Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from our house to yours!
I hope you have great trick n' treating weather---it's pouring here we are, and it's not supposed to let up. Oh, well! C'est la vie!

Have fun folks.

Will be back tomorrow with a card for Unity's FWF. Until then!

Baby Book---picture heavy

Happy Tuesday folks!
I hope your day is going well.
Today I am happy to report that I have finished my project that I have been working on for the past 2 weeks. My niece's baby shower is this coming Sunday, and I had wanted to get her a special gift. I did not know what. But I knew I wanted to give a special, PERSONAL gift for her baby. After much pondering, and researching on Pinterest and personal blogs, I was suddenly hit with inspiration....hit with a sledgehammer! I was looking through Graphic 45 blog , which led me to one of their designers, Anne. her work is OUTSTANDING! When I saw this project, I knew, I KNEW this was what I wanted to make!
So, I ordered the G45 Mother Goose 8x8 paper pad, 2 of them, along with some other matching embellies .I had already bought  the chipboard album at Michael's, had my glue ready, and away I go!
(Then I had a moment--OMG! I never made one like this before--you can count on one hand how many minis I've made----never made a mini album as a gift before--Could I do this??)EEK!
2 weeks later, give or take a few days, I am happy, and relieved, to say that this baby book is finished. I used the majority of the 2 paper pads, along with most of the chipboard embellies. I also added a few other touched from other companies in the mix, but the album is around 95% G45. Holy Guacamole! lol
Without further adieu, I present my gift to my niece. Note: Photo heavy!

Front cover

Dedication

Before the big arrival

born

first picture

all about me

baby boy

Milestones..1

Milestones..2

First handprint

My family

First bath

Smile

Getting bigger record

Playtime

sleeping baby (sorry about the blurry pic--don't know why!)

Special notes

First tooth, lock of hair

Back cover

So there you have it. My niece's baby book. I hope she enjoys it for her baby. I must say, I have the utmost respect for those crafters who make minis all the time. I did enjoy doing this, but I don't think I can do this all the time. Not for me. lol I like bigger albums.

Some other supplies I used beside G45 (which I am now a HUGE fan!): Making memoreis Slice with little one design card; TH Distress Stains; MME letter sticker; BG letter stickers;  MM letter stickers; EP 'Boy's Life' element stickers ; BG and FP rub ons; EK Success 3D sticker (bathtub); various metal charms from my own stash; AC stamps and Thickers; Ranger Distress Stickles (orange--on Peter Pumpkin's wife's pumpkin shell), Ranger Glossy Accents (Thank goodness for this)

I am entering this baby book into the following challenges:

All that Stickles Linky Party Distress Stickles
Simon Say Stamp Monday Challenge Blog--anything goes

That's it for me--I'm exhausted! Crafting is hard work! lol
Have a great day!

Be safe. Get crafty!

A kiss to make it better

Yay! It's Friday!

Cold where you are?? For us, yeppers! Had snow falling yesterday. Beautiful, but wow---was it ever cold!

I created a card for a friend from our church group. She was recently admitted back into the hospital for a blood clot, among other things. She waited over 15 hours in the waiting room! 15 hours!!! I would've been snapping, but Dorothy stayed in good spirits. That's her. Always, ALWAYS staying positive. She's such a sweet lady.

So, made her this card, and will pop it in the mail today. I think she'll like it. I colored Emma to look more like my DD, April...dark hair, with PINK/PURPLE shoes (my DD's fave colors!), whom Dorothy loves.  lol.

I colored this adorable Unity stamp with my Derwent pencils, and the papers are from My Mind's Eye 'the Sweetest Thing' (LOVE those papers!), the enamel dots are from Teresa Collins.

I am entering this card into the Unity Friends with Flair challenge.

That's it for me for now.

Be safe. Get crafty.

Miss Muffet

Happy Thursday!

A late post, I know! How was your day? Mine definitely could have been better!! A day of disappointments it seems! Oh well......*sigh!*

I was able to get a layout done today. I have been busy with work, family, life,  and trying to complete my niece's baby shower gift, which is next week! ack! Can someone please find a way to stop time from going so fast??

Anyhow.

Here's the sketch the layout is based on over at Sketchbook365 November Sketch. Doesn't it look like fun??

This is my take:

Of course, my subject is about one of my off-spring! :) My own personal Miss Muffet! Of course, Miss Muffet saw a spider, so I've included one on the layout. But I don't think my Miss Muffet would actually run away, she's actually quite fascinated with the buggy world. We learned about the good bugs and bad bugs this summer, and she loved it. Thankfully she doesn't want to bring them inside the house. Yet. yeesh! lol

I used papers from Authentique Lively collection (striped), Teresa Collins 'Family Stories'(floral, wood, lined, bingo) washi tape from Echo Park, 'Miss' letters are from Studio Calico; 'Muffet' are American Crafts thickers; worded stickers are from MME as are the enamel dots, and the spider and web stamp, which are stamped with Momento Tuxedo Black ink; black Stickles are on the web and spider; Glossy twine from WRMK.

I am also entering this layout into the challenge over at The Paper Girls Challenge Blog--Challenge 42--put a bug on it!

That's it for me!
Be safe. Get crafty.

Monday with a tatse of Citrine

Happy Monday!
Didn't the weekend just fly by?? Or is it just me??? Geez....The year is almost over and it seems like it just started!!
I finished up my layout for Scrapbook Steals Mid week Mojo Citrne #5 . I find the sketches pretty interesting, and it provides a challenge. Actually, to be honest, just finding the time to scrapbook is a challenge!
So, here's the sketch:

Here's my take:

This photo was taken on July 1st, at our Canada Day festivities in our town. There were all kind of activities, our church Strawberry Social, live entertainment, and more. I was camera happy that day, and had snapped this picture of my boys---perfect photobomb!

I used Carta Bella cardstock, Core'dinations cardstock, Basic Grey tags, MME tags, OA journal stickers, Autumn Leaves stamps, Studio Calico wood veneer. BG striped washi tape, Dylusions spray ink.

Have a great night!
Be safe. Get crafty (well, maybe sleep first!);)

Tobi and a layout sketch

Happy Thursday!
Is it just me or are the days flying by??? I can' t believe that it is already Thursday!!

I finally finished a layout to be entered in a challenge over at  Let's Capture Our Memories, sketch #41. It is an interesting sketch:

Pretty cool, huh?
I knew, I just KNEW how I wanted to use this sketch. My daughter, who's 3, has an insane crazy imagination, and can talk and talk and talk about pretty much anything. lol. Seriously. I never know what she is going to say next.
So, this layout is about her, and her sayings.

A couple of close-ups of her sayings!

So, that's her...my little girl! Pretty simple layout.
I used Echo Park's 'Sweet Day' papers, speech bubbles from stash, arrows are from UmWow Studio covered in washi tape, various letter stickers from Jillibean Soup, Basic Grey and Kelly Purkey . 'OH' rub ons are from Basic Grey. The title speech bubble is from MME

If you get a chance to play along on LCOM, you definitely should!

Now yesterday, Wednesday, was a happy mail day for me! One of the packages I received included my stamp and catalog from Some Odd Girl head girl, Kristy. I was very exited to start stamping with this new 'toy'! The challenge this week over at Some Odd World was to use chipboard. Now this is something I have quite a bit of, and actually have trouble incorporating chipboard into my work. So, I put on my thinking cap, and tried something new.
I took a chipboard speech bubble from Cosmo Cricket 'Happy Camper', embossed the sentiment from the stamp set with white embossing powder, and Voila! mes amies!

Now the stamping did not come out as clear I had hoped. But it seems from far, it's more eligible. Like a Van Gogh, I guess. Up close, it's a big old mess, but from far, it's beauty. Well...I don't know about the beauty part, but I kinda like it. Still have to work on it.
Toby an his pal are colored with a variety of Derwent pencils and Distress markers; the paper is from MME 'Boy Crazy', chipboard is from Cosmo Cricket, clear embossing pad is from Ranger and white embossing powder is from American Crafts.


So, there's my first attempt of embossing sentiments. Never tried it before. I guess I have to experiment with various inks, too, because some bleed easier than others. Live and learn, I guess. :)




So, that's it for today.

Be safe. Get crafty.

Baby Shower card with Mae

Happy Tuesday!
How was your weekend?? For us Canadians, it was a holiday weekend, our Thanksgiving. We were busy the whole weekend, except for yesterday, which was our 'slacking' day. Saturday was spent going into Montreal (and getting stuck in traffic for a total of 4!!!!!!! hours ) Not impressed. We were so relieved to be home. I did get to stop into Michael's on the way down and got me some Gelatos!!! Yippee! With my 40% off coupon, the kit cost me around 20 bucks! WOOT!

I had a chance to play with them a bit yesterday. I decided to make a card for my niece's upcoming baby shower, with a SOG digital stamp, Momma Mae. Mental note: Must start on the decorations for baby shower. It's 2 weeks away. Ack!

I wanted to make a baby shower card, but I did not want to go 'cutesy', because that's not her style.  I am not sure what you would call her style..not exactly 'goth' but kinda dark. but I did know that I wanted to use this stamp. So.....I experimented.

I colored her with my Prismacolors. I used Echo Park washi tape (love that one!) and I used my Gelatos to create an ombre effect in the background. I had originally colored the gal with more 'feminine' colors, but I felt like it wasn't Andrea (my niece). I colored her hair various dark colors. The chipboard gears are Cosmo Cricket 'Cogsmo', blotted with Distress paints and stains. the 'welcome little one' is from Jillibean Soup. I am somewhat content with the card. I wish the camera was working properly. I really do need to read that manual!

Here's the first take on the card:

It is a little brighter, but I messed up on the face, with my Derwent watercolor pencils!! Grr... I need to get better watercolor paper, one that actually goes through my printer, and does not jam.

I am entering this card in the challenge over on the Some Odd Girl monthly challenge.

That's it for me.

Be safe. Get crafty.

There She Goes Challenge

Happy Saturday!

I love stamps! I am somewhat new to stamps and stamping--have only been playing with stamps for a little over a year. That is not really a long time, compared to so many talented people out there. then there's the stamps---have you seen all the beautiful stamp companies out there??? It's almost head spinning! There's one stamp company that I really, really find great. the talent and the stamps, and the people are absolutely awesome! There She Goes Stamps.....great stamps!

So, on their blog, there is a color challenge, TSG228--Color Challenge.

I took out my stamp (I must get more!!!), Amalia & Laylah, inked her up Momento black tuxedo ink, and stamped on watercolor paper.
The papers I used are from Simple Stories Harvest---perfect for this challenge!

I actually had such fun doing this challenge! I simply adore these stamps, and this stamp company---Definitely in my top 5!

That's it for me for today---off to get ready to go to Montreal!

Be safe. Get crafty.

Friday with some flair

Happy Friday!
How was your week? Mine definitely could have been better, but I guess that's life.

Today is Friday..so over on the Unity blog, it's Friends with Flair. If you haven't checked it out before, definitely should---great creative people over there. And the sales. Which to be honest, I have been avoiding because....well. Just because. sigh!

It's October, which also is the Breast Cancer Awareness month. Cancer. That's a word that I wish wasn't in our vocabulary. It's a curse word. It has affected me more times than I like to count. Family and friends. Another one of my close friends has been diagnosed this week with that dreaded word. And I feel so helpless. What can I do to help her, besides just being there for her? Makes me feel so .....useless.....powerless.

Anyways. Here's my card for this week's FWF. It's very fitting, I think, for my past week. I made it for her, and will pop it in the mail today, as she is unfortunately far from me.

I used Distress cardstock, Copics, Derwent pencils, TH tickets, Unity stamp, Distress inks.

I am also linking this up to the following challenges :
Simon Say stamp Wednesday challenge: Use a rubber/clear stamp
Five Simple Things: Inspire me Friday-Anything goes

That's it for me.

Be safe. Get crafty

Citrine layouts

Happy Thursday folks!

Is it  cold where you are??  For us here in the Laurentians, Quebec, it's pretty darn brisk! Sweater weather is here!! yep! But it's beautiful!

So, this past week has been super crazy busy for me, and I did not get a chance to do any layouts like planned. Heck, I was only able to post a card late last Sunday night..one card the whole weekend. Yeesh!

But today, Thursday (WHAT??!!) I was able to get 2 layouts done. Alleluia! lol

I had been wanting to keep up the sketches over on Scrapbook Steal Blog, part of the mid week mojo, but last week was a no-go. So, even though I am late in posting, I still wanted to get the layout posted onto my blog.

This layout is based on this week's sketch, Citrine Sketch #4:

My take:

I had snapped some pictures of my DD playing with an old friend, Pluto. Pluto has been around for many, many years. I had one, my husband had one, my sons had a similar one and now my daughter has one and she LOVES him. I mean really, REALLY love him! She even takes him for walks, and brings him outside to go to bathroom...yep! seriously! lol

I used many faves of my mine on this layout: My Mind's Eye (the orange dotted paper, journal card and flower),the photos are matted with Teresa Collins Family paper; DCWV (heart paper) with some Distress paint on that paper ; diecuts are from Fancy Pants Designs;  various letter stickers from Jillibean Soup, Basic Grey and Pink Paislee, along with some paw printed washi tape (source unknown)

 The following sketch is from last week, Citrine #3

My take:

I had snapped this picture when we visited my brother and mother in Montreal this past spring.We hadn't spoken in over 5 years, so it was a memorable visit. My boys missed their uncle, and vice versa; and I missed being able to talk to my mother and brother.
Sigh!
Family. Yeesh! lol
Again, on this layout, I used My Mind's Eye papers, Lime Twist. Various journal circles are from Jillibean Soup; flowers die cuts are from Basic Grey, as is also the word sticker and the swirly doo. Various letter stickers are from Jillibean Soup (red) Making Memories (brown corrugated).

So, that's it for me for today.

Wish you a great day!

Be safe. Get crafty.