Tuesday, December 24

Creative Scrappers #258 Reveal!

I'm a bit late posting this, the holiday season seems to have swept me away from my online fun :)

Here is another fabulous Creative Scrappers sketch, I had lots of fun layering and tucking lots of embellishments here and there!  I can't get enough of scrapping these beautiful kittens... Ralphie and Roxy sure are growing up fast!  They turned one year at the end of November and they are truly becoming lovely, lovely cats <3 

So until the boys stop making faces or rude gestures whenever I pull my camera out... here is another Cat layout LOL

Happy Holidays
Stephanie
xo



http://creativescrappers.blogspot.ca/2013/12/cs-sketch-258-reveal.html

Sunday, December 8

Creative Scrappers Sketch 257

It's that time again! Another great Creative Scrappers Sketch!


I know I always say this, but this weeks sketch was lots of fun to work with! Very basic design principles, but oh so fun to make my own!  I pulled October Afternoon's Midway collection out for this one... I adore the bright colors and never tire of it!





Be sure to visit the Creative Scrappers blog for the full reveal and a chance to win a prize from this month's sponsor: The Twinery!
Cheers,
Steph


Friday, December 6

Scrapbook & Cards Today Winter 2013

Another amazing issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today released! Honored and humbled to have another layout published. The first Christmas layout I've ever done was chosen, you can see it on page 63

Thanks for stopping by! Steph



http://www.scrapbookandcards.com/current-issue


Sunday, November 24

Creative Scrappers Sketch Reveal 256


Hello!
I'm back again with another great Creative Scrappers reveal!  This sketch really took me out of my comfort zone, as I would never think to do a layout this way on my own.  I love the results and how it brought a new perspective to how I scrapbook!



Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to visit the Creative Scrappers blog to enter your chance to win a prize from our sponsor!

Cheers,
Steph

Sunday, November 3

Creative Scrappers and White with One Reveal!

Creative Scrappers teamed up with the White with One challenge Blog for a wonderful reveal!

Using Creative Scrappers sketch #255, we were to ONLY use the color Blueberry along with White!  Ack! I never realized how little dark blue I had in my stash!  It certainly was a challenge for me, but I loved it!  It forced me out of my comfort zone of colors, and I really enjoyed the process.


 
Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to visit the Creative Scrappers Blog for the full DT reveal and also a chance to win a prize pack from Charm Creations
 
Steph
xo
 

Wednesday, October 30

Ralphie & Roxy: Cat Paint Video

I thought I'd try posting a short video of my cats playing "Cat Paint" on my iPad... Not sure if this will work, but it's only a short clip... fingers crossed!

This app is like crack to Ralphie and Roxy, every time they see my iPad in hand they come running, asking to play a "canvas" or two ;-)

 
 Here are a few of those "canvases" the kittens have created:
 


 
Lots of fun to be had with this app!  You will have a few good laughs at your cat trying to chase the mouse under your tablet, I know we sure did!   :-)

Cheers,
Steph

Sunday, October 27

Creative Scrappers Sketch # 254

Here is my take on this weeks Creative Scrappers sketch #254! It has a mixture of a lot of products, and I think that is what I like most about it (besides the super adorable photo of my Ralphie of course).

There is a bit of American Crafts, October afternoon, Heidi Swapp, Studio Calico, Amy Tangerine, Echo Park, Freckled Fawn and even a few BH Project life cards added for layering! (I used an exacto knife and cut out half of the heart on a PL card so I could layer it with my journaling card).

I'm so happy that I captured this photo showing Ralphie's bright blue kitten eyes, as it wasn't long after that they faded into a muted grayish color.
 


 
Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to visit the Creative Scrappers Blog for the full DT reveal and participate for your chance to win a lovely prize for our monthly sponsor.
Cheers,
Steph

Saturday, October 19

How to Paint an Owl

It's no secret.  I love owls!  I'm not sure when it began, but it slowly crept up on me around the time I began My Little Bit of Whimsy and I started making them out of polymer clay.  Fast forward to a few years later, and our house is filled with owl images and figurines! 

I adore them, and have always loved the idea of painting my own wall art... so when I came across Juliette Crane's "How to Paint an Owl" class, it seemed like a perfect fit!

Here is my first painted owl (no mixed media, straight up paint!)  I'm loving this class and her technique!

Thanks for stopping by!
Steph
xo



Sunday, October 13

Creative Scrappers Sketch 253

Another wonderful sketch to share with you today from Creative Scrappers!  Here is my take on the sketch, using a mix of Hambly, American Crafts and Studio Calico.  I tend to stick with entire lines of product, thus ensuring that everything matches etc... but every now and again I like to create my own little kit to work with and just pull from my stash as needed!  I love the end results, and really need to do this more often :)

 




Visit the Creative Scrappers blog to see the full DT reveal, and for your chance to win a prize from our monthly Sponsor: Die-Namites

Thanks for checking in!
Steph
xo


Friday, October 11

Creating With Sketches Digital EBook Sale!

I love these books! Kristine's sketches are my "Go to" when I need inspiration to begin a page (and I keep bugging her that it is time for Vol 3 LOL) If you don't already have a copy.... what are you waiting for?  ;-)

Steph xo

Sunday, September 29

Creative Scrappers Sketch 252

Good Morning!
Here is the latest sketch from Creative Scrappers! I loved working with this sketch this week.  The vertical strips of paper really got me out of my head space, as it isn't something I would do on my own normally.  I used some of my hoarded Hambly woodgrain stash to really give it a good pop of color.



 
Go to the Creative Scrappers Blog to check out the full DT reveal and to enter for your chance to win a prize package from our sponsor Crazy Monday Kits
 
Thanks for stopping by!
Steph
xo

Wednesday, September 25

A couple of new layouts....

I've really been trying to use up my current supplies before buying new... "Stashbusting 2013" continues! Here are a couple layouts I worked on last weekend, using mostly Studio Calico kits. I ended up killing two entire kits (yay!). 

I'd love to be able to use up my monthly Studio Calico kit before the next one arrives and not have anything sit unused for a length of time.  *Sigh* I'll get there one of these days.... ;-)

Just a quick note today,
Hope you are all well
Steph xo


  

Sunday, September 15

Scrapbook And Cards Today: Color Suite Challenge

I am thrilled to show you my take on the Scrapbook and Cards Today Color Suite September Challenge!  I've never done a color challenge before, so it was new and exciting for me to stretch my creative muscle this way.  I really enjoyed the process, and look forward to following the SCT color challenges going forward.  (If you would like to be inspired by previous challenges, go HERE)

Here is the Color Suite that Summer Fullerton put together for us to use as inspiration:



And here is the layout I made using lots of vintage October Afternoon papers, Maya Road envelope and Studio Calico veneer stars:



Check out Summer Fullerton's take on the challenge and also Kristine Davidson's!

Thanks for visiting!
Steph

Creative Scrappers Sketch #251 Reveal

Creative Scrappers Reveal for Sketch #251 is finally here!  Wow, did I ever miss CS while they were on hiatus for the summer.  Kristine's sketches are the best around, and I love working with them!

Here is my take on the Sketch using a Studio Calico papers, vellum, wood veneer, fabric bow and cork camera.  Alphas: Amy Tangerine for American Crafts.  The bits of grey chevron is actually extra wide washi tape that I stuck on a scrap piece of paper and trimmed.



 
For the full Design Team reveal, please visit the Creative Scrappers Blog
 
To win a prize package from our sponsor Crazy Monday Kits complete at least one layout from sketch #251 and upload it using our inLinkz at the bottom of the reveal. 
 
Thanks for visiting!  Until our next reveal in 2 weeks
Have a great Sunday!
Steph

Tuesday, September 10

Creative Scrappers Design Team!!!!

I'm a bit late announcing this here on the blog, but wanted to do it anyway ;)

I'm so happy and excited to be part of the Creative Scrappers DT!  Check out this AMAZING team of talented ladies... so honored and humbled to have my name alongside them.


Friday, July 19

Scrapbook and Cards Today Guest Blogger

Hi Everyone!

I was thrilled when asked to guest blog for SCT this week, and the subject: Scrapbooking your pets! Perfect for me! I could have written a book, as many who know me are aware, I could talk your ear off when the subject of pets comes up :-) Here is the first layout I shared, and the link to the Blog post: All About Pets




And here is my second layout for the next blog post where I discuss taking pet photos:
Photographing your Pet


Friday, July 5

The Journey is everything

This was a tough layout. I love it.

I was missing Bronte one night, and decided to type up my feelings on my vintage cursive typewriter (love that thing)... but unlike typing on your computer, you can't undo mistake very easily! LOL I must have typed it out 3 times before I got it right.

I wanted it to be perfect, and I had this idea of a VERY clean layout in my mind. I often do this... to ease the chaos in my thoughts.  If  I don't have control of a situation, I find myself trying to find order in other areas of my life, like scrapbooking. So even though I LOVE a messy look, I tend to lean toward a cleaner look lately. Just a weird quirk of mine I guess ;-)

So this "clean" layout sat unfinished for a week.... taunting me.  I won't begin another project until I've finished the last one.  So finally, after a rough week, and a few tears, I decided to get this one done. Get it out of my system.

As you can see, the "clean" look went out the window and I finished it within the hour.  Watercolors are all the rage right now... and I love these Peerless Transparent watercolors

As far as layouts go, this isn't anything new, there are no "wonders of scrapbooking techniques or design" here... but the process was everything.  The process of journaling that paragraph a bazillion times, trying for a clean look by moving paper around for 2 hours.... then finally just letting it go and getting my hands full of paint a week later.  It was exactly what I needed.

Scrapbooking is so much more than just documenting photos. 
Steph
xo



Monday, June 24

Summer Issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today

Have you received the latest issue of Scrapbook & Cards today? Go download it now! It is just lovely, filled with so many beautiful layouts, fresh and fun techniques! 

They are celebrating their 30th issue with a fabulous launch party and a chance to win some goodies from their amazing sponsors! 

Here is my layout from pg 31 (Sketch provided by SCT) .... I think this was one of the first layouts I put together of my Roxy!  I just love the Amy Tangerine Collection "Yes, Please".... is just so pretty and soft, perfect for my girly layouts. 

Cheers,
Steph



Sunday, June 16

Stashbusting 2013 Update

I've been using up some of my Studio Calico kits recently, so this week I decided to change it up and dig out some of my Sassafras Stash.  One of these days, I may pull it all out and see how much of it I actually have, but not today.  I will remain in denial of any Sassafras Hoarding tendencies!

Here are a few layouts I finished on Friday night, they were quick and easy!  I really enjoyed myself!

Wishing you a happy week....and how many of you are counting down the days until CHA?

Cheers,
Stephanie




Thursday, May 23

Scrappy Update

Here are a few pages I've been working on over the last couple of weeks... Its been a dreary, rainy couple of weeks and I haven't had an opportunity to take any decent photos of them until now. 

I'm still working through my stash as best I can... along with a bit of spring cleaning I think I'll get this ScrapCave under control again!  Is it just me, or do most scrappers love to organize and rearrange their craft rooms?  It seems like tearing apart my space is my other hobby when I'm not in a creative mood!  LOL  Please tell me I'm not alone in this ;-)

The kittens are doing really well, it's hard to believe its only been a few months since they joined our fur family as I can't imagine my days without them to make me giggle.  They are the most adorable little marshmallows... and you should see Ralphie!  He is going to be a BIG boy!  I haven't weigh him in a couple of weeks, but I'm sure he's reached 7.5-8 pounds already and they are only turning 6Months old tomorrow!  Roxy is still a delicate little thing, I don't think she's even reached 6 pounds yet which is more typical of the Persian breed.

Until next time!
Steph









Monday, May 6

Must Love Cats - Mixed Media


 
I have had a few questions regarding my mixed media process, and thought I could try my hand at showing you the different steps that I take to get my final "look".  I'm by no means and expert, and at the moment, I'm struggling with trying to make a background that doesn't look like all of my other backgrounds!  (I tend to use the same colors and need to step out of my safe place!)

If you would like to learn more about mixed media, I highly recommend taking Christy Tomlinson's She Art Class #1.  It is an amazing value, and it will change how you look at your art supplies :)

When I first read Elsie's blog post about her Stencil Canvas, I thought I'd give it a try in reverse with a mixed media touch!

1. Stencil Stickers (that turned out to be not very sticky! Grr!), Charcoal pencil, ruler
2. & 3. You can see I placed my lines on the canvas so I could figure out where my alphas would go

4. My various Punchinella (Love this stuff)
5. Different things to get paint on my canvas (I rarely use an actual paintbrush)
6. Get my colors ready
7. Start dabbing color onto canvas with sponge (It's important to lightly dab onto the alpha stickers)

8. You can see the different punchinellas layered onto the canvas
9. Another must have are the Crafters Workshop Stencils
10. They have so many different shapes, this flower is well loved!

11. Modeling paste... Its a bit more expensive than regular paint, but it goes a long way (I've had this tube for a year).  You can mix it with your regular paints, but I liked white on this canvas. I use an old gift card to spread the paste onto my canvas.
12. You can see how textured the paste is here on my palette
13.  Love my textured dots!

 14. I always paint the sides of my canvas for a finished look
15. You can see how the layers using punchinella and stencils are coming together
16. More texture items: bubble wrap and shelf liner
 
17. The final paint layer
18. Time to remove those Stencil Stickers with a pair of tweezers! 
 
 
I didn't like the alpha area just plain white, so I outlined them in black, and then masked them off with painters tape.  I then stamped with Stazon a newsprint look.   This was done on a whim after staring at the canvas for a week, so I forgot to take process photos! 
 
 
 
The final step is to take my black Stazon ink pad and lightly run it over the textured bits, to give everything a little bit more definition.
 
The finished canvas is 10x10, and I like the final look.  I think the most important thing to remember is to DAB the paint on near the stickers and not use a brush with a sweeping motion.  Dabbing directly, beginning with minimal paint and building layers prevents the bleeding that tends to happen on the sides of the letter stickers.
 
Happy Monday!
Steph
xo