Seriously So Beautiful

This time of year is always full of Dance Competitions and Dance Recitals in our home.  That translates into a lot of money, driving, waiting, make up, and the best part costumes.

I caught a few pix of my girls and their good friend just before leaving to compete in the Manitoba Dance Festival.  Their costumes were so cute, and they looked so beautiful that I just had to take some photos before we left.

This bright and cheery paper collection provided the perfect amount of cheeriness to accommodate the photos.  Put them together with some equally cheery Chic Tags, and I've got one happy layout to remember this year's Tap costume, and how far the girls have come with their dancing over the past two years.

See that Love 2"Circle?  It's a free cut file.  Albert has been creating and releasing them every Friday for the past number of weeks.  You can download this one, and several other great designs for your Silhouette Cameo right here

The "celebrate" strip is from the Birthday Cake Snip'em Tags.  Such a great value that sheet is.

It can be hard to tell from straight on, but I've added quite a bit of dimension to this layout by having my photo and embellishments placed at different heights.  I find this method works really well when I have several items clustered into a small space.

Hope you're feeling inspired to create something great today!  Getting your hands on some Chic Tags would certainly be a great start.  Head over here to check out the Birthday Collection for yourself.

Have a wonderful weekend friends, and thanks for popping in today!  I'll be back next week with some big news I've been keeping secret for a while now. Pin It

Pure Joy - circa 2010

It's "Anything Goes" today at Use It Tuesday.

We are encouraging you to use up your scrappy stash, and choose anything thing you like as your theme for the week.  I think it will be so great to see the wide variety of projects our members will share with us this week, with such a wide range of themes, product, subjects, manufacturers, etc. to choose from.

I decided to create a Christmas layout in Summer.

While cleaning up my old laptop, I came across these photos that I had bookmarked to scrap two years ago, when I bought this Crate Paper - Peppermint collection.  I had completely forgotten about them.  The photos are of the girls opening some of their favourite gifts that year.  I managed to capture some really great expressions on each of their little faces.  I love that this moment is forever captured on this layout (and not still stuck in my computer)

I still had plenty of Chic Tags Christmas tags left from this past Christmas also.  Together, the pair worked perfectly for this layout.  That intertwined circle cut was made using my Cameo.

That Christmas tree flair is two years old by Evalicious, and the "smile" one is actually a fairly new one that I won from Panda Eight Designs.  Martha creates some gorgeous flair, you know I'm a sucker for flair.  I suggest you check out her Etsy shop.

So what stash do you still have laying around that needs to make it's way into a project?  Can I interest you in a Christmas layout in summer perhaps?  Hop over to the blog to see what the rest of the DT created using their stash this month.  You're sure to be inspired.

Don't forget about our Design Team call.  You still have a few more days to get your application in to join these lovely ladies.  Heather and Siobhan lead a great team, and what better way to use up your stash than by joining in a couple of challenges every month?!  You can get all the DT call details right here (just scroll down to the bottom of the page).  Good luck to those who apply! Pin It

So Totally Me

I love taking a sketch and making it my own.  And that's exactly what I did with this week's sketch at Let's Get Sketchy.  

I used the brand spankin' new BasicGrey Hipster Collection to create this one.

I loved the line so much I purchased the wood veneer embellishment package as well as one of the sticker sheets. 

I fussy cut some of the flowers from one of the sheets of paper and layered them one atop the other for a better cluster look.  I also stitched my banner together placing a few My Mind's Eye enamel dots in the tiny spaces.

The photo is a selfie I took on the first really cool day of Fall.  I pulled out my comfy sweater and my hat, and spent the day in my craft room, ignoring the cold.  Journaling reads "Kinda love the first cool day when I can pull out the comfy sweater and hat".

And this is what the original sketch looked like. 

You can see that there are definitely similarities between the two, but it's not an exact replica.  To see how the other designers used the sketch, and link up your own take for a chance at this month's sponsored prize hop over here.

And in case you missed it.  I offered up some freebie Cameo files yesterday.  You can grab yours here.

Have a wonderful Monday, and Happy Memorial Day to all my US readers.  May you spend the day enjoying the freedom that was so hard won for you. Pin It

Sunday Challenge & Free Cut File

Good Morning friends!

We have another Sunday Challenge for you over at Chic Tags today.  We challenge you to use washi tape.  I have never really gotten into the washi tape craze, as it kind of scares me to be honest.  I have received a few rolls along the way through different kit clubs and/or prize packs.  I decided to use washi in place of patterned paper.  

I actually quite like the result.  Because of all the colour it added to my layout I decided to use a black and white photo.  I think the combo really worked.

I've used a few Everyday Life II tags on this layout (the Snip'em Tags, the A/B tags (my favourites in the collection), and a Month Tag).  The wash is a combination of Glitz Design, Doodlebug, and Tim Holtz.  The flair buttons are by Cre8tive Cre8tions.

Those Cutie Pie Polaroid frames are my own Silhouette Cameo design.  And I'd like to share them with you.  Here is what the collection the collection look like.

All you need is a Dropbox account and you can download the files here.  These are my gift to you, for use in your personal crafting.  I would be very thankful if you would kindly link back to me if you use them, giving me credit for my hard work.

You can see more amazing washi inspo on the Chic Tags blog.  Be sure to link up if you play along, as you could be our random winner of a $25 gift card to the Chic Tags store. 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

So Long Winter Sky

Of all the winter photos I had pre-printed awhile back this is one of the few I have left to scrap.  I thought that since summer has finally arrived in Manitoba, Canada that I better get moving on these to make room for fun, cheery, colourful summer photos.

This arrow is from the same collection, the Snip'em Tags to be exact.

I just love these Number Tags from the Road Trip Collection.  I especially love to tuck them behind the photo and pop dot the little arrow out of it.


I have this layout up at Chic Tags today.  Would love for you to pop by and have a peek.

Don't forget you still have a couple of days to link up to our Sunday Challenge - USE ARROWS.  The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to the shop.  Who wouldn't want a little Chic Tags shopping spree?!

Happy scrapping friends,

Pin It

So Yummy

Have you tried the Oreo Birthday Cake cookies?

I think they only come out once a year.  They are hard to find here, and only have about a kagillion calories each, but oh man are they ever delicious.  Like opening a birthday party in a bag, I tell you.  They smell like cotton candy and look so happy with their little bits of colourful candy.  I loved them so much I just had to create a layout all about em.

This was a dt project for Cre8tive Cre8tions.  I really like to document out of the ordinary things in my scrapping.  Of course my family is super important to me and generally the main focus of my scrapping, but I think it'll be great to look back through my albums in 20, 30, maybe even 40 years, and see a reflection of all the little things that make me, me.  My love of sweets definitely deserves a place among the many, many pages of the people, hobbies, and places I love.

I used some of the funky yellow patterned paper from the shop, and well as a few of the stamps.  The "oh yes" stamp is a Technique Tuesday design.  And notice the resist design in the background?  I'll have a tutorial on how to make your own resist coming up on the Cre8tive Cre8tion blog soon.  Keep an eye out for it.

Here is one of the many, many fabulous flair buttons Andrea designs.   Check them out in the shop here.

I love, love that triangle stamp.  I have a hard time NOT using it on any of my Cre8tive Cre8tions projects.  The 2 smaller stamps are also from that same set.  You can see the rest in that collection here in the shop.  And see that fabulous houndstooth paper?  It's actually tissue paper that came in some scrappy packaging.  I loved it so much, I just had to save it to incorporate into a project.

You can see the original post of this project on the blog.  You'll also be inspired by many other fabulous designs while you're there.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I'll be back tomorrow with a Chic Tags project to share with you. Pin It

He Loves Him

I used Glitz design to create my layout for this week's Let's Get Sketchy Reveal.

Ashley created a fabulous sketch for us to work with.  I loved it, it was different than my usual style, but yet easy to work with.

Created this layout to document the fact Wilson our poodle may not act like he cares for Darwin much (as proved by the way he is my second shadow all day long, and then Isabelle's shadow once she arrives home from school), but really he loves the daddy too.  He was super happy to have the whole family back home after we'd been away for Spring Break, and was particularly happy to have some cuddle time with the man of the house.  Darwin doesn't usually pay Wilson too much attention, but he was pretty happy to have some cuddle time with this little guy too.  It was a win-win.

Pop over to the Let's Get Sketchy blog to see some more fabulous takes on the Ashley's sketch, and link up your own.  Did you know that if you play along with us for 3 out of 4 of our monthly sketches you are eligible to win our sponsor prize?  And just simply for playing along you may get a chance to be our featured Artist or Member spotlight for the month.  Hope to see you jumping in.  We love to see your work. Pin It

Here & Now

Sorry I've not been around too much lately.  It's just that time of year around here, where Dance picks up for everyone, and many hours are spent on hair, make up, driving, practicing, watching performances, and waiting for results.  I can get a little stressed about it all, but I really do love it.  Love watching my girls shine on the stage as they do what they really love to do.  So please forgive me for my absence around here lately.

It's Sunday so that means another Chic Tags Sunday Challenge.  This week our challenge was to use Arrows.

That background sheet of paper by Studio Calico was perfect to jump start the challenge.

This cute Note Clip Tag and Icon from the new Everyday Life II Collection were also perfect.

Here I've layered a Studio Calico arrow sticker over top of the tip of one of the Everyday Life A/B tags

Another A/B Tag here, partnered with some Stuido Calico chevron veneers.

There you have it.  Pop over the blog to see what the rest of the Chic Tag designers came up with.  You can also link up your own take on the challenge to enter yourself some fabulous scrappy goodies.

Also I'd like to wish wish all my fellow moms out there a blessed Mother's Day.  I hope that you are able to take some time for yourself today indulging in whatever your little hear t desires, and that the people in your life gift you with some YOU time.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I'll have a few posts to come for you this week.

Almost forgot to mention that I'm linking this layout up to the Paper Secrets Challenge.  Check out their sketch.

I loved it so much I just had to use it (to be honest I think I'm going to use it again just to see what I can come up with a second time around).   I can't even remember the last time I'm played along with an online challenge.  Thanks Paper Secrets for the enticement.  You can see the challenge for yourself here, you still have a couple of days to link up if you wish too.

Pin It

Happy Memories

Have you seen the new Everyday Life II Tags?  Of all the recent releases, they are my absolute favourite set.  Veronica has certainly outdone herself this time.  I love the colours, and the fun shapes she has included in this collection.  They were a perfect match to accompany this photo of my girlie and her Tap Small Group from last week's Dance Competition, mixed with the newly released Hipster Collection by BasicGrey.  I love when pages virtually scrap themselves, and that's pretty much what happened here.  

 I used a Date Tag to document my journaling, and hid it behind the photo. 

 Chic Tags are such a great companion to any paper collection, and any type of layout.  You can check out the rest of my layout, and see the tags I used by popping over to the Chic Tags blog.  I'd love for you to come say hi.

Thanks for popping in today friends!  We are off to Minneapolis for a few days.  Just hubby and I are taking our oldest to a Dance Competition there.  It'll be nice to have some one on one with our girl, it's been way too long.  The little two get some quality time with Grandma in our absence.  It's a win-win for all.  

With that I'll wish you an early good weekend!

p.s - don't forget to pop over to the Social Media Butterflies blog to check out if you were one of the many winners from our Chic Tags/SMBibloghop tomorrow.

Pin It