Happy Father's Day!

In light of the fact that my dad is a sailor AND I haven't quite got around to putting away my Fiskars' Boundary Waters punch, here is my Father's Day card for my dear old dad. This year he is celebrating his 38th Father's Day.

Wanna see another project made with this same border punch and Core'dinations' ColorCore Essentials cardstock? Check it out here on the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (WhiteWash and Core Essentials) and Sand-It Gadget tool, Jilllibean Soup kraft card base, My Mind's Eye patterned paper, Jenni Bowlin Studios number stickers, Stampin' Up! stamp, EK Success flower punches (for clouds) and black marker, Fiskars Boundary Waters border punch, American Crafts layering tape, Tsukineko ink, sailboat colouring book image found on-line at: http://cusoon.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/sailboat.gif

Core'dinations giveaway!

Today, over on the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog, I have this card featured as part of 3T Tuesday - Tips, Tricks and Techniques. It's an invitation that I designed for a friend for her son's water park birthday party this summer.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock and Sand-It Gadget tool, Fiskars border punch, Cuttlebug embossing folder, Stampin' Up! circle and scalloped circle punches, Quickutz dies (shovel, pail), American Crafts layering tape, Uniball black pen, Font: Another Typewriter, other: white card base.

If you would like to have a play with some Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock and their new Sand-It Gadget tool, leave me a comment by 9pm EST on Friday, June 3, 2011. In your comment be sure to let me know which border punch is your fave in your stash. International folks are welcome!

Happy NSD! Big news...projects and more!

Morning! Sorry I have been MIA lately but our house has been under construction for the past three weeks and we finally wrapped up last night.

First up, the new design team for Core'dinations' ColorCore Cardstock was announced this morning. Here's the line up:

Andrea Amu

April Derrick

Char Dobson

Leica Forrest

Lydia Jackson

Kim Jeffress

Brianne Nevill

Melissa Oliveira

Debbie Standard

Shaunte Wadley
Sarah Hodgkinson, DT Core’dinator
Ellen Sosnoski, Blog Core’dinator

Core Teachers:

Vicki Boutin

Cari Locken

Kimber McGray

For more exciting Core'dinations' news, be sure to follow the link above to their blog.

Next on my blogging list today is an announcement from Scrapbook & Cards Today.

Also, on the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog, you will find these two projects of mine in honour of National Scrapbooking Day...which is today.
Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock and Sand-It Gadget tool, Jillibean Soup kraft paper, My Mind's Eye patterned paper, ribbon, diecut and dimensional sticker, Maya Road chipboard butterfly and trinket pin, Stampin' Up! embossing butterflies die and binder punch, EK Success border punch, Xyron Creatopia (to adhere ribbon), Helmar layering tape, Deco Art paint, other: sewing machine and thread. This layout is based on a PageMap's sketch from by spring 2011 issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today.
Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock and Sand-It Gadget tool, Jillibean Soup kraft card base, My Mind's Eye patterned paper and ribbon, Fiskars grass border punch, Stampin' Up! binder punch, EK Success flower punches (for clouds), Maya Road chipboard and trinket pin, Helmar layering tape, Hero Arts stamp, Tsukineko ink, other: sewing machine and thread. This card is based on a sketch from the CardMaps Today issue.

Sorry for your loss...

These are always the hard cards to make.

Here's one that I recently made for a friend who lost her dog.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock and Sand-It Gadget tool, Jillibean Soup kraft cardstock base, My Mind's Eye patterned paper, Hero Arts stamp, Tsukineko ink (VersaFine), Fiskars heart punch and grass border punch, and Helmar layering tape.

Technique Tuesday

It's time for another 3T Tuesday with me over at the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog. If you head over there today you can check out my little trick to making these Core'dinations/WhiteWash clouds - it's my go-to method for little clouds on cards and layouts.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock and Sand-It Gadget tool, Jillibean Soup kraft card base and twine, My Mind's Eye patterned paper, Fiskars heart punch and grass border punch, EK Success flower punches (for clouds), Creative Impressions mini-clothes pegs, Helmar layering tape, Cricut cartridge ("New Arrival"), Melissa Frances rubon.
Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock and Sand-It Gadget tool, Jillibean Soup twine, My Mind's Eye patterned papers, Maya Road chipboard tag and wooden bingo motif, Martha Stewart butterfly and cornflower punch, Fiskars grass border punch, EK Success flower punches (for clouds), Uniball pen, Hero Arts stamp, Tsukineko ink (VersaFine).

Happy Easter!

Here's a quick card that I made this morning. I recently bought a bunch of baker's twine through The Twinery. They had an awesome 8-pack of twines in a variety of colours which of course I had to have. I discovered, while making this card, that:

• baker's twine is best "finished off" by knotting the ends in order to prevent fraying.


• to break up the spirling of colours, add a coordinating brad to the center of a bow by splitting it open and wrapping it around the core of the bow.

I hope you had a great Easter weekend with your family and friends.Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Core Impressions - Basic Grey Collection and Snowflake white) and Sand-it Gadget tool, Jillibean Soup kraft card base, We R' Memory Keepers patterned paper, The Twinery baker's twine, Queen & Co. brad, Fiskars layering tape, other: sewing machine and thread.

Spring?

It is currently snowing outside.

I am really starting to doubt whether or not spring has really arrived.

I made this layout which appeared on the Jillibean Soup blog last week.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Grass Greens), Jillibean Soup patterned paper, kraft paper, Journaling Sprout, corrugated shapes, Bean Blossoms (buttons with twine), twine, and ribbon, Xyron Creatopia (to apply adhesive to the ribbon and deckle cutting blade for grass), 3L kraft photo corner, Font: Mason, other: sewing machine and thread.

Jenni Bowlin card action

There is always something fun going on over at the Core'dinations' blog. Giveaways, blog hops, techniques and tons of inspiration. Last week featured Jenni Bowlin Core Impressions. There were layouts, cards and even a mini-album. Here's a card that I made. It's based on a sketch from the new CardMaps Today issue put out by Becky Fleck (PageMaps) and Scrapbook & Cards Today. Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Jenni Bowlin Core Impressions) and Sand-It Gadget tool, Jenni Bowlin patterned paper and rubon, Jillibean Soup kraft paper and corrugated shapes, Marvy scalloped punch, Stampin' Up! label punch, Fiskars layering tape, other: sewing machine and thread. This card is based on a sketch from CardMaps Today. If you are attending CreativFestival this weekend you can pick up a copy of the new CardMaps Today issue at the Scrapbook & Cards Today booth. Hope to see you there on Saturday when I will be offering make and takes at 10:30am, 1:30pm and 3:30pm for Scrapbook & Cards Today.

A card, a layout and a statement

Today this card went up on the Jillibean Soup blog...
Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup patterned paper, kraft paper and diecuts, ProvoCraft/Cricut cartridge (Hoot 'n' Holler) and Cricut machine, Fiskars layering tape, other: sewing machine and thread.

Last week this layout went up on the Jillibean Soup blog... Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Core Impressions - Jillibean Soup Collection) and Sand-It Gadget tool, Jillibean Soup patterned paper, diecuts and kraft alpha stickers, K & Company chipboard, We R' Memory Keepers Corner Chomper, 3L kraft photo corner, other: sewing machine and thread. This layout is based on a bonus PageMaps sketch by Becky Fleck in the spring issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today.

Finally, I must say, this past weekend's ScrapFest in Kitchener, ON, was perhaps the best one yet! I have been to a lot of ScrapFests over the past years and this one proved to have the best make and takes on the VIP night and the Saturday, the best dressed booths, and an energy that was great to see after all my years of scrappin'. My class on the Saturday night from 5:30pm until 7:30pm was a delight to teach and I look forward to hearing from those that took my class with final images of their layouts once they've added their photos. Git 'er done, girls. ;0

I am really looking forward to this upcoming weekend at CreativFestival in Toronto, ON. Be sure to drop by the Scrapbook & Cards Today booth to say, "Hi!" if you are planning on going.

Happy birthday, Scrapbook & Cards Today!

Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine just turned 5! This past summer, when my son turned 9, we celebrated with a LEGO party and I made a little (2 1/2" x 5") mini-album to mark the occasion. Here's a little peek at the cover but you really should check out the whole album by heading over to the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog. Really. You should. Go there now. ;0) Supplies: Jillibean Soup patterned paper, cardstock stickers, diecuts, and journaling sprouts, Helmar 450 glue, Fiskars paper crimper and layering tape, We R' Memory Keepers Crop-a-Dile and Corner Chomper, Glue Dots, other: 1" binder rings, and pins.

The spring issue has sprung up!

The spring issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today went up today on-line and is also available at your local scrapbooking store. It's free and you can download a copy of it by clicking here.

Inside the issue, on page 6, you will find my version of the cover layout. It features the new Blossom Soup line by Jillibean Soup, some Core'dinations cardstock, and some painted Maya Road chipboard for the title.

Even though it's currently -8 degrees Celsius outside....Happy Spring!

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup patterned paper, Sugar Pick butterfly pin, and corrugated clouds, Maya Road chipboard letters, Making Memories paint, October Afternoon journaling stickers, Sizzix border strip dies, Fiskars layering tape, Font: EditorCndn, other: deckle edge scissors. Photo by Marla Kress.

Love you snow much

Today, over on the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog, I have a tutorial on how to make a God's eye out of Jillibean Soup Sugar Picks (pins) and a pleated kraft paper border, just like I made on my "Snow Day" layout below. Here's the "Love You Snow Much" card that I made to accompany these techniques:

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Chocolate Box and Core Impressions - Jillibean Soup Collection) and Sand-It Gadget tool, Jillibean Soup printed kraft paper, Sugar Picks and kraft paper, Fiskars heart punches and layering tape, Quickutz letter dies, DMC embroidery thread, We R' Memory Keepers Corner Chomper, other: sewing machine and thread.

Little Miss Sunshine

Not only one of my most favourite movies of all time but also a new favourite layout of mine. This layout features my own little sunny girl, Ema. It also features the new Blossom Soup collection by Jillibean Soup AND Core'dinations cardstock.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Essentials), Jillibean Soup kraft paper, patterned paper, corrugated shapes, corrugated alphas and cardstock border and letter stickers, Stampin' Up! binder punch, ProvoCraft/Cuttlebug paper quilling dies, Glue Dots, Technique Tuesday stamps, Tsukineko ink and Fiskars layering tape. This layout is based on a sketch from the Scrapbook & Cards Today/PageMaps 2011 calendar.

The Core'dinations cardstock works perfectly with the paper flower quilling dies by ProvoCraft/Cuttlebug.
Note: These flowers are made with the "Daisy" quilling kit by ProvoCraft/Cuttlebug and some Glue Dots.

36 quick and easy Valentines....done!

This year, in order to save a little bit of time, I used PrintMaster Gold to create some quick and easy Valentines for Ema to give to her friends and teachers.

PrintMaster Gold is a program that a dear friend bought for me when I finished teacher's college....some 15 years ago. It offers templates for calendars, newsletters, brochures, letterhead, and, in this case, business cards. I used the "Business Card" feature to create 10 Valentines per sheet of 8 1/2 x 11" kraft paper. The finished size is then 2" x 3 1/2" and I punched a hole in the top left corner in order to string the ribbon through. Ema punched two "funky" Fiskars hearts out of Core'dinations Snowflake white cardstock and Jenni Bowlin Poinsettia Posies Core Impressions cardstock.

I then loaded each organza bag with three Hersey Kisses. The organza bags were 12 for $1.39 at my local Len's Mills store.

And....done!

P.S. Ema included an "X" and "O" after her name. So, no, I haven't got a daughter named Emaxo. ;0)

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstocks and Sand-It Gadget tool, Jillibean Soup kraft paper, Fiskars funky heart punches and layering tape, We R' Memory Keepers Crop-a-Dile hole punch, PrintMaster Gold business card program, Wilton organza sachets, EK Success black marker, Font: Mason, other: Hersey Kisses (3 per bag).

Snow, snow, snow

Here's a design team project of mine for Jillibean Soup this month. So far this school year our kids have missed four days due to snow. This layout is based on photos that I took on our first Snow Day back in December 2010.
Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Core Impressions - Jillibean Soup Collection), Bazzill cardstock (white), Jillibean Soup patterned paper, kraft paper, cardstock stickers, Sugar Picks pins, corrugated alphas, Fiskars heart punch and layering tape, Quickutz letter dies (DAY), Stampin' Up! binder punch, DMC embroidery thread, Glue Dots, Font: Mason, other: sewing machine and thread.

And, yes, that's an old school God's Eye that I made for the snowflake. I used 6 Sugar Picks pins by Jillibean Soup as the base.

Jillibean Soup CHA Show & Share

Didn't you just love your Show & Share day at school when you were a kid?

I did.

I'd brush up some poor Barbie's hair, put her in a cute little outfit and ram her into my backpack all the whilte thinking I was the only one in the world that had that particular Barbie.

Well, although there are several Jillibean Soup design team members who worked on the new lines being released at winter CHA (and you can find a list of them on the Jillibean Soup blog), I was assigned the job of creating a layout using the new "Spotted Owl Soup" collection.

Supplies: Jillibean Soup patterned paper, corrugated shapes, cardstock letter stickers and cardstock stickers, Fiskars layering tape, Font: Mason, other: googlie eye, sewing machine and thread.

I also made two cards. The first one uses the new "Dutch Mustard Soup" collection:Supplies: Jillibean Soup patterned paper, corrugated shapes, corrugated alphas/numbers, cardstock stickers, and kraft paper, Marvy scalloped circle punch, Fiskars layering tape, other: sewing machine and thread.

Finally, here's a card I made with the new "Chilled Strawberry Soup" line:Supplies: Jillibean Soup patterned kraft paper, cardstock letter stickers and border sticker, corrugated alphas, kraft paper and twine and Fiskars layering tape.

Now, keep in mind, this is just the tip of the iceberg of all the new products being released by Jillibean Soup. For a complete viewing, please visit the Jillibean Soup blog and start scrolling.

Another CHA-bound project

I should be clear about this.

My cutting and pasting is CHA-bound. Not me.

Here's a card that I made for the Core'dinations' booth. It uses Core Essentials cardstock which is their original line of cardstock. Each Core Essentials colour is part of a colour family for easy matching. Each color family has 4 Core Essentials ranging from light to dark. No white core...just a delicious matching core.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup twine, Pebbles Inc. rubon, ProvoCraft/Cuttlebug paper quilling flower die, Glue Dots, Fiskars layering tape, and EK Success black marker. This card is based on a bonus sketch in the 2011 Scrapbook & Cards Today/PageMaps calendar.

Scrapbook and Cards Today tutorial day - Whee!

Today, over on the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog, you will find my tutorial using the new Core Impressions Collection that Core'dinations is releasing at winter CHA. Be sure to drop by and check out the tricks and tips I share to make this card:

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Sand It Gadget tool, and Dust Buddy, Basic Grey patterned paper, cardstock stickers and letter stickers, Jillibean Soup kraft paper, Spellbinders dragonfly die, Fiskars layering tape, other: sewing machine and thread.

Basic Grey meets Core'dinations....YUM!

Today, over on the Core'dinations' blog, they are featuring one of the two new Basic Grey Core Impressions Collections that they are releasing at winter CHA. Here's the collection:

The other night I was able to play with a few papers from this collection and came up with this layout of Ema and her little friend, Charlotte. I also got to use the new Sand It Gadget tool that Core'dinations has made for sanding their cardstock. It comes with replacement pads so it keeps your cost down in the long run. Love that!

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock and Sand It Gadget tool, Basic Grey patterned paper and embellishments, Stampin' Up binder punch, Fiskars layering tape, other: sewing machine and thread.

If you'd like to win one of the new Core Impressions Collection packs, be sure to scroll down for my posting on how to win. You have until Friday, January 21, 2011, to be in to win!

Also, check back with me on Tuesday, January 25, 2011, when I will be featuring another project using the new Core Impressions lines. It's something special that I am cooking up for Tips and Technique Tuesdays for Scrapbook & Cards Today.

Core'dinations card...and Christmas giveaway!

Alright, if you haven't been there yet or even if you have, check out the Core'dinations blog today, tomorrow and Friday for the last three days of their 12 Days of Christmas giveaway. They are giving away a prize every day...every day! They are also showing some pretty great techniques using Core'dinations cardstock. Prepare to be inspired!

Today I have a card that I made using my wavy Fiskars' paper crimper. Yeah, baby...old school! Put that together with WhiteWash cardstock (Cellar Door in this case) by Core'dinations and you've got yourself a pretty sweet wintery snowscape (snowscape...it that a real word?).

Enjoy!

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Snowflake Core Essentials, Cellar Door WhiteWash and Ruby Vintage), Fiskars wavy paper crimper, Stampin' Up!/Sizzix snowflake border die, Pebbles Inc. rubon, Helmar layering tape, Making Memories sanding block, other: sewing machine and thread.