CCC #039: July 2014 Tags Challenge

Hi!

The Catherine and Cathy Create July 2014 Tags Challenge is up, and the theme this month is colour-blocking.

I had a few ideas for this one, but nothing seemed to have the right look I was going for.

I think my problem was I was really over-thinking it. 

So I mixed it up to a pattern-block instead of colour. 

These challenges are meant to inspire and get us crafting, not to stress over.

So while you are enjoying your Summer fun-time, but out some scrappy supplies to take on the road with you to create some darling little tags, don't forget to upload the link!

Enjoy!

CCC:037 "National Pride"

Happy Canada Day!!!

The July Monthly challenge at www.catherineandcathycreate.com
is inspired by your national colours. 
Here in Canada that means red and white.

It's turning out to be  a great Summer already,
 and I want to be out enjoying it. 

That said, I still need some crafty time. 
I just need to make use of smaller amounts of time. 

Using stencils, sponged ink, and a gel pen I was able to create this layout really quickly, and I'm all ready for today's photos.
The small letters were stamped on a full sheet of white card-stock in advance and I make use of them whenever I can, 
without having to grab my stamping stuff.

What are your national colours? 
What will you create for the July monthly challenge at www.catherineandcathycreate.com?

Enjoy!

CCC #036 June Tag Challenge

Hey all!

The June tag challenge is now up at

www.catherineandcathycreate.com

"Bakery Shop" baked goods themed tags. 

Very me. 

I love food. 

Another couple of things I really enjoy are: stamps with coordinating punches/dies, and using up scraps. 

This tag incorporates all three!

The tag stamp is super adorable. 

I literally grabbed the small scraps left over from 

my travel journal and stapled them together. 

Be sure to create some delicious tags of your own and submit to www.catherineandcathycreate.com

Don't forget to enter the other challenges this month!

Enjoy!

CCC #034 "Pack your Bags"

June's monthly challenge at
 www.catherineandcathycreate.com 

is inspired by travel.

For my family, Summer means a lot of day trips: 
picnics with small or large groups, hiking, or just a Sunday drive.
This year we plan to do some off island visiting. 
I am also planning an imaginary trip to the UK, to see Richard Armitage at the Old Vic Theater in The Crucible. 
I know it isn't happening for me this year, but a gal can dream. 

Sometimes the best journey you can take is with a good book.
 I've read 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings' to my kiddos, 

my travel journal incorporates a line by J. R. R. Tolkien. 
Yes, I do know it should include the word "those", 
but for my project it looked prettier without it. ;) 

Be sure to link your projects at www.catherineandcathycreate.com

Enjoy!

CCC#033: May 14, Tags challenge, "Hey Diddle, Diddle"

This month's tag challenge at www.catherineandcathycreate.com 

is inspired by music. 

Have music? Gotta dance!

My girly is much like myself in this mindset. 

Dancing for fun since we could walk.

The skirt is created with two layers of heat embossed vellum, snipped and hand shaped to give it oomph.

Music helps me with my creativity and productivity.

How about you?

Don't forget to enter all 3 of this month's challenges at www.catherineandcathycreate.com

Enjoy!

CCC#031 May 1 Starlight,Star Bright

Hi all!

It's the beginning of May! 

Whoa, this year is flying by so fast. 

It's already time for a new monthly challenge at www.catherineandcathycreate.com

"Start light, Star bright" is the theme this month, I'm all over that!!! 

I've been making dance cards and tags since Miss B was 3, this year is no exception. I wanted a fun tag that will reflect the sparkle of a recital. 

Don't forget to create your own starlight project (layout, tag, card, 3D mixed media, anything!) and upload it at www.catherineandcathycreate.com before the end of May to get in on the fun!

Enjoy!

CCC April 14th Tags Challenge: "Why Hello, My Furry Friends"

Catherine and Cathy Create April Tags Challenge: 

"Why Hello, My Furry Friends"

Little bunny Foo-Foo is a favorite furry 'friend' of mine. 

Bet you've got the song in your head too now!!

To make my glitter rabbit, I simply stamped on the back and cut it out. 

The stamp has been well used as of late with gold embossing powder,

 it's just too darn cute! 

I've got to say I love working with doilies, 

they just seem to add the spring in my tag. 

Time for you to get crafty and create a 'Furry Friend' tag of your own to play along at www.catherineandcathycreate.com

Check out the other challenges this month, both due April 30, 2014:

Monthly Challenge: Fresh Beginnings

Cards Challenge: Blue Skies & Yellow Highs!

Enjoy!

CCC:028 April Color Challenge

Spring? 

What is that?

 I live in Newfoundland, it hasn't reached here yet. 

Maybe in May.

However, that doesn't mean we cannot be inspired by other's fresh new looks for Spring.

Welcome to the Cathy and Catherine Create April main challenge!

This challenge means anything inspired by this photo, colors, and theme.

Found at The Little French Nest 

I am swooning over that tile in the background! Isn't it just darling!

I had to incorporate it into my card. 

There are many Spring birthdays for my family, so I really need to get them all ready to send.

Now pop on over to www.catherineandcathycreate.com 

to see the other DT projects and create an entry for yourself!

Enjoy!

CCC # 027 Tags Challenge: Use a Negative

Hi All!

The March (really, are we halfway through March already?!) Tag Challenge is up

at www.catherineandcathycreate.com

Forget focusing on the positives, it's all about the negatives!

I bet this is the only time/area I will give this advice.

Using the leftover, negative pieces from die-cuts and punches is right up my alley,

and a trick I have been using for years.

This tag has a special home, on a special bag, for a special present, for a super special event this Summer.

Now head on over to www.catherineandcathycreate.com and start entering the challenges!

Enjoy!

CCC#025 March challenge

Hey All!

Time again for another challenge at www.catherineandcathycreate.com!

Have you been uploading your projects?

This month's challenge is Luck o' the Irish, inspired by St. Patrick's Day.

As you've probably guessed by my past postings, 
we don't make a big fuss over some occasions. 

We don't really do much for St. Patrick's day 
besides the kid's school projects and wearing green. 

That doesn't mean I can't play along. 

I made this card for an upcoming family birthday.

I must comment on how nervous I was embossing and sewing the gold foil paper, but I LOOOOOOOVVVVE the result!

The challenge is about using elements inspired by, not specific to. 

Rainbows, gold, green, yellow, shamrocks, drinks, etc. on a project qualifies! 

That means you can't count yourself out of the challenge just because you are like me! 

Dig through your stash and create something (a card, tag, layout, anything) and upload to the March challenge at www.catherineandcathycreate.com. 

There's another monthly prize up for grabs, so don't delay!

Enjoy!

CCC #024 February 14 Tags challenge: Use a Weather Element

Happy Valentine's Day All!

This month's tag challenge at www.catherineandcathycreate.com

 is to use a weather element.

Well now. 

I was all ready to go in a different direction. 

I started with a deep dark blue ink, salt, and water to create a snowy card. 

The snow was driving me crazy. 

Don't get me wrong, I love snow. 

I just wanted a bit of sunshine. 

The afternoon sun in through my dining room window makes it the best place in my whole house to sit and drink coffee. 

I knew then what I wanted to do with my tag.

What surprises me the most about this Paper Pumpkin stamp set is how much I like and use it. To be honest, I wasn't a fan of the intro kit, until I had my paws on it. 

Don't forget that there's a chance to win the Watercolor Happy stamp set from Stampin' Up! 

Head on over and enter all three challenges to get you entries!

Check out the other Catherine and Cathy Create challenges for this month, both due February 28, 2014:

Monthly Challenge:  Doodle-ista

Cards Challenge: Gold-i-licious

Enjoy!

Boss Cards

I was asked to create a few Boss cards.

 

Hubby had just surprised me with this fabulous embossing folder and I couldn't wait to use it.

 

So I made some double embossed Boss cards :)

 

 

Enjoy!

Paper Pumpkin and my starter kit

Wahoo! 

My starter kit arrived today!

I ordered it from my pal Cathy from 'In The Cat Cave' (follow me, I know the way: http://www.inthecatcave.com/p/my-paper-pumpkin.html?m=1 )

The starter kit is usually the same whatever month you start, the acrylic block is the nicest one I own.

 Gorgeous dah-ling!

I did one just like the sample, and then created these:

Go get yours!

Enjoy!

CCC #006 August Tag Challenge: Polka Dots

 

I can't even hear the words Polka Dots without thinking of the movie Madagascar 3. 

I watch a lot of children's movies. 

Every time I thought about my project for the tag challenge I was in the mood for fun and whimsy.

And bright clown wigs.

On a Zebra.

And then my Stampin' Up order arrived. 
 

The Simply Sketched  hostess set instantly became my favorite-est stamp set ever. 

I will admit, I don't know what kind of berry branch it is. It made me think of blueberries. 

I stamped, coloured with aqua pen, and used foam to rub ink overtop to slightly antique.

I had a scraps of patterned paper from my apple project for the Catherine and Cathy Create Blog Hop (the winner of hop is posted today!).
I also used my new "tag it" framelits to cut the hole, LOVE!

It will make a great thank you tag for my Granny's best friend, Minnie.  

She makes THE BEST jam ever. 
 

Ever. 
 

She shares it up between the families, and all she asks in return is to bring the bottles back for refill. 

I've got a stack of jars with her name on it, and now a pretty polka dot tag too! 

 

Be sure to check out and follow the other tag inspiration at Catherine and Cathy Create. 

See more cards made with the stamp set here.  

Enjoy!

Card Frenzy

 

It's no secret I make a lot of cards, I just don't always share them.

Here's a sampling of some of my newest creations.

 I tend to make similar cards in batches, then when they are all mixed together they vary.

I used to make a lot of identical cards, but now, not so much.

 

 

 

 

Enjoy!

Hostess stamps are amazing.

Yes, yes they are.

 

I recently had a Stampin' Up online party through Cathy Caines (In The Cat Cave), and my new stuff arrived yesterday. 

 

I am thrilled with my new stuff!

 Especially the Simply Sketched set available only to hostesses.  

 

Here's what I made right away. 

 

Want this set?

 

Host a SU party through Cathy via this link.

 She's also looking for new demonstrators

 to join her Stampin' Up team,

be sure to let her know if this is something you

 would like more information about. 

 

Enjoy!

CCC Monthly Challenge: Here Comes The Bride

It's that time again!

 

 A new monthly challenge at www.catherineandcathycreate.com is up and running. Be sure to follow the link at the bottom of the page to enter your creation.

Well my brother is getting married next year. I usually avoid all the weddingy stuff on Pinterest, but now I'm peeking jic I'm needed lol. So when I came across these cups and saucers while preparing for my bestie's visit I had a vision of sorts. 

What a lovely centrepiece these would make.

I collect teapots and the like, so I have a few to work with. 

I started with the cardstock stuff that keeps the paper packs all crisp in the packaging. 

Then inked my large love roller stamp in "perfect plum". 

And punched out my tag, inked the edges. 

I also stamped a sentiment and punched ovals. I love the chip numbers, even if they are older stock. I covered in my black ink. I think I may need to get the "typeset alphabet Bigz" dies. They would work perfect for this!

I had some pearls to add some wedding glitz. 

 

 

Hope you get the chance to play along at www.catherineandcathycreate.com

Enjoy!

CCC DT Favourite Things

What are some of  my favourite things? 

 

Head on over to http://www.catherineandcathycreate.com/2013/07/one-of-rheas-favorite-things.html

To find out the answer!

 

Guess who is featured today!!

 yup it's me!

 

For my project I grabbed some Watercolour paper, my Cherry Cobbler and Bravo Burgundy ink pads, and set to work on my craft mat. I kept adding layers to create an anniversary card for my hubby. 

 

Speaking of my messy hands, I also experimented with my inks on my nails. I used Staz-On and Stampin' Up stamps to stamp onto dry nail polish, set with a top coat.

 I normally wear dark polish, so I need to get myself a white Staz-on pad. 

I'm so thankful to be part of this great creative team, be sure to follow along at http://www.catherineandcathycreate.com.

  

Enjoy!

Blocked

Yet again I feel as though I've hit a creative block.

By now you should know how much I like to scrap while watching tv.

Normally it helps (music is required for sewing).

It could just be that Nathan Fillion is too funny in "Firefly". 

 

Even with the block, I need to do something.

Another gift from the talented Cathy, In The Cat Cave, was this stamp set by Stampin' Up.

 

 

 Follow the link to her Stampin' Up online consultant store and check out the great products available.

 

I grabbed some light scraps and my Ranger Distress inks. I did a few of each, not worrying about the text portion as I wanted to cut them out.

 Next I stamped the images again on another light scrap. After stamping I notched for a flag end, or punched with a large EK Success punch.

Inked the pieces with my trusty "Gathered Twigs" Distress ink and Inkssentials dauber. I misted each piece with water and dabbed away the droplets with my craft cloth.

Normally I would use my heat gun, but I am in even more disarray than normal with the renos in the home of my future office/studio and adjoining laundry room.

 

 

Out of foam squares (rather, I lost them), I keep scrap chipboard handy to raise elements on cards. Sometimes foam squares alone can cause sag spots in the voids between squares. Having chipboard between paper and foam helps eliminate this.

 

I've managed to pull out the papers I plan to use and cut card size pieces.

 

 

 Now I'm stuck.

 

Here's hoping my April Crop Circles Blog Hop idea makes a miraculous entrance and coordinates with my hands by the 10th.

Stay tuned!

Enjoy!