Crazy Kettlebellers

In later 2011, one of the scrapbooking divas (can't remember which one but I think it was Diane...or maybe Natalie...) suggested that we all get the same kit and use it to create layouts. We would then compare our layouts to see the similarities and differences.

We actually took the plunge in January 2012. We all got the same Christmas kit and magic ensued. You can read all about it on Natalie's blog, My Two Left Hands. Natalie's blog includes my submission to the experiment.

Today, I'd like to go back to those layouts because I love them so much. This double-page layout features pictures taken at the KTK Christmas party.

These are some pretty simple layouts but, like I said, I love them. They are a microcosm of what scrapbooking represents for me: capturing memories.

On the first page, I cut nine squares of three different pattern papers. I added a piece of rick-rack ribbon, a flower, star pins, journalling box and a great title. All these items were from the kit that the divas and I purchased. I added a great picture of some of my favourite people and voilà!

On the second page, I sanded the edges of the pictures to make them stand out. I repeated the rick-rack ribbon, star pin and flower. I made my own journalling box by using a tag and Glimmer Misting it with Olive Vine.

These pages remind of a great evening with people who mean the world to me. As I blogged about on my other blog Getting to 175lbs, my kettlebell friends not only make exercise more fun, they also make my life fuller. I cherish these friendships and thank God that I have these people in my life. These scrapbook pages remind me of that every time I look at them.

Happy scrappin'!

Year 3 comes to an end...

My little guy Sam turned 3 in the fall and I'm just getting to his birthday layouts now! Oh well, I guess 6 months behind isn't that bad!

I organize Sam's scrapbook albums by year of his life. His scrapbook (who am I kidding...scrapbook? More like scrapbooks!) for year 3 ends with his birthday layouts (just like year 1 and 2 did). These layouts are the last ones I have left before moving on to year 4...OMG! My kid is in the fourth year of his life! Where did the time go?! So, it was bitter-sweet to create these layouts.

Layout #1: Birthday Meal /  Diego

This first double-page layout is of Sam having his birthday meal and cake. My little guy isn't complicated: he likes chicken fingers and fries. I tried to sneak some veggies on his plate but he's too smart to fall for that. At the time of his birthday, he was obsessed with Diego. Consequently, I asked our local bake shop to make him a Diego cake.

I used Bazzill cardstock for the background. The wonderful pattern papers are from the Ad Lib line by Bo Bunny. Bo Bunny is one of my favourite scrapbook companies. I loved this line so much that I used every single paper and then bought a second pack!

My first page looks simple enough but the layering of different pattern papers took me forever! Everything except the cardstock is from the Ad Lib line. The colours go so well together!

I used two different border punches on this layout. I love border punches! I think I must have about 7 or 8 of them and that's no where near enough!

I try to use the letter stickers that come with the line. Bo Bunny always does such a good job with their embellishments, including stickers.

I used a lot of the same techniques on the second page, including using border punches, sanding the edges of the pictures and using embellishments from the line. I also added a twine detail along the paper border. On the first page, I used a journalling box included in the kit. I couldn't find one that I liked for this page so I created my own.

As a sidebar, I want to put a shout out there for journalling. I believe most pages need journalling to really qualify as 'scrapbooking'. Or else, to me at least, it's just a fancy photo album. Not every page needs it but I think it adds something to the page. Just my two cents.

By the way...the cake was DELICIOUS!

Layout #2: Presents

This double-layout features Sam unwrapping and then playing with his gifts.

One the first page, I cut four different pattern papers and distressed the edges of each square. I then created a grid with my pictures.

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I stitched around the edge of the cardstock using the Sew Easy system. I repeated the twine by wrapping it around brads in the centre of the page.





On page #2 of this layout, I used pictures of Sam playing with his gifts.

I used another one of my trusty border punches on this page! I also created my own journalling box on this layout by using a chipboard element and a scrap piece of paper from the kit.

Year 3 comes to an end! Time to start a new album for year #4. I'm excited to start scrapbooking another year in Sam's life. He's such a amazing little man and the best looking kid I've ever seen (not that I'm biased at all!) that it's so much fun to create these layouts.

Happy scrappin'!

Dixon's Corners - It's a wonder we've been invited back!

This past weekend, I went with my divas to Dixon's Corners to participate in an all-day crop. The event was a fundraiser and all the money raised goes to help build a school in Zambia. It's nice that the event was for a good cause but really, like I needed that as an excuse to have a scrapbooking day!
You might have guessed that the fundraiser was organized by a church group and was actually held in the church (well, in the room adjoined to the church). I have nothing against churches. They are usually nice places. But it's a small wonder that: 1) I don't get struck down by lighting when I walk in, and 2) The divas are invited back. A bunch of us had attended the Dixon's Corners crop in November...we were our normal selves and were still invited back...this time...not sure we'll be invited back a third time!

Evidence of our (mis)behaviour:



Devil horns in a church...

*shaking my head*

We did eventually get down to the business of scrapbooking. I managed to finished three double-page layouts, all Christmas themed (that's all I brought with me...I have dozens of Christmas layouts to do!).

Gifts from Diane
My first layout of the day was of pictures taken when my friend Diane and I exchange Christmas gifts. This layout is a bit out of my comfort zone. It's quite distressed for my liking. Honestly, this layout took way more time than I wanted it too! Here is the first page:

I started off by using an edge distresser to distress 3 sides of the my base cardstock. It's white core cardstock so it really shows when the edges are distressed. I found the green polka-dot paper, the orange stripped paper, the tag and the journalling tag in my personal stash. I used a border punch on the orange stripped paper.

I used a product that I had never used before on this layout: Tim Holtz Idea-ology Christmas collection. I inked it with Distress Ink.

Finally, I decided to try a technique that I saw my friend Nathalie (from The Creative Cellar) attempt: basically rip your paper and sew it back together. With the help of my friend Natalie (from My Two Left Hands) I selected a button to glue at the end of the stitching.

Here is the second page:



I used the same products and technique on the second page. I added the green ribbon, the brad and the small frame (which I inked with Distress Ink).

Here is the final product:

On to the next layout!

Out to Lunch
My second layout was of pictures taken during my work Christmas lunch. I wanted to use leftovers I had from the Bo Bunny Winter Frost collection I had bought last year. Here is my first page:

 It was challenging to put so many pictures on one page. I like the simplicity of the page. I added just a touch of bling with a Pearl Pen.



I put so many pictures on the first page because I knew that I want to do a single photo layout on the adjoining page. Here it is:



Again I used leftover from the Winter Frost collection. As Natalie says, I embrace white space. Yes I do and I'm proud of it! Here is the final product:

Tree/Family
My third and final layout of the day was of pictures taken when my family decorated the Christmas tree. Here is the first page:

Again, I really wanted to use leftovers I had from and Echo Park Christmas collection that I had in my stash - and I did. I even use brads from the Winter Frost collection I already mentioned. Other products used: Bazzill chipboard with Hula Hoop Glimmer Mist and Sew Easy.

Lastly, I decided to add some dimension to the page using pop up tap on the title.

Here is the second page:

As is my style, I repeated most of the same techniques and products from the first layout. I really like the Tim Holtz paper!

Here is the complete layout:

I had so much fun creating these layouts! Most of all though, I enjoyed the day with my friends. Thanks to the ladies who organized the crop. See you next time...if we're invited!

My Top 10 Tools

My good friend Natalie loves lists! She good at making them and you can read them on her blog My Two Left Hands. Being with Natalie yesterday afternoon reminded me that I wanted to do a blog entry about my top 10 tools...scrapbooking tools that I cannot live without.

Here we go.

10. Craft Heater

A craft heater is essential to me because of some of the products I use. Waiting for Glimmer Mist to dry is painful! It would take me forever to finish a page is I had to wait for stuff to air dry. Also, I recently started heat embossing (much to my dismay - I always said that I would NEVER get into heat embossing!). Heat embossing is difficult without the heat!

I use the Heat It Craft Tool by Ranger Ink:

 

9. Sponge

Inking edges of pictures and/or paper is more controlled and a lot easier with sponges. I use dabbers like these:

 

I also use Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool and Foam:

 

8. Die Cut Machine

Die cut machines comes all sorts of shapes and prices. If I had to pick just one, I couldn't. I'm the current owner of a Cricut Expression. I have the first generation. The link brings you to the Cricut Expression 2. You have to buy cartridges and they can be quite expensive. Regardless, the possibilities are endless with this machine. I should really take a class to get to know all its uses.

This is the one I own:

I said I couldn't pick just one because I really really REALLY want a Big Shot. Instead of cartridges, you have to buy dies. This is Big Shot (small pictures...sorry!):

 

Really, I could live with just one of the two but I'm a princess and I want both darn it!


7. Ruler

I'm no scrapbooking perfectionist but I still find many uses for a ruler. Especially one designed as well for scrapbooking purposes as the Tim Holtz Design Ruler:

 

The ruler is double-sided. One side has the traditional 0-12 inch markings. The other side is split in two: 6-0 (the centre is 0) and then 0-6. Very useful!


6. Edge Distresser

The edge distresser is great for distressing paper (the paper edges can then be inked or not). It's very simple, the harder your press, the more the edge is distressed.

Distressed is a great look. I often use it on one or two elements on a layout. My friend Nathalie from The Creative Cellar is AMAZING at the complete distressed look.

I use the Close to My Heart edge distresser. The CTMH catalogue did not allow me to save a picture of it. If you're interested, see their idea book. The best part about this particular edge distresser: the price! Only $2.50!


5. Piercing tool

I love my piercing tool! I use to make holes for brads, to make a mark for placement (of paper, flowers, etc) and glue small items. I use it on every scrapbook page I make.

I use the Tim Holtz Craft Pick:

 

4. File

I love to file the edge of my pictures. It gives the impression that the pictures are matted without using any cardstock. You can also ink the edges of the pictures afterwards for more drama.

I use the Basic Grey Precision File Set and cannot scrapbook without it!

 

3. Craft Mat

When you use inks, mists and/or do heat embossing, a craft mat is essential. My advice, invest in the biggest one you can find...but they are expensive. I use the Inkssentials Non-Stick Craft Sheet. The thing is practically indestructible!

2. Scissors

As I left-handed person, scissors have always been the bane of my existence. But I use them on every layout so it was important for me to find a good pair that worked for me.

I seem to be repeating myself in product lines but I use Tim Holtz Non-Stick Scissors:

 

They are the best scissors I've every used.


1. Trimmer

This is my #1 tool. I use it constantly. Good thing replacement blades are available. Buy any Fiskars trimmer and you'll be happy with it!

Honourable Mention

I finished this list and I realized that I hadn't even talked about punches! I love punches, especially borders punches. So, I would like to give an honourable mention to punches. My favour border punches are made by EK Success. Here is an example of one:

I hope you liked my list! Do you agree or would you have a different list?


Happy scrappin'!

First Design Team Meeting Recap and My Introduction to Copic

So, yesterday I made the drive to Auntie Em's Scrapbooking for my first design team meeting and introduction to Copic markers class. I learned three things: 1) Being part of the design team is super cool! 2) Copic markers are probably not for me, and 3) Driving back and forth to Cornwall from Aylmer by myself is BORING!

1) Being part of the design is going to be awesome! I got my first assignment yesterday. I have no clue whether Emma wants us to keep what we were assigned a secret so I'm taking a bit of a risk here. We were given elements of Little Yellow Bicycle's Paradise Collection. Funny, when I walked into the store, I saw some of the line and really liked. Anyway, the results of my first page done of behalf of the design team will be on display at Auntie Em's at the end of the month. I'm super excited to start this page! I just have to pick my pictures.

2) Yeah, Copic markers are not for me. Lorena, our teacher, was so excited to show us all the techniques and, although I had a good time playing with the markers, I know it's not for me. I don't really make cards or stamp much so their uses are limited for me. Lorena did show us that you can colour of gems (super cool btw) and use them to colour letters cut with a die cut machine in white cardstock. I will most likely use the markers for those types of techniques.

This is what I love about taking a class: It's a great way to try a technique to see if it's something that you'll want to continue without having to invest a tone of money. When you have a good teacher, it also helps. I would gladly take another class with Lorena anytime!

3) I was lucky that the drive was so smooth because this is Canada in February. It was a bright sunny day with clear roads. But I was so bored! I hope some of my friends will join me for future trips...

Kat, Diane...I'm looking at you!

Happy scrappin'!

 

First Design Team Meeting

I'm so excited! Today is my first Auntie Em's design team meeting. I'm looking forward to meeting all my fellow design team members and getting my first project.

In all this excitement, I'm feeling a bit guilty. My little guy Sam has been sick for the last 3 days and he's still under the weather. My kid wants his maman when he's sick and here I am leaving the house for most of the day. He'll be fine with papa but I can't help feel like I'm leaving him when I shouldn't...

Back to the excitement! I'm also attending my first Copic class this afternoon. I'm pumped to be learning a new technique today. I'll report on my day in my next blog entry.

Happy scrappin'

 

The newest member of Auntie Em's Scrapbooking design team is...

...ME! Can you believe it?! I can't!

I checked my gmail account right before leaving work this afternoon and there it was: Emma asking me to join Auntie Em's Scrapbooking's design team! I'm so excited for this opportunity. I even did a little happy dance in my cubicle (I'm sure I looked pretty silly and I'm glad none of my co-workers saw it!).

This is how excited I am:

P.S. Ignore the messy kitchen...

Okay, so this picture was not taken right after I found out...which you can totally tell because I don't dress in exercise gear to go to work. I was getting ready to go to my kettlebell class later (which you can ready about on my other blog Getting to 175lbs.) But I just had to take a few moments to blog about this amazing opportunity.

Contrary to what people might believe about me (those who have met me anyway), I'm not a confident person. I care too much about what other people think. That's one of the reasons why I never applied for a design team. It's not that I wasn't interested. It's that I never felt that my scrapbooking was good enough.

Recently, I've had a bit of a change of heart. Who cares what people think of my scrapbooking? Do I do this for other people?! Heck no! I do this for me because I enjoy it. Boy, is that realization ever freeing! It's only when I realized this that I had the confidence to think about applying to Emma's design team. If Emma didn't pick me, oh well...I would still like me stuff. Whereas in the past, the rejection would have been devastating.

That being said, it all worked out and I'm super happy!

Happy scrappin'!