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.

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

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).

A quick card set

Morning!

By now most of you have figured out my news...I am now a design team member for Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine! I am extremely honoured and excited to be a part of this team as Scrapbook & Cards Today has inspired me since it showed up in my local scrapbooking store five years ago.

Next, here are two cards that I made as part of my last month with Jillibean Soup. I decided that I would not reapply for their recent design team call as I don't want too much on my plate. I will always use Jillibean Soup products in my scrapping though since Jill's creative brain is just too "bang on" for what I love...bright colours, fun designs and, above all else, kraft paper.

Supplies: Jillibean Soup patterned paper, kraft card base and kraft paper, diecuts and corrugated shape, Unity Stamp Company stamps, Tsukineko ink, Stampin' Up! border punch, Glue Dot, other: pins and thread.

Finally, if you haven't heard yet, Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock is holding a design team call from now until Friday, April 15, 2011 (4:00pm EST). Find all the details here.

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.

Remember 2010...with a mini-album

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock, Jillibean Soup patterned paper, journaling sprout, corrugated alphas, sugar picks and kraft accordion album, Studio Calico stamps, Tsukineko ink, Helmar layering tape, Glue Dots, Making Memories sanding block and Spellbinders butterfly die.

Here's a quick little mini-album that you can put together in a night.

Step 1: Buy yourself two 4" kraft accordion albums by Jillibean Soup. Glue them together so that you have a strip long enough for a cover, back cover and 12 photos.

Step 2: Pick a line of double-sided paper that you like and buy one sheet of each. There are usually 6 papers in a line. For this project I used Pasta Fagioli by Jillibean Soup.

Step 3: Cut your papers so that you have at least two 3 3/4" squares of each paper. I used an additional four squares for the front and back covers of one of the papers as well.

Step 4: Print off a photo for each month. Edit and trim photos so that they measure approximately 3" wide by 3 1/4" high. Try to pick photos with an area where the monthly stamped word will fit.

Step 5: Stamp each month onto each photo using VersaFine by Tsukineko. It's my favourite ink...by far! The month stamps I used are by Studio Calico. Sadly, I don't see them for sale on their site anymore. You could also use letter stickers or, before you print off your photos, add the months by overlapping a text box on to each photo.

Step 6: Create the cover using Jillibean Soup corrugated alphas, journaling sprout and a sugar pick for the body of the butterfly. I used Core'dinations Core Impressions (Jillibean Soup Collection) and a Spellbinders' butterfly die....but you could easily use a punch.

I need to print off some photos for November and December today and get this album in the "done" pile on my crafting table.

Happy New Year! May 2011 bring more "done" items in your own piles. ;0)

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....

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 new layouts

Lately I have been knee deep in crazy craftin' in preparation for summer CHA. I will be heading to Chicago next weekend and there for most of the show. While I can't share what I have cooked up just yet I have a few layouts to hold you over until then.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Abracadabra Black Magic and Snowflake white), Jillibean Soup patterned paper, cardstock stickers, Cool Bean button, stamp, corrugated alphas, felt leaf, twine and cardstock stickers, Riff Raff Designs chipboard (pencil), Quickutz embossing folder, Making Memories sanding block, We R' Memory Keepers Corner Chomper, Fiskars circle punch, EK Success marker, Tsukineko ink, Glue Dots, Helmar layering tape, other: date stamp.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Core Impressions - Jillibean Soup Collection), Jillibean Soup patterned paper, corrugated alphas, cardstock stickers, cardstock letter stickers, Journaling Sprout, kraft paper and twine, EK Success scalloped circle punch, Making Memories sanding block and eyelet, Helmar layering tape, Font: Mason.