Saturday, November 19, 2011

Autumn Wreath

What do you get when you cross Spellbinders dies, a drawer FULL of paper scraps & Autumn inspiration?
This fun little wreath project!

I literally could not close my scrap paper drawer (and I purge this thing pretty regularly). I love to pare down but I also feel guilty about not using some of these beautiful supplies that I have. I pulled out my Cuttlebug, some nested leaves dies that I bough from Trish (I am quite certain that I gasped out loud when I first spotted them) and this pile of paper. I set about choosing colours that reminded me of the Fall foliage that we see here and grabbed most of my browns, red, greens, yellows and oranges.

I cut a circle as my base out of extra chipboard that I had from an old paper pack (I picked a sheet that was a bit on the thinner side to make it easy to cut). I then traced a smaller circle on the inside and cut that as well, leaving myself with a ring about 10`` in diameter.

The die set that I used (see below) is really awesome because I could cut more than one leaf at a time and that saved me LOADS of time. I next took my leaves & embossed them (again with my Cuttlebug and my Swiss Dot embossing folder), inked and distressed most of them and then set to work on gluing them using my Glue Dots Craft 1/2" dot runner.





I finished my wreath off with some floral wire for hanging and some tulle to dress it up a bit and hung it on my fromt door. At first I wasn`t sure how much I liked it (after all of that work-LOL) but the next day when I saw it, I thought it really dressed up the entry way, so it`s grown on me.
I am also happy to say that I decreased my scrap paper by about 1/3rd which is pretty wonderful as well.
I love using up my scrappy supplies.

Thanks for popping in, have a wonderful Saturday!
HUGS & Happy Surfing!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Pumpkin Patch

Happy Thursday!
One more day until the weekend.
I am SO stoked! Not sure why, but it has seemed like a longer week than usual.
I have done ALOT of scrapping & crafting (more to come later-PROMISE!) this week and surprisingly, it hasn't all been scrappy pages. BUT this is one that I have done using American Crafts new Chap line.
At first this page was NOT coming together-my friend Ann watched me cut paper after paper and ask her opinion-to which she would reply 'I don't hate it'. And I would LMH(ead)O. When all else fails with busy patterns-just add white cardstock. It's a super easy way to neutralize them. I knew this but I thought it was somehow taking the easy way out. Regardless-I am super-THRILLED with my end result and glad that I caved. I also added some punched and embossed clouds to add a bit more texture and interest (remember I said I have been giving my poor Cuttlebug a workout this past week on yesterday's post?? I have LOADS more to share in the coming days-I PROMISE)

Supplies Used (all American Crafts unless otherwise noted): White (71081) - Cardstock, Pomegranate (71025) - Cardstock, Dave Paper (35569) - Chap, James Paper (35579) - Chap, Jim Paper (35567) - Chap, Scott Paper (35579) - Chap, Bits Decorative Tags (77260) - Chap, Plastic Buttons (85569) - Chap, Bits Printed Tabs (77261) - Chap, Remarks Book Stickers Emelio (42220) - Chap, Straw Lovely (43243) - Thickers 
Punch: Fiskars Cloud (Large & X-Large)
Embossing: Cuttlebug Swiss Dot Embossing Folder




Thanks for stopping by!
HUGS & Happy Surfing!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Sk8er Boy

Happy Hump Day, Peeps!
We are having UNCOMMONLY nice weather up here in the Great White North, so much so that they children are still running around in t-shirts & sweaters most afternoons although the mornings are starting to get a bit chilly. I think we will be in for a rude awakening when the cold and snow does eventually hit. EEK!


In the meantime, I have a new LO to share made with American Crafts new release: Chap.These pics are of Little Man doing 'tricks' (which needless to say is him flipping it over with his foot ;) ) about a month ago. As you can see, I have been giving my Cuttlebug a tremendous workout lately-embossing and die cutting for almost every project it seems. I did the embossing using the swiss dot embossing folder.

Supplies used(all from American Crafts unless otherwise stated): White (71081) - Cardstock,  James Paper (35574)- Chap, Richard Paper (35573) - Chap, Persimmon Josh Foil Stickers (35254) - Thickers, Black Foam () - Thickers, Elements Epoxy Brads (85568) - Chap, Plastic Buttons (85569) - Chap, Bits Variety Tabs (77261) - Chap, Just Write 4x6 Journalling Cards (64012) - Chap, Remarks Book Stickers Emelio (42220) - Chap; Chipboard frames () - Chap




Thanks for stopping by!
HUGS & Happy Surfing!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

October Hip 2-b Square

Happy Tuesday!
I wanted to share some pics the fab October Hip kit with you!
Kimberly has such a great eye at mixing paper lines-I just love the bright and cheery mix here (and you'll notice some American Crafts fabulous-ness as well-the Nightfall line is probably my fave Halloween/Autumn line of all time-that pale blue in the colour scheme really adds a nice touch :) )
AND Kimberly added a sheet of my ALL TIME fave AC product right now-This cloth paper from Amy Tangerine has found it's way onto a few of my projects and I have been hoarding every last scrap. ;)


**Double click on image to see full view

•1 sheet October Afternoon - Campfire - Campfire Stove Paper
•1 sheet Echo Park Paper - Apothecary Emporium Full Moon Paper
•1 sheet American Crafts - Amy Tangerine - Is It Any Wonder Fabric Paper
•1 sheet American Crafts - Nightfall - Halloween Night Paper
•1 sheet American Crafts - Nighfall - Fall Fun Paper
•1 sheet Jillibean-Soup - Apple Cheddar Soup - New Milk Paper
•1 sheet Jillibean-Soup - Apple Cheddar Soup - Green Peppercorns Paper
•1 sheet Bella Blvd. - Finally Fall - Borders Paper
•1 sheet My Mind's Eye - Mischievous - Happy Halloween Paper
•2 sheets American Crafts Black Cardstock
•2 sheets Paper Accents Recycled Paper Bag Cardstock
•2 sheets American Crafts Melon Cardstock
•1/2 pkg. Prima Marketing Vintage Wood Distressed Buttons
•1 pkg. American Crafts - Nightfall - Scarecrow Remarks 3D Stickers
•1 pkg. American Crafts - Nightfall - Spells Delights 3D Stickers
•1 pkg. American Crafts Elm Foam Alphabet Thickers (Rust)
•1 sheet Lilybee Design - Harvest Market - Cardstock Stickers

**Double click on image to see full view


•1 My Mind's Eye - Mischievous Chipboard Accent Sheet
•1 pkg. My Mind's Eye - Kraft Funday Everyday Fun Neutral Layered Stickers
•1 sheet Bella Blvd. - Finally Fall - Mini Cardstock Stickers
•1 sheet Jillibean-Soup - Apple Cheddar Soup - Soup Label Stickers
1 pkg. American Crafts - Nightfall - Fabric Brads
1 sheet Echo Park Paper - Apothecary Emporium Alphabet Stickers
1 pkg. Prima Marketing Fairy Flora Flowers



I have been busy as can be and I have a few projects to share very soon.
Thanks for popping by, I REALLY appreciate your visit!

HUGS & Happy Surfing!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Sweet Little Man

HAPPY Saturday!!

So...I'm not sure if you've noticed BUT I am LOVING the 8.5 x 11" scrappy page lately.
Seriously. I could never imagine in a million years when I started scrapbooking that I could scrap this size very often but I have been finding myself doing it more and more. I still enjoy a good 12x12" page but I find that these pages get put into albums MUCH faster than their larger counterparts. 

This LO is my Little Man when he was an itty bitty, teeny tiny Little Man.
6 weeks old to be exact. I remember thinking how the days seemed to drag on sometimes and now what I wouldn't give to just hold and rock that precious little bundle to sleep again.
Be careful what you wish for.

I pulled out ALOT of old goodies for this page and made a dent in my stash.
It's a nice feeling to finally find a use for papers that you have been holding onto.
Supplies: Cardstock-American Crafts, Papers- Jillibean Soup,, Little Yellow Bicycle,
Rub-ons-Prima, Alphas-American Crafts (Thickers), Cosmo Cricket (Tiny black alphas)
Buttons & Twill- From my stash

Thanks for popping in!
HUGS & Happy Surfing!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Party!

Let's just say when I saw that the November assignment for Glue Dots was a party theme in orange and teal, I was a pretty happy girl. I just recently ordered in this Spellbinder Nested Lacey Pennants die cut set from Scrap Your World and was quite excited to use them.

(If you are a local scrapper & see something you like on the Spellbinder's site, give Trish a call. She can order them in most times, her prices are very reasonable and they were shipped pretty quickly!)

For the banner project, I used my dies (along with my trusty Cuttlebug) and an assortment of papers.
I used the 1/2" Craft Glue Dots to adhere all of my layers as they stick REALLY well (word of caution-make sure you know where you want everything to go before adhering because once it's stuck, it's pretty much going to stay put!) . I traced the inside of the largest die (I am pretty sure I am going to have to order THIS set next since I am a lazy bones when it comes to scrapping and hate hand cutting if I don't have to)

Supplies: Adhesive: Glue Dots Glue Lines & Glue Dots Craft Dots 1/2", Cardstock-American Crafts & Bazzill, Paper: Crate Paper, My Mind's Eye, October Afternoon, Stickers-Crate Paper, Dies-Spellbinders, Punches-Marvy, Alphas-Colorbox


Thanks for popping in!
HUGS & Happy Surfing!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Family Photo Op

Happy Sunny Sunday!

How is the weather in your area?
We have had a MUCH nicer Autumn than we did Summer but that's OK.
I have been enjoying it so much on school afternoons that I stay at the school playground with the boys (I have 2 extra 'after school' kids this year) as long as I possibly can.

I wanted to share this LO that I did a couple of weeks ago of a failed photo shoot attempt.
I have been trying to get a nice pic for quite literally for YEARS of my Little Guy, his cuz and Nanny & Grampy and it just never works out.
In the below photos, you can see my child making ALL SORTS of crazy expressions. No matter what I promised him, he just wouldn't stop.

ONE of these days, I will prevail (but they will probably BOTH be in highschool by then ;) )

Supplies: Cardstock- American Crafts, Papers-My Little Shoebox, American Crafts, Scenic Route
Stickers/layered stickers- American Crafts, Alpha stickers-Thickers Buttons-from Stash.
Fabric Flower-Basic Grey, Punches- Martha Stewart (zigzag) & EK Success (circles)
Corner Rounder-Close to My Heart





Thank You for stopping by-
I TRULY appreciate your visit!
HUGS & Happy Surfing!

Friday, November 4, 2011

You're So Sweet

TGIF!!
I have a few more things to share with you today made with the September Hip 2-b Square Kit + Add-ons.


It's hard to believe this picture was taken a month ago and it was so seriously H O T.
Now I am back to freezing, it seems to be that there is no real happy medium in Canada as far as the weather is concerned.
,

Layout uses September Hip 2-b Square Kit.
Details can be seen HERE.




Thanks for stopping by!
Have a great Weekend!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Wicked Smart

Remember when I said I was playing catch-up on yesterday's post?
Well this pic is of Little Man graduating from his treatment program before he started school :)
I don't know how Mom's with more than one child get it all scrapped. It is hard enough with just one.

I made this LO using the September Hip kit + Add-ons.

See kit details HERE.



I had a photo of his certificate as well and placed it underneath his photo.

 This is a 2 page 8.5x11ayout I did of our Thanksgiving dinner several weeks ago, again using the September Hip kit.



I guess I was in the mood to hide alot of things this month.
This LO houses Little Man's Turkey art (made using his outlined hands as the feathers)


Thanks for popping in. Have a Happy Thursday!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Power Rangers

Happy November, Peeps!
I have been battling a rotten cold these past 3 days-although I am hoping and praying that yesterday was the worst of it. I have been drinking fluids like CRAZY and trying every cold med that I can get my hands on.

I am not too sure if the cold meds are working or not-maybe they are and I would just feel that much worse.
EEK!

In the meantime, I took my sweet little boy out trick or treating Monday night.
I try not to be too preachy about our struggles with Autism on my blog-I like to think that this is a scrappy blog more than anything and I really love sharing my passion for this hobby with you.

However, I must share this: Little Man never used to really 'get' what holidays were all about. He never really knew what to say and had to follow another child's lead to figure out what to do- so we always end up doing alot of things with other families.
In fact, Mark and I were still opening up most of his Christmas presents for him up until 2 years ago.
Well that is NOT the case this year!
I am THRILLED to report that it was just the 2 of us on Monday night (The weather even cooperated-it was cool but not cold). He knew what he was supposed to say, opened his treat bag without prompting and even remembered to say 'thank you' and 'Happy Halloween' (most of the time ; 0) ) He even picked out his own costume this year and managed to stay out for two WHOLE hours!!

It's amazing how I used to take all of these little things for granted before I was a Mom but now I see how hard some things are for my little guy and I cherish each and every accomplishment that he makes.

**Having a totally proud 'Mom Moment' here. ;)
I hope you don't mind me sharing pics of my Little Power Ranger.


Moving on- here are a few projects that I have been working on with my Hip 2-b Square September kit.
I still haven't quite gotten around to getting the Kindergarten milestones scrapped so I have been playing a bit of catch-up and this was the perfect kit to do it with.


See Kit details HERE.




I also squeezed in a few cards-This one is my fave.

Hip 2-b Square September kit & Add-ons.

Thanks for stopping by!
Have a great Wednesday!