Cute Critter Bookmark - The Cutting Cafe

You all know that I started my reading addiction late in life......but I am making up for lost time (take note of my 'bookshelf' on the sidebar of my blog). I just love, love, love to read. I do read using the Kindle & Kobo apps on my iPad, but I am lucky to have friends that read and lend me 'real' books too. I will also admit that I rarely leave Chapters or Walmart without a book or two in my hands.

This is what I usually use for a bookmark when I am reading a 'real' book. I know, not very fancy, is it?

This week over at The Cutting Cafe, we were given the opportunity to work with the cutest, cutest printable stamps ever! Check them out here! There were so many options, but I fell in love with these little lady bugs. I immediately thought of making a bookmark......I don't like people bugging me when I am reading!

I pulled out my Copic markers for the faces and paper pieced the bodies. I used my Silhouette and a free 'grass' cut from Birds Cards to add the grass accents. I added some Glossy Accents to the spots to make them shiny and dimensional.

I finished it off with some bakers twine and a small button.

Isn't it just the sweetest? I just love my new bookmark. I used it last night and it nestled perfectly between the pages :)

Be sure to visit The Cutting Cafe blog and see what the other members of the design team have created. Sometimes the post does not go up until later in the day, so keep checking back.

Got Chocolate? Winner!

Good morning......it is time for me to randomly draw the winner for my 'Got Chocolate' card.

And the winner is #11..........Deanna! Congratulations Dee! I will email you and since you are so close by, you can pick up the card at the store.

Goofy Golfer's

I am really loving the Charming collection from Echo Park! It works for so many different themes and the colours are definitely one of my favourite combinations.

I still had a few photos left to scrapbook from a trip to the mini golf course so I thought I would do a 1-page layout to use them up.

This layout was inspired by a sketch designed by Allison Davis for Sketch Support. It was an add-on sketch using flags. I created 3 flags made from papers and added the brads from the collection.

I used the small letters from the collection for the word 'goofy' and then I pulled in some larger letters from Bella Blvd for the word 'golfers'.

One of my favourite papers in this collection is the strips. It is an easy way to create a border. I used kraft cardstock and my favourite font (Baby Boston) for my journaling.

I added a stitched border and some smaller brads to one of the borders. I also inked all my papers with Distress ink to soften things up.

I added some twine around all the border strips and tied it into a bow near one of the sticker embellishments. Looking at this close-up photo, I realized I forgot to stamp the date on my layout.

I still have some of this paper left so I am sure you will be seeing another layout or two in the near future.

I Have Been Published - Scrapbook & Cards Today!

I am so excited!!!!!! The Spring issue of Scrapbook & Cards is out, and I have a layout in it!

If you happen to get a copy, be sure to check it out in the Reader Gallery section :)

Got Chocolate? - The Cutting Cafe & Giveaway!!!!

Good morning. The weather we have been having has really put me in the Spring mood. Easter is just a few weeks away and this week at The Cutting Cafe, we had the opportunity to play with some really amazing files. Our projects were based on the following:

Easter Window Cards

Egg Shaped Card

Easter Basket Shaped Card

It was really hard to choose which one to create with......so I just closed my eyes and pointed. I made my card using the Easter Window Card template.

I played around with my new Silhouette and ended up making a more rectangular shaped card (this way I could add more rabbits). I backed the window with brown cardstock to make them into chocolate bunnies. I used tiny pom poms for their tails. I added some stitching around the middle bunny to make him stand out.

I added the add on grass and some brown ribbon. I also used one of the Easter Mini Words for the tag.

So, I have decided to give this card away......my Easter gift to my followers. All you have to do is leave a comment and make sure I have a way to contact you (email, link up blog, etc.). I will make the draw on Tuesday, March 27th and mail the card out to the winner.

Easter Carrot

I have been having so much fun playing with my new Silhouette Cameo. The machine is a scrapbookers dream.

Here is a little project that I created using a file from Lori Whitlock! This is going to be a great little table favour for Easter. That is my holiday to host for my family so I think I will make a few of these for my table.

I embellished it with this cute print-out and backed it with a scalloped circle.

I topped it with a green ribbon and a wooden button.

The only thing I am missing is a little bit of stitching :)

You're Amazing - Sketch Support

It has been an exciting week on the Sketch Support blog. There has been lots of inspiration using the 2-page sketch. I must admit, I was a bit stumped when I first saw it and really didn't have a vision at all. Here is the sketch that Allison created.

I decided to use the new Simple Stories Fabulous collection to create my layout and the sketch just came to life.

I downloaded a title from here to create my title.

There are so many cute elements to use and the flash cards paper worked perfectly for the border along the top.

I used some brads along the striped strip (a new favourite thing to do) and also popped up many of the stickers and die-cuts.

Once I finished the layout I just had to make one out of the Awesome collection so I used some photos of Matt and used the same design.

Each section is filled with stickers and die-cuts that express things about Matt.

I couldn't resist adding a stitched border. It just didn't seem finished until I did.

I even used the same title. I used some of the letter stickers, so the title would read 'Boy' You're Amazing.

Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope you will take a few minutes and visit the Sketch Support blog too.

Happy Easter Milk Carton - The Cutting Cafe

Happy Wednesday everyone! I am here with another great project for The Cutting Cafe. This week I worked with the Easter Milk Carton. Along with this template there is the option of having a window in the front in the shape of an egg or an adorable rabbit. It also comes with these sweet printable tags........

This little treat box can be filled with your favourite Easter treats and given to someone special!

Instead of using the window, I made a scalloped tag and used a sticker that matched my papers. I wrapped some bakers twine around the scalloped circle to add some texture.

I used an embossed Easter egg border sticker for the trim along the bottom of the carton.

I added a matching strip of paper to create the top of my carton and tied some more twine around the top to secure it. This piece of twine can be slipped off so the carton can be opened to fill it, or eat what is inside.

I hope you will visit The Cutting Cafe and check out this Easter Milk Carton. You can also check out their blog and see what the other members of the design team have created this week. Click here (the post will be up some time today).

Natural Beauty - Sketch Support

After last weeks break, we are back with the March Card Sketch on the Sketch Support blog. Can you believe that it is March?

As you all know, I am not much of a card maker, so I decided to make this into a 2-page layout. Here is the sketch that I started with. You can download it on the Sketch Support blog.

Using this sketch, I created my first layout using photos from my recent trip to California. These photos were taken on our second last day. We went hiking in the mountains in Malibu! It was a wonderful experience and I am so glad that I got to share it with Jason & David.

This is the part of the layout that resembles the sketch. I used a new collection from Little Yellow Bicycle called Paradise. I just love all the awesome papers that come in this line and this was a good way to get a little piece of each one. I stitched each square with brown floss (that took a little bit of time) and added some of the chipboard accents to the bottom to replace the message on the sketch.

I also stitched through some of the chipboard elements. This is easier than you may think.

I created a little banner element at the top of my page and added a zig zag stitch along the top.

The title was hand cut from one of the papers. I included a couple of the flowers from the paper as well (that's okay, right? After all, I am a girl). I added a button to the center because my BFF believes that no layout is complete without a button or two.

I kept the journaling 'short & sweet' on this page. There will be many more pages that follow this one that will tell the story of our day.

I dug into my stash of brads and added a few along the border strip. This is a great way to add some dimension to a page.

If you have some time, be sure to stop over to the Sketch Support blog and check out all the cards/creations using this card sketch.

Most Amazing Friends - The Cutting Cafe

This week at The Cutting Cafe we had the opportunity to play with the 4 Leaf Clover Shaped Card! The file comes with the template for the card and also a couple of printable images.

I decided to try to make a layout using the clover instead of making a card. The 'friends' sentiment gave me the idea to scrapbook a photo of Jay and David.....they are the most amazing friends.

I used the optional layering pieces that come with the set. I added some stitching (surprise, eh?) and added the sentiment to the center of the clover. I embellished the center with a matching brad.

Jay and David really are the most amazing friends. They are almost eighteen and I hope they continue to be the best of friends through their adult life. This title seemed appropriate.

I found matching chipboard that went with this collection (Echo Park-This & That Charming) that had the word 'brothers' on it. We include David in our family, like a son (and that would make Jay and David brothers). Everywhere they go, they are asked it they are brothers. I created another cluster to reflect that part of their friendship too.

After I was finished the layout I wanted to add some 'splats' of mist or paint. I masked off the photo area and attempted to splatter the background. I wanted to have larger spots instead of a misted look. I really like the effect it created. I also outlined my layout with thin black lines using a black marker.

I hope you will visit The Cutting Cafe blog and see what the other team members have been creating.