Here we come, 2011

We hope that 2011 will be kind to us.

We hope that 2011 will be kind to our family and friends.

We hope that 2011 will offer up good health, happiness and time to enjoy them.

Happy New Year to all!

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Snowflake white), Jillibean Soup kraft paper, printed paper, journaling sprouts, canvas stars, twine and corrugated alphas, Queen & Co. pearls, Sizzix/Stampin' Up! snowflake border die, Helmar layering tape, other: sewing machine and thread.

Boxing Day box...get it? Boxing Day? Box?

Yeah. I know. It's corny.

Here's a festive box that I made for our front hallway table. Inside the box is a dollar store LED closet light. It does not produce any heat so it beats a tea light in this case.

If you would like detailed instructions on how to make this little beauty, be sure to drop by the Core'dinations blog.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Abracadabra Black Magic), Maya Road chipboard houses and rubons, Sizzix/Basic Grey embossing folder, Uniball white pen, Helmar layering tape, Making Memories sanding block and paint, Michael's kraft take out box, other: LED closet light and vellum.

Last minute Christmas tag idea, anyone?

Here's a Christmas tag that I made using some leftover bits from sheets of corrugated alphas by Jillibean Soup. I love corrugated alphas...a lot. Here's the sets that you'll need...tell Santa!



I used the pop outs from two "e"s for Rudolph's teeth, and a pop out oval for his nose and additional little circles for the holly berries.
I then used this FREE dingbat for the head but had to add in his neck and lower jaw with a black marker.
Cute, ain't he?

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (French Roast brown), Jillibean Soup kraft paper, printed paper, corrugated alphas and twine, Helmar layering tape, EK Success letter stamps, Tsukineko ink, Quickutz holly die, Sizzix branch die (for antlers), We R' Memory Keepers Crop-a-Dile (hole punch), Font: Mason, Dingbat: Beestings, other: black marker.

Head's up, Buttercup! Over on the Jillibean Soup blog today, Jill posted a bit of a teaser for the new winter CHA release. Mmmm....

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.

O' Christmas card, O' Christmas card...

...how lovely that you're finished!

This year I sent out 85+ Christmas cards. I ended up with two versions as I ran out of supplies for card #1. The cards were designed to fit in a #10 business envelope (4 1/8" x 9 1/2"). I found 100 of those envelopes at my local Len's Mills store for under $7 and they looked a lot like kraft paper. I would strongly suggest investing in an address stamp. Last year I had one made at a UPS store here in Woodstock for about $30. It's saves A LOT of handwriting and, the fact that it's self-inking, means I will have it for many, many more years to come.

Reminder: If you haven't checked out the giveaways over on the Core'dinations blog you should go there now!

Version #1 Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Core Impressions - Jillibean Soup and Vintage), Jillibean Soup kraft paper, printed paper, corrugated shape, and twine, Unity Stamp Co. stamp (Jillibean Soup collection), Fiskars border punch, Tsukineko ink, EK Success perforator (to create ink stitches), Making Memories sanding block, We R' Memory Keepers Crop-a-Dile (hole punch) and Helmar layering tape.

Version #2 Supplies: Jillibean Soup kraft paper and printed paper, Unity Stamp Company stamps (Jillibean Soup Collection), Tsukineko ink, other: sewing machine and thread.

Inside Supplies: Jillibean Soup kraft paper and Font: Mason.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Alright, it's not really a chicken dinner but the "Random Number Generator" thingy gave me this result from the Scrapbook & Cards Today/PageMaps calendar contest:

True Random Number Generator
Result: 1

That makes the winner:
Denise said...
How cool that you are in it. That's huge! I'd love to one! PageMaps rocks! My wish list is new markers. Mine are pretty old and I could use some new ones.
December 3, 2010 8:17 AM

Denise, please drop me a quick email (thehodgees@yahoo.ca) with your mailing address ASAP.

A perfect pet gift

Looking for a quick and easy present for that furry four-legged friend in your family? Check out my step-by-step instructions on the Jillibean Soup blog today (Tuesday, December 14) on how to make your own designer Jillibean Soup leash and collar.

Supplies: Jillibean Soup printed twill, canvas flower, Cool Bean button, and twine, other: nylon webbing, leash and collar hardware, sewing machine and thread.

Also, if you haven't yet, be sure to drop by the Core'dinations blog this week. AMAZING giveaways each day!!!

Rockin' Christmas card

Just a quick reminder to drop by the Core'dinations blog ASAP! You may still be able to catch the tail end of the Graphic 45/Core'dinations blog hop AND you will find out about something exciting starting on Monday, December 13 on the Core'dinations blog. Run...don't walk!
Here's a card that I made using some Graphic 45 papers and the new Graphic 45 Core Impressions Collection by Core'dinations:

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Core Impressions - Graphic 45 Collection), Graphic 45 patterned paper, Jillibean Soup kraft paper, Quickutz diecut fashion doll, Tsukineko ink, My Sentiments Exactly stamp, Making Memories sanding block, other: sewing machine and thread.

Lots o' layouts

Morning!

Today I have two layouts that I can now share. The first is of my husband and his "bucket list". The second is of our new dog, Sorella. She is the August layout in the new Scrapbook & Cards Today/PageMaps 2011 calendar. If you'd like to win a free copy of this calendar (filled with great sketches and amazing layouts) be sure to check out my posting on December 3.

Have a great weekend! My Christmas cards are just about done (only 82 this year) and I will be posting them soon.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Jillibean Soup - Core Impressions), Jillibean Soup patterned paper, kraft paper, cardstock stickers, cardstock letter stickers, Stampin' Up! binder punch, Making Memories sanding block, Helmar layering tape, Font: Impact, other: sewing machine and thread.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup patterned paper, Sugar Picks pins, corrugated alphas, cardstock stickers, Journaling Sprouts, kraft paper, Hero Arts stamp, Tsukineko ink (VersaMark), Helmar layering tape, Stampin' Up! border punch, Creative Memories circle cutter, Making Memories sanding block, Font: Mason.

SCT winter issue - and giveaway reminder

I forgot to mention this morning that the winter 2010 issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today got released today. It is available at your local scrapbooking store or on-line for free!
Here's some projects of mine that appear in the winter issue:

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup kraft paper and printed grid paper, Fiskars Everywhere Punch (circle) and bird punch, Sizzix branch die, We R' Memory Keepers Corner Chomper, Uniball white pen, Helmar layering tape and Making Memories sanding block.

This layout of mine was also published in the winter issue as a reminder of the next issue...SPRING 2011! I love the idea of looking forward to spring at this point of the year.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup corrugated alphas, Technique Tuesday stamps, Martha Stewart butterfly punch, Tsukineko ink, Helmar layering tape and Making Memories sanding block.

If you scroll down you will also find that I am offering a giveaway of the 2011 SCT/PageMaps calendar.

SCT - PageMaps Calendar GIVEAWAY!

The 2011 SCT-PageMaps Sketch Calendar is here! I am very honoured to have been asked to be a part of this calendar. I created the August layout, based on a PageMaps sketch, using Jillibean Soup and Core'dinations cardstock. Be sure to read to the end of this posting to find out how you can win a copy of this calendar by Friday, December 17th.

From the beautiful design to the stunning artwork, from the techniques to the bonus sketches, from the sponsors that provided the designers with great product to the wonderful practicality of the calendar itself—SCT and PageMaps are thrilled to share it with you! This limited edition calendar will be on your bookshelf long after 2011 has come and gone with its 26 never-before-seen PageMaps sketches that will keep you inspired for some time (including CardMaps, too!). This calendar makes a great gift, too! Order by December 14th to ensure your copies arrive in time for gift giving.
And the best part? A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the 2011 SCT-PageMaps Sketch Calendar will be donated to both Canadian and American breast cancer research charities!

Wanna win a copy of this great calendar?
Simply leave your answer to the question below on this blog posting before 12pm EST on Friday, December 17th and you are in to win!
Question: What's on your scrapbooking/cardmaking wish list for this festive season?

Core'dinations meets Graphic 45

Be sure to mark your calendar. Core'dinations and Graphic 45 have teamed up to bring you some pretty awesome projects from December 6-10, 2010.

Simple festive card set

Morning!
Sorry I have been missing in action for the past few weeks. I needed some time to recover from the rush of October...but it turns out that November is proving to be just as busy.
Today, over on the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog, I have posted the step-by-step instructions on how to make these 8 (yep, 8!) cards. I used two of my most favourite companies - Core'dinations and Jillibean Soup. Not surprised, are you?

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Core Impressions - Jillibean Soup Collection and Core Essentials), Jillibean Soup journaling sprouts, kraft cards and twine, Maya Road chipboard houses, Making Memories paint (Evergreen) and sanding block, Helmar layering tape and We R' Memory Keepers Corner Chomper and Crop-a-Dile. For complete instructions, visit the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog (Tuesday, November 23, 2010).

Woof! (That's puppy talk for "I love Jillibean Soup!"

On Friday, over on the Jillibean Soup blog, this project of mine was posted. Be sure to check back on December 13, 2010, on the Jillibean Soup blog when I post step-by-step instructions on how to make your own collar and leash for your pet.
Supplies: Jillibean Soup canvas flowers, polka dot ribbon, red twine, Elan slide release buckle, slide/strap adjuster, swivel snap hook, d-ring, Kenmore sewing machine, Gutermann invisible thread, Coats & Clark thread, Klasse denim needle, other: nylon webbing, large darning needle.

Boo to you!

Here's a card that I made using some Jillibean Soup Monster Stew papers and letters stickers, and some delicious Core'dinations!

Have a spook-tacular day (Yeah. Corny. I know.)

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Core Impressions - Jillibean Soup), Jillibean Soup printed paper, kraft paper, cardstock stickers, and twine, Cuttlebug/ProvoCraft diecuts and embossing folder, Making Memories sanding block, Glue Arts layering tape, other: googlie eyes.

Cards, cards and more cards

CreativFestival is just around the corner and I am packing up all my class kits and make and takes this week. I hope to see some of you there!

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Core Impressions and Essentials), Jillibean Soup kraft paper and twine, Scenic Route grid paper, Hot Off the Press bird template, Pebbles Inc. rubon, Stampin' Up! leaf punch, Making Memories sanding block, Queen & Co. black pearl, We R' Memory Keepers Corner Chomper, Helmar layering tape, and Creative Memories circle cutter.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Vintage and Essentials), Jillibean Soup printed paper, kraft paper and cardstock stickers, Fiskars Everywhere Punch and circle punch, Stampin' Up! heart punch, Maya Road trinket pin, Glue Dot and Helmar layering tape.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Vintage), Jillibean Soup patterned paper and kraft paper, Tsukineko ink (VersaFine), Stampin' Up! heart punch and stamp, Sizzix embossing plate, EK Success marker and perforator (to created inked stitch lines), Maya Road trinket pin, We R' Memory Keepers Crop-a-Dile (hole punch) and Helmar layering tape.

Back from ScrapFest and off to CreativFestival

This past weekend I was in Oshawa, ON, at ScrapFest and next weekend (Saturday) I will be in Toronto, ON, for the CreativFestival. Scrapbook and Cards Today magazine asked me several months ago for some projects that I could teach and I can never say "No" to Catherine. I had a great time at ScrapFest and thoroughly enjoyed teaching two full make and take classes. A special shout out to the ladies from New Liskeard, ON! There was a group of them that had driven 6 hours at attend the event and they came to both of my make and takes first thing in the morning. I will look forward to meeting up with them again next summer when we travel up to New Liskeard for my Uncle Emmerson's memorial service.

Next weekend you can find me doing more make and takes in Toronto, ON, and a class. Sadly the class is sold out but I still believe there are spots available in the "Paper Playground" event on Saturday (make and takes).

Here are some images from the classes and make and takes that I will be teaching:

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Core Impressions, Vintage, WhiteWash, and Essentials), Jillibean Soup kraft paper, Marvy butterfly punch, EK Success flowers punches, Stampin' Up! heart, circle and scalloped circle punches, Making Memories sanding block and Helmar layering tape.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Core Impressions and Essentials), Jillibean Soup printed kraft, kraft, twine and cardstock stickers, Hot Off the Press bird template, Stampin' Up! leaf punch, Queen & Co bling, We R' Memory Keepers Corner Chomper, Making Memories sanding block, Helmar layering tape and Creative Memories circle cutter.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Core Impressions and Essentials), Jillibean Soup patterned paper, kraft paper, cardstock stickers and twine, Quickutz letter dies, Sizzix filmstrip die, Fiskars Everywhere Punch, Xyron sticker maker, EK Success journaling pen, Font: Mason, other: sewing machine and thread. This layout is based on a sketch by Becky Fleck from her new book, PageMaps 2.

P.S. For those of you that have been asking....no, I haven't heard from Elmer's yet about the results from the Elmer's Crafting Challenge. If you would like to check out the other entries in that competition, be sure to check out their projects on their blogs here:
· Linda Scott- http://just-a-scrappin.blogspot.com/2010/09/halloween-mini-album.html
· Tara Kuczykowski- http://dealseekingmom.com/win-it-wednesday-elmers-craft-prize-pack-3-winners/
· Nikki Sivils- http://nikkisdoghouse.blogspot.com/2010/10/nikki-here-with-elmers-craft-challenge.html
· Alicia Thelin- http://scrappybetties.blogspot.com/2010/09/world-card-making-day-challenge-and.html
· Lydia Jackson- http://lidibids-scrapnotions.blogspot.com/2010/09/elmers-not-just-white-glue.html
· Heather Parsons- http://smallfryandco.blogspot.com/2010/10/halloween-candy-can-for-elmers-craft.html
· Denise Sawyer- http://wholesomemommy.com/elmers-craft-project/
· Mercedes Levy- http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2010/10/how-to-make-your-own-pinata-part-2-a-giveaway/
· Sammye Jo Singer- http://62cards.blogspot.com/2010/10/elmers-xacto-challenge-project-revealed.html
· Sheena Tatum- http://sophistishe.com/2010/10/family-silhouette-ornaments-on-a-whim/
· Stacey Michaud- http://staceymichaud.blogspot.com/2010/10/elmers-crafting-challenge-giveaway.html
· Shanna Cameron Picard- http://bananastamper.blogspot.com/2010/10/elmers-craft-glue-giveaway.html
· Jo West- http://mypaperplayhouse.blogspot.com/2010/10/elmers-crafters-challenge-my-project.html
· Nicholette Sperry- http://nv-craftenvy.blogspot.com/2010/10/elmers-challenge-trick-or-treat.html
· Dottie Baltz- http://ow.ly/2RDcY

Friggin' favourite layout!

I gotta tell ya...I am pretty happy with how this layout turned out. It's based on a sketch by Becky Fleck from the fall issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine. It is featured today over on the Jillibean Soup blog.

Enjoy!

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Jillibean Soup Core Impressions), Jillibean Soup patterned paper, printed kraft paper, twine, cardstock stickers, corrugated alphas, Cool Bean button, Sugar Picks pin, Maya Road chipboard snowflakes, Making Memories paint and sanding block, Elmer's layering tape and Glue Spots, Queen & Co. pearl bling, Stampin' Up! binder punch, EK Success circle punch, Quickutz letter dies ("SNOW"), Xyron Sticker Maker (to adhere "SNOW"), Font: Mason, other: sewing machine and thread. This layout is based on a Bonus Sketch by Becky Fleck for Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine.

Winners! Winners! Chicken Dinners!

Alrighty, Ema and I are here to announce the three winners of the Elmer's/X-ACTO giveaways. Each winner will receive:

X-ACTO:

• 4-pack Decorative Edge Scissors


• Self Healing Mat


• Retractable Craft Knife


• Craft Swivel Knife

Elmer's CraftBond:

• Scrapbooking Tape: Repositionable


• Extra Strength Glue Stick


• Wet & Dry Dual Glue Pen


• Permanent Tape Runner

If all winners can please email us (thehodgees@yahoo.ca) with your full name and shipping address as soon as possible that would be swell.

And the winners are, using that Random Number Generator thingy....

Post #54 - Anonymous said...
That would be great in my scrapbook room; lovely daughter you have : )

Annie-M P, smilinganniem@hotmail.com , Indiana,US

Post #66 -Melody said...
I really like that last picture.

Melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

Post #79 - Cherylann's "Outta-My-Mind " said...
Love your magazine idea and the topics on the magazine are so cute.

Cherylann

On a final note, I would like to thank all of you for supporting Ema and I with your comments. We had a lot of fun creating the message board together and we are crossing our fingers and toes that Elmer's will pick us for the $1000 donation so we can give it to the Educational Scholarship at the Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup kraft paper and twine, October Afternoon patterned paper, Jenni Bowlin letter stickers, Spellbinders leaf dies, Quickutz photo corner die, Sizzix Big Shot diecutting machine, Helmar layering tape, Making Memories sanding block, Font: Mason, Dingbat: Wingdings 2, other: plain kraft paper, sewing machine and thread. This project was posted on the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog on Monday.

Elmer's Crafting Challenge GIVEAWAY!

WARNING: This is a very long posting...but so worth reading! If you are short on time, scroll to the bottom to find out how you can win...but be sure to come back later to learn how to make a message board for your child's room that rocks!

I am extremely excited and honoured to share with you a project that I created using Elmer's and X-ACTO products which were sent to me a few weeks ago. They had contacted me through email and asked if I would like to participate in the Elmer's Crafting Challenge. As soon as I heard what the prize was I couldn't refuse!

Elmer's and X-ACTO then sent me a personalized storage box filled with all this craftin' goodness:

The enclosed instructions were as follows:

Use the new Elmer's CraftBond and X-ACTO crafting products within this kit to create a craft that matches the theme of your blog by October 8. It can be anything from a family-oriented scrapbooking page layout to a trendy piece of home decor (if you need a little inspiration picking a project, just let us know)! Elmer's will make a $1,000 donation on behalf of the winning blogger to the national educational-based charity of her choice! Elmer's has multiple recommended charities if you need guidance. Don't forget to share your craft with your readers and have fun giving away the three Elmer's prize packages we promised. Good luck!

So, they had me at "Hello." As many of you know, our six-year old daughter, Ema, was born with an extremely rare skin disorder called Ichthyosis, specifically Congenital Ichthyosiform Erythroderma (CIE). Believe it or not, this just happens to be Ichthyosis Awareness Week (October 3-10, 2010)! Also, our foundation (Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types - FIRST) has recently announced Educational Scholarships that will soon be available to affected individuals. Given the fact that my husband and I are both teachers, we both agree that if I should win the Elmer's Crafting Challenge, the prize money will be donated to the Educational Scholarship at FIRST.

My brain started cooking the minute I opened the storage box. My blog as always been called "Only in Hollywoodstock", so I started there. We live in Woodstock, ON, Canada, which just happens to be the Dairy Capital of Canada. Yeah. Not very Hollywoodish, is it? Hollywood, to me, represents glamour and pinash (pinash: has a lot of life to it). Ema, from the moment she was born, has had A LOT of life to her. She sings, dances, and has a dramatic flair that many people notice immediately (not just her dear ol' Ma and Pa). I then thought MAGAZINE COVER - not just any magazine cover..."only in HOLLYWOODSTOCK". Here we go!

Step One: Hang a white sheet to a wall in a well light area and take four seasonal portrait shots of your child. If you have a tripod, great...if not you should try and set your camera on a steady surface for the best shot. WARNING: If you ask your child to pick out the outfits be prepared for a HUGE clean up when they are done. *sigh*

Step Two: You will need to purchase a few extra items for this craft. All items can be found at your local Walmart store. In fact, all of the Elmer's and X-ACTO items that are found in the storage tub above can be found at your local Walmart store. ;0) You may also want to consider purchasing a heat laminator or ask around to see if your friends have one you could borrow. I know a lot of businesses and educational stores offer the service of laminating as well. SUGGESTION: I highly recommend NOT taking your kids with you to Walmart. They know where the toy section is...just like homing pigeons know how to find their way home.

Supplies: Elmer's magnets, Expo dry eraser markers and cleaning brush, Homestay push pins and a Magnetic Dry Erase Combo Board by The Board Dudes (available in various sizes).

Step Three: Using your favourite word processing and/or photo editing program, create a blank magazine cover. I used PrintMaster Gold by Broderbund which a dear friend bought for me when I completed teacher's college. I worked in the same font that I used for the banner on my blog (see Matthew burping above). NOTE: Ema would not want me to point this out but be sure to notice the article entitled, "Fashion Tricks: How to Fix a DIY Hairdo" - someone felt she was done with bangs this past summer. *sigh*

Step Four: Print off the blank magazine cover. Laminate. Once cool, trim the excess plastic allowing 1/4" overhang using your 9" X-ACTO Trimmer along the 8 1/2" sides. Dang. I love how this trimmer cuts. Now I need the 12" version. Did you hear that, Santa?

Step Five: Using your X-ACTO Craft Knife, X-ACTO cutting mat and X-ACTO metal ruler, trim the excess lamination (leaving 1/4" overhang) from the 11" sides of the laminated blank magazine cover.

Step Six: Going back to your computer, drop each of the four seasonal photos into the blank magazine file. Print off all four seasonal covers and, using your X-ACTO 9" Trimmer, cut off the magazine title. Laminate each of the four covers, trimming the extra lamination materials as you did in Step Five.

Step Seven: Using your Elmer's Glue Spots and Elmer's magnets, attach a magnet to the back of each of the four laminated seasonal magazine covers. Aim for the top near the center on the back. HELPFUL HINT: If you want to be sure that you've hit center, use your X-ACTO metal ruler to find the center. I'll never tell. ;0)

Step Eight: Using more of the Elmer's Glue Spots, attach the blank magazine cover to the white board section of the message board. You need the strength of the Glue Spots to make sure that the blank magazine cover stays firmly in place. Trust me...once you stick it down with Elmer's Glue Spots it ain't goin' no where!

Step Nine: Go get a snack. You've been working hard. You deserve it. ;0) Also, make sure you remembered to turn off the laminator. Yeah. Learn from my mistake. You can also tidy up now. A great feature to the X-ACTO 9" Trimmer is that you can slide back the surface and stow away a bunch of stuff. Nice!

Step Ten: Bring in the kid again. Ask him or her if they would like to draw a picture of themselves using dry erase markers. This is why you laminated....ahhhh... Here's Ema's version of herself. Note the remarkably accurate depiction of her shirt. Yeah. Smart like her mom, cute like her dad. ;0)

Step Eleven: Call the entire family into the room where the message board will be hung and have them marvel at your masterful crafting. Don't tell them where you learned how to make this message board. They'll never know and I'll never tell. ;0)

Ema's Final Version:

Mom's Final Version:

Of course as soon as I finished taking the photo above Ema promptly removed the "summer" photo and replaced it with the "fall" photo. "Um, it's fall now, Mom," she informed me. *sigh*

Additional Suggestion: While you are busy creating this work of art for your child you may want to consider a craft that they can be working on at the same time. Our craft room has lots of space for Ema and Matthew to be working on something while I am in a crafting frenzy. This past weekend, while I spent four hours making this board for Ema, Ema joined me by painting this lovely picture for her new room. I purchased the set (paints, canvas, tray and brushes) at Walmart and, you bet, Elmer's makes it! Brilliant!

HOW YOU CAN WIN:

As mentioned above, I have been granted three prize packs from Elmer's and X-ACTO to giveaway on Friday, October 8th, 2010. Each prize pack contains:

X-ACTO:

• 4-pack Decorative Edge Scissors
• Self Healing Mat
• Retractable Craft Knife
• Craft Swivel Knife

Elmer's CraftBond:

• Scrapbooking Tape: Repositionable
• Extra Strength Glue Stick
• Wet & Dry Dual Tip Glue Pen
• Permanent Tape Runner

In order to "be in to win", please leave a comment on this blog posting (not Facebook posting). If you don't have a blog, don't worry. Just log your comment as "Anonymous" but be sure to include your name and city (i.e., Marilyn Groom in London, ON). Local, national and international entries are welcome. Also, if you aren't already a "Follower" of our blog, please sign up today. Spread the word! Let your crafting friends and family know that Ema and I will be randomly selecting three winners as soon as we wake up on Saturday, October 9th, 2010. Good luck!

Final Note: On Monday, October 4th, and Wednesday, October 6th, I will be the guest designer over at the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog. Be sure to drop by and see what else my brain has been cookin' up!

Happy World Card Making Day!

Today, over on the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog, there is a delicious posting of at least twelve cards that were made by twelve different designers (including yours truly) based on twelve different Page Map sketches by Becky Fleck. Another great feature the S&CT blog posting is that there is an AWESOME giveaway as well.
Here's the card that I made but be sure to drop the S&CT blog in order to be in to win! This card features yet another one of my homemade Cool Bean Critters. To see some of my other Cool Bean Critters, click here.




Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Jillibean Soup Core Impressions), Jillibean Soup kraft paper, patterned paper, Cool Bean buttons, Bean Seeds felt flowers, Bean Stalks brown twine, corrugated alphas, journaling sprout, and cardstock letter stickers, Helmar layering tape, Glue Dots, Making Memories sanding block, We R' Memory Keepers Corner Chomper, other: sewing machine, thread and googlie eyes. This card is based on a sketch by Becky Fleck.

Pst! A little birdie told me that you should make a point of dropping back here on Monday, October 4th, 2010. I will begin a giveaway contest that will have three winners and the prize packs are pretty impressive. I have been asked to take part in the Elmer's and Xacto's Crafting Challenge and I will be posting my project on Monday. Don't forget!

It's Stacy Julian week! It's Stacy Julian week!

This week, over at the Core'dinations blog, we are celebrating the release of the new Stacy Julian Core Impressions Happy Colors collection.

Over the weekend I put the final touches on this layout that I made of my daughter, Ema. A few weeks ago she broke her pinkie finger in the back door and they had to put a splint on her whole arm until she could see a hand specialist. She just wears a finger splint now but I loved her spunky and casual attitude towards the whole situation. The other photos are just other snap shots of what makes Ema so friggin' awesome. She's just full of happy colours!

Be sure to drop by the Core'dinations blog this week to check out other projects made by the design team members.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Stacy Julian Happy Colors Core Impressions collection), Jillibean Soup corrugated alphas, Martha Steward butterfly punch, Making Memories sanding block, Technique Tuesday stamps, Tsukineko ink, Helmar layering tape, and Glue Dots.

My Stamp Box swappin' goodness

Over at Core'dinations we recently did a product swap with My Stamp Box. They have some pretty cool stamp images and I cooked up this little card using two of their stamp sets (Neighborhoods and Wishing You Sunshine). Be sure to stop by the My Stamp Box blog and the Core'dinations blog and leave a comment on each of the product swap postings - that way you will be in to win! Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Essentials, Vintage, WhiteWash and Black Magic), Jillibean Soup kraft paper, My Stamp Box stamps, Tsukineko ink, Helmar layering tape, Stampin' Up! heart punch, DMC embroidery thread, other: buttons, deckle edge scissors.

A new puppy layout

Sometime during the past two weeks I made this layout. I was hoping to have had it posted before now but things have been a tad "off the rails" with going back to school.

Enjoy!

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (French Roast brown and Poinsettia red), Jillibean Soup kraft paper and printed twill, October Afternoon patterned paper, journaling card, and cardstock sticker (dog), Basic Grey patterned paper and cardstock stickers ("puppy"), 3L Adhesives layering tape, Sizzix embossing folder (Tim Holtz Collection) and embossing machine (Big Shot), Heidi Swapp edge distresser (to rough up the edge of the French Roast brown cardstock), Making Memories sanding block, Fiskars scalloped heart punch (to create dog bites in the border strip), Cricut die cut machine and cartridge (Accent Essentials), DMC embroidery thread, Font: Mason, other: sewing machine, embroidery needle and thread.

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.