Kawaii Crepe (Scraptastic Sketch)

It's time for another sketch over at Scraptastic.  I decided to modify the sketch to an 8.5x11 format just to change things up a bit.

It was so nice of mom to come into the city to attend Isabelle's Grade 9 graduation ceremony with me, as Darwin was out of town.  After the ceremony we asked her where she wanted to go for lunch.  Thankfully for mom and I she chose one of her favourite places, which wa also a place we had not yet been.  Kawaii crepe is delicious with a variety of crepe fillings to choose from.  Whether sweet or savory they all taste as delicious as they look.  We had 3 different fillings between the three of us: cookies & cream with strawberries, chicken caesar salad, and pulled pork.  It's a place I'll now need to take Darwin, so he can experience the deliciousness for himself.

I loved this card from the July Either Way Kit.  I knew when I saw the sketch, that this was the way I wanted to use it.  And how great is that ripped paper stamp?

A little more stamping and lots of buttons, and enamel dots to finish off the page.  Not too much, but not too simple, a great sketch to work with.

We'd love to see your take on Susan's sketch.  If you play along please come over to the blog and link up here for your chance at a Scraptastic gift card.

Thanks so much for stopping by today friends!

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The Right Adhesive

I was pretty excited to have received an email from Tombow a little while back asking if I would like to participate in their Sticky U!  I've been a loyal Tombow fan for years and years, so of course saying yes was a no-brainer.  I was shipped a roll of their new Xtreme Permanent Adhesive.  I wanted to put it to the test on my regular layered, with lots of bits and pieces style.  Here is the result.

I love this photo of Isabelle and her friend Keira just prior to their grad dinner.  Both their dresses had so much pretty detail around the waist, and the way they were both holding their clutches called for a photo all it's own, and in turn a layout of the shot, of course.

I couldn't resist adding in the photo of the just the girls' feet, showing off their fab shoes on the layout.  I used a Webster's Pages clip to fasten it to a tag and tucked it into a glassine bag behind the main photo.

Not only was the adhesive a breeze to put on, requiring just the teeniest bit of pressure to dispense from the roll, it also worked perfectly to hold my sequins, and wood veneer pieces (which are normalled glued down with liquid glue), my flair buttons, my burlap bow, and my chipboard accents (which are normally secured in another fashion).  A closer look reveals that you can't even see the adhesive under the transparent sequins.

Thank you Tombow for inviting me to participate in Sticky U!  The Extreme Permanent Adhesive has found a new home among my other Tombow go-tos.

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Summer so far

Happy Friday friends,

I certainly hope you will forgive me for how absent I've been around here lately.  It seems like this past year has only gotten busier, and busier.  I thought that things would slow down when Dance Competition and recital were finished.  I was wrong.  I have finally come to believe that this is just the way our life is going to look for the next season.  Summer looks a little different than I thought it would so far this summer, beginning with my heading back to work 5 days a week.  It's been about 10 years since I've done that, and let's just say I'm pooped.  My hats off to all you full time working moms out there, it is no joke spinning so many plates at once.  The girls, on the otherhand are having a wonderful summer thus far.  I'll be picking the youngest two up tonight from their grandparent's home out of town where they've been staying for the past week, as they attended an Art Camp hosted by the super sweet, and maga talented CD Muckosky.  And Isabelle has spent the week with her friend at the lake for the past 7 days.  It has been so quiet around here.  You'd think I would love the quiet, but it's honestly just a tad too quiet, especially these past 2 nights with Darwin out of town too.  No puppy shadow following me around, no fighting, and reminders to pick things up around the house...makes me truly thankful for the sometimes craziness that is my family.  I am blessed to be a wife and a mom, as tired as those roles and their duties make me at times, I couldn't be more happy to fulfill them.

On to my layout.

You may recognize these photos, as I've already scrapped one of them just recently.  Because I get so few photos of this particular child however, I am using every opportunity to scrap and re-scrap the few good ones I get.  That, and they matched the papers from the July Either Way Scraptastic Kit so well.

Had a lot of fun using my new sewing machine on this one.  There are so many lush patterned papers in this month's kit that I had to find a way to use as many of them as possible on one single layout.

With so many patterns, I needed the title to pop off the page, so I used some 3D adhesive to make it happen.

The Scraptastic stamps are always so fabulous, and reliable, no practice stamping necessary, they always work the first time around.

There you have it, a little personal update on my life, and something fun to set you on your way for the upcoming weekend.  Have a great one friends!

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Oh Baby!

Did you know that Chic Tags has some really cute baby themed tags?  They are part of a recently released collection called Oh Baby!  There is a pink line for girls and a blue line for boys.  It's been a while since I have heard the pitter patter of little feet in my home, but I just had to use these sweet tags on a layout.  

This is where sweet, sweet Ella comes in.

This little lady sure knows how to light up a room.  She's so intelligent, and cuter than a button.  Her mom sent me this adorable photo of her loving her new pink tutu, a perfect match for the Oh Baby! collection.

Because I didn't really have the exact shade of pink in any of my patterned papers, I decided to go with a variety of pinks, mixed with some black, white, and off white.  I really like the end result.

If you know my scrappy style, you know how much I love office supply tags.  How cute are these Oh Baby! ones, shown here tucked behind the "Sweet Baby Girl Icon"

That super cute chevron card is also form the collection

See that circle/star cut file?  It's a Chic Tags cut file, you can grab it yourself for FREE right here.

I many no longer have babies to raise, but I am not going to let that stop me from using the adorable Oh Baby collection.

Hope you feel inspired to create something beautiful today!

Tags Used
Oh Baby! Girl Icons
Oh Baby! Girl Mini Tags
Oh Baby! Girl Milestones
Circle/Star Cluster Cut File

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I Still Do

It's the second Tuesday of the month which means it's time for another Challenge at Use It Tuesday.

This week, in the spirit of Father's Day we are challenging you to create something with a "masculine" feel to it.  I probably should have done Father's Day cards, since I need those anyway, but I opted instead to use up these gorgeous rich blue sheets of patterned paper by Teresa Collins, My Mind's Eye, and Studio Calico.

Took this photo this past New Year's Eve (aka: our 17th wedding anniversary)

Lots of hoarded goodies used up here, in addition to the papers, I have a couple of sets of alphas that I've had for quite a while, as well as the My Mind's Eye ticket tucked under the photo, and the Crate brad that is at least 3 years old, and the Studio Calico washi that is 2 years old.

The flair button is from Panda Eight Designs, and the label maker is by EK Success

I can't believe it's really been that long.  I still think we both look so young, that it just doesn't seem right that we've really been together for nearly two decades.

Love the way the lime green just pops off the page.  I also chose deliberately to print the image in black and white to add to the masculine feel of it, and allow that green to really pop.

I found that wooden star shape at Michael's and inked to with a little Prima chalk ink, then covered it with Glossy Accents to add a little shine (even though it doesn't show up so great in the pic

Even though it didn't turn out quite as nice as I had envisioned I took a close up of the hand stitching I did around the masked shapes   Because the masking wasn't as bold as I had hoped, I thought it would help add texture to them by outlining them with embroidery thread.  Next time I would use white pait rather than white Gesso to mask on such a dark background.

I am so lucky to have this man in my life.  He's not only a great husband, and father to our girls.  He is my best friend.  He's always in my corner, always supports me in all my endeavours (crafty and otherwise), picks me when he has a choice of who to go to football games with, never complains about a messy house, or breakfast for supper, and best of all love Jesus like I do.  I am so glad my girls get to see a fine example of how a spouse, and partner in life should be like

Are you feeling inspired to play along?  I sure hope so.  Check out the rest of the team's projects and find the link to add you own here on the blog.

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  And a special thank you for your comments, they really do give me the energy I need to keep this blog up. Pin It

The Sugar Factory & Free Cut Friday

You know when you have a great idea for a layout, but then as it's coming together it's not actually looking like the picture you had in your head?  Well that's what happened to me this week.  Here is my layout.

The challenge at Use It Tuesday this week is to a 'beloved favorite'.  I have loved this sheet of corrugated alphabets by Jillibean soup for years now.  The problem is that every time I try to use them I no longer had the letters I needed to create the title I wanted to use, or that they were just too big for the design of the page.  Solution: take all remaining letters out and back with patterned paper.  All in all not a bad plan, except that the photo I chose to use was filled with colour, as was the patterned paper I used to back the corrugated alphabet.  I think overall it's just too darn much colour.  A black and white photo may have been the better choice here.  I shuffled paper around this layout for way too long.  Finally I just decided to just go with it.  I don't hate it, but it's definitely not one of my faves.  Why post it you ask?  To keep myself humble and show others that it's okay to have mediocre pages in your albums/blog posts, not everything has to be spectacular right?!  It's capturing the memories of the events that is the most important right?!  The rest of the team have some great beloved faves to share with you.  You can see them all here, and link up your own layout for a chance at a Guest DT spot on our team.

Speaking of our Design Team, we are actually hosting a call right now.  The ladies are a really sweet bunch to work with, and the requirements are very reasonable.  The term runs from July to December, and you have until May 31st to apply.  I encourage you to check out the detail here on the blog.

In case you missed it, Chic Tags posted a brand new set of Silhouette files yesterday for Freebie Friday.  Run over and check them out on the blog.

That's if for the long weekend Saturday.  I have to work, I hope you're spending it, but doing something fun with those you love.

Thanks for popping in today! Pin It

Thankful

Happy Friday friends!

This little hobby of scrapping that we all share is so much more than just pretty paper, and embellishments.  I have really enjoyed meeting some wonderful people all around the world because of it.  The internet is what brings us all together.  Just think how many scrappers were out there 20 years ago off in their corner of the world wondering if they were the only ones who loved playing with photos, and paper so much.

Meet my friends Carla, and Lee-Anne.

I recently had a chance to connect with both of them at one time.  It happened during my trip to Calgary for Spring break a few weeks ago.  They live about an hour apart from one another, they hadn't met in person before, but they knew each other through online crafting sites/blogs.  Of course I had to meet up with them.  It turns out I was staying in the same neighbourhood where Carla lives, so she graciously offered to come and pick me up.  Together we set out to meet up with the ever adorable Lee-Ann at a restaurant around the mid-way point for all of us.  A great meal, and a wonderful opportunity to get to know two sweet women who love this hobby as much as I do.  I am so grateful to the World Wide Web for introducing me to these ladies.  It has been a joy serving on different design teams with both of them.  I have don't doubt that we'll meet up again one day.

Chic Tags Used:
Hollo Months
Road Trip Number tags
Fall Date Banners

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LGS Sketch Reveal

I'm baaaack.  For real this time.  I apologize for being MIA all last week, but getting back into the swing of things took a little more of my time and energy than anticipated.  I also attended the awesome Crop & Create event from Friday to Sunday.  Aaaand, I've got some really exciting life stuff going on that required my full attention toward the end of the week.  I'll be sure to let you in on everything real soon.

On to the scrappy goodness you've likely stopped by for.  Here is the layout I created based on this week's sketch at Let's Get Sketchy.

Those gorgeous snowflakes were created by the talented Daniela Dobson.

And here is this week's sketch.  It's a good one!

Hope you find the time to play along with us.  Check out what the rest of the team came up with here.  And this is where you can see what last week's sketch was.  Remember you have all month to link up with us.  Linking up at least 3 times will get you into the drawing for our sponsored prize for the month.

Thanks for popping in.  Have a wonderful Monday friends!

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Using an un-inked stamp

That is this week's challenge at Use It Tuesday.

This one was a little tricky for me as I don't own a ton of stamps and almost all of them are in fact inked.  My scrappy friend Tara, however, was a sweetheart to lend me a cute set I was drooling over a few weeks ago.  She's sweet like that, she just let me take them home to use whenever I got a chance.  This was the perfect opportunity.

Here are the hoarded supplies I used on this layout.  Only the stamps are borrowed.

Studio Calico: stamps & cardstock stickers, My Mind's Eye 6x6 paper pad, Pink Paislee mistable trim, not shown

And here is the layout I created, documenting my love for Mongos, a Mongolian barbecue restaurant near our home.

 My mouth is watering just looking at the photo.  

Journaling read "Also known as my birthday restaurant.  I love Mongo Mongolian bbq.  I create the same dish every single time.  It's guaranteed to satisfy."

I stamped directly onto the photo using Ranger Archival Ink.  It has a wonderfully rich tone, and transfers easily.  You need only be sure to hold the stamp very still when applying, otherwise you risk smudging the image.

Jillibean Soup, and My Mind's Eye label stickers.  Journal spot is Echo Park

Pop over here to see what the rest o the team created using an un-inked stamp.  You have until the end of the month to link up your own creation, and get a shot at being our Guest Designer in an upcoming challenge.

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All About Me

Happy Monday friends,

I have some Let's Get Sketchy Inspiration for you today.

Isabelle and Eden headed out one afternoon last month to snap some photos together.  Just ask me how much that filled my mamma's heart.  They both managed to take some really great shots of one another.

“It is His joy that remains in us that makes our joy full.” ~ A. B. Simpson

Tabitha's sketch

I had fun using my November Scraptastic Kit, a TCW mask and some paint on this one.  

I love the way these photos showcase Belle's crazy, fun personality perfectly.

Hop over here to see what the rest of the DT did with Tabitha's sketch, and to link up your own take on it.  I hope you're feeling inspired to create something beautiful today. Pin It

Home Is Where The Heart Is

Happy Monday friends,

Today is a day off for my kiddos, have I mentioned before how much I love to sleep in?  One of my favourite things to do on earth.  It was a lovely weekend here, a little work, a little dance, a sleepover, a scrappy date, church, and of course the Superbowl.  Good times.

This morning, I have the February challenge at Scrapping Everyday Miracles to share with you.  It's all about where you feel most at home this month.  That could mean different things to different people depending on your circumstance.  For me it truly is wherever I know my hubby and kids will be.  That's home.  If they all chose to live in the Arctic circle, I would have to find a way to make it work, because it just wouldn't be home anywhere else if they weren't with me.  Of course there are times where I love them all being away so I can have some peace and quiet, but what makes that peace and quiet so sweet is the knowledge that soon enough everyone will be back bringing with them all the noises big and small that make them who they are, and in turn make me who I am.

Here is the layout I created for the challenge.  The twist is to add journaling on a tag.

All sorts of bits and pieces to this one, mostly My Mind's Eye, and Chic Tags product

A little hard to see, but I spread some gesso and blue paint across behind everything.

I wanted the photo to take centre stage, so I literally centred it, then placed "love" themed embellies all around.

Journaling on the hidden tag is a quote I saw somewhere on-line (Pinterest perhaps) 

"We may not have it all together, but together we have it all"

Hope you feel inspired to create a "home" themed project of your own.  If you join us you'll be in the running for a prize from this month's sponsor as well as possibly earn a spot as a future guest designer for us.  You can get all the info, and see where the rest of the team feels most at home right here.

Have a great week everyone! Pin It

Kiwi Lane Designs Blog Hop

Good morning friends, and welcome to my first ever Kiwi Lane Designs blog hop.

If you've arrived here from Kristy's blog, then you're on the right track.  If you have no idea what I'm talking about, and want to get in on the fun, then I suggest you maximize your daily does of scrapbooking inspiration and start here, at the Kiwi Lane blog.

As a scrapper who likes to use a lot of bits and pieces, and add a lot of dimension to my layouts I was unsure if Kiwi Lane Designer templates would be for me.  When I received my package of goodies, however, I knew these little gems would be easy to assimilate into my scrapbooking.

I worked with the Tiny Accent package for this hop.

I chose the star template to take centre stage on my layout.  I really wanted to give it a work out and chose to create my own patterned paper by tracing and cutting out the shape all over the bottom half of the page, and backing the holes with co-ordinating patterned papers.

This is what I ended up with.

I love masking, and decided to give you a peek of what it would look like if I used the template to do that too.  I decided to keep my template clean (you'll see why later), so I traced out some shapes on scrap paper, and used them instead.

Here is what the masking looked like after adding the alphabet title.

Once I had everything all together I decided that the stars needed just a tad more definition.  To achieve the look I was after, I used my sewing machine to stitch around each star with dark grey thread.

My completed layout. Featuring our family Poodle Wilson, two of the Tiny Accent shapes, My Mind's Eye papers, and a variety of embellishments from my stash.

Here is your complete hop line up

Kiwi Lane 

Cathryn Hanson

Staci Jones

Rebecca Keppel

Melissa Dehne

Jessica Arrant

Charissa Miller

Sherri Thompson

Kristy MacKeen

Sherri Funk <--- You are here

Roselyn Riley

Lisa Anderson

Leslie Prinkki

Visiting, and commenting on each blog will leave you with loads of inspiration.  These ladies really knocked it out of the park for you this hop.  You may also find some great give aways along the way, and one lucky participant among all the blogs will win a $25 gift certificate to the Kiwi Lane store.  I also have a little something to offer one of my lucky readers today.  You could win yourself your very own Tiny Accessories set.  Simple become my newest follower, and leave a comment here telling me you've done so, and this great little set could be on it's way to you very soon.  In the spirit of "the month of love" I'll even throw in some brand new Chic Tags goodness for you.  The fabulous Love Notes collection boasts some super cute tags for all your Valentine's Day scrapbook needs.
You have until Sunday at 11:59 MST to leave your comments and be entered into the draw here and on the Kiwi Lane Designs blog.  The Kiwi Lane winner will be announced on their blog on Wednesday.  My winner will be announced right here on my blog the same day.  Good luck!

Thanks for hopping with me today.  Your next stop will be Roselyn.

Have a wonderful day! Pin It