Tuesday With The Team | Jan 28

***WARNING:  photo-heavy blog post ahead!***

Hello, blogland!!

I've been painfully absent lately (implication: painful for me, not you!) - I miss sharing here!  Life has taken over, as the kids continue on with exams and music lessons and cadets and homework… and I have been learning piano again, so much of my free time is plunking away at the ivories, in an attempt to learn Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

I'm still on the first page.

At any rate, I'm here today to share a project that is featured on the Canadian Scrapbooker's blog today for Tuesday with the team!

Remember this project from 2011?

Well, after completing the cover, I took it to several crops over the years and could never get into the groove.  Luckily, during our girls' scrappy weekend at our place last week, I finished it!

(can you hear the choirs of angels singing?!?)

I've shared some of my favourite pages on the CS blog, but here it is, in it's entirety:

Cover:

Pg 1/2:

Pg 3/4:

Pg 5/6:

Tag close-up:

Pg7/8:

Old maps are perfect background papers for travel mini albums.  And page 8 was created using a old film negative sheet!  I printed the photos to size and slid them into sleeves.

Pg 9/10:

For photos that were bigger than the negative size, I simply attached them to the outside of the page.  The facing page came together quickly by sizing all photos to 1.5" squares (or 1.5"x3") and assembling them into a quick collage with a doodled border.

Pg 11/12:

Pg 13/14:

Pg 15/16:

Pages 14 through 16 are simply baseball trading card sheets!  Photos were cut to size and inserted into pockets with minimal embellishments (patterned paper, rub-ons, stickers).

Pg 17/18:

For Page 17, I cut patterned paper to fit and completed the page layout, which was then just attached on top of the card pocket page.

The envelopes created pockets that were handy for brochures and receipts, but I also used one to document the story of Connor and the Sky Wheel, so the photo could take precedence on page 18.

Pg 19/20:

Pg 21/22:

Page 22 is the other half of the negative sheet from page 8.  Photos were attached on top and edges covered in washi tape.

Pg 22/23:

(forgot to photograph!  coming soon!)

Pg 24/25:

Tag insert:

Pg 26/27:

Pg 28/29:

Supplies used:  Little Yellow Bicycle patterned paper, glitter stickers and clear cuts; Basic Grey patterned paper; Bazzill cardstock; My Stamp Box stamps (Passport To Adventure); Silhouette Cameo, Impregnable, Mission Script, Arial and Sofia fonts; Fiskars, EK Success and Martha Stewart Crafts border punches; American Crafts, Doodlebug Designs, Basic Grey and Simple Stories alphabet stickers; SkribblzArt vinyl titles; Recollections washi tape; Studio Calico border sticker; Jenni Bowlin and Tim Holtz tickets; Heidi Swapp rub-ons; Doodlebug Designs glitter; Papermate Flair pen; Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L adhesive; film negative sheets; baseball card sheets; unknown kraft tags; twine.

Tuesdays With The Team | Nov 26

Today, on the Canadian Scrapbooker magazine blog, I shared one of the layouts that I completed at CropFest a few weekends ago:

Supplies used:  FabScraps patterned paper; Core'dinations and Recollections cardstock; Prima and Recollections washi tape; Pink Paislee flair button and photo tab; Freckled Fawn wooden speech bubble; Momenta key; Studio Calico wooden stars; Maya Road mist; May Arts twine; Canadian Scrapbooker sanding block; Marvy Uchica punch; miscellaneous calendar page; Sakura marker; Ranger Distress ink; Silhouette Cameo.

Well, I didn't finish it COMPLETELY at Crop Fest - I knew I wanted to create a title using my Silhouette, but until the layout came together, I wasn't quite sure what it was going to be so I couldn't create it ahead of time.

Nor did I have time in the week leading up to CropFest to create it! :)

The patterned paper from FabScraps was perfect for this photo of Connor that I had taken when he was seven.  I wanted to document his love of the written word and how he became totally immersed while reading - a trait he inherited from me.  Gary always claims that he can have an entire conversation with me while I'm reading, only to have me look up at the end of it and say, "Did you say something?" :)

I layered the paper with a few FabScraps patterned paper strips, torn to length, some coordinating washi tape and a sheet torn from a weekly scheduler by o-check design graphics that I picked up at Chapters last year for $3 - one of my favourite finds so far!!  [It's called weekly scheduler (L) - key]

I created a little book as an embellishment, using cardstock, plain copy paper, twine and a small heart punch.  I debated using it for my journaling, but a) I think it may be too small and b) who's going to want to untie and tie that teeny book up to hear the story?!?

As I said earlier, I created the title and title mat using my Silhouette Cameo and the Titan One font.

And I'm sharing the cut file with you, just because I like ya'll so much! :)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD .STUDIO FILE

(Note: When I click this link, it automatically downloads the file into my Downloads folder on my Mac - not sure what happens on a PC?  Can someone please leave me a comment and let me if it auto-downloads or if a dialogue box pops up?)

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
November Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Nov 30, 2013)

Leave Your Legacy: Top Ten Lists (deadline:  Nov 30, 2013)

Tuesdays With The Team | Jul 30

I'm up on the Canadian Scrapbooker magazine blog with the weekly Tuesdays With The Team inspiration!

Today I'm sharing my She-Art canvas that I created last month.  You can also view this blog post on the CS blog here.

Supplies used:  Graphic 45 patterned paper; ModPodge; DecoArt, Americana and CraftSmart paints; LiquiTex modeling paste; Pink Paislee stencil; Unity Stamp Co. stamps; One Heart One Mind rub-ons; Higgins india ink; miscellaneous vintage lace and receipt stubs; bubble wrap, Studio liquid ink pen.

While it's not my first canvas, it is my first one inspired by Christy Tomlinson's She-Art workshops.  I started by covering the canvas with the brightly coloured patterned papers and ModPodge, but thought that it may be too distracting for a background so I covered it with watered-down white paint.  I didn't like that much either so I started to drag all sorts of colour over it.

I then tinted some modeling paste and using a favourite stencil (another Christy Tomlinson beauty), I added some texture to the canvas.

My She-Art girl was cut freehand from old ticket stubs (face/arms), painted in a flesh colour, and bits of patterned paper.  I used some vintage lace and attached it all using ModPodge.

Just like in home decor, I think that every project needs a bit of black to "ground" it, so I dry brushed some black paint randomly over the canvas and stamped some more texture using some of my favourite background Unity Stamps (Chicken Wire Background, Vintage Handwritten, Cooped Up Notes, Distressed Grid, Love Every Inch) and ink, along with bubble wrap and paint.

 I used the india ink applicator and dropped some ink randomly on the canvas.  When dry, I used the rub-ons for more texture.

I then printed out my quote on printer paper (it's thinner and easier to print on!).  I cut it up and attached it with ModPodge.   

Quote reads:  "She knew the whole wide wonderful world was at her fingertips.  She only had to reach for it."

 I then scribbled over the entire canvas!

It's certainly not perfect but I'm happy with my first attempt!  And it's very addicting - I want to try another one soon!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the giveaways/challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
July 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Jul 31/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

1000th Blog Post Prize Winner!

Thanks to everyone for your comments about what you'd like to see around here!  I can definitely do more sketches - and will try to get my studio set up to do video tutorials!

Congratulations to the randomly chosen winner.... 

List Randomizer

There were 55 items in your list. Here they are in random order:

1. alison day
2. renee
3. jcobb
4. desi-scrapaholic gal - twitter
5. justasiam
6. jacquelin - pinterest
7. Lynn - pinterest
8. char o'hara - pinterest
9. renee - blog
10. kathleen white - blog
11. jean bullock - instagram
12. martine - blog
13. jcobb - pinterest
14. Benwah
15. martine
16. jcobb - blog
17. renee - pinterest
18. gisele - pinterest
19. Lynn - blog
20. Lynn
21. desi-scrapaholic gal - blog
22. ann jobes - blog
23. sandy lewis
24. alison day - pinterest
25. jean bullock - pinterest
26. renee - twitter
27. alice boll - twitter
28. Lisa
29. gisele
30. alison day - blog
31. justasiam - pinterest
32. desi-scrapaholic gal - pinterest
33. alice boll - instagram
34. ann jobes
35. alison day - twitter
36. jean bullock - twitter
37. jean bullock - blog
38. jacquelin
39. gisele - instagram
40. char o'hara - blog
41. cheryl kosakura - blog
42. beth
43. Melanie
44. beth - blog
45. cheryl kosakura
46. alice boll - blog
47. alice boll - pinterest
48. char o'hara
49. jennifer - pinterest
50. ann jobes - pinterest
51. desi-scrapaholic gal
52. char o'hara - twitter
53. jcobb - twitter
54. jennifer
55. alice boll

Timestamp: 2013-07-18 03:24:42 UTC

Alison Day | July 05, 2013 11:44 pmCongrats on your 1000th post Sue! That's quite the milestone!! I am already a follower. :)

Alison, please email me at sue [AT] canadianscrapbooker [DOT] ca with your mailing address and I will get your package out to you ASAP!

Cheers,




P/S: Don't forget about the giveaways/challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
July 2013 Sketchy Challenge (deadline: Jul 31/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline: Aug 31/13)

Deadline extension!

[source]

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I've extended the deadline for the 1,000th blog post celebration - mostly because I'm still finding cool things to include in the prize!!

I will photograph it this weekend and share a photo.

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13) ** THAT'S TOMORROW!!
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

One thousand

[source]

It's hard to believe but this is my 1,000th post on my blog.

One.  Thousandth.

Back in 2005, when everyone started a blog, I resisted.  I didn't think I'd have anything to say.  (Something with which I still struggle.)  The ironic thing is that every year, since getting engaged in 1996, we had sent out a letter with our Christmas cards, which after a year or two, turned into a full blown newsletter, sometimes four sides long!  Everyone had their own "column", even the dog and it included recipes and brain teasers and photos.  After the first year, I had people telling me in September that they couldn't wait to receive our Christmas card!  Our mailing list grew from about 70 to over 140 and while I LOVED creating the newsletter - graphic design is where my heart lies, I think! - once we had TWO kids and Just Cre8 started, there was, sadly, less time for everything.

So I thought, 'I know!  I will start a blog and everyone can keep in touch with us throughout the year!  Plus it's not such a burden to write about our entire year in a few weeks - I can pace it over the year and things won't get missed!'

But there were many who were not online and we still ended up sending photo cards of the kids anyways! :)

I have noticed that my blog content is changed over the years, now geared more to the designer side of my life, with snippets of family life peeking through.  Either way, I love going back and reading stories of events that I have forgotten, or seeing projects that were created years ago.  And I have decided to make a concerted effort to blog more of our everyday life.

Here are the top 10 Blog Posts, as of yesterday:

10.  Spectrum Noir vs. Copics
9.  Scrapbook Studio Tour | Part III
8.  Flirty Fridays | Sexiest Dads Alive v.2012
8.  Flirty Fridays | Aug 31
7.  Leave Your Legacy | 2011.01.14 I Am...
5.  Scrapbook Studio Tour | Part II
4.  Welcome to the CS Hands On! Photography Blog Hop!
3.  Update on Gary
2.  Scariest.  Day.  Ever.
1.  Scrapbook Studio Tour | Part I

To celebrate the milestone, I want to give something away!  I have a large package of stamping and scrapping supplies, valued at over $100, for a random winner!  Here's a sneak peek at just part of the prize:

[sorry for the photo quality - I keep adding stuff to the prize so I can't get a complete prize photo!!)

To be entered into the draw, simply leave me a comment with what sort of content you would like to see more of around here:  sketches?  layouts?  tutorials?  recipes?  my crazy family's antics?  I will enter a ballot for each person who comments below.

Want to earn more ballots?  You can:

1) Follow me on Twitter:  sugarskyes (1 ballot)
2) Follow me on Instagram:  suesykes (1 ballot)
3) Follow me on Pinterest:  suesykes (1ballot)
4) Follow my blog (1 ballot)

Then leave me a comment (separate comments, please, to make sure I don't miss you!) letting me know you are following!  Current followers are included, so please leave a comment as well!  Feel free to leave your Twitter/Instagram/Pinterest name or blog address so I can follow YOU!  Draw will end at 11:59pm EST on June 30th, 2013 July 15th and a winner will be announced on or around July 16th!

Many thanks (a thousand!) to those of you who have read along through the years, and to those who have newly joined my bloggy family.

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline:  June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy: Pet Peeves (deadline:  Aug 31/13)

Nearing a Milestone

[source]

This is my 992nd blog post since I started this blog in 2006!

It's taken me longer than normal, because blogging fell to the bottom of my priority list during my Just Cre8 years - the pressures of working PT, running a business and raising a young family left little time for creating and blogging.

But here we are - 8 posts away from a huge milestone!

And to celebrate, I think I should give something away - don't you think?  I have some awesome new goodies to share - I can't wait to get the prize together!  Watch for details on my 1, 000th post in the next few weeks!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy:  Pet Peeves (deadline Aug 31/13)

Now What?!

Have you noticed?  I've been on a roll with my blogging lately - thanks to some advance planning and publishing.

But now what?  I had a post planned for today, but it turns out that the project is going to be featured on the Canadian Scrapbooker blog in the near future so I've had to shelf it for a bit.

And all the projects that I have finished are for upcoming issues so I can't share them anyways.  The perils of design team work, I guess.

So instead I will share that it is almost time for my sister's tea party fundraiser again!  I didn't post photos from 2012, because I didn't take photos - she had a photographer come in so that I could help out at the donations table - but I will get some from her and post them soon.  This year, I am bringing my camera to snap photos so that I can scrapbook them.

I am also preparing, as I have to make 300 cupcakes for Sunday!  On the menu?  Mocha coffee, peanut butter chocolate, raspberry vanilla and lemon cupcakes!  Yummmmm... the girls at work are hoping there are leftovers.... :)

If you are in the area, tune into AM800 at 8:20am  - they will be interviewing Liz (and may be giving away tickets! ;))  If you'd like to attend, let me know and I can get you some tickets - they are $40 each (with a $20 tax receipt).  There are some awesome raffle prizes - and several Juicy Couture pieces up for Silent Aucton!

If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation, please contact me by email!  All funds raised will go to the Patient Assistance Fund for the local Cancer Centre.  Last year, we raised nearly $15,000 for a total of almost $30,000 since we began in 2010!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the other challenges on my blog for a chance to win:

Sketchy Challenge:  June 2013 (deadline June 30/13)
Leave Your Legacy:  Pet Peeves (deadline Aug 31/13)

Testing 1-2-3...

Well, the honeymoon's over.

I have been using a certain tool to allow readers to link up their layouts completed for my It's a Sketchy Challenge and the Leave Your Legacy challenges.  It came up for renewal in January and I was contemplating whether I would pay the renewal or look for a more cost efficient method.

Not that $2 a month is killing me....

I guess I waited too long, because not only have I been sent an email saying that the renewal notices will cease, but now, I've noticed that all of my prior lists have been replaced with this:

Linky Tools subscription expired. List not available.

What the....??  I can log into the site and still see the dashboard, but they no longer show on my blog posts.

Well, that peeved me a little.  I understand that server costs are rising and it's fine to supplement what you make in advertising with subscription amounts.  And again, $2.00/month is not breaking my piggy bank.

I would have, however, liked to have been informed (and maybe I had and just don't remember reading it in the Terms & Conditions portion...) that what I have paid for would vanish, once I stopped my subscription.

Sigh.

Please don't get me wrong - I'm not flaming anyone, and I do appreciate those who can offer these services to we, the less-than-computer-savvy.  I'm just disappointed that my blog is messed up now.

And so, today I'm going to be testing a few services that I found via Google.  Both are a free service, although one is upgradeable.

Please help me test it out by adding a link to your blog - not only will I get a chance to test drive these services, but I can come by and say hello! :)

Simply Linked:


InLinkz:

Reassessing Priorities

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Yikes.

Has it really been over a week since I last posted?  I missed Meaningful Mondays, Photo365 (twice), 52 Week journaling, Free Font Fridays and Seven Sundays blessing posts.

And you know what?  I'm okay with that.

It turns out that I was a little more than ambitious in planning my blog posts for the year.  While it was easy to keep it up for a while, I found that it was taking me away from the more important things in life.  Like...

Family.
Exercise.
Creative time.
Home renovations.

And while I love blogging, I love LIVING even more.  So I'm going to re-evaluate what I will be working on this year, and what I will be sharing.

For example, I'm still trying hard to keep up with my Photo365.  It may be one of those things that I set aside this year until I have more things under control.  And my 52 weeks of journaling - I may set aside, or continue to complete my own - maybe just not share mine every week  (Here's a link to them all for you to continue on!).

I will continue to share all my DT and personal projects, as well as family life around here so please continue to visit and comment - I love hearing from you!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the following challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
It's a Sketchy Challenge (deadline: Jan 31/13)
Leave Your Legacy: What You Fear Most (deadline:  Feb 28/12)

Christmas Love Compaign 2012

Just a quick note - 

I'm excited to be a part of Susan K Weckesser's Christmas Love Compaign!  You can check out my blog post here!

Coming Soon - 12 Days of Giving!

Beginning on December 12, the Canadian Scrapbooker design team will be featuring 12 Days of Giving on the blog!  Come out for some holiday inspiration and fun!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the following challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
It's a Sketchy Challenge (deadline:  Dec 31/12)
Leave Your Legacy: What You Fear Most (deadline:  Feb 28/13)