DESIGN TEAM CALL!

Hop on over to Sketches: Creatively Yours for a brand new Sketch... and our March 2011 DT call!!

Please do apply, the time committment is NOT huge at all and we are a friendly place. Check it out here: S:CY Design Team Call

Hope to see you there, and then see your application~

~

BOY EMBELLIES....

Buttons
Shoelaces
LISTS of what's in pockets; ie: activities, friends, foods
robot papers or diecuts, clipart
gears (chipboard),  metal
lightning bolts
Badges
clothing tags
electronic parts (small)
appliques cut from old backpacks...
Labels from fave food items, drinks
keys from long ago cars you've sold (!! LOL)
Mini keys from suitcases
Number stickers/borders
sneakers (diecuts)
Valentines-- cut out fave character... use on LO- I have Pokemon here!
Puzzle pieces (recycle!)
Epoxy stickers
Corrugated cardboard: torn as an embellie or to anchor a photo
Think about wire, rough cord, jute (acid free) etc...
ANYTHING scruffed up!
music notes- w/ paper or as diecuts/charms/metals
musical  instruments ( what does child play?)
Guitar images/diecuts or transparencies for teen guys
playing cards-  may have a fave animal on them or fave character, so could use either side
anything outdoorsy- chipboard trees, etc...
dinosaur diecuts
Forest or camping-themed items
Farm animal stickers
Fish/ Fishing items (like parts of a lure)
Tractors, trucks, cars that sort of theme
Palm trees- diecuts or make your own! Every pirate needs a palm tree!
Map paper/real map pieces (spray with Archival Mist first)
boat/canoe stickers
road-sign diecuts or stamped images (I have some Stop/Go ones)
castles (sturdy, not prissy- check clipart)
dragons (same)
frogs- I have a border one... pollywogs
Anything space related- I have charms from K. Foster
Horseshoes, again diecuts and charms
Sporty logos (not me/us, but some love them I know)
Manila Tags
Pces of sandpaper
Brads: ANYWHERE and with tags too
Owls- diecuts/clipart, etc...
Netting from potato bags/onion bags- recycle it!
Things that refer to treehouses, sticks, rocks, jacknife, fishing rod
Tire treads (pics of same made into an embellie)
Muddy footprints (pics of same made into an embellie)
Outdoor footwear like rubber boots, hiking boots, hip-waders

Scruffed up "paper bags" (spray with Archival Mist first)
Inking
Distressing
Use some pop-dots to make things stand out

CHECK Google Images for useful boy clipart
~

My Aunt & Uncle :o)

Hi everyone,

Here is a beautiful pic of my Aunt and Uncle, who live in thre USA.  My Aunt Carolyn is my Dad's sister. In this photo, they are with their grandkids (my cousin's kiddos.) I received this pic at Christmas-time and loved it. Such a nice photo of them all. Enjoy! 

 " Family Ties"  (Day 22)
My Auntie Carolyn, Uncle Richard & their Grandchildren 2010

Supplies:

Cardstock-
Charcoal grey: Bazzill- Elephant
Blue grey: Bazzill - unkn colour (lg scrap)

Patterned papers-
Striped- unknown manuf (lg scrap)
Ornate- Graphic 45 2009 Christmas Past Collection "Deck the Halls" #4500139

Numbers: Flair Take a Number Cardstock Stickers (brown) CS085 

Lettering-
lg- BasicGrey "Scarlett's Letter"  collection- Mini Monograms scr-814
sml- BasicGrey "Recess" collection- Nanoset lettering rec-877

Ink: Versamagic Chalk Ink Dew Drop in Midnight Black GD-91
Chipboard Swirl: Bazzill Chips "Flourishes" #302712
Acrylic Paints: DecoArt Crafter's Acrylic Tan- DCA-15
Pen: Creative Memories: Fine tipped blk
Tools: Paintbrush, Fiskars Trimmer
Adhesives: Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue, Pritt Glue Stick, "Make it Special" Photo Splits

Thanks for popping by!! :)

~

Cute Kids: Christmas Photos

I just love receiving Christmas pictures of my family and friends' children. Here are some: the first layout is one showing my cousin Susan (and Chris') children! The kids faces are blurred for Internet safety.

"CJC- Sweet Kids" (Day 21)

LO #27 in 2011
Day 21 of Lain Ehmann's e-course

Supplies:

Red cardstock [CS]: Pomegranate by Bazzill
Patterned paper: BasicGrey's Blitzen Collection BLI-336 "Garland"
Popcorn sticker strip: CM Holiday Border Stickers (2001: Christmas Stash) 
"Sweet Kids" title: BasicGrey's Figgy Pudding Collection
Silvertone monogram brads: Dollarama

Hope you liked this!

Here's another layout...this my Sister Alex and her husband Cody's son Will at a visit with Santa! Isn't this  a CUTE pic? (Face blurred for internet safety.)


"Tiny Will--  Big Santa" (Last layout of 2010)

 Supplies:

CS: Bazzill- Travertine
Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee
Reindeer: Paper Bliss (Using up some Christmas stash!)
Letters T and W (caps): American Crafts (Using up some font stash!)
Black lettering: BasicGrey
Turquoise lettering: Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type

Hope you liked this, too!

Please feel free to bookmark the blog, or become a "Follower," (over on the right) ...and pop by often!


See you soon!

~

"1 Super Fun Park Day!"

1 Super Fun Park Day!" (Day 18)

LO #24 in 2011

LO #18 for Lain Ehmann's e-course
I've blurred faces of all kids except Noah.

Will add "JUNE 2010" as the date on this LO.
Look how much of my scrappy stash this LO helped me use up!~~LOL~~

SUPPLIES:
Patterned papers, solid brown paper: all Piggy Tales' "Steadfast Tin Soldier" Collection (2008)
CS: Bazzill
Tag, circle, tab: All Piggy Tales Chipboard Shapes (2008)- Item #198
Brown Lettering on plaid paper: BasicGrey "Archaic" Collection Item # arc-1195
Lettering on tag: Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type (2010) Item # TT 579
Dark Blue Brads on tag: Mini, likely BasicGrey
Bright Red Brad on Tab: Mini, likely Basic Grey
"Happiness" Sticker: Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type- Item # TT 579
"Learning" sticker, "1" sticker, "You're getting so TALL" sticker: from "Growing Up" Word Play Sticker sheet, Carolee's Creations.
Red ink: Darice: Cranberry from Ink it up!
Brown ink: TH Distress ink: Pumice Stone
Light brown ink: Versamagic Chalk ink in Gingerbread

Thanks for looking!

~

"Old Hamsters?"

 "Old Hamsters?"

Done for Day 17 of Lain Ehmann's fun & LO producin'  e-course: http://www.layoutaday.com/a-to-z-layout-a-day/

Layout  was also done for two Feb. Sisterhood of Scrap online event (Crop) Challenges:

A) Jennifer's Hybrid Challenge and
B) My #2 LO for Maggi's "Step out of your Comfort Zone" challenge.


Journaling reads: "As you can tell in these pictures, Daniel is a REAL character… what I call a “nut.” These were taken while Oma & Opa visited. I thought they’d be the perfect backdrop for this little “Daniel funny!”


This past weekend, Daniel was asking Daddy about his great grandparents. Peter was telling him about Grandma Lillian, Nana Pride, and other relatives from both sides. I threw in a comment here and there when he hit a spot he wasn’t sure of (like my Nana’s maiden name). Otherwise, I just listened quietly.


Daddy told Daniel that his Mom, Daniel’s Oma, had made several photo albums with many family photos in them, including some of his ancestors, and that she’d given us copies of these. Peter remarked how lucky we were to have them. Daniel listened to all this and then said with his usual degree of deadpan, serious interest: “Are there any pictures of your old hamsters in those photo albums?”


Journaling by Mom: Feb 13, 2011
Photos by Kate: May 2010
(Kate and Noah are missing from these pics.)


Supplies:

BasicGrey pp: all Archaic Collection except Journaling block which is from the Recess Collection
Flower made from Bryan's old "Faded Glory" denim pants
Buttons: All repurposed from pants used to make flower
Chipboard-
Round chipboard (CB) Gear: Cosmo Cricket
CB Key: Bazzill Chips, "Chipboard Keys" item # 302720
Square under heart: Unkn CB
CB Heart: Bazzill Chips item #3027)10
CB circles: Bazzill Chips (item # ??
Pp covering CB circles: Chatterbox and MME
Lettering: BasicGrey- Various
Inks-
Versamagic Chalk Ink: Gingerbread
Memento Dew Drop Dye Ink: Potter's Clay
Jute cording repurposed from label on a piece of pottery
Acrylic Paints-
Bright Red: Orient
My own mix- the Melon-like shade on heart
Plaid FolkArt: Clover #923
DecoArt: Beige DCA15
Font: "Fusi"
Copper-look wire: Peter's tool box
Tools-
CM Multipurpose Tool
Darice single Hole Punch
Darning Needle ( for flower- to stitch centre and to distress/unravel edges
CDN Nail File (for distressing)
Fiskars Euro Trimmer
Tim Holtz Design Ruler
Dollarama Paintbrushes
Other:
Computer Font: Fusi
Wax Paper
Adhesives: Make it Special Photo Splits: Dollarama
Tombow Mono-Multi Liquid Glue
Glue Dots: 1/2" diam, both flat and 1/8" thick versions


Points for Maggi's Challenge:
Make a flower and ink it= 1pt
Journal on your LO= 1pt
Use fiber= 1pt
Distress edges of paper=1pt
Ink edges of paper= 1pt
Make a cluster of at least 5 objects= 1pt


CLUSTERED OBJECTS are:
1) Key
2) Heart
3) Square
4) Jute cording
5) Flower
6) Buttons x3
7) Copper Wire
8) Gear
9) Solid Circles covered in p paper x2


Thanks for popping by!

~

"Good Stuff 2 Remember"

This Layout was done as my Day 16 creation for my e-course with Lain Ehmann "Find your Style from A to Z."

In addition, it was entered in a February Crop Challenge set by Mia on Sisterhood of Scrap and over at the FUN  Crop Suey Blog. We had to have at least NINE items in/on our LO. One had to be mist.  

A big TY to Mia for the challenge! :)

Here is what I had on the layout...

1- "Remember" dimensional sticker (TY Maggi!) K&Co- Blue Awning Collection

2- Jute cording repurposed from retail clothing tag
3- Flowers- 1 made from a scrunched Kraft clothing tag, 1 from a piece (red) cut from an old backpack and one made from a crocheted yarn chain (Tutorial is in the works for that last one.)
4- Epoxy Stickers: "Time 4 Crafts"
5- Brads: Mini & lg, all BasicGrey
6- Ribbon - dotted and stitched- both from Savvy n Sassy Store
7- Mini lettering: Glitz; Lge lettering: MM (just the "G") and Thickers
8- Blank Sticker used for date- repurposed from a strip of Shopper's Drug Mart medication labels
9- "Pearl" Glimmer Mist applied to Kraft Flower (very subtle!)
10- Metal Zipper Pull
11- Patterned papers x 2: G45 "Christmas Past Collection"
12- CTMH CS: Bamboo
13- CTMH CS: Indian Corn Bue (Lg Photo Mat)
14- Ink- Navy Blue (Darice)  


"Good Stuff 2 Remember" (Day 16)

 Thanks to Lain for the challenge at Find your Style from A to Z, too. That course ROCKS my world at the moment!

Thanks for popping by! Have a super day. Scrap LOTS, and have a blast, OK?

~

Latest Layouts

I am so thrilled to be participating in a cool February SB'ing Crop at Sisterhood of Scrap called "Your Crop: Your Way!" It's just super, so much friendship and fun! Just about every one of our scrappy members set a February month-long Challenge for one another, some including RAKS and Prizes as incentives... and the SOS gals are ROCKIN' this month! You ought to go see the sharing of scrappy inspiration over there!!!!

I was so excited to learn that because we had SO MANY challenges in Feb, that we could COMBINE CHALLENGES!!! Well, I am 100% in for that idea! Works for me! Kudos to Helen, one of the Admin sisters at SOS, for making that executive decision! Woohoo!


Know what? I even went a step further and combined some of the SOS Challenges with a SCRAPPY e-course that I am taking. The "A to Z: Define your Style" e-course with Lain Ehmann is FANTASTIC and has me creating a LO PRETTY MUCH every day! I LOVE that. It's so GOOD for me... I've just created layout #20 for the year and so far I'm pleased with everything I've done. Using up copious amounts of my scrappy  STASH too! BTW, I'm doing the course with my very good (& talented) friend Ann S. Senior designer at Sketches: Creatively Yours . Well, we're having a BLAST! We've decided that it's BONDING time for us. :)

Best part is, I am getting the chance to play with paper and FALL IN LOVE with all the goodies that being a Consultant with Close to My Heart allows me to savour!  **SIGH** LOTS of yummy cardstock, patterned papers (pp), rich inks and their acrylic stamps... OHHH...the STAMPS!!  Be sure to check out my CTMH website 24/7 if you're curious about the products.You'll quickly come to know and LOVE them as much as I do. And yep- you can shop all day (or night) and the products are delivered right to your door, no matter where you live in Canada! :) Please do come browse. If you don't yet have a CTMH consultant, I would love to earn your trust and fulfill that role. I am at peteali@eastlink.ca and you can chat with me anytime about CTMH products or things related to memory keeping, stamping and scrappin'! Thanks for checking things out.  

Without further ado, here are some of my latest layouts, many of which combine both SOS Crop Challenges and Lain Ehmann's fun e-course assignments!

"Oma luvs u" (Day 15)

LO #20 in 2011
Day 16 of Lain Ehmann's e-course

Done for:
A) Jo's Feb Crop Challenge (at SOS) to use ribbon in 3 different ways.


1- yellow grosgrain ribbon from Savvy 'n Sassy Store woven thru circles in pp

2- Red grosgrain ribbon adhered in a long strip

3- Mini butterflies cut from sheer printed ribbon & applied to LO

and

B) Tabitha's Feb Crop Challenge at SOS to do Journaling in strips on the LO

Font: Stewardson
Journaling reads: Oma can never get enough hugs, squeezes and “loves” from you guys…it’s so sweet to see how much she adores each one of you! These photos were taken at Oaklawn Farm Zoo during a weekend Oma and Opa visited. We took them on an outing to our favourite place in the Annapolis Valley! What better “family” place is there for a springtime stroll!?
Photos: Spring 2010

TIP: Be sure to follow Sketches: Creatively Yours over the next few months!We reopen in April 2011, & you MAY see a new sketch that was inspired by this LO! Additionally, there will be a DT call in March, so sign up for updates on the S:CY Blog & be ready to apply!!

"Pumpkins" (Day 14)

LO #18 in 2011
Day 14 of Lain Ehmann's e-course

Done for Gails' Art Inspiration Feb Crop challenge at SOS - I used earth tones like I saw in the painting that she posted.

Thanks for the challenge Gail!

Lettering: Chatterbox
PP: MME and BasicGrey
CS: Bazzill: Saltillo
Inks: Versamagic Gingerbread chalk ink and Memento MD#801 in Potter's Clay from the Savvy 'N Sassy Store.
Pen: CM Fine point blk

Artwork (Day 13)

LO # 18 in 2011
Day 13 of Lain Ehmann's e-course


Journaling reads: "Imagine a day... when a bridge is made of dancing donuts that lets sprinkles and cream bounce across it."

Artwork, Daniel Cole, Grade 3 (Oops- not Grade 4- I will be changing that.)

Done for a Sisterhood of Scrap Monday Challenge! It was for DT member Chris' Feb 7th MONDAY CHALLENGE to "use 3 different fonts on a LO."

So much fun! Come on over to SOS, register (takes a second and you'll be approved very quickly... keeps the spammers OUT...) and join in!


CS: CTMH Buttercup
pp: MME Penny Lane
Ink: Ink it Up! in Turquoise (by Darice)

My fonts are:
KI Memories ("a")
American Traditional Designs: "r, t, o, r"
Queen & Co.:"w "and "k"
Lace trim: Savvy 'n Sassy store

"Humor Me" (Day 12)

LO # 17 in 2011
Day 12 of Lain Ehmann's e-course

This is Daniel, then age 9, at Oaklawn Farm Zoo, Aylesford, NS, in May 2010

CS: Bazzill- unkn colour
Pp: from BasicGrey's Archaic collection
Journaling blocks: CTMH Desert Sand CS
Photo Mat: CTMH English Ivy CS
Brackets: October Afternoon
All lettering: various Basic Grey
Postage Stamp: Vintage Moth blog freebie
Jute cording repurposed from a clothing label
"May" tag- TY to my friend Shannon!
Black flowers: made from repurposed backpack mesh, dabbed with Gold Lame Smooch ink
Deep blue flower cut from a repurposed felted wool sweater, dabbed w/ Pearl Smooch ink
Lg leaf: Dollarama
Green Cloisonee butterfly- hair ornament found in Frenchy's odds & ends bin
Inks in addition to smooch, above: Versamagic Chalk inks~ Jumbo Java & Gingerbread from Savvy 'n Sassy Store

**Distressing techniques**
Sanding CS, pp & photo edges w/ nail file
scrunching all edges with CM multipurpose tool
Scraping edges w/ HS distressing tool
Inking edges & paper's flat surfaces

Journaling:

Daniel (9) is so funny. I was talking to him about how he would have a new baby cousin next summer and he said, dead serious: "If it's a boy, I'm going to name it Joe or something."

The entire family roared at this tidbit!!
And… his Tante Xandi & Uncle Cody did have a baby boy. They named him William!
Story journaled and filed by Ali- Nov 24, 2009
Photo of Daniel- May 2010


 For Kathy's SOS Feb Crop Challenge to write a letter-

Letter to Daniel:


Daniel, you told me the sun was in your eyes the other day when you looked at your expression in this picture. You look so serious! It’s precious. It’s all the more special to me because you love humour so much! I use jokes, wisecracks, crazy made-up words and giggle-worthy family stories with you all the time. It helps to make you smile, ease the homework process, talk you into getting ready for school and encourage you to do your chores. It works 98.9% of the time! What a treasure to know that laughter works to ease so many things for you… And for me, come to think of it!
Love you! ~ Mom
[Journaling Feb 6, 2011]

Meets requirements of Maggi's Feb Crop Challenge at SOS to "Step out of your Comfort Zone."

LO "3 Brothers are we"- out for publication by SNR

 LO #16 for 2011
Day 11 of Lain Ehmann's e-course


CS outer edge: CTMH Desert Sand
CS (light) for Photo Mats: CTMH Bamboo
Red CS: unknown
All pp "Recess" collection by BasicGrey
Buttons: all from my stash
Owl rub-on: K&Co Urban Rhapsody (TY Carla!)
Lettering and number "3": BasicGrey Motifica, Stella Ruby and Urban Couture
Inks: Versamagic Chalk inks in Gingerbread and Jumbo Java from SNS
Pen: CM Black fine tip
Tools:
Sanded using CNDC nail file
CM Multipurpose Tool

Christmas Decor (Day 10)

"Christmas Decor"- These are some of my favourite things to share in decorating my home at Christmas Time. This page was a long time coming, and there are others in the works, in this style.  

Photos taken by Ali in 2006.

LO # 15 in 2011
Day 10 of Lain Ehmann's e-course

PP: BasicGrey- Blitzen
Lettering: Blush and Perhaps by BasicGrey
Rhinestone: Dollarama
Green crinkled ribbon: Dollarama
Dk Green CS: "English Ivy" by CTMH
Green fuzzy ric-rac: LSS- now closed.
Journaling Font: Century Gothic, bolded
Jewel: K&Co Christmas Cheer Brads

Adhesives:
MM Ribbon glue
Make it Special Photo Splits
Pritt Glue Stick
.
Tools:
Fiskars Euro-trimmer (see CTMH catalogue)
EK Success Silent Setter (for brad holes)

"Trouble just seems to..."  (Day 9)

LO #14 in 2011
Day 9 of Lain Ehmann's e-course


Floral clusters made with backpack foam mesh circles
Buttons from my collection
Pp and sticker: 3 Bugs "Snips and Snails" Collection
Dotted ribbon-Savvy 'n Sassy store
Inks: Versamagic chalk inks in Java and Gingerbread from SNS
Pen: CM Black fine tip
Journaling Block: MM Chloe Marie collection
"2"- BG lettering from Figgy Pudding Collection

"Farm Fresh Friends" (Day 8)

LO # 13 in 2011
Day 8 LO for Lain Ehmann's e-course



I need to add info to this one: "Zoo- Noah, May 2010"

From Close to my Heart:
CS: Indian Corn Blue CTMH
CS: Cranberry CTMH
Argyle-print pp: CTMH "Zippidee" patterned paper Collection
CTMH Desert Sand Ink

Birds and chick rub on: Hambly- TY to my friend Carla!
Barn and rooster stickers: Provocraft- "Barnyard" #42-0878
3D cow: Paper Bliss
Darice: Ink it up! Cranberry #1027-03
Lg Brads: all BG
Trim:
Red mini pom-pom trim: Savvy 'n Sassy store
Yellow grosgrain ribbon: Savvy 'n Sassy store
Lettering:
"Fresh"- Fancy Pants Overlay

"Farm"- 3D Lettering from my stash

"Friends"- Alphabitties by Provocraft, Rope # 42-1533

"Success 100% Guaranteed" rub-on by MM
Tools:
Darice- single hole punch
PC Silent Setter used to punch holes for brads
Provocraft Bone Folder for Rub-ons
CM Multipurpose Tool
Adhesives:
Make it Special- Photo Splits
Pritt Glue Stick
Tombow Mono Multi glue

"I am a Project" (Day 6)

LO #11 in 2011
Day 6 of Lain Ehmann's e-course

First....OK, yes, this IS our horse; LMBO, or better said, my daughter Kate's horse. Her name's GRACE. She is "boarded" at the stable where my daughter rides: Rohan Wood Stables. Kate's coach is Alissa Cue.

Journaling reads: Grace, or "Twinkletoes" as Kate often calls her, is indeed a "project." Kate's been training her awhile now: potential x 10 (6th power) ...oodles of it!

CS: Terracotta- CTMH
Lettering: BasicGrey
Lg round horseshoe & "Let's Ride" Brads~ RAK: TY Sherry!
Pen: Zig
Star: Dress it Up Button Co.
Sml ribbon scrap- my stash
(Lower right) horses head and running mustang: Ebay purchase
Plastic retail hanger from son's new gloves used to display horse's head
Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type- small brown lettering and words
Ink: Versamagic Potter's Clay from SNS
Small print PP: CTMH
Larger floral print pp: Melissa Frances
Small brads: BasicGrey
Tools:
Horse punch: Regal
Scallop punch: Fiskars
CM Multipurpose Tool

Our "Go-Team"

LO "The Go-Team" - Out for publication by SNR

This is LO #11 in 2011. It's big brother Bryan and little bro' Noah at the Oaklawn Farm Zoo, which is located near our home, in May of 2010. Noah is what I call a "Zoo-mer" (LOL, yes, he is fassssssst!) and Bry always heps us keeps him safe!  



Day 7 of Lain Ehmann's "Define your Style from A to Z" course
BasicGrey's "Recess" collection used here
Lettering: BasicGrey
Pen: CM fine black
Ink: Gingerbread Versamagic Chalk Ink
CS: Bazzill Smoothies (red)
TYFL
Have a great day all!

~