I just wanted to let you all know (who are YOU anyway??) what I've been working on this past week. I was SO inspired by the design team at Papertreyink that I decided to design a class of Hallowe'en boxes and bags for Precious Memories.. These are only a few of the goodies we'll make, but I'm happy with how the class is shaping up. I LOVE Hallowe'en and so it makes me a very happy person to be able to do a class based on the very fun holiday..

Most of the stamps are by Inkadinkado and they're from their buy 2 get 1 free program (check your LSS to see if they have it)... The rubber was a *bit* hard to unmount (had to microwave it a bit hehehe) but I liked how the stamps stamped.. anyway! Take a closer look at the individual projects below.
I'm off for my summer vacation (I know, ONE weekend, big WOOP right?) but I have to be happy with it... See you next week and I hope you all have a great long weekend. P.S. Let me know who YOU ALL are! I would love to say hello and check out your blogs/galleries etc.. Ta-ta.

I acquired a couple of new sets at a garage sale this weekend, and I am SO happy I bought them! The sets are: Big Blooms, and So Many Sayings.
So Many Sayings originally came as three big stamps with all of the sayings smushed onto the blocks, but I took the plunge and cut them up and mounted them on EZ mount, and I love it! I stamped the sentiment first, then stamped the dotted line stamp on either side of it. So handy!

The techniques I attempted were embossing resist and versamark resist. The embossing kinda worked, but the versamark resist didn't work at all. It's supposed to be on glossy cardstock, so I guess that's why it flopped. Anyway... Here are the deets:

Supplies: Stamps - Big Blooms, So Many Sayings (SU!); Paper - Kraft, Brown (generic), patterned paper (DCWV); Ink - Versamark, Blue, White (versamagic), Noir Black (Palette); Ribbon (American Crafts), Staples (MM), Clear Embossing Powder.

Today is a good day for me! I realized a little while ago that aside from a stamp here or there, I don't have any birthday sets! (Gasp!)... So when I was at my LSS today I picked up this set from Technique Tuesday, and I {heart} it VERY much.

For the main image I stamped the layered cakes on papertrey white CS, then I stamped it again on my DCWV paper. I cut out the cakes and cake stand and popped them up with foam squares. (Paper piecing) I spelled "eat cake" with my Karen Foster Snap stamps (love those things). I used Beate's sketch for the layout and today's inspiration challenge for the colour choice.

I think I'm gonna have a *lot* of fun with this set. Yay!

Supplies: Stamps (Karen Foster, Technique Tuesday); Paper (DCWV, Papertrey, Bazzil); Ink (Versamagic Jumbo Java and Blue?, Palette Landscape); Marvy Punches, Sakura Glitter Pen.

I forget that negative space is an effective design element until I stumble upon it by accident. Don't you love it when that happens? I made this card for today's color challenge and I wasn't thinking about layout at all, just the colours (Soft Sky and Groovy Guava). I used one of my favourite stamp sets, Bodacious Bouquet to make the background on the guava paper using Palette ink (Haystack and New Canvas) and stamped the main flower image with a combination of Island (Fresh Ink) and Cloud White (Versamagic) because I don't have any of the SU! In Color inks... (I'm workin' on it though...)

I hope you all have a wonderful day and, because I don't say it enough, thank you SO MUCH for checkin' in on my blog. *Virtual Hugs* lol...

Supplies:
Paper- Groovy Guava (SU!), White (Papertrey), Patterned Paper (Paper Salon)
Ink- New Canvas, Haystack (Palette); Cloud White, Charcoal (Versamagic), Island (Fresh Ink)
Stamps- Bodacious Bouquet (SU!); sentiment (Amuse)
Accessories- Eyelets (WeR); Glitter (Glitter Ritz); Quick-e glue pen; Punches (Marvy)

It's not often that I make sympathy cards (luckily I don't have a lot of deaths in my life to remind me to do so), but I do plan on selling my cards soon and I need more sympathy cards to balance out my stock.

This is a tri-fold card, and the tutorial can be found here. The only change to the directions that I did (and that's cause I don't have the supplies) is instead of using a tab punch, I used a nickel, and traced around it where I wanted the tab, and cut it out with my exacto. Worked well, I think! The flourish for the butterflies is actually from a Christmas set just released by Inkadinkado, but I don't think it's Christmas-y at all! I love it as a flourish...

Supplies:

Stamps: My Sentiments Exactly, Amuse, Inkadinkado

Paper: MME

Ink: Palette (Noir Black), Ranger (Brushed Courduroy)

Accessories: Prima, brad, ribbon (may arts)

I think the Featured Stamper Challenge at SCS is my fav' challenge because 1) I get to see galleries I've never seen before, and 2) I get really inspired by cool layouts and new techniques! This week's FS is Mwohlers and here is her the post with the card I cased: Garden Silhouettes. What I loved about her card was how she stamped the image multiple times with different shades of the same colour. Since I'm in Christmas-mode, I thought I'd use a bunch of snowflakes for the focal image. I think it worked out well.. Thanx for looking!

Supplies:
Paper: Cardstock (Papertrey, Bazzil), Patterned Paper (Basic Grey); Ink: Versamagic, SU!, Palette; Stamps: Inkadinkado, Amuse, Hero Arts; Ribbon: AC; Snaps (WeR)

I have held on to this photo of Phoenix for a LONG time waiting for inspiration to come along... I saw in a recent edition of Scrapbooks Etc. a layout that used one of the new scalloped-edged papers from Autumn Leaves and I figured now was the time to use this pic. He was 4 months when this headshot was taken. I love looking at it. What a different time it was then.... Now he's an extremely active 5 year-old that is still quite cute, but looks NOTHING like he does here...

I know every mother (and family) thinks their baby is the cutest baby in the world, so I never thought much of it when my loved-ones encouraged me to get Phoenix an agent for movies/tv/print etc... After much pestering I caved in, and this was his first headshot. He went on a few auditions and did really well, but I couldn't keep up with the calls. The agency would call the night before an audition and I would have to be downtown Vancouver the next morning at 8:00 am regardless of what was going on in my life that day. (Like work or school etc...) Maybe if I move a little closer to the city I'll get him another agent, but I don't see that happening any time soon...

Now for the details of the page. I took out a piece of the scalloped Autumn Leaves paper, laid it over the back of my patterned paper, traced the outline and cut it out using an exacto. This way I can have that cool look with any paper I want. There are a lot of little embellishments on the page, but they're all pretty basic. I added a little hybrid element (probably not visible to you) on the page: the little blue journaling tabs have some digital brush elements on it downloaded from Two Peas, using PSE. Thanx for looking! If you have any questions about the other elements, just ask.

Supplies:
Paper: Imagination Project, Bazzil; Ink: Versamagic (Jumbo Java, Red Magic); Ribbon, Felt Flowers (AC); Plastic Letters (Maya Road); Ribbon Slider, Brads (Imaginisce); Chipboard, Transparent Flourish (MME); Tag (Cosmo Cricket).

This week's Limited Supply Challenge on SCS is awesome! I love following lists, and being limited to what I can/can't use. Somehow it makes me more creative, I don't know why... Anywho...

I used this week's CPS sketch for the layout, isn't it great? This is a stamp I pulled from Precious Memories (by Hero Arts) for a class, but I think I'm going to buy it 'cause I really like it! I coloured it with Copics and paired it with a beautiful sentiment by Amuse.

Supplies:
Paper: Cardstock (Papertrey, Bazzil and SU! -Blue Bayou), MME (Patterned Paper); Stamps (Hero Arts, Amuse); Ribbon (American Crafts); Cuttlebug, Copic Markers.

With all of the "stuff" going on in my life, it sometimes feels like I never get to do projects just for me. Just because. Just for something to do, for FUN... Do any of YOU feel like that, or is it just me? Anyway...

I pulled out the Little Lady set from Papertrey because I just bought one of their new sets last night, and I have had papertrey on the brain, I suppose. I can't wait for my new stamps to arrive!!! So... I used some embossed chipboard (MME) and a lot of "New Canvas" ink by Palette. Check out the sketch challenge on SCS for the original sketch (4.25x5.5). I guess I'm just going through a square card phase....




Supplies:

Stamps: little lady, garden whimsy

Paper: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, kraft, white, SEI

Ink: Palette (new canvas, noir), versamagic (tea leaves)

Accessories: Ribbon (WeR), Chipboard (MME)

Hmm... It's 2:00 am and I think I've got my body used to staying up REALLY late 'cause I'm only a little bit tired. I'm gonna be in trouble when September comes... anyway...

This is for the Colour Combo challenge today on SCS. Check it out! Blue Bayou, Sahara Sand, and Chocolate Chip. I also used some of my Basic Grey christmas paper I have pulled for classes at PM, and this will FOR SURE be in one of my classes... Thanx for lookin'.

Supplies:

Stamps: Inkadinkado, amuse, hero arts

Paper: blue bayou, sahara sand, chocolate chip, (SU!); white (Papertrey)

Ink: Noir Black (Palette)

Accessories: eyelets (WeR), twine, micro-fine glitter, Copics

Well I've been MIA for the last couple days working on projects for upcoming classes at Precious Memories, and I'm finally getting them finished! yay... So here's the first project I can share with you. It's going to be a class that's geared towards using Copics, but we will also make an altered project and three square cards.

You can probably see a slight reflection, but the window is covered in acetate. I also used a Basic Grey Magnetic closure to keep the box closed.


Here's the whole class. I'm so happy with it. It doesn't hurt that I'm madly in love with Basic Grey Infuse. Man, oh man am I in trouble when the new stuff gets here!!

I expected to get a lot of stamping done this weekend but it was just one of those weekends, you know? People calling, inviting me to things... I'm just too popular for my own good, I know it. hahaha.. ANYWAY.. I'm going to finish Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows tonight, and will promptly resume my crafts.

Remember this card?? If you're reading this, and in the area, stop by Precious Memories on wednesday for a demo i'll be putting on featuring the new twinkling H20 sprays and daubers. Can't wait!

Join us for an In-Store Demo

Wednesday, August 15th

1:00pm-5:00pm

Let Tobi show you how to use New Twinkling H2O's, Daubers & Sprays!

Time off, no school, warm days, the beach, flowers, summery drinks (think margaritas, pina coladas), goin' to the pool, golf, hanging out on someone's deck, nothin' to do....

There are so many things I love about summer. Too bad the summer hasn't been great. There have been too many cold days with rain and dark clouds. But I'm optimistic and I'm hopeful that we'll get some nice weather so I can take Phoenix to the beach!

This card is for today's Limited Supply Challenge which was to create a card that included some things we liked about summer. I love butterflies, so I *had* to use my whimsy set, and I love the bright colours that you can get away with during summer.... I stamped the butterfly on papertrey paper, cut it out, bend the wings a little, and glued it to the butterfly I stamped on the patterned paper. All this paper is from a pack of 12x12 K&Co. paper I bought at Winners (Canadian version of Ross). Not usually my kind of colours, but were perfect for this challenge.

Now, even though it's 1 am, I need to steal away and read some more of my Harry Potter. I'M ADDICTED!!!


Supplies:
Stamps: Garden Whimsy
Paper: Papertrey (white) K&Co. (all patterned paper)
Ink: Versamagic (blue) Palette (noir black)
Ribbon: May Arts

It's my best friend, Mark's birthday tomorrow, and his present (which I haven't picked up yet) wouldn't be complete without a card from Tobi. lol.. I thought of this sentiment today (original, I know) and I used a couple of different stamps to get it. I realized I don't have a good stock of birthday sentiments when I made this, so I might have to buy some tomorrow. anyway.....

I stamped the oval in Landscape (Palette) and stamped the deer on top. I then stamped another deer, cut it out and popped it up with foam squares. I like that look! I did the half-circle by punching half the circle with my mega circle punch.

This is for today's Sketch Challenge at SCS.

Materials:

Stamps: moose you, snap stamps, making memories magnetic stamps

Paper: basic grey infuse, bayou blue, kraft

Ink: buckaroo blue, landscape (palette), versamagic (brown and red magic)

Accessories: eyelets (WeR), paper piercing, pop dots, mega circle punch

It's so good to be home with all of my supplies. I was house-sitting at my parents for the long weekend and only brought a *few* things with me. (Actually I brought 1 scrapbook suitcase thing, a 12x12 Amy Butler tote, my AMM tool caddy, and another bag o' stuff, but who's counting??)

These cards are for today's Colour Challenge on SCS. I started out with just the one 5x5 card and looked at the left-over paper next to my cutter and realized I could make another card, with a similar design with that paper! The dimensions for the smaller card are 3.5x5 (not a normal-sized card, but it's cute). I used the Making Memories metal tags on both cards, but used a large oval tag on the 5x5 card as a kind of ribbon buckle.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Whisper White (SU!), Coral (Bazzil); Stamps: Priceless (SU!); Accessories: MM metal tags and tag maker, Cuttlebug, Ribbon and snaps (WeR), mat pack (paper piercing template, SU!).

I cased this card by 88keys for today's featured stamper challenge at SCS. I haven't used this set yet and couldn't wait to ink up one of these little guys. They're SO cute.

I'm house-sitting at my parent's house right now, so i'm working with limited supplies, and i didn't even bring white paper to stamp on, hence the green paper, BUT, I like how it turned out.
Now I'm off to go swimming and walk around Historic Fort Langley and enjoy some of the long weekend.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzil; Patterned Paper: AC, K&Co.; Stamps: Moose You (Stampin' Up); Accessories: twine, eyelet (WeR), Ribbon.

This is a burthday card for an adorable little boy named Luca. It's his 1st birthday today and what a beautiful day it is!!

This is today's inspiration challenge, with which i was inspired to do some paper piecing, which i don't think i've done before! *Gasp* I used Papersalon patterned paper for the cow parts and scalloped square. In the inspiration the woman in the add was holding some shoes to her left, so i cut the sentiments to mimick that placement.

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzil; Patterned Paper: Paper Salon; Stamps: Amuse, Making Memories; Accessories: Cutter Bee Paper Piercing Tool, Marvy Punches, Zig Pen.

This is for today's Limited Supply Challenge on SCS. The challenge was to use a sentiment to make a background, and other stamps if we wanted, but no patterned paper (eek!) and no cuttlebug (double eek!). I highlighted one of the Priceless sentiments with a chipboard shape by Basic Grey. I covered it with Jumbo Java ink (Versamagic) and stamped it with New Canvas (Palette).

I'm thinking a guy in my life will receive this! Maybe I'll get to do another challenge tomorrow, after all, I don't have any more homework!

If you don't know me, then you don't know I've basically been in school my whole life! I've had a tumultuous relationship with school, and the journey to this day has been a long one!
I finished high school and went straight into university studying jazz piano and voice... I finished one year and had a breakdown (haha) and took a couple years off. I then went to makeup school for a year and became a makeup artist for print and film. Did that for a little while, but was offered a full scholarship to return to music school. I returned, got pregnant, and quit... AGAIN!!! When my son was 6 months old I went back to school, FOR GOOD, and after 3 years finished my Bachelors of Music in Jazz. I taught at a music academy for a year, and then got accepted to Simon Fraser University for my teacher training (PDP) and teacher certification. Today is my last day of school. I say it's forever, but the reality is I will probably go back and get my Masters when my son is a little older. So.... Today is a big day for me. I have basically sacrificed seeing my son grow up these past 5 years, but everyone keeps telling me "it's for our own good." I hope so!!