Monthly Archives: April 2010

Pretty Patterns

Posted on April 22, 2010 | 4 comments

I adore pattern. Traditional gingham, classic dots, beautiful brocades, retro prints, florals…it’s all gorgeous! And what makes a pattern even better is mixing it up with another and maybe even yet another pattern. Play along with me today and find the challenge here.

Speaking of patterns, I’m pretty excited that Ellen will be having weekly sales in her on-line store now. This week it’s Graphic 45…so gorgeous! You  can find it by clicking on the banner below.

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And yah…I know this banner totally clashes with my card so I’m going to write a bit about it here  to offer you a little visual space. lol I’ve used some of my favorite classic patterns…houndstooth, chintz, gingham and a reverse polka dot to create these stamped background panels. Each is stamped on vanilla cardstock to tie them together visually. I’ve used some fun colors of Memento Ink. The large dressform image and faux stitching are Hambly Screen Prints rub-on transfers. I was totally impressed with how high a quality their rub-ons are. Beautiful smooth glossy black.

 Sew Special

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Supply List:

Stamps: Fine Gingham, Vintage Chintz Backgrounders and Fine Houndstooth, and Distressed Circles Scrapblocks by Cornish Heritage Farms, Ink: Memento by Tsukineko, Paper: vanilla cardstock by CHF, Black Fabric letters by American Crafts, Dear Lizzy Trim by American Crafts, Crystal Trinket Pin by Maya Road, Rub-ons by Hambly Screen Prints

Happy creating!

4 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Challenges

it’s a good life

Posted on April 21, 2010 | 8 comments

I love to sit down and create. In fact, if too many days go by when I don’t create something, I get a little cranky. Sad but true. Lately I’ve been squeezing in my creative time and have managed to do quite a few cards but I’d been longing to get some scrapbooking done. Yesterday was finally the day and I managed to get two of them done. This is one.

I was pretty excited to find my box of Lily Bee papers and goodies in the mail yesterday. Actually, ecstatic may be a closer  word. Gorgeous papers! I’ve used the Lovely line here. The fresh colors and prints are so easy to work with. Two things you should know right now if you love Lily Bee…It’s week three of the Lily Bee giveaway. Put the Lily Bee blinkie on your blog and then comment here for a chance to win. Lily Bee is also having a card sketch contest until April 27th. It’s a great sketch so be sure to check it out and play along. And oops! There is actually three things…

Kristen, the owner of Lily Bee, will be chatting at A Cherry On Top on Friday the 23rd at 9pm EST, 6pm PST.Feel free to join in.

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So the exciting thing about my new Lily Bee goodies (well it’s all exciting) but I was totally surprised that the rub-ons were a full 12×12 sheet. Seeing them on-line I was assuming they were 6×6 in size but I’m loving this large cool format. Fabulous for scrapbooking with as they don’t get lost on the page.

Quick Tip: Cut a photo to 4×4 to use the die-cut as a photo frame.

Supplies: paper, embellishments and rub-ons from Lovely line by Lily Bee, sewing machine, white cardstock by Bazzill, Thickers by American Crafts

Have a good one!

8 Comments

Posted in Lily Bee, Scrapbooking

Nature’s Bounty

Posted on April 20, 2010 | 7 comments

In celebration of Earth Day, I really wanted to take part in this month’s Splitcoaststampers Dirty Girl Challenge. Those of us playing along today are past or current members of the Dirty Dozen Design Team. You can check out all the wonderful designs created at this link.

There were a few criteria for this challenge, the focus had to be on the earth or nature,the project had to include something recycled and you couldn’t use buttons on it. I love buttons but I managed to create without them today. I have to tell you, it’s just human nature to want to use what you can’t. I kept reaching for those buttons and then reminding myself…no! For the recycled part of this design, I used an old vintage dictionary page as one of the layers. You can find touches of nature throughout this design for the patterned papers, the floral stamping and sentiment to the flower and leaf pins embellishments. I admit, I perhaps went a little over the top here but after a busy couple weeks, I’m so excited to get back to creating!

Seeds of Friendship

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Quick Tip: To alter the white flower, airbrush with your desired color and then lightly sponge the edges for a vintage look.

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Supply List: Seaside Retreat Journaling Cards, Garden Gala/Seaside Retreat 6×6 paper pad, Garden Gala Trim & Garden Gala Diecuts by Webster’s Pages, twine, Black Memento Ink by Tsukineko, leaf trinket pins by Maya Road, Copic Airbrush, Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink by Ranger, Friend Centers stamp set & Freesia stamp by Cornish Heritage Farms, Wedding Shoes flower by Prima

Happy creating!

7 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Cornish Heritage Farms

miss u

Posted on April 17, 2010 | 7 comments

I’ve been missing some time in my craft room with this crazy week. Today I did manage to get back in there and am doing a major tidy up. It needs that every few weeks so that I can work. I do try to clean up as I go but it’s hard to get everything away in the right spots before starting the next project. I’m hoping to get time to scrapbook later on, I’m feeling a major withdrawal.

Today I have another Card Patterns sketch to share with you. I love this one and I know I’ll be coming back to it again. You can play along with us here. I’ve donated three Scrapblocks for this week’s giveaway so you may be the lucky winner.

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For my take on the sketch I substituted a huge felt flower for the circular layer. I bought it a couple years ago at Scrapfest but can’t remember the manufacturer. Sorry! The fun papers and die cuts are from October Afternoon.

Quick Tip: Don’t be afraid to get creative and put your own spin on a sketch. It doesn’t have to be exact.

Have a creative weekend!

7 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Card Patterns Sketch, Challenges

Life Happens

Posted on April 16, 2010 | 5 comments

Wow! It’s been a whirlwind of a few days. I’m so glad to be able to find a few minutes this morning for blogging.What have I been doing?

My four year old developed a high fever Wednesday morning and the day was spent caring for him. Thursday came and he was no better. We couldn’t get an appointment at the clinic and were advised to take him to the hospital. It turns out he had developed pneumonia and so he’s now being treated for that. I’m so glad that the antibiotics are starting to kick in and he is on the mend.

I do finally have another project to share with you.

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It’s Friday so today I’m in the CLASSroom sharing the tutorial and step outs if you’re interested.

Have a beautiful day!

5 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Copics, Ellen Hutson LLC projects

be happy

Posted on April 14, 2010 | 4 comments

I’ve been busy here around the house…just getting things done. It feels so good doesn’t it? Having furniture stored everywhere during our recent renovation has played havoc with my organization and I’m busy sorting, cleaning, filing and yes, finishing up my taxes and receipts. I’m so glad that Canada’s tax filing date is April 30th and not the 15th! So while I wish I’ve been busy creating, I’m still happy that I’m getting things done and getting the long list on my to do list crossed off. I know that soon things will be back to normal and I’m hoping for an entire day in my craft room tomorrow.

Happy Kind of Day

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Quick Tip: Rub-ons can be applied over a few different layers for a fun look.

To spread a little of that happy around, here’s a fun card I put together last week. Just having fun with lots of October Afternoon goodies. I think I’ve used product from three different lines here but I love how they all go together. Sweet! I’m stalking my mailbox too as I ordered some of that gorgeous new Thrift Shop line. Can’t wait!

Have a happy, happy day!

4 Comments

Posted in Card Designs

time 4 sketch 59

Posted on April 11, 2010 | 7 comments

Time for another Card Patterns sketch. Sketch 59 is a great basic sketch and there are just so many possibilities for it. I’ve turned it on it’s side and create a card with some simple stitching and some darling Hero Arts stamps. This week Card Patterns is being sponsored by Hero Arts again. Play along for a chanceto win a guest designer spot and one participant with be randomly drawn to win a Hero Arts Have a Donut 4×6 clear stamp set.

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I’m totally going nuts for the Dear Lizzy fabric paper by American Crafts. As you can see you can stamp on it and I’ve frayed the edges a little with my scissors to get a more fabric look.

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The flower image is stamped and then colored with Copics. I went over the lines with a darker tone to add depth to the plaid.

Supply List:Big Flower Pattern & Anytime Messages Stamps by  Hero Arts, Dear Lizzy Fabric Paper by American Crafts, kraft cardstock by Bazzill, embroidery floss by Bazzill, Jet Black Archival Ink by Ranger, Black Memento Ink by Tsukineko, Copic markers, button by Hero Arts

7 Comments

Posted in Card Designs, Card Patterns Sketch