Catching up with Studio J!!!

Thank Heaven for Studio J!!!
Having gone back to work full time after pretty much being home for the last 2.5 years, I'm finding it a struggle to keep up with my scrappin! Who am I kidding, I've never been caught up, considering I didn't start to scrap until my kids were 3 and 8, I was behind the 8 ball right from the get go. So every once in a while, I do some layouts digitally in Studio J, just to be able to finish off an ablum. As was the case this weekend, I finally got around to taking the finished layouts out of my work in progress ablum, and organizing them into thier permanent home. There were a few holes--I knew extactly which layouts/pictures I wanted in the album, so I left empty page protectors with sticky notes to "save the spot". Then sat down to get them done in Studio J.

Without further delay, here they are.......

this first one was completely lifted from one that consultants that attended the Studio J boot camp were taught during that convention. I knew as soon as I saw it I would be lifting it for these great wedding shots.

The rest I created in Studio J, using their templates. In under an hour I had them all done! I will be adding some traditional embelishments to some of these layouts when I recieve the finished product.

thanks for stopping by and I will endevour to get into my scrap room more often and come and share my creations.

Canada Day with Dotty

The May promotion at CTMH is a Dotty Paper Pack for only $5 when you order $35 in product. I've been playing with mine, and will have lots more to show you in future posts. I've had these pictures printed since last fall and was hitting a road block every time I pulled them out to scrap them! I was cruisin some of my favourite challenge blogs yesterday and was hit with the inspiration I needed to complete this layout! Thanks to Cheryl over at Heart 2 Heart, with her April layout sketch, I was able to put this together in no time!



 Pulled out my Canadian Celebration stamp set and the AP cricut cartridge, to make the layered stars--the cartridge makes it so quick and easy! Also added in some of the new Bakers Twine. I can see getting allot of mileage with all the choices of colours in this new set!

 I had a few photos of the kids with sparklers, that weren't the greatest shots but I still wanted to include them on the layout--so I made a little interactive piece that I will have sit outside the page protector so anyone going through the album can simply untie the bakers twine and view the rest of the photo's. The trick to cutting the page protector, is to use a hole punch at both ends of your slit, to prevent the protector from ripping.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies used:
-Dotty paper pack
-Tulip cardstock
-White daisy cardstock
-Tulip ink pad
-bakers twine
-Canadian Celebration stamp set
-Art Philosophy cartridge

Christmas....in April????

Yes I'm a little out of season on this one. It was actually my club layout from Dec, but I didn't have a picture to go on it when I did the layout....and I'm a little anal about making sure that I get pictures on my layouts before posting it!!!! Luckily, my sister took the perfect picture of our dad on Christmas Eve, sitting on Santa's knee. He lost his wife last year, so we haven't seen him smiling much, so this full out laugh was a welcome site!

This layout was inspired by Merilee Restucci. You can click on her name to go to her blog, she shared the template with consultants a few years ago, but her blog doesn't seem to be updated any longer, so I'm not sure she's even active anymore.

I used the exclusive CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge to cut out all the holly leaves for the layout, then gave them a quick spray with pearl paint and water in the spray pen, just for a little glimmer! Also used the cartridge for the bracket and then clear embossed the flourish on it. The paper is from the retired Mistletoe collection from 2010. I do plan to do a 2nd page to go with this layout--maybe by next Christmas I'll have that done!!!

Thanks for looking!

supplies used:
- Mistletoe paper pack (retired)
-new england ivy cardstock
-garden green cardstock
-sweet leaf cardstock
-cranberry cardstock
-chocolate cardstock -red buttons
-cranberry grosgrain ribbon
-Love Life stamp set
-versa mark
-clear embossing powder
-Martha Stewart punch  

Footloose layout and Adventure Canada.

This layout was from our Vacation last summer to Pelee Island, Ontario. The southern most spot in Canada--well the inhabited spot anyways, there is one more tiny island just south of Pelee, but no one lives there! We were amazed to find out that when on this spot we were on the same line of latitude as northern California!!!

I used the Adventure Canada stamp set to make the map of Canada, but the island isn't on the map so....my "X" is actually off the map!

 The priority for my husband was to do the 2km hike through the Provincial park that is at the bottom tip of the Island so that he could say that he truly stood on the spot most southern. So that's what inspired the layout as well as the title of the layout.

 This layout went together soooo extremely easy because I used the sand like paper from Footloose as well as a simple 1" stripe from another pattern in the paper pack with the zip strips from the top and a little matting. So easy!

This is also my entry into Scrpbookers Anonymous' April challenge to use a map and brads on your layout.

Supplies used:

-Footloose pattern paper

-creme brulee cardstock

-lagoon cardstock

-cocoa ink pad

-Adventure Canada stamp set

-creme brulee brads



-assorted chipboard (non CTMH)
-paint (non CTMH)
-Cricut (sorry can't recall the cartridge!)

Footloose layout

Here's a layout I did for a class at Scraptopia this spring. The class will cost $5 and include everything needed to create this great layout, just add pictures!!! The layout is based on the Workshop on the Go additional layout, with a few alterations.

If you are attending Scraptopia on March 30, 31 and April 1, and would like to sign up for the class, just send me a quick e-mail at scrapnyapwithcarolyn@gmail.com and let me know. Space is limited to 10 for this class.

Supplies used

-Footloose paper pack

-creme brulee ink

-lagoon ink

-olive ink

-Footloose Workshop on the Go stamp set

-sanding block



Florentine Paper Pack

Today I have my version of the layout on pg 50 of the current CTMH Idea Book using the new Florentine paper pack.

It's also my submission for the Frosted Designs Sketch Along Tuesday #35 challenge.

These papers just called to me for a wedding picture, and this candid shot I took of my cousin Craig and his new wife Melissa at their wedding reception was just the one! Their eyes and the twilight papers are a perfect match!
The double row of hand stitching around the boarder was made so much easier with the CTMH ruler, which comes with 2 rows of guide holes to help me keep my stitches evenly spaced. And what would a wedding layout be without some bling!! So I had to get in the Bling buttons, as well as the new Bitty opaque pearls, which come with an adhesive back, sooo much easier (can you imagine trying to glue these little suckers down!)

I even added a few pearls to the body of the butterflies of the new Garden Wooden Shapes (it was a wedding after all--couldn't send them naked!) I layered a couple of the lace flowers, then a flower button, and finished it off with a bling button. It's a pretty thick layer, but it's all held together with liquid glass, so I know it isn't going anywhere. You can't really tell in these shots but I also used the liquid glass to highlight the ring of hearts between the mini pearls, it adds some beautiful dimension. Peaking out from beneath the lace flowers and under the corner of the picture is one of the new sparkle flourishes, then topped it off with a branch of leaves also from the Garden Wooden shapes collection.

The edges of all the papers were distressed and then inked in desert sand using my sponge dauber. The title was cut using the exclusive CTMH Art Philosophy cartridge, and then inked as well.

Supplies used

-Florentine paper pack

-Bitty Pearl opaques

-sparkle flourish

-Bohemian Assortment (lace flowers)

-garden wooden shapes

-Bling buttons

-Blue button assortment

-colonial white embroidery floss

-desert sand ink

-liquid glass

-Art Philosophy cartridge

-ruler

-edge distresser 

-sponge dauber

The Beach

This year I've been off to a bad start with my blog, but I have been scrappin! So I'm going to share one of the layouts that I created recently (OK well finished lately--I actually started this one last Nov)


It also falls into this weeks Heart 2 Heart challenge--it's a photo inspiration challenge and the colours in the photo definitely remind me of sand and water.
This layout will show how my scrapbooking is always forefront in my mind...what was a last minute trip to the beach to cool off on a hot summer evening, had me planning a layout right from the word go. The kids rushed to get into their bathing suits and I made sure to grab my camera--while they were playing in the water, I was writing words in the sand and taking pictures to use on the layout!!! Can you say obsessed!!!
I used flip flaps to create this layout--but didn't put them in it to take the pictures--they photograph much better out of the flip flaps.
So here's how it will look all closed up.....

This shot shows you the full layout with the 2 6"flaps open--(that's a full 36inches of layout, 48" if you count the other side of the flaps!!! Have I told you how much I love flip flaps!!)
Our white core cardstock is perfect for a project like this---I was able to tear the twilight cardstock so that some of the white showed, and gave the impression of the white caps you see on waves, at least I think so!

Here's a closer look at the left page, I've even used some of the 4x6" flip flaps on this page below the journaling.

And the right page open.
I tried to duplicate the bubbles that you see when the water washes up on the beach, by using a glass bead gel along the edge of the twilight paper (water) where it meets the kraft paper (sand).

I took an idea from the 2012 spring CTMH idea book and braided some embroidery floss then put knots in it to add to my embellishments. I'm actually glad I hadn't finished this layout before the new book came out, otherwise I wouldn't have had these great Seaside Wooden Shapes to add to my layout. I gave them a little coat of Pearl Paint, to give them a bit of shimmer.
The real shells that I put on the pages I first filled with liquid glass in hopes that it would prevent the shells from getting crushed once the layout is in my album---just another use for Liquid glass!
You can see the glass beads better in this picture.

Supplies used
-Kraft cardstock
-Twilight cardstock
-white daisy cardstock
-Sky cardstock
-4"x6" flip flaps
-6"x12" flip flaps (not shown)
-Seaside wooden shapes
-assorted blue buttons
-blue sparkles
-Colonial white embroidery floss
-shells (the real ones!)
-burlap (non CTMH)
-Glass Bead Gel (non CTMH--made by Golden)

Growing Up!

Here's a layout I did for the start of the new school year of my son. It's a milestone year, just starting grade 9, and the growth spurt he has been going through is unlike anything I could have imagined!!!! In one year he has added almost a full 8inches to his height, and 3 shoe sizes!!! Yikes, glad I only have one boy. Can't even guess what my brother and his wife spend in groceries with 3 boys, all within 3 years of age.

Follow your Dreams

Hello, sorry I've been MIA for a couple of weeks. I was away at a scrapbooking weekend, and also have gone back to work full time, which really cuts into my crafting time!!!LOL. It's tough to fit that full time job in amongst the requirements of being, mom, chauffeur, cook, maid....well you get the picture. But I did get a little scrapbooking done at my weekend away, and will share with you in the coming days (OK maybe over a few weeks!)

In the meantime the challenge this week at Frosted Designs, was music. I happen to have the perfect layout that I hadn't shared with you yet and thought I would post it for this challenge.

I used the You & Me kit that was a CTMH special in May/June this year. I love these kits, the instructions are clear and simple and makes getting a layout done a snap. I knew as soon as I saw this kit the perfect pictures that I wanted to use, they are of my son playing his keyboard at my fathers wedding in the summer of 2010. He had just got the keyboard for Christmas (2009) along with music lessons. He was a natural and picked up on it right away. So in March when my father announced his engagement to Reat (they had actually been together for over 16 years, but had finally decided to make it official) Brendan asked if he could play the wedding march at their wedding. His music instructor, explained that with only 3 months of lessons, he was jumping way ahead of the program, but with lots of practice, he could be ready.

Undaunted, he dove right in, and not only learned to play the song, but by the time the wedding was here, was able to play without the sheet music. We were so very proud of his dedication and determination. His grandparents were absolutely thrilled with his contribution to their special day.

When I finally got around to doing this layout, it brought up many emotions for me, as we lost Reat to cancer in April of 2011. I wanted to not only capture my pride, but also wanted it to serve as a reminder for my son of the special moment that he was able to share with Reat and my Dad, that meant the world to them.

Supplies used
-You & Me kit (retired)
-chocolate ink pad
-desert sand ink pad
-olive ink pad

Family

Although this layout is not a brand new creation, I have not posted it to my blog yet, so wanted to share it with you. Not only because I love the layout, but also because it highlights the 12" Flip Flaps that can turn any ordinary layout into a mini album within an album. I find myself grabbing my Flip Flaps, both the full page 12" and the 4"x6" ones, on a regular basis to add layers (and more pictures) to my layouts.

The challenge over at Frosted Designs this week is Family, which was my inspiration to get this layout posted.

Here's the cover of the layout, with the Flip Flaps closed. I used one 8"x12" and one 4"x12" Flip Flap. (sorry for the glare, but the pictures had to be taken with the layout in the page protector for you to appreciate the use of the Flip Flaps)

I used the Abracadabra layout from the Magic book, as my inspiration for this layout.

This next shot shows you the layout with the flaps open.

 Supply's used
-Grace paper pack (retired)
-Flip Flaps
-Filigree Charms (metal flower brads)
-Sassy Strands (retired)
-Pewter brads 
-Garden Green Ink pad
-Chocolate grosgrain ribbon
-Assorted chipboard alpha (non CTMH)
-Flower Chipboard (non CTMH)
-Paint (Making Memories)
-Magic how to book

Grade 8 Grad layout.

Here's a layout I did using the new Typeset papers from CTMH. I needed to pull in some of the brighter blue of the Grad gown, so I made use of the Milepost shapes and inked them up! I think it worked beautifully. I want to include the tassel from his cap on this layout, but he isn't ready to give it up yet!!!! But it's only a matter of time before I probably find it tossed aside on the desk in his room and I can add it to the page, and he'll be none the wiser until he goes through his album!!!

I've also chosen to submit this layout into the Heart 2 Heart challenge using #'s. The # is there in the first line of journaling. (click on the picture and you will get a larger version) I didn't want to make a big title on this layout as it's actually the 2nd layout in the set for my sons Graduation, I just can't post the 1st layout as it has his full class picture on it and I don't have permission from the whole class to post. So you'll just have to trust me when I tell you that in his album, they look great all together!

In this close up you can see how I inked the Milepost shapes. With their Kraft colour as a base they are so versatile! 

Here you can see the great canvas stars that are just a few of the shapes included in the Typeset Canvas Shapes. Again, so versatile to whatever theme you are scraping. 

Now, I can show you these next 2 close ups from the 1st layout in the series. I used the Canvas buttons to coordinate with the Canvas shapes and stamped directly onto the button in Moonstruck ink, also used some more of the Milepost shapes! Then pulled out he Cork alphabet, inked up the edges and put those on.





 Thanks for stopping by and having a look. Be sure to leave me a comment and let me know what you think!



Paintball Layout--H2H challenge

Well after a trying week of technical difficulties--(again) I think we are back up and running! In my time away from the computer I was able to accomplish some more layouts and choose to use the layout sketch over at Heart 2 Heart.

I again dove into that "pile" of pictures that has been just waiting for me to be inspired and pulled these paintball pics out. The Lucky paper was the right feel for the outdoor pics and I played a bit with my liquid glass trying to figure out a way to make a paint splatter, wasn't too successful with that, so instead choose to make the title look like it was wet paint running.

Here's an up close picture of the letters, which I stamped with sunset ink on sunset cardstock using the Rustic Alphabet stamp set, then filled it in with liquid glass and really made it thick at the bottom of the letters, held the piece of cardstock up so that it ran down. When I got the effect I was looking for I set it aside to dry (overnight as it was sooo thick). Then I was able to cut around the letters and drips and glued them on the layout.

Just noticed as I was typing up this post that this shot I took to show the liquid glass up close spells PAIN, which is a little ironic as there is definitely some pain involved in this sport--and had I thought of that when I was doing the layout I might have set up the title a little differently to highlight this!!! I see another layout in the future!

Supplies used

Lucky paper pack

sunset ink

Liquid glass

Lucky level 2 assortment (chipboard)

Kraft boarders

Rustic Alphabet stamp set.

Challenge entry. CR84FN and Scrap it with a Song.

I was stalking some challenge blogs yesterday and came across this colour challenge and immediately thought of some pictures that have been sitting in THAT pile for years. You know the pile I'm talking about! All the pictures that you have printed in the past with the intention of scrappin them, and just never gotten around to it, or been inspired to do them. My pile is quite large. I've only been scrappin for about 6 years, and at that time my kids were already 3 and 8, and I always thought I needed to go back and scrap everything I've ever taken a picture of. I've since learned that I will never get anywhere if I have that mind set. So now I will dive into the PILE when inspired to do so, but usually I just want to document the now. All this to say that the CR84FN40 Color Challenge this week certainly inspired me to dive right in. As you'll see by the date on my layout, these photos are from quite a few years ago!

Here's the colours that inspired me.....

When it came time to put a title on my layout, the Scrap it with a Song challenge came to mind. The Song was Heaven by Bryan Adams.

So without dragging this out any further here's my layout.

My journaling helps explain the title. (I hope anyways) And have I told you how much I love the buttons from CTMH! I've been using allot of these, in the whole rainbow of colours.

 This is not a usual layout for me--kinda simple, didn't take much to put together, but I love the feel that the Kraft boarders give the layout. These are now retired, luckily I have a pretty good stash of them, it almost hurt to use this many on the layout--but it was good therapy for the hoarder in me.

Thanks for stopping by and please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of the layout.

Supplies used

Kraft cardstock

Chocolate cardstock

Cranberry cardstock

Colonial white cardstock

Red assorted buttons

Kraft boarders (retired)

Desert sand ink pad
Cocktail Alphabet stamp set
A Typeface Alphabet stamp set

Heart 2 Heart challenge-cardstock only.

I'm a little slow getting going on this one, but wanted to get this layout in the Heart 2 Heart challenge. The challenge was to use cardstock only--no pattern paper, and at least 3 colours of cardstock! So here it is, my entry. 

-Ocean cardstock (retired)

-black cardstock

-white carstock

-Giggle Caps alpha stamp set

-Puncuation stamp set

-Ticket tags stamp set

-Legendary Moments stamp set

-Black stazon ink

-Hexagon cutting system (Creative Memories)





The new CTMH Ruler!

Have you seen this baby yet?

Even if you had noticed it in the new Idea book--bet you didn't quite get what was so special about this simple little (well not so little measuring in at a full 14") clear ruler. It has 2 rows of holes in it--evenly spaced as well as a red guide line for a zig zag pattern--to assist us sewing challenged scrapers. I just had to have this one, and as soon as it came in I got right down to playing.......
here's the layout I used it on....

Note the evenly spaced stitches on the sorbet cardstock strips, as well as the zig zag stitching where the pattern paper lays. The layout is still waiting for my daughter to let me know some of the things she liked best about going to camp so that I can finish the journaling on this layout! ( I need to work on taking more time to make sure that my layouts are straight before I take my pics--sorry I will get better at this)

 Here's a great close up of some of the stitching on the layout as well as some of the terrific flowers that I cut out with the new exclusive CTMH Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, and then stamped using Hooray Bouquet stamp set D1491.

The supplies used in this layout are;
Elemental Paper pack
Olive cardstock
Desert Sand cardstock
Colonial white cardstock
Sorbet cardstock
Sorbet ink pad
Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge
Colonial white embroidery floss
colonial white brads
Canvas badge button
Red assortment buttons
Hooray Bouquet stamp set
You & Me stamp set

All of these products and more are available exclusively through Close to My Heart, and as an independent consultant I would be happy to help you get these products at a discount or even for FREE. Feel free to contact me at scrapnyapwithcarolyn@gmail.com to find out how.