***GIVEAWAY COMING to CNS***

 

OH YA, ANOTHER GIVEAWAY COMING UP...

So keep your eye's peeled because I'll be announcing this awesome giveaway soon.  This time I have a sponsor, Scrap Hut!  This online "Canadian" store is FULL of scrapbook supplies for all your crafty idea's.  All the newest Cricut Cartridges are in stock and even some Limited Edition ones!  There's paper, embellishments and Cricut Supplies.  There's stuff you might not find in the stores and at inexpensive prices.  

Also, watch on Wednesdays!  Scrap Hut has Wacky Wednesday's where you'll find awesome supplies with BIG discount!  And once it's gone, it's gone!  Because it's "online" shopping...you can shop in your jammies!  Come on...you  know you want to shop like that!  This online store is for "Canadian" shoppers, but the "Giveaway is open to Canada and the USA."   

The Giveaway will run for 2 weeks.  And think I'll make it a challenge!  Because I do love challenges!  You can mix challenges from other blogs, Sketches and enter it in multiple challenges.  It doesn't matter to me as long as you are having fun and getting crafty!

So, even though it's been cold, rainy and snowy for the last 5 days here (I know you're sad for me) start thinking summer! 

Here's one little hint;

If you are a Canadian Blogger or Shopper swing by Scrap Hut, because everything I'll be crafting with will be from there!  Leave me a comment if you're interested in playing along:)

VIDEO Episode #21 Father's Day Wallet

Father's Day Wallet w/ Gift Card

I made this at the beginning of the month at my SU class and have been "dying" to share it with you all.  This is a great masculine Father's Day Wallet created with paper and made to look real and well used.  It can hold up to 4 gift cards and a spot for cash, just like a normal wallet.  Or you can fill it full of family photo's like I did.  This a fairly quick card to make for your husband or dad.  It can fit any occasion really!  Fun for teenagers, holidays or even a teacher gift.  I am also uploading this to the MPS Father's Day Challenge. 

I used textured paper for this project.

Inside, stuff with gift cards, money or photo's.  Or all of those things.

Have fun making this "MANLY" project for the Dad in your life.  Or make an Explosion Box with masculine colours.  The first time I made the Explosion Box was for Father's Day for my guy.  Check it out HERE. Post it on my CNS Facebook Page.  Haven't joined yet?  You should, I often post over there before I post here. 

***I've added a spot for you to post your project if you make one.  Help me out and share your Father's Day Wallet or any Ftaher's Day project you've made here so other bloggers can find you easily and see your Father's Day Wallet!  I can't wait to see your stuff.****

VIDEO Episode #20 "You're Ribbiting" Card for Jamye

"I Find You Ribbiting"

Is perfect for this frog card.  I was out and about doing my morning Blog Stalk and ended up HERE though one of my favorite Blogs, Disguised as a Grown Up.  Follow the link above and share your creativity to brighten up Jamye's final days.  If you've ever been privileged enough to be there in someone's final days you know what an honor it is to be happy for them. 

Here's Lisa's Post about her sister;

I am having a special event for my sister Jayme. She is in her early 50's and has terminal lung cancer. To make it worse, her sweet dachshund Molly passed away a couple weeks ago. Today we learned her cancer has spread to several other areas and her time is running out. I am asking for all my card making friends to send her a fun card...not really get well cards obviously, but something pretty or funny that will make her smile. She is a frog collector so frog cards would be awesome! I have been blessed by all those I design for to have a wonderful offer of blog candy. Details are below on how to enter. I will choose a winner June 2nd.

CAC Froggy cut at 3"

I used SU Chalk for shading.

Switching gears a bit here. 

I have been asked a few times how I set up for video's and I haven't forgotten.  It's simple really and not too exciting.  I like to craft in my breakfast nook as it's HUGE and glass all around.  I just put my FLIP Camera on my little tri-pod and tape away.  I'm super messy like most of you so I did tidy up a bit.  I hope my pictures help you out a bit if you are thinking of trying the same:)

It's Challenge #4 with The Burtonesque Dolls this week.  So, get crafting for a chance to win 5 images from Busy Beauties Boutique.

ZOMBIEFIED Challenge Card X3

If you are here for The Burtonesque Dolls Challenge #4 card scroll down past this AMAZINGLY TALENTED post to check it out!  But please take your time because I sure did on this card!

This card has Double Duty for 2 Challenges this week!  The sketch is from Oh Alice and the Butterfly is a Macabre Monday Challenge over at Haunted Design House.  It feels like forever since I got to play in a challenge.  Lot's of coloured links in this post.  If the words have "colour", click on it!

The Butterfly is a Marabre Monday Element.

The Flowers and buttons are from the $1 Store.

Alice as a Zombie

        Who says SU Markers won't blend! (OK, no one acutually said that but it sounded compelling!)    I blended my Markers to give depth to my "Alice" or Lil Lolita from Tickled Pink Stamps.  I was lucky enough to create a card for the TBD Challenge #3, click HERE to check her out if you didn't see her last week (obviuosly you were wedged a rock if you didn't see it).  Macabre Monday includes a Butterfly element.  I used my Graphically Speaking cart to create this mutted butterfly to match the rest of the card.  I sponged some grey ink on the blue part of the butterfly, then scuffed up the edges.  I cut the oval out with Plantin School Books and ran it through the CB Perfect Polka Dots.  I went and blended chalk in greys and blue to give her a Zombiefied appearance...don't be too scared!  This way "Alice in Zombieland" works!  I printed that on the computer all by myself! 

All right, let me know what you think???

****OK, I have snuck Lil Lolita into one more blog, Lil Lolita Boutique.  I just started to follow this challenge blog because it's so darn adorable and I love challenges!

Now, go check out TBD Challenge this week (below) and enter your "CRAFTASTIC CREATION" to win 5 images from Busy Beauties Boutique and they are AWESOME!    

The Burtonesque Dolls Challenge #4

The Burtonesque Dolls Challenge #4

It’s TBD Tuesday, and we continue to party with the Busy Beauties! They were kind enough to invite us to their hop last week, and this week they are our generous sponsors! Thanks, Carolyn & crew! Last week, Busy Beauties released some wicked cool images that fit perfectly with this week’s Burtonesque challenge: AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER. Create a new card, ATC, scrap page, etc. inspired by Tim Burton’s The Corpse Bride!

Burtonesque Easel Card, 5"x5" 

Here's a video tutorial for the Easel card if you haven't seen or made one!

You have until Monday at 10:00 p.m. PST to link your creepy cool creations at The Burtonesque Dolls blog. One lucky challenge player will win their choice of 5 (FIVE) images from the Busy Beauties Boutique! For more inspiration, please be sure to visit all the Dolls, especially our newest Doll, the lovely & talented Eulanda!

I played All Weekend Long

It's a Long Weekend in Canada Eh!!!

Oh and I played all weekend.  We left Thursday afternoon to our favorite lake in Southern AB.  It was windy like it always is and unlike last year it was cool.  But being a Canadian we play hard even when it's cold.  My kids tubed behind our boat, we made S'Mores and enjoyed the company of close friends:)

My boys doing what boys do best, dig!

My boat waiting to hit the water.

Me at the lake, the sun was warm but the wind was COLD!

Reading my book on the lake.  My husband was at work and I had the kids.

My favorite Old Guy, my Puppy Apollo.

There's a new challenge tomorrow over at The Burtonesque Dolls and I'm madly finishing off my card. 

Also, our very talented leader Betty has started her new line of Stamps and is ready for Pre-Orders.  If you like the style of the Dolls you'll love Simply Betty Stamps. Hop on over to the blog HERE!

It's all about the Pink

Pretty in Pink

It's all about pink for my daughters friend.  Yep, another birthday card.  I coloured and yes even managed to "blend" my pinks with SU Markers.  My daughter was supposed to make the card after I coloured in Maddie for her but the paper get's her overwhelmed. 

I punched out 2 flowers and used a pink glitter button for the center.

This card is an A2 card, Melon Mambo.  I ran the back layer of paper through my CB Traffic Jam folder.  Don't forget, cut your layers a 1/4" smaller to get that uniform layering:)  The patter paper is NEW from SU, it's also Melon Mambo and I love it!  I faux stiched (it sounds so fancy Faux, when really I can't sew worth  (sh*t) BEEP, around Miss Maddie because my sewing machine and I had a fight a few years back.  I won!  My white gel pen and I get along much better.  I stamped Happy Birthday right onto the pattern paper...not something I do often.  Then finished it off with a flower using my 5 Petal Flower punch.  I chalked around Maddie and the flower tips.

Check out what just arrived!!! 

Gina over at Gigi's Creative Designs has SPOILED me and sent me a Create a Critter cart!  I literally cried when she said it was on the way!  I am so honored to have met such wonderful people.  This has been so much fun meeting you all and following your Crafty Adventures!  Please pop over to Gina's blog HERE and let her know how wonderful she is because she is amazing!  Now I know how you all feel when there's a Custom Crops delivery!  Up here we get excited when the Scrap Hut order arrives!

Create a Critter

Here's another Giveaway I found over at You Had me at Craft.  Just click on the pink link above and leave a comment for your chance to win the BRAND NEW CRITTER FACES SET that goes with the CAC cart:)  You don't have to follow, but why wouldn't you Alexandra makes awesome stuff!

Busy Beauties Blog Hop!

Busy Beauties Goes Burtonesque

Not only do we have some marvelously macabre new images to share with you today, but we also have some fun & funky friends joining us today: The Burtonesque Dolls! Our new images are inspired by the Tim Burton classic, "THE CORPSE BRIDE", and BBB illustrator Thomas Goins has really outdone himself with these amazing images! We thought they would be right up the Dolls' alley, so we invited them along for the hop *and* are super excited to announce that Busy Beauties will be sponsoring their challenge next week!

Here is the complete list of hop stops for today, and we have prizes so fab, it's freaky! Be sure to hop along and leave lots of comment love, because there are TWO Secret Beauties or Dolls along this Burtonesque inspired hop… and TWO winners will be selected from their blog comments to receive 5 (yep, FIVE) Busy Beauties images of his/her choice! So whether you are in the mood to be beauty-ful or get funky, we've got you covered.

You should have just arrived from Grace's Blog.  Welcome I'm so happy you hopped here!

Meet Victorian Marionette with all her strings!  I coloured this Victorian Beauty with Stampin Up markers and blender pens.  I went for bold greens and blues with a touch of brown to make those boards pop!  I embossed as much as I could and made myself stop when I tried to emboss the cats tail!  Sorry Cheyenne!  I printed the sentiment on my computer "You had me at Silly String" because she seems cheeky...like me!  Now hop on over to Carolyn's Blog and check out her Hop Creation!

At the end of the hop, the new Busy Beauties Creation Station challenge is waiting for you. It's a sketch challenge provided by PaperAddict Catherine, who is a member of both the Busy Beauties and The Burtonesque Dolls DTs. We hope you'll play along! You have until 11:59 EDT on June 2nd to link your creation at the Creation Station. In the meantime, we hope you'll have fun hopping and find lots of other-worldly inspiration! Enjoy the show!


Busy Beauties Boutique click HERE

With Sympathy...my Mom leaves today

I thought this looked like such a pretty Sympathy card.  No, I did not make this one, my Mom did.  And yes, she has been glued to my Cricut her whole stay!  She even bought Stretch You Imagination yesterday, so she had better get an Expression soon!  She leaves today so I am a little sad:(  So bring on the Sympathy!

Home Decor Cartridge

The card is a standard A2 card my Mom grabbed from my pre-made cards box.  It all started with these Cherry Blossoms for the Home Decor cart.  The white cardstock was run through my CB with the Elegant Bouquet folder from SU.  Then she highlighted the flowers with chalk.  The card was inspired from the ribbon we found at Michaels.  I grabbed out my Teeny Tiny Wishes SU set and my Mom picked out the Sympathy sentiment.  Thankfully this card does not have a destination. 

Tomorrow I'm "Hopping" with the Busy Beauty's and the Dolls.  So get ready to Hop as these 2 blogs DT Members come together for a huge Blog Hop!

The Burtonesque Dolls Challenge #3

Welcome to The Burtonesque Dolls 3d Challenge!

Now this is a fun challenge, it's all about black flowers and skulls!  This is Lilith from Tickled Pink Stamps.  Isn't she perfect!  She also comes in a set of 5 stamps called Lil Lolita and they are all adorable!

Here's this weeks Challenge.  Create Burton Elements... include skullies and black flowers in your project, anything you might find in a Burton Film.  Follow HERE to see what the Dolls have created to inspire you:D

Lilith, Tickeld Pink Stamps

I rolled the flower tips with a pencil to get them to curl.

I drew the skulls to match her headband.

Don't we all need a "Sorry" card.  If you're like me and don't say it often (since I'm perfect and never need to apologize) it's great to have a card on hand to say it, so I don't have too
.

I used a standard A2 card for this challenge.  I went with greys and orange and the grey really makes the orange pop!  I used my Stampin Up markers for colouring my Lilith, and used Blender Pens to shade around her with grey and orange.  I used Boho Flowers punch and 5 Petal Punch to make the 3 flowers.  I drew out the 3 skulls in the flowers to match her headband.  To distress the the paper's edges I used the side of my scissors.  Then distressed further with a sponge and grey ink.  I ran the layered orange through my Cuttlebug Divine Swirl and Perfect Polka Dot.  Then tied it off some Martha Stewart Halloween Ribbon.

This week's prize will be one (winner's choice) of Tickled Pink Stamps Lil Lotia stamps! That's right you get to choose any one of the 5 they have in store! So make sure you check them all out as you will want all of them!

Pop on over to The Burtonesque Dolls Blog and enter your inspiring crafty project so we can all see. 

While I was away, my Mom Played

My Cricut was steaming when I got home!

I may have mentioned my Mom was introduced to my Cricut before I went away to Banff. Here's what she did while I was out of town:) Leave her some love, which I know you will!

Preserves Cart "Lime"

Sweet Treats Cart

Sweet Treats Cart

Life's Beach Cart

Sweet Treats Cart

Life's a Beach Cart

Don't forget to leave a comment:D  My kids call her Hot Chilli Mama!!!

I miss my crafty things

HELLO FROM BANFF

If you're on my Facebook page then you know what I've been up to this weekend...and it's not been crafting!  (I know, you feel sad for me right now.)  I've been in Banff for my DH's Canadian Drinking Team Team Building weekend.  I did some skiing in the Rockies on Friday then we went to dinner and it was Fondue!  YUM!  They had telephones at all the tables.  So, if you saw something at another table you liked, you could call that table and chat to the people.  That got a little out of hand!  Oh I love Fondue!!!!

Yesterday we did The Amazing Race Banff.  It was 4 hours of running all around Banff, completing tasks and working together as a team.  We had to build a sling shot with 1 hand and take out a plate, all with 1 hand so we worked as a team. Then we rode the Gondola up over 7000ft to get our next clue, that was beautiful.  We even had a camera and had to get strangers to do stuff for us.  We had to get 10 people with thumbs up, get a picture with a bartender, family eating sweets, we needed 10 photo's in all.  And we had to be in the photo's with them!  We came in 2nd place and had so much fun doing it.  I had no idea I was so competitive and that I could run for 3 hours.  WOW am I ever sore! 

Today I go back home and I can't wait to see my kids and hang out with my Mom.  I showed her how to play with my Cricut before I left and she's been making cards ALL weekend!!!  I am super jealous!  It's been great popping in and seeing what you've all been creating.  Tomorrow you'll get to see something crafty on here:D

I was thinking about setting up a Challenge for you all???  I love to do Challenges!!!  Leave me a comment if that is something you would like to do?

Look what Free Got Me

Here's what you can create with "Freebies"!

"Fat Boy-ar-dee"

This Fat-u-lous image is a freebie this week over at The Digi Shack!  I could resist this plump Chef because he's obviuosly a good Chef!  I grabbed the fish over at Free Digital Stamps then combined the two!  I drew the tray the fish is on! 

The sentiment I wrote and punched out.

I filled the scales up with Diamond Glaze so he's all slimy.

Then I Stickled his Chef's hat with Black and Red.

The card is cut at 4 1/4" by 11, then scored at 5 1/2".  I opened the card up and ran half of it through my Cuttlebug, Swiss Dots folder.  I used my scraps for the black and red pattern paper.  The ribbon I found on the weekend from Michaels in the .50c bin. The Fat Boyardee is popped up.  The sentiment I chicken scratched wrote with my marker.  This card cost me next to nothing to make!

This was drawn by Marlene over at Disguised as a Grown Up, good job my friend!

VIDEO Episode #18 Birthday Cookie Treat Bag

What could be better then Cookies in a Treat Baggy!

I was asked to do this video tutorial by the Fantabulous Ladies over at Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog!  They are having a Blog Hop right now, so hop over and check it out.  This video tutorial will be posted on thier "Thursday's Tutorials" tomorrow May 13th. 

This was such a fun crafty thing to get myself into.  I cracked out my Sweet Treats cart because it was colleting dust and cut out 2 of my favorite gift images!  I made a cello Treat Bag with matching Birthday Card!  This can apply to any occasion and stuff it with any treats!  In my case COOKIES!!!

Matching card and Cookie Treat Bag

The Birthday Card

The Birthday Treat Bag with Cookies!

All the measurements are on this video.  Paper is all SU, Green Galore, Basic Black and a SU pattern paper set.  I used black buttons I got from my local $1 store and green ribbon to match.  Both presents were cut at 3", then ran through my Cuttlebug Perfect Polka Dots folder.  This project can be completed in less then an hour.  Use the quantity button on your Cricut to quickly cut both images and layers!

If you want to make cookies like these, you can click HERE for my chocolate chip cookie recipe.  Then make your own treat bags! 

Make sure to swing by The Burtonesque Dolls and check out Challenge #2 for your chance to win 5 Digi's the Dolls used from The Wild Flower Patch.  What Tim Burton Movie inspires you?  Click HERE to see what inspired me:)

The Burtonesque Dolls Challenge #2

The Burtonesque Dolls Challenge #2

This weeks challenge is so fun.  Create a project with an image that would fit in any Tim Burton Movie!  Don't forget Alice is super hot right now!   I have created a list at the bottom of this post for you of all the Tim Burton Movies to help inspire you.  The inspiration for my card, "Lydia's First Babysitting job...the Oogie Boogie Kids"  So click HERE to check out what the Dolls have created for you and get inspired!

The Oogie Kids are on pop dots and Lydia is doubled up on them to bring her forward.

Stickles and Diamond Glaze are used for the hair, hat and mask

The Skull is stamped, embossed and bleached, cut at 3"

This is a 5"x5" card (that way I can squeeze more in) with layers cut a 1/4" smaller.  The girl (Thistle) I got from Wild Flower Patch created by our very own Doll Jen!  I chose her because she reminds me of my daughter.  My daughter has those knee high Converse and thy high socks!  The Oogie kids is my sketch (another tattoo I drew for my husband, photo below) and they represent our children.  I have 2 boys and a girl.  My oldest son is a gentleman so he has a top hat.  My daughter loves to read so she's holding a Spell book.  And my youngest son is a handful so he's blowing up dynamite in a sneaky kinda way! 

I coloured my images with Stampin Up Markers, then I Stickled ummm pretty much everywhere.  I used Diamond Glaze on the boots, book and mask and shaded the faces with chalk.  The skull in the background is stamped with white, then embossed with white powder and I painted the skulls head in with bleach.  I cut the circle out with my George and Basic Shapes cart at 3"

Here's my husbands tattoo.  Now I have only 3 tattoos (I want more but I'm a baby) and for 10 years he thought it was wrong!  Then he hits 40 and I'm getting my 3d tat (yep, I drew that too) and he says he wants one and will I draw them for him!  GEEZ!  In the end I drew all 3 of his, all Nightmare Before Christmas inspired.

  

Here is a List of all Tim Burton's movies

Pee-wee's Big Adventure

Beetlejuice

Batman

Edward Scissorhands

Batman Returns

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Cabin Boy

Ed Wood

James and the Giant Peach

Mars Attacks!

Sleepy Hollow

Planet of the Apes

Big Fish

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Corpse Bride

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Alice in Wonderland

And the winner of the challenge this week will get 5 free digis! 
Click HERE!

"You Rock" Easel Card w/ Gift Card

Got Teenagers?

I have 2 teenagers (I know, you feel sorry for me) and with 3 kids there's always a party or birthday happening.  I made this card for one of my daughters BBF's.  At 14, they all want gift cards so I think iTUNES will fit well!    This is challenge card for Stamp Insanity.  They are having Easel Card Challenge, so click HERE!!!  
(I have been trying to link it, but it's not letting me... I'll get it up there soon.  So, if you got there and don't see my post yet you know why!)

The Easel Card opened up and a spot to tuck a Gift Card

The Easel Card with a spot for a Gift Card.

I made this Easel Card at 5"x5".  Cut a 10"x 5" piece of cardstock, then score at 5" and again 7 1/2".   Make sure you also cut 1 piece of 5"x5" matching cardstock for the easel's top part.  I used all my scraps for layering.  I cut the big stars out using my GBS cart.  The big star is cut at 3 1/2" and the pattern star is cut at 3 1/4".  The smaller stars I used my SU punches.  I ran a piece of black through my CB then used the Word Window punch for the spot the gift card will go in.  Make sure you use dimensionals for this part.

Last day to get your Challenge Card done for The Burtonesque Dolls Debut Challenge!  So, get your stripes out!!!  Click HERE!

***SHARE TIME***

Some more blog candy for you to check out!  Hope over to Cokie Pop Paper Boutique, where she has a Robots Cart Giveaway and you'll find Fantabulous Cricut Crawl!  Have fun and join in!

And... one of my FAVE bloggers Marlene at Disguised as a Grown- Up is has a Free Digi posted!  That her crafty self drew!

Birthday Card for my Dad

I wasn't planning on posting today... but lucky for us I did!  Just a quick one before my husband comes home!  He had to pop into work this morning, so my girlfriend and I hit Michaels!  They are having 25% off your entire order today!  OK, back to the card.  It took awhile but my CAC images FINALLY arrived from Gina over at Gigi's Creative Designs!  We swapped some fun stuff and you can see her Preserves Strawberry card HERE.  If your not a follower yet, your missing out!  She has an awesome blog and leaves the best comments!  She's SUPER special! 

All the loot Gina sent me:D

It's my Dad's birthday next week so I made this adorable Owl Gina sent me.  I ran the A2 card through my CB as well as the green leaves for the tree.  I Stickled the beak, claws and wings to make him sparkly happy.  I picked up the "You're a Hoot" sentiment this morning from Michaels and this cool ribbon for .50cents!!!!

I followed Marlene's at Disguised as a Grown-Up to HERE where you'll find a fun colour challenge. 

I have popped into ALL the amazing projects entered into The Burtonesque Dolls Striped Challenge!  Everyone has done such an amazing job and the Dolls are loving them!  You still have time to enter yours...

VIDEO Episode #19 Canadian Spa

Inspiration comes from many things.

In this case it was a home video I made in 2007.  It took 5 months for my Jeep Rubicon to arrive from the factory.  And when it did I was so excited!  With only 200km on it and owning it for 2 days I went and found some mud to play in!  My Jeep is the 4 door Jeep.  There were 3 of us with Rubicons, an '05 Red Rubicon, '06 Black Rubicon and my '07 Red Rock Red Rubicon.

 This is how this Canadian Girl goes to the spa! 

I'm a little under the weather today so I made a really fast card.  I bought this SU set Hit The Road last year because like my Jeep it's a 4 door.  I coloured it in with my SU Markers and used my blender pens for the dirt, dog and blue in the windows.  I used Diamond Glaze for the lights and windows.  Then I cut 2 circles from my GBS cart at 3 1/4" (black) and 3" (brown), then I ran through the CB. I printed the sentiment on my computer so I could get this fun saying and just hand cut it out for an unfinished look.  And no, I don't let my puppy Apollo drive!

*** Episode #18 will post on May 12th***

For more Inspiration hop over to The Burtonesque Dolls Blog for our first challenge.  A few people have been linking up thier crafty striped creations.  Get inspired, link yours and you could win 3 digi's from Stamp Insanity!