Paper Trail Blog Hop for April... Victory!

Welcome to the Paper Trail Blog Hop for April!

This month we are featuring the Victory Paper Packet.

You may have arrived from Karen's blog, but this is a circular hop, so it doesn't matter where you begin.  ;)

This time I have two layouts to share.

The layout design is from PageMaps from March 2012.

And here's the second layout.

For this layout, I was inspired by the Victory layout shown in this post on Jeanette Lynton's blog, where she discusses the MyStickease and Compliments.

On the backside of each sheet of MyStickease, you can see a different layout completed using the MyStickease with their matching paper packets.

I didn't have the Victory MyStickease, so I re-created the layout, adding my own personal touches.

I love how it turned out.

Here's some close-ups:

And here's what the Victory Paper Packet looks like:

I used the April Stamp of the Month - You Are... on both of my layouts -- available NOW!

Here's what it looks like:

{available only from April 1st - April 30th}

♥♥♥

I will be offering the second layout shown (and another layout using a different paper packet) for an upcoming workshop in April.

If you are local and would like to be added to my email list for classes/workshops, let me know.  :)

That's it for me today.

Please continue along the Paper Trial Blog Hop by visiting Lynne's blog.

Happy creating!  :)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Biking Layout:

Paper:  Victory B&Ts; Colonial White, Bamboo, Grey Wool, Olive CS

Stamps:  Pure Adventure, You Are... - April SOTM

Inks:  Grey Wool, Outdoor Denim

Embellishments:  Color-ready Cork Alphabets, Lucky Journaling Spots - reitred, Lucky Level 2 Assortment Chipboard Accents - retired, Kraft Color-ready Borders - retired

Other:  Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, Black journal pen, Large Circle Coluzzle - retired, Upper Crest border punch (Fiskars)

Incredible Layout:

Paper:  Victory B&Ts; Colonial White, Grey Wool, Bamboo, CS

Stamps:  Love Life, You Are... - April SOTM, Pure Adventure

Inks:  Chocolate, Grey Wool, Bamboo, Olive, Outdoor Denim

Embellishments:  Milepost Shapes, Clear Sparkles, Durables squares, Dk. Chocolate grosgrain ribbon

Punch/Die:  Tab punch (McGill), Banner Strip Die-namics (MFT)

Other:  Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, 3D foam tape

A Sneak Peek into April... a project in the works!

I began working on a very "sweet" project today.

It's gonna take me a bit more time to finish it.  I should have it completed sometime in April.

I do have to take some time off of my spare crafty-time to work on the darned annual income tax return.

Doesn't a year go by way too quickly???

So for now, I will share a little sneak peek with you...

I'll be back on April 1st with the Paper Trail Blog Hop.

Be sure to come back then to see what I've created!

Happy creating!  :)

On This Day...

I almost never scrapbook about myself.

I had a photo of myself from the day my twin daughters graduated, and decided to put it to use on a layout.

I'm not always the greatest at journaling, but I do feel it is an important way to capture what the photo(s) are about.

I mixed and matched B&T papers from different paper packs again.

This time they were from Wings, Creative Basics Wings, Typeset, and Veranda.

All but Typeset is retired. 

I'm trying to use up some of my stash, and I really like how these papers all work together very nicely.

A couple of weeks ago, my son's class at school held their annual garage sale to raise funds for their year-end celebration, and for also the upcoming 30 hour famine they will be participating in.

I picked up a typewriter for $20, and was able to get a new ribbon for it from Staples.

I used that for my journaling.

Happy creating!  :)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper:  B&Ts: Wings - retired, Creative Basics Wings - retired, Typeset, Veranda -retired; CS: Black, Colonial White

Embellishments:  Green and Blue sparkles, Sweet Leaf grosgrain, Olive pompom ribbon, Black stitched ribbon - retired, Olive corduroy button - retired, Just Blooms paper flowers

Punches/Dies:   Corner Rounder, 1 1/2" and 1 3/4" circle punches (EK), Monarch butterfly (Martha Stewart); Clouds dies (Papertrey Ink), By the Letters die (My Favorite Things)

Other:  3D foam tape, ScorTape (ScorPal), Typewriter (Smith Cornona)

Elementary School Layout

I'm slowly working on my son's elementary school album.

I needed a one page layout for the beginning of the album, so I created this page for it.

Now I just need to take a photo of the front of the school, preferrably once the snow has melted.  So in a couple of months...  ?  ;)

I have to keep working on finishing up layouts for the past couple of years (Gr. 5 & 6).

You can see the pocket page layouts I've already created for his school album using True Fit Folios HERE.

This is his last year in elementary school, as he's in Grade 6, so he will be at the Junior High in September.  Yikes!

Happy creating!  :)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper:  Victory B&Ts; Olive, Colonial White, Grey Wool CS

Stamp:  Trinity Alphabet

Ink:  Chocolate

Embellishments:  Durables Antique Gold Squares, Olive buttons, Milepost Shapes - corrugated star

Punches/Die:  Real Estate Sign punch (EK), Lg. and Small Star punches (SU); By the Letters die (MFT)

Other:  Large Circle cutter (Martha Stewart), 3D foam tape, Glue dots

Happy Thoughts Random Stamped (CASEd) Card

As I promised yesterday, I'm sharing with you another card I cased.

Here it is:

Once again my card was inspired by this card by Ingrid Danvers.

I first stamped the houndstooth image, from retired Noted Backgrounds, across the bottom portion of my White Daisy cardstock.

Then I random stamped flowers from Hooray Bouquet in different colours across the top portion.

The Sweet Leaf grosgrain ribbon easily covers where the two meet, so you don't have to be too uber careful with your stamping.  ;)

The bow is a faux bow.  You can see my how-to tutorial by clicking on the free tutorials & links tab under my castle photo at the top of this page.

Happy creating!  :)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper:  Lagoon, White Daisy CS

Stamps:  Noted Backgrounds - retired, Hooray Bouquet, Card Chatter Sympathy

Inks:  Sweet Leaf, Lagoon, Tulip, Sunset, Creme Brulee, Black

Embellishments:  Sweet Leaf grosgrain, White Daisy button, White hemp

Other:  1/2" circle punch (SU), 5/8" circle punch (EK), ScorTape (ScorPal)

Mix & Match Birthday (CASEd) Card

Ah, yes, I was inspired once again to do a lift, or a case, or whatever you want to call it.  ;)

Here's my card:

And this is the card I cased by Ingrid Danvers.

I threw B&T papers together from 3 different packs for this card, which is why I'm referring to it as a mix & match card.

They are from Typeset, Olivia, and Creative Basics Wings.

Tomorrow I'll share another card I cased from Ingrid Danvers...  ;)

Happy creating!  :)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Papers:  Typeset, Olivia, CB Wings B&Ts; Kraft, Colonial White CS

Stamp:  Just a Number

Inks:  Black, Chocolate

Embellishments:  Sunset corduroy brads, Sunset baker's twine, Binder clip, Olive button, Black embroidery floss, DE Star

Other:  Double Ended Banners Dies (Papertrey Ink), Sponge, 3D foam tape, Micro-tip scissors, Paper piercer, Sewing machine (Kenmore)

Masculine Cruisin' Birthday Card

This is a card that I submitted to a paper crafting magazine in February in hopes of having it published.

It didn't get picked up, so I thought I may as well share it here with y'all.  ;)

Even though it won't be published, I still love it!

...

On a side note, I just found out last Friday that I will have another project published. 

This will be my second time to be published, and I'm very excited!

You can look for that project in the upcoming Paper Crafts Magazine Sept/Oct 2012 issue.

...

Happy creating!  :)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper:  Cruisin' B&Ts; White Daisy, Black, Cranberry, Grey Wool CS

Stamps:  Born To Ride, Just a Number

Inks:  Black, Twilight, Honey

Embellishments:  Antiqued Gold Durables square studs, Black baker's twine, Cranberry grosgrain

Other:  Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, Micro-tip scissors, 5/8" circle punch (EK), 3D foam tape

Hello... {Inspired By Challenge #15}

This is my second post today, so please scroll down to see the other one.

...

I created this card for the Inspired By Challenge this week.

Here's the inspiration photo:

...do you have any idea how hard it was to actually use the {chocolate} eggs on my card and not eat them? 

I know one day when I'm having a chocolate craving, I will regret it... lol

Yeah, it's an odd item to add to a card, but I just happened to have them, and they look super cute!  ;)

So I guess I'm okay with adding food onto my papercrafts...  hehe.

Happy creating!  :)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper:  Crystal Blue, Kraft, Buttercup, Colonial White CS

Stamps:  Universal Backgrounds, A Tweet, Wood Grain (Impression Obsession)

Inks:  Chocolate, Grey Flannel, Buttercup, Crystal Blue

Embellishments:  Sweet Leaf grosgrain, Natural hemp, Doily (Little Yellow Bicycle)

Die:  Die-namics Faux Crochet border (My Favorite Things)

Other:  QuicKutz Metro Alpha and QuicKutz Squeeze Tool ((QuicKutz), Hot glue gun (unknown), 3D foam tape, Micro-tip scissors, Sponge, Chocolate Mini Eggs (Cadbury)

With Age Comes Wisdom... Stella

If you saw yesterday's post, you'll notice that I used the same papers for this card.

Inspiration came from this card by Debby Hughes.

I'm so loving her style... what great inspiration!

If you are wondering about the ribbon, it's been in my stash for quite a while.

I do believe I found it at Walmart.

Happy creating!  :)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper:  Stella B&T; Black, Grey Wool, White Daisy CS; Black glitter paper (Doodlebug)

Stamp:  Just a Number

Ink:  Black

Embellishements:  Damask ribbon (Walmart), Bitty Opaques, Tulip button, Grey baker's twine

Punches:  Scallop border (SU), Butterfly (Martha Stewart), 2" circle (Fisarks), 2 1/4" circle (EK)

Die:  By the Numbers (My Favorite Things)

Other:  3D foam tape, ScorTape (ScorPal)

More customer 3x3 Thank You cards... Stella

Simple in design, but pretty nonetheless.

Need I say more?  lol

Happy creating!  :)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper:  Stella B&T; Black, Grey Wool, White Daisy CS

Stamp:  Thank You

Ink:  Black

Embellishment:  Bitty Opaques

Punches:  Butterfly (Martha Stewart), Scallop border (SU)

Featured on Jeanette Lynton's Blog!

Some of you may have already seen this, but yesterday I was featured on Jeanette Lynton's blog for her Spotlight on Art post. 

For those of you who are wondering who she is, Jeanette Lynton is the CEO of Close To My Heart.

Here's my featured artwork:

I created these items back in January for the chance to be featured... and as a papercrafter, it's all very exciting!

I am feeling very honoured.

I hope that one day I will get to meet Jeanette.

It's on my unwritten bucketlist.

Happy creating!  :)

40 is fab birthday card... I was inspired!

I love being inspired and this card by Erin Lincoln really spoke to me.  

I've had the photo of Erin's card in my inspiration files for over a year now, but this photo resurfaced on Pintrest recently and I still loved it so much... 

I just had to re-make it with what product I had on hand.

Gosh, I love that inspired feeling. 

You know, when you see something and you pretty much drop everything and you run to your crafty space???

Sometimes I have the desire to craft, but just am not sure what to make.

That's where the inspiration thing comes into play.  ;)

I myself am, *ahem - cough, cough,* past the big 4-0, well a little... but most of my friends are a little teeny bit younger than I.

So one of my special-to-me peeps will recieve this card when the magical day arrives.

Okay, so it's not so magical.

Whatever.  ;)

Hope you've been inspired.

Happy creating!  :)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper:  Lagoon, Hollyhock, White Daisy CS

Stamps:  Cocktail Alphabet, Rock the Block - from a  past promo

Inks:  Black, White Daisy pigment, Versamark

Embellishments:  Hollyhock button, Grey baker's twine, White Daisy organdy - retired

Punches:  Large Star (SU), 3/4" circle (EK), 1/4" circle (SU)

Dies/Embossing folder: By the Letters die (MFT), Mix & Match Banners die (MFT); Flower Clusters emb. folder (Sizzix)

Other:  Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, Clear Detail embossing powder, Prisma Glitter, 3D foam tape, Paper piercer, Ruler, Sewing Maching (Kenmore)

Thank You - Double Scraplings cards

I made these cards to tuck into my customers' orders.

Between being a Consultant for both CTMH and Scentsy, I always need to have thank you cards on hand and ready to give out.

For these cards, I simply stamped a sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" White Daisy cardstock with the largest scroll-type flourish from the Potential SOTM set using Black ink.

I decided to create a little larger sized card than my usual 3x3s.

This time they are my Double Scraplings size of 4 1/4" x 2 3/4".

I get a lot of questions about envelopes.

You can make envelopes for this size of card, although I usually don't.  ;)

I tend to just jot a note inside of my customer cards and place them inside their bags of goodies without an envelope, since they aren't being mailed or anything.

Happy creating!  :)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper:  Colonial White, Black, Pear, Hollyhock, Lagoon, Sunset CS

Stamps:  Potential SOTM, Thank You

Inks:  Black, Pear, Hollyhock, Lagoon, Sunset

Punches:  1 3/4" circle (EK), 1 3/8" square (EK)

Other:  3D foam tape

Mojo Monday #231... Heartfelt Wishes

I played along with the Mojo Monday challenge, using sketch #231.

I simply turned the sketch on its side.

I heat embossed the flourish strip with Cranberry embossing powder onto Cocoa cardstock, using the flourishes from the Potential Stamp of the Month set.

And I dry embossed the Cocoa circle piece behind the canvas flower shape with my Cuttlebug and the Textile Texture A2 embossing folder.

The main canvas flower and the circle piece on the tag are from Stella MyCompliments Canvas shapes. 

And the sentiment is from the Card Chatter Sympathy stamp set.

Happy creating!  :)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper:  Stella B&T; Colonial White, Cocoa, Creme Brulee CS

Stamps:  Potential SOTM, Card Chatter Sympathy

Inks:  Tulip, Cocoa, Versamark

Embellishments:  Stella MyCompliments Canvas shapes, Pearl and Bitty Opaques, Cocoa grosgrain

Tools:  Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge, Corner rounder, 2 1/2" circle punch (EK), Open Scallop Doily die (MFT), Textile Texture A2 embossing folder (Provo Craft), Micro-tip scissors

Other:  Cranberry embossing powder, 3D foam tape, Sponge, ScorTape (ScorPal)

Cruisin' for Cards

I created a couple of cards with B&T papers from the new Cruisin' paper packet.

First up is a little 3x3 card.

I've been seeing mustaches on cards, layouts, and even used comically in family photos everywhere, and found a quick how-to create a mustache with an SU Curly Label punch. 

I love me some punches.

I couldn't tell ya if this punch is still available or retired, as I'm not with SU.

I just happened to have this one.  ;)

...

And my second card is totally and 100% cased from Aaron Brown. 

Now that link doesn't go to her card, as she didn't share it on her blog, but the link does go to her blog which is so worthy of taking a look around.  She's A-mazing!

I love the simple elegance of it.

Happy creating!  :)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Mustache 3x3 card:

Paper:  Cruisin' B&T; White Daisy, Black, Twilight CS

Stamp:  Love Life

Ink:  Black

Other:  Curly Label punch (SU), 3D foam tape

A-amazing! card:

Paper:  Cruisin' B&T; White Daisy, Black CS

Stamp:  You Are... - April SOTM

Ink:  Black

Embellishments:  Black stitched grosgrain - retired, Clear sparkles

Other:  Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge

Simply Sweet... a 1 pager

Stella again.  Beautiful B&T papers make creating easy.  Just sayin'.

I need to dig out my old film stips to find a newborn photo of Cole to add to this page.  Printed in black and white, it would be perfect. 

Happy creating!  :)

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper:  Stella B&T, Topstitch B&T - retired; Colonial White, Lagoon, Olive, Cocoa CS

Stamps:  Universal Backgrounds, Pemberley WOTG, Stella WOTG

Inks:  Cocoa, Olive, Lagoon

Embellishments:  Wooden button, Grey baker's twine, Olive pompom ribbon, Lagoon paper flower, Clear sparkle

Dies/Punches:  Loopy Bloom (MFT), Simply Scallops Large (MFT), By the Letters (MFT), Open Scallop Doily Duo (MFT); 1 3/8" square punch (EK), 1 3/4" circle punch (EK)

Other:  Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, ScorTape (ScorPal), Sponge, Hot glue gun

Stella Workshop (WOTG)

Yesterday I held the Stella Workshop in my scrappy studio in my home.

These are the Stella Workshop on the Go layouts and cards (images from Close To My Heart):

I had quite a lot of paper left over after creating my layouts and cards, so I came up with another 12x12 layout for my workshop attendees.

(inspiration for my layout came from this one)

If you are local and would like to be on my email list for information on upcoming classes/workshops, please let me know.  My contact email is at the top of the page.

Happy creating!  :)

Supplies used (all CTMH):

Stella WOTG kit - includes Stella paper packet, Stella WOTG stamp set, extra Colonial White cardstock, Bohemian Assortment, Dimensional Elements Hearts, Instructions

Stamps:  Token Alphabet, The Best Things stamp

Inks:  Cocoa, Lagoon, Sunset

Embellishments:  Paradise paper flowers, Clear sparkles

Other:  Die-cut Colonial White cards, Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, Micro-tip scissors, 3D foam tape, Scoring tool