School Humor

Good Morning, Afternoon, or Evening...

Has school started in your area already?  Our kids are going for their "meet the teacher/transition day" this coming Tuesday.  One will go for and hour, and the other for the afternoon.  These days always kinda make me chuckle.  The teachers meet with about 1/3 of the class for three days.  Then, after these three days, the entire class starts school together.  Now, I may be dating myself, but when I went to school we all started on the same day. None of this getting to know the teacher/student first!  You may have been called by the wrong name for the first week or so, and the seating plan changed from time to time that first week depending on various personalities...but it all worked out in the end!  LOL

You may wonder what school has to do with the new challenge over at Unstampabelles this month...let me explain!

Our challenge this month is to...

"Use Humor with the twist to Frame It"

Well, I thought "Back to School" would be the perfect theme to design around.  
I started browsing the Silhouette store and came up with some cute images, sayings, etc.  
I decided to make the design quick and easy,  I would use the print and cut setting on the Cameo to create.  

Here's how it turned out...


As I said, the entire card has been printed and cut out with my Silhouette...with the exception of the days of the week washi tape in the upper right hand corner.  Some of the files I needed to color digitally and then turn them into a print and cut version in the Silhouette studio...but it's really quite quick and easy! I've popped up the school house with 3D pop up dots to make it the frame for the humorous sentiment.  I've also popped up the little boy as well to give the illusion of him standing in front of the school.   To give the card some sparkle I've added some red Stickles to the heart in the list of reasons to love school!  

When all was finished, I had a good chuckle as I could totally see my son saying these things ont he list!  He loves school...but I do have to say that recess is one of his favorite "subjects"!  LOL
I may have to save this card and give it to his teacher sometime during the year!

Before I forget to mention, we do have a sponsor this month over at Unstampabelles.
It's our very own Susan and The Wood Fellow...aka, her hubby!
Be sure to check out the challenge blog to see the wonderful prize they are offering.  

Now before I go, let me take care of a few reminders...
You will have until September 26 at midnight to link up with us with your creation.  
Also, your creation cannot have stamping of any kind on it...no rubber stamping, no
digital stamping, etc.  We are a "stamp free" challenge blog where we encourage you to think outside of the box and use different elements on your creations.  It's really not as hard as it sounds.  For a list of ideas, be sure to check out the "Ideas for Creations" tab on the blog.
That's all for today folks!
Can't wait to see what kind of creations you come up with!

Manger Scene

WooHoo!  It's Friday!
So glad you're here today!

You know what Friday means...a new challenge with us at Christmas Stampin' All Year Long!
You'll love this weeks challenge...

"To Die For"

Us card makers love our dies, don't we?  
I'm guessing this week is going to bring many entries!  

I'm so very excited about the card I've created for this particular challenge.
Allow me to begin this post with a picture of it, and we'll get down to the other details such as sponsorship, prizes, etc in just a minute!

Ready????


Can you guess the company whose paper pack I've designed this one with?
It's Heartfelt Creations!  I love, love, love their paper and coordinating dies!

I chose this gorgeous manger scene card panel to begin the card with.  I love manger scene cards, because to me they bring the focus to what the Christmas holiday is all about!  I've chosen coordinating patterned papers to do all of the matting with, as well as a sentiment from the paper pack as well.  I've used the "Majestic Blooms" die from Heartfelt Creations to create the large flower with the pearl centre.  I've also used some blue distress paint and some Glitter Ritz on the edges to tie it into the color palette.  The gold poinsettias are several Memory Box dies that I just adore!  The swirl die cuts are created with my BigShot as well and are from Sizzix.  Lastly, if you peek super closely, you will also see a Spellbinders fancy edged square die cut behind the sentiment!  
I don't need to convince you that I love die cutting...do I!  LOL

Now here's the sponsorship info I promised you earlier. 
 We do not have a sponsor for this weeks challenge...however, one lucky winner will be invited to Guest Design with us in October!
Super exciting!

Now it's your turn!  Break out that collection of dies that I know you have stashed in your craft room, choose a Christmas themed one to work with, and get creating!  Then link up with us at CSAYL!  While you're there, be sure to check out some of the other DT's creations!  You won't be disappointed!
I can't wait to visit your blogs to see what you come up with!

A Sweet Christmas

Hello Again!
It's Friday, and I have a treat for you today...two blog posts!
And, this post is a "sweet" one!

There's a new challenge over at Christmas Stampin' All Year Long beginning today, and you will love the theme...

"Anything Goes"

I'm guessing you'll all find this one easier than the sketch challenge that we had running last week.

We are welcoming back Meljen's Designs as our sponsor this week...

Meljen's Designs :: Digital Stamps by Melissa Jenkins

...and they are offering one lucky winner 4 uncolored digis of their choice!
They have such sweet images...it will be hard to choose!

For this challenge, I used the digi called "Sweet Candy Canes".


I found some candy cane striped glittered paper in my stash and decided to use it as the background to the card. I then came across a piece of candy patterned paper and decided that it fit the "sweet" theme of the creation.  I colored up the image with my Spectrum Noir markers and added some sequins to the image to give it some extra shine.  A doily made perfect sense to me as a layering element as it reminded me of packaging goodies and I often use doilies to make a lovely presentation plate during the holidays.  Lastly, I found a neat piece of patterned paper with different sentiments on it and decided to use it on the bottom of the card as the holiday wishes.  Add the three snowflakes with their button centres and you have a quick, but cute "sweet" greeting card to pass along to a friend or loved one at Christmas. 

I'm looking forward to visiting your blogs this week to see what you have created for this weeks challenge.  You'll be glad come the chaotic holiday season that you've taken the time to create a few cards when you're busy with the rest of the holiday preparations!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
Polkadoodles..."Getting Organized for Christmas"
Winter Wonderland..."Anything Goes for Christmas"
Christmas Cards all Year Long..."Sparkle and Shine"
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra..."August Challenge"
Sparkles Christmas Challenge..."Snowflakes"
ABC Christmas Challenges..."Quick and Easy"
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge..."Christmas"
Holly Jolly Christmas..."1,2, 3" (1 image, 2 patterned papers, 3 snowflakes)

Hello Friend...

I have some new and exciting news to share with you today!

Today is my first post for my new design team position over at Scrapbooks by Design
Here's a bit about them...

"Scrapbooks by Design originally opened as a brick-and-mortar store on Queen Street in Toronto in November 2003, with the online store opening for business in March 2006.  As the original owners moved on towards different career paths, the online store was eventually taken over by the current owners in April 2012.  The company headquarters is located in British Columbia, but our wide range of products and competitive prices have attracted scrapbookers and crafters from all across the country.

While Scrapbooks by Design is an online only store, we strive to provide superior customer service, excellent product selection, and, of course, inspiration through our projects and tutorials.  Every member of our team is passionate about their craft, and it shows!"

You can browse their wonderful selection of items in their online store here, and be sure to keep up to date with the wonderful projects on their blog here.

While browsing the store, trying to decide what I would love to create to showcase for this first post, I came across the Graphic 45 Botanical Tea 12x12 Paper Pad

 Botanical Tea 12x12 Pad

Now, if you've been a follower of my blog for some time, you'll know already that vintage is my all time passion when it comes to creating cards.  This paper fit the theme perfectly!  Who could pass up those images of butterflies, birds...especially the hummingbirds!  

The number one thing I just love about paper packs is that they can be used to do a quick and sophisticated card in a minimal amount of time.  The image panels are easy to design around, and the fact that all of the patterned papers coordinate makes choosing a theme and color a breeze.  Throw on some gold twine, a button and some Tim Holtz Distress embossing powder and voila!

Here's what I came up with for this first design team post...


Quick, simple and the perfect card to send to a friend whom you haven't seen in awhile, or a friend you want to surprise with some snail mail!


Be sure to check out the Scrapbooks by Design blog to get all the details on how this card was created!

Until next time...

Winter Scene

Welcome!
How are things in your little part of the world?
We are busy doing last minute vacationing at our seasonal campsite and are a little disappointed that we only have 3 weekends left there.  Where has the summer gone?

And as though the summer is not going by quickly enough, we had a good dose of reality that it is coming to an end yesterday.  We headed into the city to do the kids school clothing shopping.  It's amazing how things don't fit by them by the end of summer.  
I guess that extra bit of sunshine and fresh air make them grow just as well as the weeds in my garden!

I did have a chance to sit and relax the other night though, and decided to design yet another Christmas card.  The Christmas craft sale is coming up quickly and I need to keep adding to my stock!

Awhile ago I was able to get my hands on the Christmas Card Collection paper pack by Heartfelt Creations.  I love their products!  Beautiful papers, stamps and dies to work with.

I got busy, and here's what I created...


The card panels and coordinating patterned papers in this paper pack make it so easy to whip together a beautiful card. 

Well, that's all for me today!  
I've got all the kids new clothes to pre-wash, some gardening to attend to and some housework to catch up on!  
Enjoy your day!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...




Time for Tea...

Welcome!
Sit, relax, grab a cup of tea and stay awhile!

I have a super unique card to share with you today!
We have an interesting challenge running over at Unstampabelles this month in which we are asking you to create a birthday card for either a significant person, significant age...and we have the twist of...

"A Shaped Card"

We have a wonderful sponsor this month who actually allowed us to choose our own shaped blank card.  Thanks so much Regal Craft!
 You really need to check out all of their cool designs...

Regal Craft
http://www.regalcraftcards.com.au/

They are offering one lucky winner a $15 gift voucher to spend in their online store!

When I saw the tea pot shaped card, I just knew I had to create with it!

I wanted to use some antique looking paper for the base, and found some beautiful blue patterned paper was perfect! I inked the edges to give the card an aged look. Then I found the beautiful tea pot and teacup images on a piece of scrapbook paper and fussy cut them turning them into die cuts. I was excited to figure out a way to use them on the creation somehow.  I love how the tea pot looks like its pouring out the Happy Birthday sentiment.  Popping up the teapot die cut really helped give it this look.  The sentiment is a silver sticker and tied in nicely with the silver cording I used.  

Here's a peek at what I came up with...


...and another view...


I thought it came out rather unique!

As far as the significant birthday...please promise not to laugh!
The significant birthday is...ME...because I turn a very significant 40 this month!  LOL
I love vintage teacups, saucers and tea pots...but can't stand drinking the beverage it holds.

So, are you up to the challenge?
Start with deciding whether you'll design for a significant person, a significant age, etc...and then figure out a shape that you'd like to create with.  Then be sure to link up with us at Unstampabelles
We can't wait to see what you come up with!
Remember...you only have until August 29!

Until next time....

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
Sugar Creek Hollow..."Let's Celebrate"
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge..."August Challenge"
Bloggers..."Birthday"
Sister Act Card Challenges..."Anything Goes"


Vintage Inspired Hallow's Eve Creations

Good Morning!
So happy you could stop by for a visit today!

My hubby has been away at his buying convention the last few days, and this has allowed me to squeeze in a little extra crafting time.  It's funny, but when he's gone I will usually land up crafting and creating late into the night/morning because I find it so hard to fall asleep.  I took this opportunity to work on a few new items for the Etsy shop.  It had been awhile again since I was able to just create something for myself and not something specific for a design team.  (Speaking of Design Teams...I have a super surprise to share with you next week!  So stay tuned!)

I had some super cute vintage style Halloween collage sheet die cuts that I had been waiting to use.  I decided the time was right to open the Halloween section in the store, so I set to work.  
I dislike the darker side of this spooky season, so cute and charming is the direction I went!
These images just remind me of simpler times when people could still bob for apples, hand out popcorn balls and the holiday wasn't portrayed as being so dark.  

Here's a look at the cards I created...




 



Well, that's it for me today!  Short and sweet!
Time to start packing up the kiddos and heading out to the campground.  
It seems that the summer is quickly coming to an end and they will be in school again in a few weeks!
So, enjoy the rest of your weekend, and don't wait too long to come visit again!

Until next time...
 

Will You Tag Along...

....with us this week at Christmas Stampin' All Year Long?

It's Friday once again!  
I'm back from a great camping vacation so I've been missing in action for a bit.  
I got to get my creative juices flowing for another CSAYL challenge...which if you haven't guessed by the title is...

"Tags"

We are sponsored this week by the ever popular

 

who are offering one lucky winner 7 digis of their choice!
Thanks Bugaboo!

Now, I don't usually do tags...actually I've never created a tag before if you can believe it.  
Since I'm a passionate card maker, I usually don't see the need for a tag.
Well, the first thing I did was to find an interesting Silhouette cutting file to get the whole project rolling.  
Then I incorporated the digi I had to play with from Bugaboo and added it directly to the Silhouette program so I could print and cut it directly on the tag at the same time.
 I got to coloring with my distress markers, hauled out the Big Shot to do some die cutting, and here's where my creativity took me...


 Now I believe I'll have to create a matching card and give this away on an actual gift!

Now it's your turn to create a tag and link it up with us at CSAYL!

Until next time...

Reindeer Wishes

So glad you took the time to stop by today!

It's Friday....which means its a new challenge beginning at Christmas Stampin' All Year Long!
This week we are challenging you to create a...

"One Layer Card"

Now don't be intimidated!  I know one layer cards do tend to scare me a little as I don't do them often, but it can be done!

Here's the card I created for the challenge this week...


I had the most adorable reindeer digi stamp to play with from Emma Cannings...who also happens to be our wonderful sponsor this week...and is offering one lucky winner 5 digis of their choice!

I printed out the image on the sized paper I wanted to use, proceeded to color it and then doodled around the outside of the card.  The last finishing touch was the silver cord and metal snowflake charm.  I thought it actually turned out really well...and was super quick and simple.

Now it's your turn.  Don't let the one layer scare you...break out of your comfort zone and try something new.  Then, link up with us at CSAYL.  
Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Until next time...

Thanks for visiting!

Thanks for visiting!