disorder and as such has numerous social and psychological implications.

For more information about ichthyosis, please visit: Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types.

Please feel free to use this idea to create bookmarks of your own. A bookmark to raise awareness for Breast Cancer could use a pink ribbon in place of the butterfly. You could replace the butterfly with a puzzle piece if you wanted to raise awareness for Autism.

Ema is a senior

Senior kindergartener that is.

Although I was unable to be there on her first day (*sniff*) my good friend Amy was able to take a few great shots of her just before she went in the doors.

I first made this as an 8 1/2 x 11 layout and then mounted it to become a 12 x 12.

Supplies: Jillibean Soup patterned paper, kraft, number sprout, button, corrugated alphas, and twine, Maya Road chipboard trees, chipboard letters ("day"), bird and apples, Tsukineko inks, Hero Arts stamps (woodgrain), Basic Grey precision sanding tools, Making Memories paint, Font: Teletype, other: sewing machine, thread, and foam layering tape. Photos taken by Amy Beattie.

Jenni Bowlin meets Core'dinations meets Sketch This

Yep.

It's a whole bunch of goodness rolled into one card. If you haven't seen it yet, Core'dinations and Jenni Bowlin Studios have teamed up to create a pack of pre-embossed color core cardstock. You can sand it to reveal the embossed patterns or just leave it plain. I then took Sketch This #92 and rolled it into one card.

Sadly, this will be my last card with Sketch This. I have resigned from that design team, and It Takes All Kinds, in order to take on a new design team position. I will be back in a few days with more information about that. ;0)

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jenni Bowlin Studios patterned paper, buttons, journaling card, Kaiser rubon ("Thanks"), Making Memories sanding block, We R' Memory Keepers corner rounder, other: sewing machine and thread.

In other news, if you happen to come across a copy of CARDS magazine (October 2009) or Simply Handmade (October/November 2009) you can see some projects of mine in there as well. In fact, if you do find those magazines, I would love to hear from you if you see the projects. Thanks!

Fall is here!

Fall has arrived in our neck of the woods. Leaves are changing. The kids are busy with after school activities. Our house is a wreck. Yes, in about a month we will be moving and there are currently boxes everywhere. It reminds me of Canada's Scrapbooking Crop for Kids days when I filled most of our dining room with boxes of class kits.

Fall has also brought several issues of magazines where you can check out my work.

1. Scrapbook & Cards Today - Fall 2009 issue - page 6.

Check out my version of the cover by dowloading this issue for FREE! Yep. Free.

There are tons of great layouts, cards and other projects that will give you loads of inspiration.

2. Scrapbooks etc. - October 2009 issue - Feedback section

You will find "My Funny Valentine", Ema, making her Valentine's Day cards. I created a lift of a layout by Erin Clarkson using Core'dinations ColorCore cardstock, Jillibean Soup patterned paper and Riff Raff Designs chipboard.

Girlie girls are grand

This past summer we celebrated Ema's 5th birthday in style - in Fancy Nancy style that is. For all the details, and more photos, you can read this earlier blog post.

I took this photo of Ema and two of her party guests huddled around opening presents. Although I used a patterned paper from the Grandma's Christmas Soup collection by Jillibean Soup, I thought it suited the look I was going for.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (French Roast), Jillibean Soup patterned paper, felt leaves, corrugated alphas, kraft paper, button, twine, Calendar Sprouts, Bazzill heart brad, Fiskars embossing border punch, Cricut cartridge and Design Studio (Opposites Attract), Making Memories sanding block, font: Teletype, other: sewing machine, thread, foam layering tape.

Christmas class in Ottawa, ON

I am busy getting ready to teach a retailers' class in Ottawa, ON, on Monday, October 26th. It will take place at MultiCrafts & Gifts. It's a Christmas mini-album and two card class featuring Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock, Jillibean Soup patterned papers and embellishments and Unity Stamp Company stamps.

Here is one of the two cards that we will be making in the class:

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Jenni Bowlin Core Impressions Collection and Snowflake white), Jillibean Soup corrugated alphas and kraft paper, Unity Stamp Company tree stamps, Creative Impressions twine, Tsukineko ink, MultiCrafts & Gifts ultra-fine glitter, Heidi Swapp edge distresser, We R' Memory Keepers corner rounder, Making Memories sanding block, other: foam layering tape.

Jillibean Soup meets Hambly

I made a card on the weekend for Sketch This #91. Be sure to drop by that blog to check out all the other layouts and cards based on sketch #91.

For this card I used Hambly rubons onto Jillibean Soup kraft paper. I hand cut the leaves and then folded them to give the card a little dimension.

Supplies: Jillibean Soup patterned paper, A2 kraft card and twine, Hambly rubons, Hampton Art stamps, Tsukineko ink, Stampin' Up heart punch and binder punch, Hero Arts woodgrain stamp, Clear Snap Smooch (red), EK Success marker, other: foam layering tape.

He's a logger

Lincoln Logs logger that is. Matt has had them for-e-ver.
I also remember having them when I was a kid. Sadly, our goofy Labrador pups enjoyed gnawing on them. Perhaps that was my penalty for not cleaning up my playroom. It's that same story that I told Matt the other day that has lead him to the conculsion that he doesn't want a dog. I never would have thought that a boy would love his toys more than a dog. It's a sad day for this dog lover.

Supplies: Jillibean Soup patterned paper, printed kraft, journaling sprout, ribbon, and kraft, Quickutz letter dies (Diesel Grand), Hampton Art letter stamps, Glue Dots, Tsukineko ink, other: thread, sewing machine, foam layering tape, date stamp.

Back to school dreams

They are becoming more and more frequent - back to school dreams. My kids are looking forward to meeting their new teachers on the first day. My husband and I are both teachers so we have been into our schools getting things set up. He has a small office he had whipped back into shape in a day while my new kindergarten room has devoured most of August.

One special addition to my desk is a sticker/stamp storage box that I made myself. The step-by-step instructions were posted on Tuesday over on the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog. Be sure to drop by if you want to make a great "get-out-of-jail-free" gift for your kids to give their teachers at the beginning of the school year.

Supplies: Core’dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup patterned paper, buttons, corrugated numbers and calendar sprout, Target kraft storage box (5” high, 6” across), EK Success punch, Stampin’ Up punch, Creative Impressions twine, We R Memory Keepers corner rounder, Basic Grey chipboard letters, Making Memories sanding block, Glue Dots, 3M Quick Dry glue, Other: pencil, pencil sharpener, reward stickers or stamps. Lid design based on Sketch This #90 by Janelle Kelly.

Birthday card for a space cadet

I worked the Jillibean Soup hard on this card.

It went up yesterday on the Jillibean Soup blog. Now I just need a 5 year-old space cadet to give it to.

* Removed for Publication *

Supplies: Jillibean Soup patterned paper, number sprout and kraft A2 card, Making Memories brads, other: foam layering tape, sewing machine and thread. The image of the rocket ship is downloaded from http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/print/spacey-shapes-coloring-page/ (Crayola.com) and the rocket flare can be downloaded from http://www.myfreecolouringpages.com/space_coloring_pages/space_ship.gif (My Free Colouring Pages.com).

Fun for everyone

First of all I have a layout to share. Craig and I had A LOT of fun (yes, I am shouting) on our four day cruise with Carnival this past July. I took a collection of the photos from our trip and put them into a double layout. The bubbling water effect was created by using a Sizzix die and Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock (Vacation Blues).

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup ribbon, number sprout and corrugated alphabet, ProvoCraft/Cricut die cut letters ("bahamas" - Opposites Attract), Sizzix die (circles), Hampton Art letter stamps, Tsukineko ink, Making Memories sanding block, Xyron Sticker Maker (to adhere ribbon and die cut "bahamas"), other: foam layering tape.

Next, over the weekend I found a great recipe on the internet and made a huge batch of playdough for my new kindergarten class. Matt and Ema helped me and, as a reward, got to test drive the batch. Ema realized that by simply adding a googly eye she could make a "Bob" from the Monsters vs. Aliens movie. She then made a Mrs. Bob and many Baby Bobs. I have included the recipe below. And yes, that is Ema ducking down behind the Bob Family. She didn't want to ruin the family portrait.

How to Make Playdough

Step 1:

Basic ingredient ratio:

2 cups flour

2 cups warm water

1 cup salt

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

1 Tablespoon cream of tartar (optional for improved elasticity)

Food colouring (liquid, powder, or unflavored drink mix)

Scented oils

This recipe can be doubled, tripled, etc.

Step 2:

Mix all of the ingredients together, and stir over low heat. The dough will begin to thicken until it resembles mashed potatoes.
When the dough pulls away from the sides and clumps in the center, as shown below, remove the pan from heat and allow the dough to cool enough to handle.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If your playdough is still sticky, you simply need to cook it longer! Keep stirring and cooking until the dough is dry and feels like playdough.

Step 3:

Turn the dough out onto a clean counter or silicone mat, and knead vigorously until it becomes silky-smooth. Divide the dough into balls for colouring.
Make a divot in the center of the ball, and drop some food colouring in. Fold the dough over, working the food color through the body of the playdough, trying to keep the raw dye away from your hands and the counter. You could use gloves or plastic wrap at this stage to keep your hands clean- only the concentrated dye will colour your skin, so as soon as it's worked in bare hands are fine.
Work the dye through, adding more as necessary to achieve your chosen colour.
If you use unsweetened drink mix for colour, test on a small ball first- it won't go as far as the "real" food colouring.

Step 4:

Enjoy your playdough! It's entirely edible, if a bit salty, so it's kid-safe.
When you're done store it in an air-tight container. If it begins to dry out, you can knead a bit of water in again to soften the dough back to useability. Once it's dried past a certain point, however, you'll just have to start over; thankfully it's not terribly difficult.

CPS meets Jillibean Soup

Today I have a card that I made based on a sketch from CPS (Card Positioning Systems). Jillibean Soup is the sponsor of their current challenge. Be sure to drop by the CPS website and the Jillibean Soup blog today to see the original sketch and other great versions of the sketch.

Supplies: Jillibean Soup paper, kraft A2 card, stamps and twine, Scenic Route worn grid paper, Tsukineko ink, Making Memories brad and sanding block, Bazzill heart brad, other: foam layering tape. This card is based on a Card Positioning Systems sketch by Tami Mayberry.

Happy birthday, Naomi

Our friends Kate and Steve's little Naomi turned one over the weekend. There was a party for her on Saturday. I think I hit the 200+ photo mark. Now I need to get scrapping the photos.
Here is a layout that I did a while back of the photos I took of Naomi when she was still in the hospital. She was about 24 hours old.
The journaling reads: Only one day old and Naomi already knows it's best to hold hands when you go out into the world.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Vintage), Scenic Route worn grid paper and chipboard house, American Crafts letter stickers, Fiskars border punch, Gel-a-Tins stamps (tree, bird), Krylon spray paint (stone), Buttons Galore buttons, Tsukineko ink, other: fabric, sewing machine, thread, foam layering tape. This layout is based on the winter 2008 sketch for Scrapbook & Cards Today.

For Naomi's first birthday present I gave them an American Crafts album with this layout and two other ones that I had made of Naomi. I also gave her this card:

* Removed for Publication *

Supplies: Jillibean Soup kraft paper, button, twine and number sprout, K & Company printed paper, other: foam layering tape, sewing machine, and thread.

The divine Miss E. turns 5

Yesterday was Ema's Fancy Nancy birthday party. Fancy Nancy is a series of books written by Jane O'Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. Nancy Clancy is a seven year-old girl who loves all things fancy. Ema owns about 95% of the books and we read them just before bed. Matt usually sneaks in to hear them as well.
The girls all arrived at 11am in dresses and looking quite divine but, in the ways of Fancy Nancy, more is always better. Deidra, a friend of Ema's who regularly cuts her hair, styled the girls' hair. My mom and my friend Kate applied nail polish to fingers and toes. Cucumber slices and a foot spa were another station we had set up in "Le Salon" (That's the French word for The Salon, or in this case, the living room). Each girl also got to make their own Bonjour Butterfly hair clip.

Then, at 2pm when moms arrived for pick up, we entertained the small crowd on our front yard with a fashion show.

Simply a divine and magical afternoon.

The dining room was transformed into the delightful area for nibbling on finger foods and extraordinary cupcakes. The paper butterflies were made from a Cuttlebug die and Core'dinations cardstock (of course). I folded up the wings ever so slightly so they looked ready to flutter away.

These are the party guests before Deidra arrived to do up their hair. Ema is front and center sporting her new Fancy Nancy party dress and shoes. Macy, Lexi, Kyra and Charlotte dazzled us in their beautiful outfits.

A plethora of nail polish made it hard to pick a favourite colour. Many girls decided to go with a combo of one colour for fingers, another for toes.

Bonjour Butterfly hair clips were easy to make. Take one diecut paper butterfly, a bountiful supply of bling, a roll of Glue Dots and one dollar store hairclip to be covered. Ta-da!

Chilled cucumber slices for the eyes and a foot spa for the tender tootsies. Very refreshing after a hard day of playing with Barbies.

Everyone's favourite pampering station had to be Deidra's Hair Salon, also known as the kitchen. She curled, pinned and glittered each girls' hair until it looked spectacular. Truly.

Present time was flabbergasting! Puzzles, markers, colouring books, a new Fancy Nancy book that we didn't have, the new Hanna Montana movie, a Webkinz pony, glamourous make up and accessories...too much. Ema loved it all.

Finally, at 2pm, we dazzled our moms with a fashion show that could not be beat. When Ema was asked what she liked best...above all else...she liked the cupcakes. Perhaps we have a theme for next year's party?

Scrapbook & Cards Today news!

Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine is featuring this layout of mine on their blog today. It features the new Alphabet Soup collection, number sprouts, buttons and printed twill by Jillibean Soup. It also is based on the September sketch by Allison Cope. Find more of her awesome sketches by clicking here.

Supplies: patterned paper, twine, button, printed twill, number sprouts, Jillibean Soup (Alphabet Soup Collection), kraft paper; additional patterned paper, Scenic Route; ink, Tsukineko; circle punch, Fiskars; adhesive, 3M Double-stick Clear Dots; font, Another Typewriter (downloaded from the internet); other, foam layering tape

Some other exciting S&CT news that I have is that I was asked to create one of three versions of their 2009 fall cover. I don't know yet if it will be the actual cover or not but it will get published in that issue somewhere. I will keep you posted.

Finally, if you live in the Toronto, ON, area and are free on Friday, October 16th from 3-4:30pm, be sure to register for a Jillibean Soup/Core'dinations class that I will be teaching for S&CT at the CreativFestival. For more details, follow the link listed in the "Upcoming Classes" section on the right-hand side on my blog.