These cards are "A Walk in the Park"

Here's a fast and easy set of 5 cards that I made for a friend. She is currently trying to raise money to enter a walk to end Breast Cancer in September. The entry fee to participate in this walk is $2 000 a person. Yikes. I made up this set of cards so that she can add them to an auction she is putting together.

Now, here's the best news....to make these 5 cards all you need is:

• one sheet of Bahama Blue cardstock (Core'dinations - Essentials)


• one sheet of French Roast cardstock (Core'dinations - Essentials)


• a scrap of Corner Hutch cardstock (Core'dinations - WhiteWash)


• one sheet of each Pathway, Flutter and Element Card Paper from the Echo Park "A Walk in the Park" collection


• five kraft cards and envelopes (Jillibean Soup)
  
• one package of Lost Ruby Rox (Queen & Co.)


• a variety of butterfly punches and dies (Marvy, Spellbinders, Sizzix, etc.)


• a variety of border punches (Fiskars, EK Success, Martha Stewart, etc.)


• foam layering tape, Glue Dots and adhesive


• sand paper or sanding block

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Bahama Blue and Corner Hutch), Jillibean Soup kraft card, Echo Park patterned paper, Sizzix embossing butterfly die, Queen & Co. Rocs, Glue Dots, Making Memories sanding block, other: layering tape.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (French Roast and Corner Hutch), Jillibean Soup kraft card, Echo Park patterned paper, Sizzix embossing butterfly die, Fiskars border punch, Queen & Co. Rocs, Glue Dots, Making Memories sanding block, other: layering tape.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Bahama Blue), Jillibean Soup kraft card, Echo Park patterned paper, EK Success border punch, Spellbinders butterfly die (bottom layer), Marvy embossing butterfly punch (upper layer), Making Memories sanding block, Glue Dots, other: foam layering tape.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (French Roast and Bahama Blue), Jillibean Soup kraft card, Echo Park patterned paper, Fiskars border punch, Spellbinders embossing butterfly punch (bottom layer), Marvy embossing butterfly punch, Glue Dots, Making Memories sanding block, other: layering tape.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Bahama Blue), Jillibean Soup kraft card, Echo Park patterned paper, Spellbinders embossing die (bottom layer), Marvy embossing butterfly punch, EK Success border punch, Making Memories sanding block, Glue Dots, other: layering tape.

Playin' with some Queen & Co.

Core'dinations and Queen & Co. recently did a product trade. The Core'dinations design team members all received a very generous amount of Queen & Co. bling, pearls, chipboard, felt flowers and other such deliciousness. Queen & Co. has recently released a line of embellishments which coordinate with colour families from Core'dinations. It makes scrappin' that much easier!

Here's what I cooked up:

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Vintage Ruby and Black Magic Abracadabra), Jillibean Soup kraft paper and twine, Queen & Co. chipboard and brads, Technique Tuesday stamp, Tsukineko ink, Creative Memories oval cutting system, Sizzix embossing folder and embossing machine, other: pin and darning needle.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Black Magic and WhiteWash), Jillibean Soup kraft paper, Queen & Co. chipboard, rocs, and felt flower, Maya Road trinket pin, Glue Dots, Helmar layering tape, Technique Tuesday stamp, Tsukineko ink, Sizzix embossing butterfly die, embossing folder (sanded over top in corners) and embossing tool, Making Memories sanding block, Creative Memories oval cutter, other: pin.

Boo to you...and me

Today, over on the Jillibean Soup blog, this project of mine is posted using the new Monster Stew collection. Lately I have been burning through googlie eyes. Thank goodness I have located a good (a.k.a. cheap) source for them at Zellers. They come in a package with three sizes and they are adhesive backed.

Supplies: Jillibean Soup patterned paper, journaling sprout and cardstock letter stickers, Helmar layering tape, other: black kraft gift bag, googlie eyes, sewing machine and thread.

Today Craig and I are celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary....which is somewhat scary in itself. Fourteen years? Whoa. It's amazing how time flies. Here's the card that I gave him this morning along with a gift certificate for a new fitness centre in Woodstock.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup kraft paper, corrugated alphas and twine, Sizzix embossing folder, Fiskars "Everywhere Punch" (squares), Glue Arts layering tape and adhesive, Stampin' Up heart punch, Making Memories sanding block and We R' Memory Keepers Crop-a-Dile.

Ema is six...whoa...six

When did that happen?

All of a sudden my little girl is six. Ready for grade one. Kind. Sweet. Creative.

Yesterday was her party but today is her actual birthday. Little does she know that tonight she will be seeing Justin Bieber in concert in London, ON...floor seats none the less. I am planning on picking up some ear plugs for us both since there is a high chance of screaming girls.

Here is a photo of her "Mermaid Party" table just before the guests arrived. Note the self-trimmed bangs which she lopped off at the end of June. Sadly they aren't growing as fast as I would like.

Supplies for "Sebastian" Place Holders: Core'dinations cardstock (Poinsettia red), Fiskars circle punch, Glue Dots, other: googlie eyes, pipecleaner, deckle edge scissors, and red plastic bowls.

And a birthday would not be complete without a birthday card that took me about an hour to make.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup kraft paper and corrugated number, My Mind's Eye patterned paper and diecuts, Fiskars "Everywhere Punch" (scalloped circle), Creative Memories circle cutter, Spellbinders butterfly die, Marvy butterfly punch, Queen & Co. pearl gems, Making Memories sanding block, Prima flowers, Maya Road trinket pins, Glue Arts layering tape and adhesives, Glue Dots (to adhere flowers to pins), other: sewing machine and thread.

Summer with a pool...

...rocks!

This past summer has been hot as heck and it's the first summer of my life where I have had a pool. As a child my parents would always buy me one of those plastic ones that held about 8 inches of water.

Another advantage to having a pool is spending lots of time with friends. Here's a layout that I made of our friend, Matt, his kids and our kids in our pool. Matt has mad cannonball and kid-tossing skills!

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup patterned paper, corrugated alphas, Cool Bean buttons, twine and journaling sprout, Making Memories letter stickers, Stampin' Up! stamps (fish), Tsukineko ink (VersaFine), Glue Dots, Helmar layering tape, Xyron Sticker Maker (to adhere "flying"), Cricut/Provo Craft Opposities Attract cartridge, other: sewing machine and thread.

A couple of friendship cards

Jillibean Soup just came out with a new collection called Pasta Fagioli. It comes with the cutest journaling sprout collection as well. Slap them together and you've got some quick and easy cards.

Have a great week!

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Vintage Ruby), Jillibean Soup patterned paper, journaling sprout and kraft card bases, Stampin' Up heart punch, We R' Memory Keepers Crop-a-Dile (for small holes), Maya Road trinket pin, Glue Dots, Helmar layering tape, other: sewing machine and thread.

New Jillibean Soup goodness

At summer CHA Jillibean Soup came out with a new line called Atomic Soup. It has a science based theme and offers up some awesome patterned papers, journaling sprouts, cardstock stickers, and coordinates with many of the previously released Jillibean Soup products. If you want to see all the new products that were released at CHA they are now all available for viewing on the Jillibean Soup website.

Here's a layout that I cooked up of Matthew's first day of grade three from last school year. My friend Amy Beattie took the photos of him that morning as I had to work.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Core Impressions - Jillibean Soup Collection), Jillibean Soup kraft paper, printed paper, journaling sprouts, corrugated alphas, Making Memories sanding block, Stampin' Up binder punch, Helmar layering tape, Font: Mason. Photos taken by Amy Beattie.

Friggin' cutest puppy ever!

I seriously can't take it.

She's gotta be one of the cutest puppies I have ever known.

Once she makes it through the night without waking us up I will think she is ever cuter.

She even makes the weeds growing in my garden look good. Dang. That's cute.

Do your kids need a "Get out of jail free" card?

For many folks in the States, it's time for back to school. Here in Ontario we don't go back until September 7. My husband and I are both teachers so September 7 seems to be rapidly approaching.

Here's a great little "Get out of jail free" present for the beginning of the year...or when you deem appropriate...for your child's teacher. The apple is made from a template that I found at The Digichick.com. Here's the link to the template: Perfect Pumpkin Template

The card was made from part of a sheet of Core Impressions from the Cosmo Cricket Neutrals Collection.

This apple and card were featured in the Core'dinations' booth at summer CHA.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Core Impressions and Vintage), Jillibean Soup Cool Bean button and twines, EK Success leaf punch, SRM sticker, Helmar layering tape, Glue Dots, 3M Quick Dry glue, Making Memories sanding block, "Perfect Pumpkin Template" by Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs - available at www.thedigichick.com.

Need a make and take?

Summer CHA provided us Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock fans with a new collection of Core Impressions by Stacy Julian. The collection features a bulk pack (20 sheets) of Happy Colours. Six of the sheets from the collection have been made into single sheet packages for stores as well (20 sheets per package). The bookmark below features the yellow pre-embossed sheet. Each single sheet comes with text boxes which are identical so this make and take is very cost effective for store owners who want to promote Core'dinations in their stores or at an event. Feel free to use this bookmark as a template if you are a store owner looking for a technique-rich card.

Core'dinations Ingredients:
- Stacy Julian yellow embossed paper (9 bookmarks per sheet)
- 2 3/4" x 4 1/4" piece of Snowflake white cardstock
- 3" x 6" piece of Marine blue cardstock (8 per sheet)
- two half-punched flowers (two sizes) from Cottage Porch Whitewash cardstock (EK Success punches used)
- one scalloped circle from Danelion yellow cardstock (EK Success punch used)
- one circle from Autumn Vintage cardstock (EK Success punch used)
- one punched butterfly from Ruby Vintage cardstock (Marvy embossing punch used)
- one punched small heart from Ruby Vintage cardstock (EK Success punched used)

Also needed:
- sanding block or sand paper
- adhesives
- layering tape (for behind butterfly wings and small cloud)

Steps:

1. Trim pre-embossed text box to measure 2 1/2" x 4". Sand text to reveal coordinating coloured core.

2. Sand edge of clouds, butterfly, and edge of Danelion yellow circle.

3. Assemble as shown above, being sure to adhere layering tape behind small cloud and butterfly wings. Fold up wings gently to prevent bookmark from falling into the book.

Enjoy!

Ema's new room

Today's posting features Ema's new room. She is turning six soon so we needed to think about adding a desk to her room and adding some more storage as well. Our friend Jason is an excellent carpenter and did all of the constructing. Here he is in the "before" room:

After Jason finished my mom and dad came over and helped us with the painting. The room still needs a few more touches (like a door knob for example) but you get the general idea. Ema loves how it all turned out!

Paint colours: Benjamin Moore - Chippendale Rosetone, Cloud White.

More CHA stuff

Well, here's the rest of the CHA stuff that I can share at this point. Some of my other projects are not able to be posted at this time.

I ran out of time today to take a photo of my Stacy Julian Collection bookmark. We spent the day finishing Ema's room (painting mostly).

Check back tomorrow for the make and take bookmark.

The mini-album below features the new accordian 4" square kraft mini-album by Jillibean Soup. I adhered the mini-album inside two large kraft tags and bound it with some Cool Bean buttons. Fun...and very easy to make.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Core Impressions - Jillibean Soup Collection and Essentials), Jillibean Soup *NEW* printed kraft, *NEW* kraft mini-album, *NEW* Journaling Sprouts, Cool Bean buttons, twine, cardstock stickers and *NEW* corrugated stars, EK Success journaling pen, Helmar layering tape, Glue Dots, other: sewing machine and thread.

Cards from CHA

Here are some of the cards that I made for Jillibean Soup for CHA. They feature the new Christmas Chestnut Soup Journaling Sprouts...24 in a package...all awesome! Just the right touch for Christmas cards, I am thinking.


Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Cherry Cordial Chocolate Box and Snowflake white), Jillibean Soup journaling sprouts, kraft paper, twine, and cardstock stickers, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Xyron Sticker Maker (to adhere diecut words), Helmar layering tape, Quickutz diecut ("merry" and "jolly"), other: sewing machine and thread.

Stacy Julian Core Impressions...did you see this???

Happy Colours Collection.

Loving it!

Check back on Wednesday for a project that I designed using one of the papers from this collection. It's a rockin' Make and Take for stores as well...;0)

CHA projects...finally!

Alrighty, now that CHA is over I can finally post some of the projects that I made for both the Jillibean Soup and Core'dinations' booths. Later this week I am going to try and get some scrapping done with the new Core'dinations Core Impressions cardstock that I got (Graphic 45 Collection and Stacy Julian Collection).
Today's post will be the layouts...tomorrow will be the cards and Wednesday will be all the "other" stuff I created. Enjoy!

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Core Impressions - Cosmo Cricket Collections and Essentials), Quickutz letter dies, Sizzix diecutting machine, Helmar layering tape, We R' Memory Keepers Crop-a-Dile hole punch, Making Memories sanding block, Font: Mason.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Black Magic), Jillibean Soup patterned paper, cardstock sticker, Cool Bean buttons, twine, felts leaves, corrugated alphas, and journaling sprout, Helmar layering tape, Glue Dots, Making Memories sanding block, Stampin' Up binder punch, Font: Mason, other: googlie eyes.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Core Amore and Essentials), Basic Grey chipboard letters, Quickutz die cut letters, Sizzix die cutting machine, Helmar layering tape, Creative Charms bling, Making Memories sanding block.

I thought I would end with a cutie pie photo of Sorella as well!!!

Friggin' cute puppy pics!

The past few days have been just a tad busy.

I arrived home from Chicago (CHA) on Thursday night at about 11pm. CHA was a blast and I wish I had a bunch of photos but the Core'dinations' booth was so busy that I didn't have time to even get my camera out.

On Friday morning we drove four hours (there and back) to pick up our brand new puppy, Sorella. She is just about 7 weeks old and has already been keeping us up through the night like a brand new baby.

Here she is ready to head for home from the breeder's:

Here she is in the arms of her new daddy:

And here she is in our backyard...trying to hide in the grass that needs cutting:

And, finally, Sorella sleeping beside Ema's little house in the backyard: