Here I am!

Here I am! I did have photos of myself; I was just saving them for today. Keeping with my Authentique week theme, I completed 2 more single page layouts from our Fall photo session. I Loved how the “Original” papers and sticker set matched with them and the words brought forward embracing the uniqueness of family and ourselves. It is important not to fall into the thought trap that being who you are is not good enough.

For the group photo I knew I wanted to use the birds “of a feather” sticker from Original, and the bird pocket from “Genuine” (I ended up cutting it out from its full sticker). My friend Cathy, from In the Cat Cave, has been doing a few layouts using the straw part of the misters to draw. I really like the look it gives, that I get messy, and Warren curses when I accidentally spray him. I now leave the cap on over the sprayer as I flick the straw. When I had my page nearly complete I struggled with a title. Then I didn’t want to get off the couch to find my other stash of letters. I did have a light blue pack of glittered American Crafts Thickers, but they weren’t the shade I wanted. I grabbed my ‘Salty Ocean’ Distress ink pad and went right over top of them.

They were close, but not 100% what I was looking for; I used the brush tip of my ‘Chipped Sapphire’ Distress marker to add a darker hue.

 

 

I needed to set the color in; my Glossy Accents was empty (WHAT! I’m sure there is another one hidden in the couch). With a spare brush I patted the ‘Clear Rock Candy’ Distress Stickles over top.

 

 

I didn’t want to use the built in brush since the colors would stain and leech into the product. I’m big on making things work, and knowing simple techniques that can stretch your stash.

 

 

Like most of us, I’m not always glad to be in front of the camera. I set up the shot using and hand the camera over to Warren, My Dad took the group shot for us. The photos turned out ok. The sweater was a thrift store find bought solely for the button. Inspiration for the page came from all you "Project Life"r’s. I like the idea and the look of the smaller sections, but not up for it right now. I love the sewing stickers in “Original” and my craftiness is a big part of who I am and how I fit in our family. I used them, even though it is not a sewing page. My belief is that themed products are not only applicable for the theme, but can be manipulated for a different purpose and Vice Versa. 

Don’t forget to check out the first ever Crop Circles Blog hop on Friday, there’s prizes on the line people!  You will see the last page with this photo session, more Authentique, as well as a guest on the blog. Spread the word!

Enjoy!

p.s. Guess who is in the Spring issue of Canadian Scrapbooker!

 

Supply Lists:

"Side by Side" - Authentique stickers and patterned paper; American Crafts Thickers; Bazzill Basics cardstock; Tim Holtz Distress Ink and markers; Memories Mist spray; Tattered Angels spray; unknown staples.

"Happy to be me" - Bazzill Basics cardstock; Authentique stickers and patterned paper; Paper Valise twine; Tim Holtz Distress ink and markers; unknown stickers; Best Creation foam stickers.

I Heart Authentique!

Hubby and I watch TV or movie together just about every night. The kids are put to bed and then ‘date night’ starts. We watch our pre-recorded shows, Netflix, or whatever is on. Currently we are making our way through 10 seasons of the BBC’S MI-5.  Richard Armitage *drool*. Sometimes Warren watches with his eyes closed. I feel guilty though sitting down doing nothing; occasionally I'll knit or ink tags. I have scrap supplies all over the couch and two tray tables set up to work on in front of the TV. This past week and a half I have been sitting next to my Authentique paper stash. I’ve begun to sort patterned paper by manufacturer and even separate the scraps for my favorites into their own bags. If you know me you know what a fan of Authentique paper I am.  I love it so much I'm afraid to use it sometimes. The quality of this paper is incredible; thick felt cardstock with fabulous patterns. With my scrap book store nearly emptied out and ready to close I haven't ordered new supplies since late fall. One of the saddest parts is not having boxes full of Authentique kits auto-shipped when released. Not only is the paper great, the staff too! I now have more time to scrap with the kits I had hoarded kept for myself. All six layouts for this post feature primarily Authentique. See supply list for more details.

 
My scrappy online friends have been showing their takes on a sketch from the Scrapbook Steals blog. I've always been too lazy to do this before. Using a piece of scrap paper (6” x 12”) I scored lines, numbered them, and then cut along scored lines. I used it as a template to cut my scraps to make my Sunburst. Using scissors and Tim Holtz Distress Ink I distressed the edges. I adhered to pieces to my base page and added some strips of Harmonie paper in my color scheme. I found them sticking out of a pile on the couch. Layered Bella Blvd. tape, stickers, title, and love the result.

“Happy”

Missy B dressed up as Clawdeen Wolf from Monster High using Authentique’s “Enchanted”. The title was from a video Bella made dressed in costume the same day. This is one of the kits I was apprehensive about cutting. I feel the same way about new note books. Luckily it doesn’t last long and I go for it.

“Clawdeen Wolf”

 This next layout is my Canadian Scrapbooker Sketchy challenge entry. The “Fresh” line is one of my absolute favorite they have made so far. Living in Newfoundland, many water or ocean themed kits are too tropical for my needs. I mixed it with the blue wood grain from “Celebrate”. I added Close To My Heart laser cut wooden shapes and a cabochon from Paper Valise. Paper Valise is an online store with various findings and embellishments, never know what you may find there.

“Touch”

This Fall I took our family Christmas card photos in my parents’ backyard, the photos came out great despite the fuss it took to get B to cooperate. Domonik is incredibly photogenic. He can bust through the pose list in no time; we call him Zoolander. I’ve always been a double page scrapper, but lately I’ve shifted to a single page layout kind of girl, but I wanted to get more than one picture per page. As I have said in another post I like to set my page up and glue last, while I add layers I put my stickers in progress out on my Ranger non-stick mat.  The “Original”, “Genuine”, “Loyal”, and “Free-bird” series mix well together to give me the color scheme I wanted.

“Classic”

 

For the photo shoot I made sure we dressed similar hues so we matched each other, not the papers, but it worked out to be the same as the “Original” line anyway. The morning of the photo day it was a massive fuss to get B ready; she thinks the dress I had picked makes her look like a dog. When I first heard this I wondered if someone had said something and how she would think she was ugly, very upsetting. Then she explained it looks “like when a dog gets a haircut they put a thing on their neck”, she meant the collar on the dress looks like a handkerchief around a dogs neck. Relief hit me, but she still wouldn’t get dressed. We went so far as to cut the feet off her tights which she claimed were too uncomfortable to wear. Bella’s layout is a mix of “Original”, “Uncommon”, and “Delightful” with a scrap of “Genuine”. Don't you just love those Close To My Heart jeweled brads!

“You are special”

 

Oh Warren, what a character. One year while I was trying to get his picture, he bit a pine tree. No lie. “Like nothing else” is right! For this layout I attempted to glue as I went, but I think I like to glue last better. I added a thin border around (with foam under) my stickers and hand drew some details in black Tim Holtz distress marker to give a bit of contrast. I snipped strips from the “Free-bird” Chevron papers to give them a feather feel. It added great texture to a simple layout. I'm happy with the results but not sure if I'm entirely satisfied with this last one. I feel like something is missing, possibly the journaling.

“One & Only”

 Next week I have more from this photo shoot and Authentique. I'm also participating in a blog hop; which means I will be posting next week on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. See you then!

Enjoy!

Supply list:

“Happy” – Authentique patterned papers, stickers; Bazzill cardstock; Harmonie patterned paper; Dollarama gems; Bella Blvd. decorative tapes; American Crafts Thickers; Ranger Tim Holtz Distress ink.

“Clawdeen Wolf” - Authentique patterned papers, stickers; Bazzill cardstock; Harmonie patterned paper; Dollarama gems; Webster’s Pages trim and letter stickers; Memories Mist Copper Shimmer Mist; Ranger Tim Holtz Distress ink and markers.

“Touch” – Authentique patterned paper; Webster’s pages letter stickers; Imaginisce and unknown ribbon/trim; Dollarama gems; CTMH wooden cuts; Bella Blvd. decorative tapes; Paper Valise cabochon; Ranger Tim Holtz Distress inks and markers.

“Classic” – Authentique patterned paper and stickers; Bazzill cardstock; Tattered Angels mist; Ranger Tim Holtz Distress inks and markers.

“You are special” - Authentique patterned paper and stickers; CTMH jeweled brads; Clearsnap smooch spritz mist; Ranger Tim Holtz Distress inks and markers.

“One & Only” - Authentique patterned paper and stickers; Bazzill cardstock; Ranger Tim Holtz Distress inks and markers; Best Creation foam squares.

The Earth Birthday Party!

I warn you, this is a long post with plenty of photos. I strongly recommend opening a large bag of chips and making it break time.

Domonik is a fan of the BBC Earth documentary series and other related documentaries. He is conscious of nature and a loving boy. For his party we decided on a Planet Earth theme, not the easiest topic, even with all the great Earth Day Party ideas on Pinterest. For those of you who already follow me, or want to check out my inspiration I have a board with the Earth Birthday ideas and inspiration with the sources, please check it out and give the credit where due :)  Not all of the brilliant ideas work in Canada during February, but we made do.

We re-used a lot of the party supplies from Bella’s party last month, and I’m sure we will find another use for them again. The paper plates were an eco/biodegradable type. We did use real dishware as often as possible, but remember these were 8-year old boys I was expecting. I (Warren) taped old newspaper to the backboard (See Bella’s party post), and painted it with Crayola paint in a couple of blue hues. The tablecloth from Bella’s paint table became a swag decoration, layered with my photo prop curtain, and yarn still on the roll with the bulk of it hidden behind.

 The food was the easiest way to decorate (yes you read that correctly). I found the cantaloupe puffer fish and knew they had to be made. We had planned on a watermelon shark; however we couldn’t find one as big as the cantaloupe, just too small. We borrowed Mom’s fish bowl style punch bowl, I set it on a cake pedestal, and went to work with blue Jell-O. If I had actually read the Pin on this I am sure I would have caught the mistake I was about to make. I used Berry blue Jell-O, 10 freaking packs since the bowl was massive. It made for very dark ‘water’. If I had to re-do I would have found a clear gelatin to mix with it to lighten it up. Don’t put the fish in until party time. My mother has a fantastic dishware selection, and the giant glass punch dispenser became Iceberg central (sorry, very hard to get a good snap of it).

The best Pinterest pin, the Rice Krispie treat earth pops. With a variety of allergies I wanted something that everyone could have. This was it! It was easy to do, the original pinner used a pan I didn’t have and wasn’t about to buy. I greased a muffin tin and used it as a mould. Perfect.  I have no tutorial photos as I was home alone and wearing shortening covered gloves. Warren (the cleaner) can handle when I leave greasy handprints on the cupboard door, but the camera I think would have been a bad one. I placed newspaper in the bottom of some cans wrapped in twine and yarn, placed parchment paper over top and set the sticks inside. Dear Santa, if you are reading this I need a can opener like my Aunt G. She kindly kept her cans for me since her opener from Tupperware unfolds the can as opposed to cutting. No sharp edges.

The cake. I had wanted to do something really cool, yet Domonik is a tricky one. He is very appreciative of what I do for him, but has a keen eye. Last year’s Death Star had a minor imperfection; I was notified right away. It’s totally my fault I am sure…on to the cake… He decided on a volcano. We looked and found many photos, but nothing he really felt he wanted. So we searched real volcano photos and he picked his inspiration from there. I baked a 9” square cake and a Bundt cake, which I cooled and froze. The base was the round, then I random cut the square to form mountain peaks, attached with skewers and decorated with icing. The easiest cake I have ever made him. He loved it!

At the beginning of January we made self-watering pop bottle planters (I really use a lot of Pinterest) and planted 2 types of basil. The leftover paint water cups from B’s party became the base for our grass heads. Warren and I cut pantyhose to place seeds and dirt in, layered pebbles in the cut and set the ‘hair’ to grow. At the party the kids were encouraged to draw faces and style the grass hair. This was more popular with the girls. I made water bottle bowling pins, and it was a hit with the boys. We played a game based on the Minute to Win It fish game; we called ours “Save the baby Gannets.” It was so funny watching them try to keep the tissue paper bird from hitting the floor.

 

Domonik and I knew right away the loot bags would be reusable tote bags, made by me. Filling them was the hard part. We came across this pin, and I knew I had tripped over enough of those little toys in my house to make one for all the kids. I cleaned them with wipes, inserted an eye hook, then primed and painted. We originally planned to add shrunken chip bags to each one, but he changed his mind. Luckily I got to eat said chips first. I had some Cricut Magnet sheets at my house, some kraft paper, and a Xyron glue runner. My friend Cheryl Ashworth sent me some great Stampin’ Up! Recycling themed stamps, they fit perfectly. It was difficult to stay in theme and have something kids would like. I was going to buy note books, but I have a large supply of scrapbook paper on hand that will probably never make it to a layout. I bound it with a scrap of t-shirt yarn from another project. The Seed paper was a family project, definitely needed extra hands on that one.

This may seem like a lot of work to some people (trust me it was!) and wonder why I bother. I get the “now how are you going to top that next year?” and to that I say: It isn’t about topping his party (or anyone else’s for that matter), it’s about his memories and happiness.

Enjoy!

P.s. I thought the post was too long, interested in some of the supplies used? Leave a comment and I will get back to you. Don’t forget to like my page on Facebook.

Glitz Cards

Glitz makes some really cool products. I saw these ‘hoopla’ rub-ons when they first came out and had to have them. Then my craft room swallowed them whole and they were gone. When they finally resurfaced I knew I had to use them right away. Grabbed my tags from Staples and Tim Holtz Distress inks by Ranger and got to work. LOVE getting messy.

I placed the rubs on the tags (before inking) and started blending the Distress inks over top with my Inkssentials dauber. I misted with water and dried with my heat tool. Don’t get too close to rub ons, as they may burn. Tim Holtz has a great videos on his techniques, including this one, be sure to download his App to have easy access to his genius. Cannot say enough good about that man and his team, pure genius.

Anywhoo… I set the tags aside and slowly added ‘pieces’ to them until I had time to turn into cards. I have days when nothing comes to mind creatively, this may be hard to believe if you have ever asked me “what would you do with this?” but totally true. I use those days to do other crafty tasks like embossing, die cutting etc. I had my DCWV bases, previously embossed (using Tim Holtz’s texture fades), my prepped tags, scrap paper, and boom. Cards done.

 

 

 

Enjoy! 

Supplies used:

1.       Lilly B patterned paper; Bazzill cardstock; DCWV base; Staples tag; Glitz Rub-on; Harmonie peel-off; Ranger Distress ink; Bella Blvd. tape; unknown twine, staples, flower, and brad.

2.       Provo Craft, Bo-Bunny pattern paper; DCWV base; Harmonie peel-off; Making Memories brad; Tim Holtz texture fade by Sizzix and Distress inks by Ranger; CTMH ink; Glitz rub-ons; Bella Blvd. tape; unknown staples and lace; Staples tag.

3.       Costco patterned paper; DCWV base; Bazzill cardstock; Tim Holtz Distress ink by Ranger, texture fades for Sizzix; CTMHN ink; unknown brad, twine, staples, flowers; Staples tag; Bella Blvd. tape; Glitz Rub-ons.

4.       Staples tag; Provo Craft texture plate; Costco patterned paper; Glitz rub-on; DCWV base; Unknown brad and flower; Vintage Street Market twine; Bella Blvd tape; Tim Holtz Distress ink by Ranger.

5.       Tim Holtz Distress ink by Ranger, texture fades by Sizzix; DCWV base; Glitz rub-on; Bella Blvd. tape; unknown trim; Vintage Street Market twine; CTMH inks; Dollarama gems; Staples tag.

6.       Staples tag; Tim Holtz Distress ink by Ranger; DCWV base; Bazzill cardstock; Dollarama gems; Glitz rub-ons; Vintage Street Market twine; Bella Blvd. tape; Darice texture plate; unknown staples.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day is here again, well tomorrow. The kiddos are getting ready to exchange with classmates. I give them the option of printable, purchasing, or making their own. This year both Domonik and Bella decided to make bookmarks. I helped with some stamping, supervising, and tassel making. Since they used paper from my scrap bin there was minimal cutting required. Domonik being older, he was allowed to use the Big Shot to die-cut a portion of his.

Remember the Care Bear twins? The babies who hung out with Gran, doing crafts and reading stories. Anywho, They had a rainy day and made crayon resist water paintings. This is essentially how Bella made her bookmarks. She glued her painted papers to Bazzill Bling cardstock, stamped with a MSE word stamp, and added a yarn tassel/pom.

Domonik likes looking on Pinterest with me. I showed him the paint chip bookmarks, and he did his own take on them. First we cut the long chips in two, ran them through the Big Shot (Tim Holtz heart mover and shaper). He decided to stamp a Tim Holtz heart and MSE verse in Archival ink. The paint chip was then glued to Worldwin double-mates cardstock, and the heart die cut added to the front in a contrasting color. The colorful tassels added last.

 

I decided to participate in Little Yellow Bicycle's facebook sketch challenge this month as well. There is still time left, get yours in!

Supplies used: LYB  products; Webster's Pages letter stickers; Bazzill Basics cardstock; CTMH ink; Ranger Distress marker.

 

 

I also made a card for the Ranger February Color Palette Inspiration & Contest.

Deadline is the 25th of February. What are you waiting for?

Supplies used: DCWV card base; Tim Holtz Distress inks, stains, markers, stickles (Ranger),tissue tape, stamp, and woodgrain texture plate; Authentique letter stickers; Ranger Archival ink, Glossy Accents; Provo Craft embossing folder.

 

The WINNER, chosen in a random number guessing game with Bella, is Amanda Daybyday! Please email howinviting@hotmail.com to claim your prize.

 

I have created a facebook page, and found the good photos I took for the blog of Bella's party AFTER the post went live. Oh well. stop by and check out the new photos on the fb page :)

Enjoy!

6th post, 6th Birthday!

Happy Birthday baby girl!

*Give-away alert*

In honor of my 6^th post, I thought it fitting to write it on my daughter, Bella, who recently turned 6. My kids are great when it comes to understanding the amount of work that goes into their parties. When they decide on a theme, it cannot be changed. We started planning not long after seeing one of many posts on Hostess With The Mostess(I’m a fan on FB, and follow on Pinterest, you should too!) While I often look at all the inspiration, this is my first year using them myself. When I saw the Art Party(original post no longer available), I thought “I can do this!” Bella really liked the idea as well. It was fun to brainstorm together and to see her interest in creating the party; her sketches of the aprons were really good.

Over the long time frame, we made aprons, brush roll ups, hair accessories, and different décor items. A lot of time is good for spreading the workload, but also for seasonal sales like school/art supplies go on sale in September. The aprons took the most time to make, but I was blessed with family helpers of all ages. 

The invitations were kept simple; Bella and I completed them together in an hour (or less). We also added cute stamped images (by CTMH, colored with my Distress markers and water brushes) to straws. We used real paint cans wrapped in scrapbook paper, with an empty one on top for her flower arrangement (her request).

Pinterest was a great source for ideas and tips, I’ve made a board that has some of the ideas I did use, along with some I wish I had more time for. The backdrop happened by chance. My business partner was cleaning our storage room and found some old signage. I taped them together, hubby added the wood base blocks, and I just taped fabric pieces. Super easy. We just attached it to the table with clamps from the tool box. The initial canvas was the finishing touch; it now hangs in Bella’s room.

 

We had seen the paintbrush rice krispie squares, and knew we had to do them in a gluten-free version. The idea for a paint can cake seemed simple enough, but I’m certainly not a cake decorator extraordinaire. Inside the delicious gluten-free, dairy-free cake were tinted bright colors. It was a hit.

Thanks for taking a look at Bella’s 6^th birthday party! Want to win a loot bag like the little ladies that attended? Comment and follow here on the blog, winner will be announced in the next post.

Enjoy!