One+Sun=Fun

A few weeks ago, I came across a monthly challenge hosted by DCWV (Die Cuts with a View). I love challenges because they often give me that extra little push to get a layout or card finished, and often even challenge me to try something new!

In this case, I have had a layout sitting partially finished for over a year now!  Actually, if I’m being completely honest, “partially” is a bit of an overstatement.  The truth is that I had my paper pack chosen, my pictures mounted on white paper, and…well…that was about it!  Since the paper I had picked out was the super bright and cheerful Cotton Bloom Stack from DCWV, I used this as the little (???) kick in the rear that I needed!

So I grabbed the sketch that was provided for the challenge, and went for it!  Although the sketch was great as is, I decided to have a little fun and try turning it 90 degree clockwise!  It actually worked a bit better with my pictures (the emphasis changed a bit), to I stuck with it! This is actually a great tip if you are working with a sketch that just doesn’t quite fit for the project you are working on – try rotating or even flipping it and see what happens!  It took my brain a few minutes to comprehend where all the embellishments would be, but the fun thing about sketches is that anything goes – they really are just designed to be an inspirtation, not necessarily a specific map that cannot be changed or altered!

So with the help of some buttons, the Flower Shoppe Cricut cartridge, some Trendy Twine in Kraft,  and my handy-dandy- scissors for some fun fussy cutting (need some tips and tricks for handling fussy cutting???  Have I got a post for you!), One+Sun=Fun was created!

This was T on her first birthday enjoying some fun in the sun with her Oma and Opa!

Now, it kind of feels like a layout isn’t complete right now unless there is a little hidden element somewhere in there, so let’s see if you can spot the difference:

Oh wait, I’m not quite finished:

So, a little hidden spot to place some jounraling and an extra hidden tab for another picture and I was ready to clean up my scrappy space…just remember, clean is in the eye of the beholder!!  My goal was to try to create as much dimension as possible without having the elements stick up, and I think it was pretty successful!!  Oh, and I think I finally understand why banners seem to be all the rage right now – what an easy way to use up scraps and tie all of the colours together on your layout!  I think I see more banners in my future!

As for other things in my future, I think I will take on the July DCWV challenge as well for another layout I have had on the backburner for awhile!  How about you?  Care to join me?

Celebrate Good Times!

Good times are here!  After all, it is the Canada Day long weekend – summer has finally started, my family is healthy (well, with a few sniffles) and getting into all sorts of mischief, and I have a chance to salute all the crafty Canucks that are out there!  Can it get better???!!

You bet it can!  Today is my very first post as a member of the Trendy Twine design team!  I have been having a lot of fun behind the scenes getting to know my new teammates, and we are excited to show you so many great patriotic projects using the beautiful Berry twine!

For those of you who are new to SCRaPPY CaNuCK STuDioS, I need to let you in on a secret – I love sharing tutorials with you!  While it isn’t always a start to finish “how-to” project, the tutorials do show you how I created at least one element on the project – usually the feature image or intereactive element.  Somehow, projects just don’t seem complete without a little tip of trick to get you creating too!

Today is no different! Not too long ago, I created a card for National Scrapbooking Day with a window feature showcasing some buttons and twine.  It was a fun technique that gave the effect that a shape had been filled in or painted with twine.  I received some wonderful feedback, so I thought I would use similar technique for my patriotic card, and include a tutorial this time!  So, get your twine, and let start “painting with twine”!

Materials:

• Twine (I used the beautiful Berry Twine)
• Scissors
• adhesive
• craft knife
• cardstock for cutout, backing and card base (for this card base, I used a Doodlebug Create-a-card)

Instructions:

STEP 1

Start by choosing an image that you would like to use as a focal point for your card or other project (I used a maple leaf).  Trace or draw the shape onto a piece of cardstock (when choosing your cardstock, remember that this will be the top layer of your card)

STEP 2

Using a craft knife, carefully cut out around the shape you have drawn.  You can cut into the shape if this helps – just keep the “negative” edge neat and tidy.

STEP 3

Measure out a piece of rectangular shaped cardstock that covers the back of the cutout you have created. You can actually create the backing the same shape as the cutout, just be sure to give yourself at least 1/4″ extra paper around all edges. I used a rectangular shape so I could punch a few extra circles to add some interest to my image.

Apply some adhesive to the entire surface of your backing, and run your twine up and down the adhesive, applying pressure as you go.  Have fun with this part – alternate colours, play with spacing, and even play with the direction your twine runs.

STEP 4

Apply some adhesive around the back edge of the cutout and place over top of the twine backing.  Alternatively, you can attach the cutout to the backing with dimensional foam adhesive to get a bit of a different look.  Trim any excess.

STEP 5

Apply some adhesive to back and adhere to your card base.  I use dimensional foam just to add a bit of “pop” to the top layer.  Just make sure to apply the foam to the either the backing or the cutout – not both!

Embellish your card, and you are all set to go!  Think of all the different shapes that would look fantastic “painted” in twine!

Oh, and before you go, there is a little giveaway going on right now to celebrate the new month at Trendy Twine.  Simply like both the Trendy Twine and My Thoughts Exactly Facebook pages for your chance to win, and then let them know you have done so for the giveaway!  Just make sure you get it done by July 4th for your chance to win!

Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget to check out the new TT monthy challenge, and all the other DT projects over the next two days!

Sharing My Scrappy Space

So, it’s my last blog hop as an official CropChocolate Design Team member.  If you are just starting, make sure you hop back to Amber’s blog to join in on all the fun (and to get in on all the giveaways).  Here’s a list of all the ladies involved in today’s hop:

• Amber  http://ambaju.blogspot.com/
• Paula Irvine   http://craftycutsbypaula.blogspot.com/
• Paula McClane  http://scrapaddictsattic.blogspot.com/
• Beth Dewalt  http://engineeringmemories.blogspot.com
• Jamie Gracz http://littlemisscrafter.blogspot.com
• Michele Barnott McKay http://laughingsunshinecreations.blogspot.com
• Corrie Wagner   http://www.corriescrafts.blogspot.com/
• DeeDee Catronhttp://umwowstudio.com/
• Jenn Koss  http://moon-scraps.blogspot.com/
• Karen Hanson   http://scrappycanuck.wordpress.com/ (That’s ME!)

 

But if you have already been hopping – WELCOME!  You made it to the last stop.  So, on to business…

When the team said they want to take on “organization” as a topic, my heart sank.  Here’s the thing – I would love to be organized – just ask my husband…I LOVE lists, and timelines make my heart pitter-patter!!!  But when it comes to my scrappy space, I’m not.  I blame it entirely on two issues.  The first is where I scrap – I am a kitchen table scrapper.  I have a happy little corner in the kitchen that houses my goodies and my work space (hang in there, I’ll share it in a minute), and everyone in my family has access.  Which leads me to issue #2 – who I live with – namely, the following:

 

The only thing better than getting in mommy’s crafting stuff is….

…Eating it????

And remember – this is only ONE little gal of two!  :)  So, I’m cutting myself some slack and sharing with you what I do have going for me – a great little space with room for everything that I need that is in the heart of my home, surrounded (and sometimes invaded) by the people I love! For those of you who are kitchen table scrappers, I do have some tips just for you (I’ll call them KTSTs – Kitchen Table Scrapper Tips) – because let’s be honest, we can’t all have an amazing space dedicated just to scrappiness!

So, here is my little storage area – almost everything I scrap with is located right here.  Really (4 shelves, a drawer and my colourful rolling contraption).  Just to the left of the picture is our kitchen table…okay, my scrappy table, and when I can clear enough space – our kitchen table!  I do try to clean it off when I finish a project, but let’s just say that my hubby is pretty patient!  So, here is KTST #1 – Cut yourself some slack and make sure your kitchen table has a leaf in it!  That way, you don’t have to put everything away before your project is finished to make room for family meals. Just slide it to the side!  Picnics are great, but maybe not for every meal!

KTST #2 (and this is a painful one) – Keep your stash contained.  If you start overflowing your space, no matter how small it might be, purge, purge, PURGE!!!  There is always something you can get rid of – that paper pack you haven’t touched, or those embellies that you’ve had for over a year, the tool that is a pretty and “should” be useful – so do it, and don’t look back.   Drop off a few items at your local school or church, and I can guarentee that you will feel like a hero!

There is even room in there for all the crafty stuff for my girls – and they have almost as much as me!

Each drawer is labelled and dedicated to a type of product or tool

Baskets in my drawer make taking out the tools I need a breeze!

This is my entire paper collection – bagged by collection. 

I feel like I am letting you peek inside my medicine cabinet – this is probably more exciting though!

KTST #3  - If you need to store your paper vertically, and do not have one of the fancy systems to keep things organized, try something as simple as clothes pegs.  I have my paper grouped by manufacturer – with each collection in a separate baggie.  The clothes pegs help me identify very quickly, what I am looking at and where things go.  Large pegs are for companies for which I have more than one collection, and the smaller ones are for companies that I currently only have one collection.  Whether you group by theme, collection, or colour, the pegs can really help you see what you have in one quick glance.  And they are cheap.  And they are easy to find around your house!

Speaking of things to find around your house – here’s KTST #4 – Use the tools you already have – they may not be made for scrapbooking, but they will work just as well, especially in a pinch.  And the best part is, when you are finished, you don’t have to find room for them in your scrappy storage space!  Here are some of my “go to” favourites:

- Need to clean a Cricut mat (or other sticky surface)?  Get out your spatula or cutting board scrapper!  Two or three passes, and every bit of paper is cleared off!
- Need to tie a bow or make a twine pompom? Use a fork.  Different sizes for different size bows or pompoms!
- No bone folder for tight creases?  Fold it by hand and run your rolling pin over top!
- Use those handy toothpicks – they are perfect for everything…in my space, for rolling flowers of course!
- And last but not least – need a non-stick matt for spraying or inking? Get out the silicone baking sheet.  They are not huge, but will do the trick!

So, while my space will never grace the pages of our favourite scrapbook publications, I still love it!  I hope you had a bit of fun peaking into my world, and try not to give me too much of a hard time!  Oh, and since I need to put my money where my mouth is – I did a bit of a purge, purge, PURGE, just for all of you!  Leave a comment below, and I will enter you into a draw to win one of the 3 – 6X6 paper collection (and yes, that is Little Black Dress, and yes, that one does hurt a bit)!  Once you’ve done that,  head on back to The Crop – we always love seeing you over there!

Thanks for stopping by everyone!

All the scrapping this last weekend paid off!

A little bit of EP Springtime paper, some Doodlebug buttons and some Trendy Twine (Lime Twist).

A little card I entered into an Echo Park challenge found it’s way to the winner’s circle! This little card was actually inspired by three challenges much like the layout I posted earlier this week.  The first was a design challenge at CropChocolate in which we were challenged to create a shape with buttons.  The second was a challenge at Scrapbook and Cards Today – for a card with rounded corners.  The third was the challenge at EP - take some inspiration from one of their free pdf project ideas.  My inspiration was a  a window card  – an idea that I have never tried before.  But given some cute Doodlebug buttons and some great Trendy Twine (in Lime Twist), I thought this might be a fun technique to make my own!

The shapes on this card were actually cut out with A Walk in My Garden Cricut cartridge.  Instead of using the shape what was cut by my Cricut, I used the negative space left behind.  I simply rounded the corners of the Echo Park Springtime paper, and then placed it down on top of my backing paper – in this case, some Bazzill cardstock (Admiral).  I traced the shape of the flowers onto the backing paper and then covered the petal portion with the buttons.  Just a note – if you are using buttons, carefully consider the size of your windows – in this case, the flowers were quite narrow, so finding the best placement for the buttons was a bit of a challenge.  Finally, I wrapped the leaf shapes that were cut out with the great twine (more to come on this technique in a week or so – perhaps a tutorial!!!), rounded some more edges and glued everything together!  I love the way it turned out – it’s playful, fun and bright!  And I think it will make a great Mother’s Day card!

 

So, are you ready to try a window card?