Paper Cuts | Fall 2014

In every issue, I will design themed cut files in .studio and .svg formats that will be available for download on the Canadian Scrapbooker website (coming soon!), as well as here on my blog, on my PaperCuts page.

Have you checked out the new Canadian Scrapbooker magazine?  Our new graphic designer has done a beautiful job with our Fall 2014 issue - visually engaging, updated graphics  - and I LOVE how the Scraps of Info includes a  photo of the technique/item in question!

Here are this issue's cut files available for download:  

Here's one of the projects created with them:

Supplies used:  Canadian Scrapbooker SuperStock; Bazzill Basics Paper cardstock; CraftSmart and DecoArt acrylic paints; Silhouette Cameo die cutting machine; Sue Sykes cut files; Heidi Swapp paper piercer; The Crafter's Workshop stencil; PaperMate Flair marker; Marvy Uchida heart punch; Recollections washi tape; American Crafts photo turn and brad; thread.  Photo taken by Karen Ellis.

I created the funky background to this page by just pouring pools of paint onto my page.  Once it was dry (about two days - the paint was pretty thick!), I used the same colours, slightly watered down to get some good "fling" and just threw it at my paper - and all over my desk, I might add!  Some washi tape added to the bottom edge and a couple of hand stitched circles and all that was left to do was to mat my photo on a folder cardstock card which contained my journaling.  The photo turn keeps it closed but is easily available to read with just a quick turn!

I'll share the other two later this week!

You can find the links to download these and other files on my PaperCuts page (CLICK HERE!)

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
Sept Sketch Challenge (deadline Sept 30th, 2014)
Leave Your Legacy challenge - Don't Stop Believing (deadline Nov 30th, 2014)

Exhaust Your Excess! challenge blog - check it out!!

September 2014 Sketchy Challenge

It's time for the Canadian Scrapbooker Sketchy Challenge! I've posted the September 2014 sketch in the CS Sketchy Challenge gallery as well as here:

Here's the layout that inspired the sketch:

Supplies:  Bazzill Basics cardstock; Bo Bunny patterned paper and chipboard; Cosmo Cricket alpha stickers; myStamp BOX stamps (Symbols); StazOn ink; Tim Holtz filmstrip transparency; Martha Stewart Crafts border punch; McGill punch (tab); Glue Dots; Heidi Swapp distressing tool; WRMK Sew Easy too; American Crafts Slick Writer; Sharpie; staples.  Main photo by Amanda Lepage.  Other photos by Connor Sykes.

I popped the photos of people and left the others flat.  Connor's photo is mounted on a folded card, which hides journaling:

Using myStamp BOX camera stamp and StazOn, I added a small cluster in the top right corner.  I also distressed the edges of the layout and added a small tear to the upper edge:

Hopefully you find some time this month to play along!  Please head over to the Sketchy gallery and get inspired to create your own layout!  You can use the sketch as is or as a springboard for your project - the choice is yours!

{RAK ALERT!}
If you play along with the sketch this month, upload your layout in the gallery into the September 2014 Sketch section HERE, and then in your comment below, add a link to that layout, by 11:59 pm on September 30, 2014. On or around October 1st, 2014, I will randomly draw a winner from the comments here of those who participated, for a prize!

Stay tuned - I will be announcing our August 2014 Sketchy winner early next week!

**PLEASE NOTE:  In order to qualify for a chance to be published in an upcoming issue, your layout must be posted in the online gallery by September 30th, 2014.  To qualify to win MY prize, you must add a link to your layout BELOW, using the inlinkz tool, by September 30th, 2014.

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
Leave Your Legacy challenge - Don't Stop Believing (deadline Nov 30th, 2014)

Exhaust Your Excess! challenge blog - check it out!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Sketchy Challenge | August 2014

It's time for the Canadian Scrapbooker Sketchy Challenge! I've posted the August 2014 sketch in the CS Sketchy Challenge gallery as well as here:

For this sketch, I used another old photo of Aili - that girl made the funniest faces as a child!!  (Remember the old "Stink Eye" photo?!?).

Supplies used:  Bazzill Basics cardstock; Crate Paper patterned paper, title and stickers; Me and My Big Ideas puffy sticker (feather); Close to My Heart ink; Silhouette Cameo and sketch pen; Fineliner Script font; Heidi Swapp distressing tool; Stampin' Up! stitching template and doily; My Mind's Eye journaling card (Remember This); Lawn Fawn, Doodlebug Designs and miscellaneous sequins; Freckled Fawn wood shapes; KaiserCraft pearls; Recollections washi tape; Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L foam squares.

There was a lot of everything going on here!  I find that I tend to do more fussy cutting when I'm at a crop (this was completed in February at Younique!) because I can concentrate on the socializing more! :)

I used the Silhouette Cameo sketch tools for the journaling - perfect for when you have to fit it into a designated spot!

Some confetti sneeze and clusters at various places and voilà!

Hopefully you find some time this month to play along!  Please head over to the Sketchy gallery and get inspired to create your own layout!  You can use the sketch as is or as a springboard for your project - the choice is yours!

{RAK ALERT!}
If you play along with the sketch this month, upload your layout in the gallery into the August 2014 Sketch section HERE, and then in your comment below, add a link to that layout, by 11:59 pm on August 31, 2014. On or around September 1st, 2014, I will randomly draw a winner from the comments here of those who participated, for a prize!

Stay tuned - I will be announcing our July 2014 Sketchy winner early next week!

**PLEASE NOTE:  In order to qualify for a chance to be published in an upcoming issue, your layout must be posted in the online gallery by August 31st, 2014.  To qualify to win MY prize, you must add a link to your layout BELOW, using the inlinkz tool, by August 31st, 2014.

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
Leave Your Legacy challenge - Don't Stop Believing (deadline Nov 30th, 2014)

Exhaust Your Excess! challenge blog - check it out!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Inspiration Elevator: Guest Designer July 2014

Look where I'm guest designing!

Our main purpose here at IE is to challenge ourselves, each other and YOU to take the creative process to the next level; to inspire growth and change in our scrapbooking; to stretch, sometimes uncomfortably, to create something fresh.  You can view all of the challenges at the Inspiration Elevator blog, found here.  You can also find them on Facebook!  My individual challenges from prior IE challenges are found on my blog here.

The IE team is thrilled to welcome back as guest designer, the delightful Denise Morrison.  Denise's artsy style conveys layers of artistic and emotional significance, and we love her artful scribbles!

I am honoured to be a guest challenger this month - Here is my challenge:

We all know that the contents of our bags, whether it's a handbag, a satchel, a clutch or a backpack, reveals a lot about ourselves. This month, create a layout about the contents of your bag on any given day. Be sure to include the stories behind any unconventional items.

As a further challenge, use one of the items on your page somehow!

My project this month strays a bit from the challenge (gosh, I can't even follow my OWN directions! haha)  However, once I get an idea in my head, I'm done - no amount of mojo is going to change it.  And this month, my mojo has got up and left - we had flooding issues and our lower level (where my studio is located) is in complete turmoil.  I cleared out a teeny two-foot space and had limited access to supplies.

When all is said and done though, I like the simplicity of this layout - and it's a two-pager, which is very rare for me (excuse the wonky layout photos - my printer is acting out!):

Supplies used:  Bazzill Basics and unknown cardstock; Cheery Lynn die; Just Cre8 stamps (Floral Flourishes); Martha Stewart Crafts scoring board and punch; Fiskars stylus; Silhouette Cameo die cutting machine; Lori Whitlock cut file; Loni Leah Designs cut file; Sizzix Big Kick; Sizzix and Stampin' Up! embossing folders; EK Success punch; American Craft glitter Thickers; Tsukineko VersaMark ink; Multicrafts half pearls; Recollectins washi tape; American Crafts Memory Marker; embroidery floss; Imaginisce metal embellishment; Craftwork Cards Candi dots; Lawn Fawn sequins; miscellaneous beads and sequins; various mini brads from my stash; unknown heart clip; plastic re-sealable bag.

Here's a close-up of each page:

The little purse was created by using a Lori Whitlock cut file for a treat bag topper.  I re-sized it to fit my bag (2" wide) and filled the bag with a coordinating mix of sequins, beads and Candi Dots.  I snipped the bag to the size I wanted, sandwiched it between the topper and stapled it closed.  Isn't it adorable?!

I'm killing two birds with one stone with this layout, as it also coincides with Challenge #1 on my new challenge blog, Exhaust Your Excess! (or EYE! for short!)  Each Sunday, one of our design team members will challenge you to use up some of your stash!

I was inspired by this fabulous colour palette by Design Seeds (you need to check out this beautiful site!):

[source]

Here's a complete list of this month's participating IE designers!  We encourage you to check out each designer's creation this month, then come on back and give the challenge a try yourself!

Guest Challenger: Sue Sykes  - you are here!

Jayne Morgan

Wendi Robinson

Lisa Moen

 Michelle Hernandez

Guest designer: Denise Morrison

Meanwhile, if you'd like to participate as a guest designer with Inspiration Elevator, just contact team lead, Ann, at annjobes{at}bell{dot}net.

Now it's your turn to get creating about what is in your bag, and share your blog link at the IE blog. We would love to see what you were inspired to make!

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
July 2014 Sketchy Challenge (deadline July 31st, 2014)
Leave Your Legacy challenge - Don't Stop Believing (deadline Nov 30th, 2014)

Exhaust Your Excess! challenge blog - check it out!!

Off the Cutting Room Floor

I have a few more projects that I haven't shared with you yet!  Today I'm sharing an old layout that was half-finished for about a year before I decided what to do with it!

Supplies used:  Bazzill Basics cardstock; Fancy Pants patterned paper; Cricut die cut machine and Songbird cartridge; Stix2 glitter paper; Unity Stamp Co. and Just Cre8 stamps; Ranger distress ink; Tsukineko Versacolour ink; Heidi Swapp distressing tool; Martha Stewart Crafts and EK Success punches; Sakura marker; Bazzill Basics large brad; American Crafts glitter brads; Maya Road trinket pins; Ranger Stickles; Stockade wooden heart; Prima and miscellaneous flowers; Stampin' Up! doily, feathers and half pearls.  Photo Credit:  Amanda Lepage

I love this photo of Renée and Aili - especially the near-toothless grin!

Journaling reads:  "You and Renée immediately hit it off when the Lepages came to Ontario in 2011.  In fact, by the end of the trip, you were referring to each other as "Big Sister" and "Little Sister"!  Sharing a room enforced this and after 12 days together, you were both sad to part, as we all were…"

The cluster of flowers is a mishmash of "vintage" (read: product that is more than two years old!) flowers and brads, mixed with some craft feathers from my stash.

The stamp from Unity was blinged up with some Stickles:

I also covered the wooden heart with Stickles.  It was originally inked and stamped, but the stamped image started to bleed and I didn't really like the result so when in doubt, add sparkle, right?!  The reflection makes it look like the colour's off but in reality, it all matches! :)

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
July 2014 Sketchy Challenge (deadline July 31st, 2014)
Leave Your Legacy challenge - Don't Stop Believing (deadline Nov 30th, 2014)

Exhaust Your Excess! challenge blog - check it out!!

The Rejects - Part II

I'm back again with another layout that ended up on the editing floor! :)

**As an aside, I hope everyone knows that I am being quite tongue-in-cheek here… my natural sarcasm usually doesn't translate well in blog posts! :)  I never EVER expect that all my layouts (or ANY for that matter!) will be published in each issue. **

This layout was created while at Younique in February with the ScrapFest team - love those girls!  Always so much fun!

As a close-knit Italian family, we would always gather at my mom & dad's place for dinner on Sundays.  Even after my mom passed, we would all head to my dad's and my sisters and I would cook a big lunch/dinner and we would always hang out afterwards, just talking and sharing stories.  One day in May, my sisters thought it would be funny to dress Aili up, complete with wine glass and chunk of bread!  Still makes me giggle.

And no, she didn't actually drink any of the wine!! Although I nearly lost a finger, trying to take the bread away… those chubby cheeks didn't happen on their own!

Supplies used:  DieCuts With a View card stock, patterned papers and tag; American Crafts Thickers and pen; Stampin' Up! piercing template; Tim Holtz tiny attacher; The Twinery twine; misc buttons and ribbon from my stash.

I created the 3D heart by cutting out three hearts from the patterned paper, folding them in half and then attaching the left and right sides of two hearts to corresponding sides of the third heart.  It was "stitched" down the middle and attached to the page:

Here are some close ups:

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
Sketchy Challenge - June 2014 (deadline June 30th, 2014)
Leave Your Legacy challenge - Don't Stop Believing (deadline Nov 30th, 2014)

The Rejects - Part I

Because of all the wonderful work that is submitted to Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine, sometimes we, as designers, will send in projects but they don't always have room for them.  I don't mind at all - I'll gladly give up my spot in the magazine so they can publish our readers' designs!!

And so over the next few days I will share some of "the rejects"… :)

Since Father's Day just passed recently, I will first share some of the cards I made - the first three were published on page 28 of the Summer 2014 issue:

Supplies used:  Bazzill Basics card stock; Kaisercraft patterned paper and stickers; Ranger Industries distress ink; American Crafts pen; Fiskars punch; Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L foam squares; Wilton doily.

That mustachio makes me happy for some reason!  And oh how I love these black doilies from Wilton - they are slightly iridescent!

Supplies used:  Bazzill Basics card stock; Kaisercraft patterned paper and stickers; Ranger Industries distress ink; Spellbinders die, Sizzix Bigkick die cutting machine.

Anther simple one - love the colours in this line of paper from Kaisercraft!

Supplies used:  Bazzill Basics card stock; Kaisercraft patterned paper and stickers; Ranger Industries distress ink; American Crafts pen; Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L foam squares; unknown ribbon.

And finally, the lonely reject! :)  This is actually my least favourite of the bunch:

Supplies used:  Bazzill Basics card stock; Kaisercraft patterned paper and stickers; Ranger Industries distress ink; American Crafts pen and twine; Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L foam squares.

Oooh, I love my prime lens - look at that short depth of field!! 

Cheers,

P/S:  Don't forget about the challenges on my blog for a chance to win:
Sketchy Challenge - June 2014 (deadline June 30th, 2014)
Leave Your Legacy challenge - Don't Stop Believing (deadline Nov 30th, 2014)