Crop & Create Markham sneak peeks!

It's about a week away. Will I see you there? Crop & Create Markham is next weekend (January 13/14, 2012) and I will be teaching three classes on the 14th (Saturday). Here's some sneak peeks of the "Patchwork Album" and two card classes:

'Tis the season for a new Scrapbook & Cards Today!

The winter issue is out and it looks amazing! You can download it for free by clicking here.

Inside you will find these projects of mine:

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock and Sand-it Gadget tool, My Mind's Eye patterned paper, Jillibean Soup corrugated letters, Stampin' Up/Sizzix snowflake dies, Fiskars border punch, Crate Paper chipboard, Lifestyle Crafts letter dies, American Crafts layering tape, Font: Mason, other: sewing machine and thread.
Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup kraft paper and twine, My Mind's Eye patterned paper, stamps, brads, diecuts, chipboard, bling, and felt trim, We R' Memory Keepers eyelet, Sizzix embossing folder and die (star), Tsukineko ink, American Crafts ink, other: sewing machine and thread.

Supplies: Fancy Pants patterned paper, ribbon, buttons, stickers, and diecuts, 7Gypsies receipt tray, Imaginsce clear snowflakes, Helmar Quick Dry glue, DMC embroidery thread, Font: Another Typewriter.

ScrapFest done...and onward to CreativFestival!

This past weekend I got to teach at ScrapFest in Oshawa, ON - two make and takes and an entire 12-page album class. The album class will be offered again at Crop & Create in Markham, ON, on Saturday, January 14th, if you missed out. Registration begins tomorrow (October 17th) for Crop & Create!

Here are the two make and takes that I offered this weekend FOR FREE at ScrapFest and I will be offering them again this coming weekend (October 22nd) at CreativFestival in Toronto, ON.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Core Impressions, White Wash, Essentials) and Sand-It Gadget tool, Jillibean Soup kraft card and twine, Quickutz ornament and tree dies, Sizzix scalloped circle die, Spellbinders star die, Fiskars paper crimper, We R' Memory Keepers Corner Chomper, and American Crafts layering tape.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Kraft Core and Graphic 45) and Sand-It Gadget tool, Scenic Route grid paper, Tim Holtz/Sizzix border die (leaves and branches), Tsukineko inks, EK Success perforator (to add ink stitches), Pebbles Inc. rub-on and Xyron Sticker Maker adhesive.

Finally, here are a few sneak peeks of the Holiday Mini-album class that I am teaching this Saturday, October 22nd, at CreativFestival in Toronto, ON. It's not too late to sign up...there are a few spots still available!

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Spotted) and Sand-It Gadget tool, Echo Park patterned paper and cardstock stickers, Scenic Route grid paper, Fiskars border punch and circle punch, EK Success circle punch, We R' Memory Keepers Crop-a-Dile, Cinch tool and coil (for binding), American Crafts layering tape. This album is based on a PageMaps sketch by Becky Fleck.

Fall issue and 2012 Calendar news!

Be sure to RUN to your local scrapbooking store to pick up the fall 2011 issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today....or you can always download it for FREE by clicking here. See if you can eye-spy two layouts of mine..."Hike" and "A Girl and Her Dog" are hidden in that issue with some kinda coolio techniques on both of them. ;0)
Also, starting on October 14th, you may begin pre-ordering the 2012 PageMaps Sketch Calendar. For more information, click here. I will be creating a layout for November of this calendar. Wheee!

Today's the day!!!

Today's the day that registration begins for ScrapFest Oshawa 2011 at 8pm EST. I am teaching a class on the Saturday night that you don't want to miss. Here are the deets:

Patchwork Quilt Photo Album

Date: Saturday, Oct 15th, 2011

Time: 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm (2.5 hours)

Location: Campus Wellness and Recreation Centre (Durham College) in Oshawa, Ontario
Skill Level: Beginner and up
Focus: Design
Price: $49.00 + HST (This DOES NOT include your Marketplace pass!)

Class Description
Make an entire album in just two hours! Each participant receives a 12"x12" Xyron Everyday Stories brown leather album (retail for $40US). Heart warming patterned paper by Jillibean Soup (Homemade 6 Bean Soup) and crafty cardstock by Core'dinations (Kraft-Core) compliment the layout of this 6 double-page album. Create a patchwork quilt of all your favourite photos from over the years. Embossing, sanding and stitching are just the icing on top of this workshop that you don't want to miss! Only 20 spots available.

Photos for album (can be added after the class):

Mostly 4"x6" and 6"x4" but additional sizes can be used.

All the student will need to bring is their basic tool kit. All other supplies will be provided by the instructor. Students need to bring to class a basic tool kit.

Sponsors: Scrapbook & Cards Today, Xyron (Everyday Stories Album), Core'dinations, Jillibean Soup.

Summer lovin' with Kraft-Core

It's a problem, people.

My stash of Core'dinations' *NEW* Kraft-Core is starting to dwindle. The shakes could be setting in soon.
This layout uses 30 different embossing folders (Quickutz, Cuttlebug, Sizzix, Stampin' Up!/Sizzix) and a Stampin' Up/Sizzix "Embosslit" which cuts and embosses 6 buttons at once.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Kraft-Core) and Sand-It Gadget tool, Cuttlebug embossing folders, Sizzix embossing folders and flower dies, Stampin' Up/Sizzix embossing folders and buttons Embosslit, Quickutz embossing folders and letter dies, American Crafts layering tape, Font: Mason, other: sewing machine and thread.

Want a close-up of those flowers? In order to make them I cut the flowers first with Tim Holtz/Sizzix and Sizzix flower dies. I then embossed each flower layer with a different embossing folder. I then sanded them and adhered them to a separate sheet of kraft paper. I attached the buttons with layering tape and then trimmed the over-hanging petals and attached it to the main sheet of kraft paper.

Oh, yes. Kraft-Core is going to be a problem for me. A very enjoyable problem.

And now...a Kraft-Core layout!

Kraft-Core is the latest product coming from Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock. They have paired up with Tim Holtz to bring us 24 different coloured cardstock with kraft paper in the core. You can sand it, tear it, emboss it or just leave it as is. Coming from a diehard kraft paper fan this is fan-friggin-tastic!

Supplies: Core'dinations Kraft-Core cardstock and Sand-It Gadget tool, Sizzix owl die, Stampin' Up!/Sizzix letter dies, Quickutz letter embossing folder and branch die, Cuttlebug embossing folder (for owl's chest), We R' Memory Keepers Sew Easy tool (to add small holes to the blue strip), Uniball white pen, Xyron adhesive, American Crafts layering tape, Font: Mason.

Helpful Hints: To create the tiny holes in the blue border strip I used my We R' Memory Keepers' Sew Easy tool. I ran the basic straight-stitch hole maker over the strip and then lightly sanded to reveal the kraft paper core.

Use Core'dinations for all your diecuts. It allowed me to add great dimension to this owl by sanding the edges and embossing and sanding his chest. This is where it pays to have WAY too many embossing folders in your stash. ;0)

Kraft Core...a card!

Today I have a card to share which I just made last night with the *NEW* Kraft Core by Core'dinations. I used 6 different Tim Holtz/Sizzix embossing folders since this collection is a Tim Holtz/Core'dinations product.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Kraft Core) and Sand-It Gadget tool, Tim Holtz/Sizzix embossing folders, Stampin' Up!/Sizzix letter dies, Xyron Creatopia adhesive, other: sewing machine and thread. This card is based on a sketch by Becky Fleck from her book Scrapbook PageMaps 2 (page 47).

Here's a trick:
In order to sand the small black letters I first had to adhere them to the card using my Xyron Creatopia and then sand them. They are much to small to sand before attaching and the Xyron provides the adhesive you need to keep them in place for the sanding.

ETA: Today, over on the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog, I wrote up some instructions on how to make a pair of these little beauties.

Kraft paper meets Core'dinations!!!

Christmas has come early. A dream has finally come true. Core'dinations has come out with a cardstock line with kraft paper in the core. 24 colours. The best part? It arrived at my house today. I *just* finished making a huge pot of coffee and I am heading up to the craft cave now.
Stay tuned...

Xyron Creatopia meets knitting

The other day, on the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog, I posted the following card for the 3T (Tips, Tricks and Techniques) feature of the week. I am assigned the last Tuesday in each month if you want to add that to your blog-cruising calendar. My article was all about going back to your crafting roots and trying to add your crafting skills to layouts and cards. My mother and grandmother armed me with multiple crafting skills and I really want to start adding some of those skills to my future projects.

Supplies: Jillibean Soup kraft paper and patterned paper, Xyron Creatopia (fabric adhesive), Patons yarn, Font: Another Typewriter, other: sewing machine, thread, bamboo skewers.

Finally....Happy Canada Day! Happy 4th of July!

It's here! It's here!

The summer issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today is now available either on-line or at your local scrapbooking store.

I've got two layouts in there. The first one is of my beautiful and creative mother...

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock and Sand-It Gadget tool, Jillibean Soup kraft paper, My Little Shoebox patterned paper, stamp and diecuts, Maya Road trinket pins, American Crafts buttons and layering tape, Sizzix flower dies, Quickutz letter dies, ProvoCraft embossing folder, Xyron Creatopia (fabric adhesive, Cutz, Shapez), Tsukineko ink, DMC embroidery thread, Font: Another Typewriter, other: felt, pattern paper.

My second layout is based on a PageMaps sketch by Becky Fleck and documents our last trip to Great Wolf Lodge:

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (WhiteWash) and Sand-It Gadget tool, Echo Park patterned paper and cardstock stickers, Jilllibean Soup patterned paper (grid), Maya Road trinket pin, American Crafts layering tape, EK Success circle punch, Font: Another Typewriter, other: sewing machine and thread.

It's coming! It's coming!

The summer issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine arrives in local scrapbooking stores AND on-line (for free) this Friday! I have two layouts in there that I am dying to share with you. Stay tuned...

In the meanwhile, check out this great cover layout done by my pal, Kimber McGray.

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

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Drum roll, please....And the winner of the Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock and a Sand-It Gadget tool is...

Random Number Generator: 20

Melissa Mason said...
I am new to scrap-booking and card making and a Sand-It Gadget tool and some Core’dinations ColorCore Cardstock would be great to add to my slowly growing collections of gadgets.
May 31, 2011 6:29 PM

Melissa, if you can please fire me an email at thehodgees@yahoo.ca with your mailing address I will get your box out to you as soon as possible. With our current rolling postal strike across Canada I am not too sure when you will get your prize but I will send it off just the same.

CONGRATS!!!! What a great way to start the week.

Want another chance to win some Core'dinations? Head on over to the Scrapbook & Cards Today blog on THIS POSTING.

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!

Whoa. Where did May go?

May has been a blur.

I have been busy designing some things that I can't quite share just yet....but I can share this.

Here is the card that I made for my mommy for Mother's Day. She loves to sew so the pin cushion was not lost on her.

Supplies: Jillibean Soup kraft card base, My Little Shoebox patterned paper and diecut, Technique Tuesday stamp (Ali Edwards Collection), Tsukineko ink, American Crafts layering tape.

I will be back on Tuesday with a 3T's (Tips, Tricks & Techniques) project for Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine. ;0)

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.