Tag #10 - A long time coming

Well, it's taken me some time to get this posted. I have finished the 12 Tags and will try to post them all today. I was stumped on this one for a while, but.....TAH DAH!
I used Liquid Glass (ctmh) for the square ornament, over a stamp, the circle is an old sticky back epoxy embellie from CTMH that has lay dormant in my desk for years. I used music paper from my old paper stash and embossed the holly on , spritzed with Lindy's stamp gangs gold spray and voila!

Christmas Bow's

FromFantabulous Cricut The perfect Christmas Bows. I love it!

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas - Tag 9

I don't have time right now to give all the detail, but I will say that this is my all time favourite tag!It looks like brocade and CTMH ink works like distress ink for this purpose. LOVE!

Tag #8-Tim Holtz 12 Days of Tags

We are almost through the 12 tags. This is tag 8 (the steam punk one) I have never done steampunk before. I have to say....I quite like it, you will be seeing more of that style from me.
On this card I used an older stamp from Hero Arts and embossed it in white then sponged cranberry and new england ivy over it. I used the accent essentials cartridge to cut out a few gears, a MFT die for the arrow and cut the gameboard die out of the metal top of a coffee container. I happily splashed alcohol inks over it to age it (a touch of copper).
The Film strip is a CTMH stamp that I stamped on acetate and cut down to fit on the tag. THe little ladies on the bottom are part of Sassy Studio Designs Digi steampunk line, shrunk down and lined up and printed.
AHH, almost done, but how to get that 25 on the bottom?
I used a metal frame tag from long ago, stuck it to metal tape with the rub on 25 on it and filled the frame with liquid glass. The greenery is some of the glassine technique that Tim demonstrated a few tags ago. The UPC is a scrap that was sitting on my desk from another journalling tag. The wee lightbulb hanging from the top is a find from my brothers workshop, as is the washer just under the arrow :)
All products are CTMH, unless otherwise noted. They do work a lot like Tims Distress Inks.

Tags 6 and 7

TAG 6

I loved this technique! I will do that again. I used acrylic paint rather than the ranger ink and made it a birthday tag for a little guy that is having a party next week. I took a chipboard letter and painted it red, covered it in liquid glass, added a few beads on a wire and TAHDAH :)


TAG 7

ohhh, I had so much fun with this tag. I used my Lindys Stamp Gang Metallic Starbursts for the background and CTMH Jingle Borders stamp lightly stamped on the background. Another retired CTMH - for the No peeking embossed stamp. I cut the greenery out on the cricut. I didn't have glassine paper so I used the backing from my Xyron and crumbled it up....worked like a charm :) I will be saving more of that.

Christmas Tags- Assembly Line Style

Tag #1 -Tim Holtz 12 tags of Christmas

Now I finished tag #1! I used a cutout from the Winter Wonderland Cartridge for the Joy...layered up on 3 pieces of cardstock, covered in glitter glue and diamond dust.I embossed the tag with my allegro cuttlebug folder as per Tim's technique and used CTMH embossing white. I then sanded the blueberry kraft paper to reveal the core :).
The pinecones are from the Art Philosophy Cartridge, as are the holly leaves.

Tags 2 and 3

ARGH, uploading and photo taking have been the bane of this endeavour. My photo's are too dark or won't focus....and my computer has forgotten how to pull the pic's from the camera. Well, enough grumping.
I am using what I have, and the kraft resist paper was not part of my stash, so I downloaded some sheet music, used clear embossing powder and stamped the HOLIDAY on it. I stamped an image up in the upper left side as well, which didn't show up in the photo...but no open images in my stamps, so it stayed black :( The reindeer was cut on my cricut from the Winter Wonderland cartridge and the star and tinsel are from the kids craft bucket. I used brown cardstock spritzed with Tattered Angels glimmer mist in Coffee Shop for sparkle and cut the border from the Art Philosopy Cartridge.
My reindeer is fabric run through the xyron and stuck on scrap cardstock (yup, I will be doing this again :)It looks cool!) Brown Bag CTMH ink sponged around the edges and popped on pop dots. My hammer and eyelet maker dented the brads. Yeah....Love the hammer.
Tag #3 is a stretch, but I like it all the same. I embossed across the top of the tag , pulled ribbon from my stash (my mother in laws old sewing stuff) and teh snowman was a leftover from Tag #4. It was too small and ended up with the neatest blue outline from sitting in the splash on my desk while I completed the tag. The holly and berries are CTMH...the Art Philosophy and bling. The Cedar is Martha Stewarts punch.

Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas

I decided to play along with Tim this year and create the 12 tags of Christmas at least as many as I can. I don't have a lot of Tim Holtz toys, so I am improvising quite a bit, using Technique Junkies and Close to My Heart and my fertile imagination, lol. I have already learned new techniques and magic tricks that my kids are using to make their own ornaments :)Come play along with me at Tim Holtz's blog .

For this tag, I cut the snowman out of the Stretch Your Imagination cartridge, sprayed him with Lindy's Stamp Gang Bachelor Button Blue and Azure Sea Aster starbursts, then used the Feb/March 2011 technique from the Technique Junkies Newsletter called Faux Barn Wood (My all time fav) since my crackle paint finally bit the dust. The rest of the supplies are Close to My Heart.

For Day 5, I didn't have reverse written stamps, so I created a HOHO one with the 'A typeface' from CTMH August Special. You can use any background stamp as well. I used Martha Stewarts Cedar Bough punch to create a wreath. The rest of the adornments are old stock that I have lying around and never seem to use. Now to go back and make the first three tags, lol. I am having fun!

Sneak Peak! WOW!!!!!

I am head over heels for this set! Are you?? Place your order through my link and get yours this December. THink of the possibilities :)

Making Christmas Cards in a Jiffy....Art Philosophy Style

I am making cards for Christmas Tomorrow. Pictures to follow the event. I am going to try to make all my cards in an afternoon!

More fall fun

Halloween Cards and Fun

Well, I wish my camera knew how to take pictures, lol. I tried twice and still can't get it. I need to take a photography course......hmmmmm, that's a thought for another year.
I have been playing in my craft room late at night , as my work schedule has left me drained. I was sitting there last night and my four year old wanted to scrapbook with me (he loves the ink :)) So...all Close to My Heart except the glitter......

My cricut pumpkin....born from a CTMH bulletin board post and altered a bit. If I can find where I put the link, I will add it here.
See the witch in the back? She is scared of the camera and fades out on me. This is the best photo so far. She is a resist technique with Lindy's Stamp Gang embossing powder (it's two toned :)) and black ink sponged over the August SOTM from Close to My Heart. I used the Mischief paper pack, also CTMH. I will try to get a better pic' for you to see her. She's a spooky one, lol

Blogtoberfest! Are you in??

Tresa over at Fabulously Artsy has inspired me to become more Blogger Fabulous! I started with my header....it still needs work, but I am going to play with it. Do you have a blog? Do you want to improve it? Join us over on Tresa's Blog for tons of tips and tutorials.

Heart to Heart Challenge Sympathy Card

I created another sympathy card and have many yet to make,sadly. No special techniques on this one, but I followed the H2H challenge sketch using the Close to My Heart Dreamin' paper, ink and ribbon.
CTMH Treetops stamp with Outdoor Denim and Moonstruck ink. As for the
The Sketch Have fun trying yourself ;)

Along the edge Sympathy

Sadly, you will be seeing a few sympathy cards as I make them up for the people that losing family (and pets :().
This card was inspired by the fact that I didn't really know where to start, so threw a bunch of sentiments on the acrylic block while I was thinking, and AH HA!
Technique Junkies to the rescue :) This is the along the edge technique from the summer issue, with a cricut flower from the Art Philosophy cartridge from Close to My Heart. You too can own it, just click the link in my sidebar and shop with me :)

It really is that simple. The stamps are Close to My Heart, cardstock from the dollar store and the flower is out of a Roxie scrap (ctmh) Ink as always is ctmh, it's all I have, lol.

World Cardmaking Day - Canadian Style Blog Hop

Welcome to my blog and the world cardmaking day blog hop!I decided to create a card for my sister, seeing as she just got a new car and is proud as punch :) I used a stamp from bugaboo stamps (in Alberta, see my link on the side)for the car and Close to my Heart paper and sentiments. Lovin' Bugaboo for their way too funny nurse digis, lol.

The inside: I even decorated the outside of the envelope.

he side

The wee trinket on the side is a bookmark that I created with the Roxie scraps from a tutorial at Technique Junkies....again see my side bar for the link, Blogger is causing a ruckus tonight and won't let me do much.

You have come from Heathers Blog and are heading to Karey's Blog. For a complete list, see the next post down in my blog post, HAPPY TRAILS :)

Blogging Across Canada....are you ready??

We are having a blog hop across Canada. If you have a blog and live in Canada, join the fun. Of course, if you live in Canada and love to craft, come along too! No toques or hockey sticks required, but lets find some of the hidden talent that we have here!
This is the list, well, half the list. We had to break it down to a manageable number. I believe the first and last on the list have a link to the rest of the hop if you are up for it!

1. Nicole http://www.canadiannickelscrapn.blogspot.com/
2. Seriously Creative Challenges http://creativeaccentschallenges.blogspot.com
3. Graphicat Designs http://www.graphicatstamps.com/_blog/Blog
4. Heather http://princesspaperprojects.blogspot.com/
5.You are here! http://www.inkspotsandstampblocks.blogspot.com/
6. Karey http://www.creativecraftcorner.com/
7. Kelly http://craftingcreatively.blogspot.com
8. Tracey http://thecroppingcanuck.blogspot.com/
9. Chelle http://maybecreative.blogspot.com 10.
10 Barbara http://barbscreativecorner.blogspot.com/
11. Janet http://hilltopcreations.blogspot.com
12. Chris http://chrisscreations.blogspot.com/
13. Sarah http://stampinsars.blogspot.com/
14. Kerry http://mommakcrafts.blogspot.com/
15. Jill Sarginson http://jillelizabethsarginson.blogspot.com
16. Tara http://tarashomemadehappiness.blogspot.com/
17. Kim http://kraftinkimmieskorner.blogspot.com/
18. Becky http://beckscricards.blogspot.com/

Our summer students are back to school

This is a card I created, just for the fun of it. I used a technique junkies tech. on the circle punch background and the CTMH pair-a-phrase stamp set for the sentiment and little pot of gold.
It was fortunate that I made it as I needed a card to give to the summer students as they finished their placement for the year. YAY for cake and icecream celebrations :)

Prepping Your Cricut Mat

Is your mat too sticky and tearing your paper? Try Cricut Dan's technique to condition the mat as seen here

Back to School Thank You

We get the same teacher again this year, which is fabulous! We wanted to give her a special treat, so created a cupcake (see the previous post for the link) and a little bag to carry it in . My laddie took it in to school special for her. I had to send a note for her to peek inside and find the gift card, lol.

All close to my heart supplies, the new paper is heavenly to work with. The little tags are cut with the Art philosophy cartridge. My cherry is a marble from the kids collection painted red, glittered and glued to a bulldog clip.

Cupcakes anyone?

I saw this first on www.fabulouslyartsy.com and followed her links back to the 'I think' originator of this awesome gift card holder. I have given this one away, alas without showing you how to pull the gift card out, so I am making another for Ben's teacher this year,as she gets him twice in a row, poor lady, lol. The original directions are from Linda Albrecht....hmmm, no link for her, I will have to search. Enjoy my Calorie Free cupcake!

How many flowers from the Art Philosophy cartridge did she use?

Art-Philosophy-Cricut-Cartridge-Giveaway
I love this consultants challenge and want to share it with you. Check her out :)

Layout to try

From heart to heart challenges...the link is on the side of my blog. Join me and create something from this sketch.

Flower Clusters

My summer garden and bits and peices

This is a piece of my world, even the frog was found in the vegetable garden.....along with 3 5 gallon pails of green beans!

Random Stamping

Morels!

Look what I found in my backyard! Just in time for my Birthday too, lol. Love this place, it's full of surprises!

Swingin' in Style!

Hoppy birthday

I thought I had posted this already, but I guess not :) I have been revisiting my older posts and realized my submission for the Regional CTMH Meeting wasn't here. The challenge was to create a project with cardstock and stamps, no patterned paper and all CTMH product. I randomed stamped and distress colour blocked the backgrounds.

Spring Clear Card....for H2H Challenge

THis is the hardest card to take a picture of. A clear acrylic card from CTMH and the buttons are on the under layer. The bunny is coloured with water colour pencils and a waterbrush.

Say it in Style!

Say it in Style - CTMH
Blocked Collage - Technique Junkies

Super Easy single layer card that I created :)

Studio J - Digital Scrapbooking

Have you tried it? Have you thought about it......Here's a step by step 'How to'

I tried it and I like it. Why don't you give it a try click here.....you don't buy anything unless you want the layout you create :) Easy Peasy!

National ScrapBooking Month

Birthday Cake

Its not paper, but it's still art....right?? I spent yesterday creating 50 cupcakes and this COOL train cake! My baby is 6 today. I can't believe it! (well, not my baby, my oldest, but still.....)

A quick cake (made with coffee, shhh don't tell ;)) to celebrate all three birthdays while we had Julia here for the March Break.....cuz we are going to miss her real birthday. My princess....she got BELLE from Beauty and the Beast as a gift and we did her hair up like Belle and dressed up......Can you tell I only have boys in my house, lol. I wish I'd got a picture.

I'm in the mood for FAbric....sewing....needles.....and flowers

I started this search for a good place to buy fabric online, seeing as I am stuck out here in a rural (read....no stores in an hour's drive ;) ) that carry fabric and notions and crafty stuff. In my searching, I stumbled on some amazing blogs, sites and creative people. I am going to share a few with you so you can be inspired too :) My sewing machine is in for repairs, so I won't be following up on this urge anytime soon, sadly. But I can dream while I finish the project I started last winter of painting my kitchen cupboards.
www.blairpeter.typepad.com ahhh creative bliss and search out her fabric flowers!
http://www.tipjunkie.com/anthropologie/ for cute skirts and lots of stuff! Use those flowers ;)
http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com I am in love with this site!
www.distinctivesewing.com is a sewing pattern site with retro and victorian patterns.....cool!

http://www.burdastyle.com/patterns/coffee-date-dress-multisize-sample

The Ultimate Craft Spot!

You need to look here 

and see this! There is a Canada Workbox Giveaway going on and I'm in love! I think the Original Scrapbox is my favourite item.

Herringbone Technique - Scraps Put to Use :)

Ahhh, time to finish while Thomas Paints!

 Distraction, ahhhh :)
This is an older project...January...but I forgot to post it. Eat cake graphics and Copic coloured, I made a snowball fight revival kit for a thank you gift for my husband to give. If you look closely you will see a bit of sky colour...that is Thomas' contribution...artist in training, lol.

 This project I fell in love with in the store....sigh...I love Batik and turquoise....and the two together....bliss! Ha, So I and my sewing machine embarked on a project together. Now, I don't get along with my sewing machine as a rule....I get frustrated and it makes funny noises....GRRRR, so this Project from November was finished today and my machine is going back for repairs at Wool'n'Things...AGAIN!!!

This is a quick shot of the inside :)   More sewing adventures to come as I try my hand at a simple quilt for Ben ;)

My latest projects....Scrappy, Sewing and More

 This is Ben's first snow angel, he asked me to share it, lol...we have had such mild weather that we are outside every day playing on the pond.

 A few of my homemade flowers from coffee filters (not the brown one) For directions follow my sidebar link to the fabulously artsy blog and check out her TV series! I will teach these soon at our classes :) The box is an old slide box I rescued from work and refurbished with the Magnifique paper from CTMH and the 'a little thanks' stamp set.

 And then filled with goodies ;)

Ben and Tom's snowmen....which promptly melted the next day in the rain....and Pal ate the nose from Tom's :o...wish I could have captured that on film, lmbo!

This is Tom blocking the camera so I can't show you the rest, lol....I will be back after I distract him!

Sharing a video :)

Found this video, and wanted to share. I hope you enjoy it :)

My Hunny's Valentine

And for a little trick that only CTMH blocks will give you....the background square is a 3x3 acrylic block pressed into the ink pad and applied to paper. The stamp is.....hmmmm, I don't remember. If you know, let me know :)