Encre, papier, ciseaux

Smile for the Camera

Oh, how I love the Hello December 2015 Project Life card collection! I thought, "Wow!" the second I spotted them in the catalogue and was eager to create a project with them when I received my order.

The soft colours and watercolour look are just gorgeous and I'm torn between the urge to put it to good use and the instinct to hoard it all... (Which is a ridiculous habit, I know, but one that I haven't been able to rid myself of after all these years, just improve on it.)

The pictures are from last year. My niece had turned two a couple of months before Christmas and she was starting to understand the notion of smiling for the camera before opening gifts. It was hilarious to see her climb down the sofa, go grab a gift, climb back up and smile for me before tearing into the paper. As the evening went on, the smiles were shorter and shorter so I had better be ready!

I used the new Triple Corner Punch to punch the cards and the picture. I've learned that the result on pictures isn't always great, so be mindful of that if you decide to give it a try. I couldn't always get a crisp edge after punching. The punch also includes a slit, so I used it on one of the picture (bottom right) and inserted a piece of Mint Macaron Lace Trim tied in a bow.

I wanted to try my new Photo Sleeve Fuse tool from Project Life (not carried by SU! as of now, but we can always hope it will be eventually), and so I inserted sequins in one of the pockets and shut it closed using the tool.

Sold in the Holidays catalogue is Real Red pompom trim, which I really wanted to use on one of my cards, but I didn't work too well when I slid it in the protector because it was too bulky. I solved the problem by gluing the pompom trim on top of the protector using glue dots.

 

TIP: With Project Life Protector, it is better to avoid bulky embellishments altogether, but if you can't resist adding some, simple glue them on TOP of the protector, over the spot you want to decorate. Use a strong adhesive like glue dots or sticky strip to make sure your embellishment does not fall off.

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Skinny Mini Alphabet, Autour du monde, Project Life Hello December 2015
Project Life: Hello December 2015 Cards and Accessories
Designer Series Paper: 2015-2017 In Color Stack
Ink: Mint Macaron, Lost Lagoon
Accessories: Triple Corner Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Real Red Pompom Trim,
Red Glimmer Paper, Perfect Print Alphabet Bigz Dies, Subtles Candy Dots,
Gold Marker, Stampin' Write Marker, Very Vintage Designer Buttons,
Snowflake Elements, Designer Washi Tapes, Mint Macaron Lace Trim, Starburst Framelits Dies

 

Does my Bum Look Big in This?

Every once in a while, I have a big pile of pictures sent out to be printed for scrapbooking. Some make it to my album right away, some stay in that pile for a long time before I find the right products to pair with them or the right inspiration. This picture of my niece is one of them. I thought she looked adorably confused in her little booster seat and knew there was a page to be made out of it, but didn't know yet how to go about it.

Inspiration struck when I saw the Shake, Rattle and Roll stamp set. First of all, seeing Bunny as a baby made me go "Aww!" out loud. I thought I could use this set on page rather than a card for a change and flipped through my baby pictures. And then I saw the sentiment that says, "Does my bum look big in this?" and thought it'd be perfect for this booster seat picture!! I also have this brightly colored papers from Doodlebug that I have just acquired that were beggint to be paired with the bright picture, so once I found those elements, the page came together naturally. I wouldn't say quickly because even though it's small (6" x 8"), there's a ton of details in there. But the ideas kept coming and I couldn't put it down until I was done.

A few details:

Upper left

I cut the lined paper from my patterned paper and created a torn notebook page edging using a Toppers CutUp die. At top, I used the He Says, She Says CutUp die to create a thought bubble, and I used the "Hello Baby" sentiment to decorate. It's all one block, but I colored the first word with markers and then handcut each letters to separate them. I stamped the whole sentiment in Melon Mambo and handcut the Baby banner to use alone at the bottom.

 

Upper right

Using the Project Life Cards & Labels Framelits to make 3" x 4" cards, I cut two cards, then split one in the middle at an angle, then layered the two pieces. I added a strip of green paper in the middle, then I paired the Icing CutUp die with Tempting Turquoise cardstock. I wanted a sparkly border so before cutting the cardstock, I covered it with VersaMark ink and pourred Halo Hologram Stampin' Emboss Powder (bought ages ago!) on the cardstock and melted the powder before cutting out the design. (Easier than working with the already-cut piece.) At the bottom, I cut out a heart using the Small Sayings CutUp Dies out of Real Red textured cardstock, then layered a little banner stamped with another sentiment from the set. Yellow Baker's twine was added.

TIP: I love using ribbon and twine on my pages. Since starting out with Project Life, it's been a frustrating process, though, because the ribbon tends to bunch up or move around on the card when I slip it into the page protector pockets. I was trying to keep the ribbon or twine in place with scotch tape on the back, with little success. It finally dawned on me to use my hand punches to create little slits on each side of the card before adding the ribbon or twine so that it latches into place. This made the world of a difference and it looks much better that way.

 

Bottom left

Waste not, want not! I used the other part of my card cut at an angle (the backside) to decorate my third card. This had the added bonus of changing the angle when I turned the piece around to use the backside design. A piece of Melon Mambo scalloped ribbon was added on the seam (this ribbon has polka dot on the front - I chose to use the back to make it less distracting). Then I embossed the title sentiment on Daffodil Delight cardstock in Melon Mambo powder, cut it out with another die from the Project Life Cards & Labels set, added Tempting Turquoise brads and popped it up on Dimensionals. The bunny was colored with markers separately, handcut and added on top. A red button was glued in the bottom corner.

 

Bottom right

I cut my picture with the same die and then wanted to add the date and had a flash: the County Fair CutUp die has little pennants with stitching on it, so I used it four times on cardstock scraps then stamped my numbers in black on each of them and glued them on the picture with glue dots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Shake, Rattle and Roll (The Cat's Pajamas), Euphoria Alphabet & Numbers (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore
Patterned Papers: Sunkissed (Doodlebug Design)
Ink: VersaMark, Tuxedo Black Memento, Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: Project Life Cards & Labels Framelits, Stampin' Dimensionals, Buttons, Brads,
Icicle CutUp Die, Small Sayings CutUp Die, Melon Mambo Scallop Ribbon, Toppers CutUp Dies,
He Says She Says CutUp Die, Halo Hologram Stampin' Emboss Powder, Yellow Baker's Twine,
Markers, County Fair CutUp Die, Stampin' Write Markers, Melon Mambo Stampin' Emboss Powder

 

One-Year Birthday

Lots of details happening on this layout... I put it together this Spring back when all the products were still current, but didn't get around to taking pics and uploading them before now, The pictures were taken at my niece's first birthday party.

 

 

 

 

 

• The background papers are all from the Birthday Bash Specialty Designer Series Paper. I added a cupcake stamped with the Create a Cupcake stamp set and punched with the matching Cupcake Punch. The yellow ribbon is the one that was offered for free during Sale-a-Bration. I used Gold Foil Paper for the little dots on the cupcake.

 

 

 

• I wanted to use the Irresistibly Yours Specialty Designer Paper from SAB to create this insert. I colored it with Blendabilities and changed color every two rows. I liked the result but the colours were too dark and overpowering when added to the layout. I was looking for a way to save the paper and my work and got the idea of layered a piece of Gold Fancy Foil Designer Vellum. Problem solved and it looks fantastic! The word love was also cut out of Gold Foil Paper with the Expressions Thinlits, and a piece of Calypso Coral pompom trim was added.

 

 

 

• The Life's Adventure stamp set was used for the cake image and colored with Blendabiities. I added some In Color sequins around the image, and tied a knot made out of Crushed Curry chevron ribbon at the bottom. Ovals Framelits Dies were used to cut-out and mat the image.
• On the journaling card, I added a pennant stamped with the Perfect Pennants stamp set (inked with Stampin' Write Markers to get different colours).

 

 

 

• A sentiment from the Create a Cupcake stamp set was embossed in Gold Stampin' Emboss powder and punched with the Extra-Large Oval Punch. An Ovals Bigz Die was used to die-cut a piece of Bermuda Bay cardstock and then I embossed it with a retired Designer Frames embossing folder. The little flower, from the same stamp, was stamped and punched out with a circle punch, and matted.
• The other card was created by cutting a piece of striped Designer Series paper on which I stamped the Dotty Angles stamp set and embossed the image with Crushed Curry Stampin' Emboss powder. At the bottom, a sentiment from the Big News stamp set was embossed in Calypso Coral Stampin' Emboss powder. The Pennant punch was used on both sides and embellished with a Designer Button.

 

 

 

• The tag was die-cut using the Project Life Cards & Labels Framelits Dies and the Project Life Day to Day stamp set was used to add the date.
• The decorate the second card, I punched out a little party hat directly from the Designer Series Paper.

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Faire des petits gâteaux (Create a Cupcake), Dotty Angles,
Grandes nouvelles (Big News), L'aventure du quotidien (Life's Adventure - hostess),
Parfaits fanions (Perfect Pennants)
Cardstock: Crushed Curry, Calypso Coral, Whisper White,
Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay, Night of Navy
Specialty Designer Series Paper: Birthday Bash, Irresistibly Yours, Gold Foil Specialty Vellum
Ink: Night of Navy, Calypso Coral, Tuxedo Black Memento
Accessories: Sab Ribbons, Gold Foil Paper, Cupcake Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals,
Stampin' Emboss Powders (Gold, Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry), Project Life
Corner Rounder Punch, Blendabilities Markers, Calypso Coral Pompom Trim,
Ovals Framelits Dies, 2013-2015 In Color Sequins, Crushed Curry Chevron Ribbon,
Large Scallops Edgelits Dies, Scallop Trim border Punch, Stampin' Write Markers,
Circle Punches, Pennant Punch, Designer Buttons, Designer Frames Embossing Folder,
Project Life Cards & Labels Framelits Dies

 

  Cupcake Punch - 121807 - CAD $22

 

  Project Life Cards & Labels Framelits - 135707 - CAD $31

 

  Gold Fancy Foil Designer Vellum - 133363 - CAD $13.75

 

  Gold Foil Paper - 132622 - CAD $5

 

  Parfaits fanions - 134438 - CAD $27 (also available in English)

 

Brisson Family

I really like this family pic of my sister, brother-in-law and niece and wanted to do it justice when putting together a page. As with any picture that I like a lot, I put it aside until I had the right inspiration for it. The inspiration came with the #foreveryoung papers from Bo Bunny. I noticed the black and hot pink in the papers would match my niece's pajamas nicely and it was the starting point of this Project Life page.

 

 

 

 

 

• Remember those felt flowers from Stampin' Up! from many catalogues ago? Or those Big Designer Buttons?
• Underneath the button, I layered a piece of actual washi tape and of patterned paper washi tape I die-cut using the washi-shaped die from the Mini Treat Bag Framelits die. The same die was used for the row of hearts on the other card. I layered black cardstock underneath to fill in the holes.
• The stamped heart comes from the Little Sunshine stamp set and I punched it with the matching heart punch. Over it, I layered the word Love, die-cut with one of the Expressions Thinlits (retired) from SU!

 

 

 

• The Word Bubbles Framelits were used to die-cut three bubbles out of cardstock. One was embellished with a punched heart (Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack); the second was stamped with wording from the Little Sunshine stamp set and embossed in Tango Tangerine powder; the third was stamped in Melon Mambo with wording from the same stamp set as well.
• On the right card, I used the Bitty Banners stamp set and matching Framelits to add "my darling."

 

 

 

• The Starburst Sayings stamp set was used on the left card. It was stamped in both Tango Tangerine and Kiwi Kiss: I die-cut the first one with the Starburst Framelits and then layered the image on a Basic Grey punched circle. On the second colour, I handcut the banner word and layered it over the other stamped image for added detail.

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Voeux pétillants (Starburst Sayings), Little Sunshine, Bannières Bitty (Bitty Banners)
Cardstock: Gable Green, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black, Whisper White, Tango Tangerine
Patterned Papers : #foreveryoung (Bo Bunny)
Ink: Melon Mambo, Basic Black, VersaMark
Accessories: Marker, Tango Tangerine Stampin' Emboss Powder, Word Bubbles Framelits Dies,
Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, Bitty Banners Framelits Dies, Stampin' Dimensionals,
Circle Punch, Starburst Framelits Dies, Project Life Corner Rounder Punch, Sparkly Enamel Dots,
Big Designer Buttons, Mini Treat Bag Framelits Dies, Designer Washi Tape,
Silver Foil Paper, Silver Glimmer Paper, Heart Punch, Melon Mambo Stampin' Emboss Powder,
Expressions Thinlits Dies, Felt Flowers, Polka Dot Brad, Alphabet Stickers,
Green Polka Dot Ribbon, Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies, Buttons

 

Night of the Living Dead

As you can see, I've been on a scrapbooking kick. Those Project Life protectors are really helping me making serious progress on getting pictures in albums. Those pictures were taken at a haunted tour we took of the Old Quebec a few years ago, followed by appetizers served at an old penitenciary turned into a library. The evening was organized by my office's social club and we were asked to dress as the living dead for the event. It was quite a fun event! There were too many of us for everyone to get to visit the old holding cells, but they drew a few names and invited those people to get a private tour, and I was lucky enough to be part of the visit.

Just so you understand better how the pages are set up, I used a 12" x 12" page protector and added a small half-page (6" x 12"), so I took a picture of the front and the back, since I embellished both sides.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Haunting Hill Wheel
Cardstock: Basic Black, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Cajun Craze, Watercolor Paper
Designer Series Paper: Wicked Fun
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Cajun Craze, Rich Razzleberry, Night of Navy,
Old Olive, Soft Suede, Basic Grey
Big Shot: Perfect Print Alphabet Dies, Timeless Type Alphabet Dies
Accessories: Circle Punch, Halloween Stickers (Making Memories), Zigzag Deco Scissors,
Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper, Project Life Protectors, Satin Ribbon, Stapler,
Silver Glimmer Paper, Ticket Corner Punch, Black Marker, Aqua Painter Brush,
Halloween Sparkly Die-Cuts (Making Memories), Basic Black Fine Glitter,
Big Shot Adhesive Sheets, Black Stampin' Emboss Powder

 

Crystal Ball

After finishing my card, I was inspired to put together a quick scrapbook page with the remaning pieces. Pictures were taken at my last Christmas party in Quebec City.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Patterned Papers: Christmas Eve Chowder (Jillibean), Mom's Good Linen (Junkitz)
Accessories: Pink Corduroy Brad, Project Life Corner Rounder Punch, Snowflake Punch,
Silver Glimmer Paper, Stampin' Write Marker, 1/8" Silver Ribbon, Something Borrowed Embellishments,
Alphabet Stickers (Basic Grey, American Crafts), Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon,
Frosted Finishes Embellishments, Stampin' Dimensionals

 

Hello, Baby

Some presentations from Leadership were streamlined, including one by Shelli where she showed the cutest scrapbook layout ever. I was totally taken with her project, so I snapped a picture and made a mental note to reproduce the layout when I had the chance. I finally got around to it last week. Most of what you see on the pages is taken directly from Shelli's project, but I did adapt a couple of details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Little Sunshine, This and That Date Rotary Stamp
Cardstock: Lost Lagoon, Whisper White, Sahara Sand
Designer Series Paper: Sweet Dreams
Ink: Sahara Sand, Hello Honey, Lost Lagoon, Crisp Cantaloup
Accessories: Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Lucky Stars Embossing Folder,
Sweet Dreams Designer Buttons, White and Calypso Coral Baker's Twine, Stampin' Dimensionals,
Heart Punch, Pewter Stampin' Emboss Powder, On Board Chipboard,
Word Bubbles Framelits Dies, Sweet Dreams Designer Washi Tape, Stampin' Write Markers

 

Theme: White

This is a double-page layout that came together really quickly and I love the final result. I used papers from the Snow Fun collection by Simple Stories and they are so pretty! Love the mix of blue and green and the knitting patterns. I had a lot of 4 x 6 pictures to include so the pockets filled out quickly and I didn't have to embellish the page very heavily.

You'll notice the Feathers Framelits Dies used with Dazzling Diamonds glimmer paper to create white feathers to match the one my friend had on her headband (which got passed along from one guy to the others during the evening!).

During my stash cleaning, I also found a chipboard piece set from SU! that included a clipboard piece. It was perfect to add to one of my inserts so I embossed it with Pewter powder, then added a strip of polka paper on which I added a retired rub-on that reads, "You're invited" and then a piece of Lucky Limeade organza ribbon from a past SAB kit. I also noticed a lot of corduroy buttons and brads we used to carry were matching the colours in my papers, so I added a few throughout the layout.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Cardstock:
Patterned Papers: Snow Fun (Simple Stories)
Accessories: Alphabet Stickers (American Crafts), Pewter Stampin' Emboss Powder,
Chipboard Pieces, Lucky Limeade organza ribbon, White rub-ons, Pear Pizzazz gathered satin ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Night of Navy Stampin' Write Marker, Glitter buttons,
Circle Punch, Corduroy brads and buttons, Feathers Framelits Dies,
Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper, Enamel Dots, Project Life Pocket Pages

 

 

  Regals Stampin' Write Markers - 131262 - CAD $37.50

 

  Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper - 135315 - CAD $4.69 (on sale until June 29th)

 

  Stampin' Dimensionals - 104430 - CAD $5

 

  Variety Pack 2 Project Life Photo Pocket Pages - 138471 - CAD $8.75

Too Much Love?

This week's Paper Players challenge (#250) called for something clean and simple on the theme of Summer Treats. I remembered the Project Life Dear Lizzy Edition card collection I have, that has ice cream cone images in it, so I pulled it out, initially thinking I'd use them to make a card, but then I spotted some pictures I had set aside on my desk to scrapbook and saw one that would work well with the sorbet hues.

This picture makes me smile: Megan was six-day-old on it and it looks like she's pushing her mom away because she doesn't want any more hugs and kisses anymore. Kiddo, if you're already sick of your mother's kisses after six days, you're in for a lifetime of misery. Haha!

I kept the whole thing pretty simple by using already-made cards from the kit and keeping the embellishments to a minimum. You'll notice I used some of the Artisan Embellishment Kit elements on the page. There were a lot of single items in that kit and since the pieces were pretty unique, I wanted to use them on a page rather than on a card I would end up sending out, including the lovely rose-pattern stencil card. (I really wish we had a die with that pattern, in a full card-front size.)

The "oodles of love" sentiment comes from the Snuggles and Smooches photopolymer stamp set. The little hearts at the bottom of my journaling card came from the Best Day Ever stamp set that was offered during Sale-A-Bration earlier this year. I added a bit of Dazzling Details on some of the images.

I pulled out the corduroy buttons we used to carry a while ago. The Pretty in Pink one clashed a bit with my page (confession time: I always hated this shade of pink and was so happy when it retired!), so I used Calypso Coral ink and a sponge dauber to change the colour and make it work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Project Life Au jour le jour, Spencerian Alphabet Upper and Lower,
Snuggles and Smooches, best Day Ever
Ink: Calypso Coral, Crumb Cake, Pistachio Pudding
Accessories: Artisan Embellishment Kit, Corduroy Buttons, Designer Buttons,
Dazzling Details, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Project Life Corner Rounder Punch

 

 

 

  Snuggles and Smooches - 140326 - CAD$20

   Dazzling Details - 124117 - CAD$3.25

    Sponge dauber - 133773 - CAD$6.50 (for 5)

   Stamp-a-ma-jig - 101049- CAD$15.00

Summer Look

A new summer outfit that got a lot of "likes" at the office!

 

 

Racing!

This is a Project Life layout where I created my own inserts with patterned papers and stamps. I first thought I could learn to love Project Life because it would be a quicker way to scrapbook. Turns out I was half-right - it can be a quicker alternative to scrapbooking and it definitely got me back to scrapbooking, which had fallen off the wayside in recent years. What I now find, though, is that if you make your own inserts and add a bit of decorating to each panel, time quickly adds up and in the end, it becomes quite time-consuming!

Take this layout for example: there are 16 pockets overall. I included five pictures, two of which I decorated with stickers. That left 11 pockets to be filled with handmade inserts. Let's say I spent an average of 15 minutes on each insert, that is almost 3 hours of work right there!! Which sounds about right, because I spent a whole evening on this. The good news is that I'm happy with the result, but it did get me to reevaluate calling Project Life a "quick" way to scrapbook. Really depends how you go about it!

 

Here are a few details about my inserts. (Quick note: Pretty much all of the SU! supplies I used are retired.)

Page 1, top right: The patterned paper from Doodlebug Designs reminded me of the Trendy Trees stamp set. Using the Scallop Rectangle Clearlits die, I created a little scene, and used a needle to pierce holes all around (this makes for more delicate holes than the paper piercer would have). I did a little bit of masking with torn paper at the bottom to sponge the ground. The three cardstock strips were stamped with the Beyond Plaid stamps set.

 

Page 1, middle row, left: I punched a hole using the 2" Circle Punch in the woodgrain paper, then added Stampin' Dimensionals on the back and added the owl paper underneath. Using the Hello Honey satin ribbon, I created a loop, rolled a small piece of ribbon around to create a bow and added it on top of a piece of ribbon. The end was cut with pinking scissors.

 

Page 1, middle row, center: I used a journaling die-cut and handwrote my text with the Gold Metallic Pen we used to sell. Two Rich Razzleberry buttons were layered.

 

Page 1, middle row, right: I used the Autumn Accents Bigz die to die-cut leaves out of Whisper White cardstock, then stamped matching images with the Wonderfall stamp set. A piece of Baked Brown Sugar Thick Baker's Twine was added.

 

Page 2, top row, center: So I have recently started to reorganize my stash and I found a old Make 'n Take project from a past convention. It was a mini-album and I thought I would reuse the filigree accent on something else. Turns out the insert itself was perfect for my page, with the orange flowers and Old Olive circle matching the papers. I stamped some journaling on it and added an argyle image and was done.

 

Page 2, top row, right: I stamped a piece of Island Indigo cardstock with the Beyong Plaid stamp set and added Sycamore Street buttons (from a past SAB offering) on it.

 

Page 2, middle row, left: Used a leftover doily die-cut from the Boutique Boxes kit on top of a Purely Pomegranate satin ribbon scrap, then stamped the acorn from the Wonderfall stamp set and layered it with Dimensionals.

 

Page 2, middle row, center: This one was quick - I simply decorated my piece of patterned paper with Sweet Dots in matching colours.

 

Page 2, bottom row, center: I used the Une vie parfaite stamp set to create my insert. The script was stamped off, then added to the bottom of the Island Indigo cardstock. I then stamped the flourish twice of the left edge and embossed with clear powder. I went back and stamped the flourish three other times in the center, making sure to stamp off the ink first to get a paler image. I embossed the footsteps in Crushed Curry powder. The sentiment was stamped on Purely Pomegranate cardstock and embossed with Gold powder, then die-cut with the Window Frames Framelits, and a purple glimmer brad was added, before I glued the die-cut in place with Dimensionals.

 

Page 2, bottom row, right: I added Gold satin ribbon, die-cut the Champagne glimmer paper uwing the Scallop Rectangle Clearlits, then I stamped an image from the Plus on est de fous plus on rit hostess set on a piece of Canvas Creation, colored the acorn with Stampin' Write markers and cut out with a Circle Framelits Die. The texture of the canvas makes it look as if I stamped on fabric, which is pretty cool!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Plus on est de fous plus on rit (hostess), Wonderfall, Une vie parfaite,
Playful Upper and Lower Alphabet (Hero Arts), Trendy Trees, Beyond Plaid
Cardstock: Purely Pomegranate, Marigold Morning, Island Indigo, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Old Olive
Patterned Papers: Friendly Forest (Doodlebug Designs)
Ink: Old Olive, Purely Pomegranate, island Indigo, Crushed Curry, Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie,
Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Project Life Corner Rounder Punch, Stickers, Circle Punches,
Scallop Rectangle Clearlits die, Boutique Boxes Kit, Autumn Accents Bigz Die,
Baked Brown Sugar Thic Baker's Twine, Stampin' Dimensionals, Hello Honey Satin Ribbon,
Journaling Tag, Gold Metallic Pen, Designer Buttons, Alphabet Stickers, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Purely Pomegranate Satin Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Filigree Brad, Sweet Dots,
Stampin' Write Markers, Canvas Creation,  Circle Framelits Dies, Champagne Glimmer Paper,
Gold Satin Ribbon, Sponge Dauber

 

Night Out in Nashville

Those are older pictures that I just recently scrapbooked after I found the perfect papers for them in my stash. The pictures were all taken in Nashville when SU! held Leadership there in 2011. Manager's Reception that year was held at the Wild Horse Saloon and we were all given cowboy hats, hence the matching headgear on the pictures.

All pages were done using the Sasparilla line from October Afternoon (papers and accessories).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Patterned Papers, Stickers and Accessories: Sasparilla (October Afternoon)
Stampin' Up!: Baked Brown Sugar Thick Baker's Twine, Project Life Corner Rounder Punch,
Stampin' Dimensionals, Project Life Cards and Labels Framelits Dies, Ticket Corner Punch,
Stampin' Write Markers, 1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon
Others: Gingham Ribbon, Red Eyelets, Alphabet Rub-ons

 

My First SU! Event

I have a very important milestone anniversary coming up in the first week of July: I will be celebrating my tenth-year anniversary as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. It is mind-boggling to me that I remained active this long. It was certainly not what I had signed up on the dotted line for. I'm sure it'll sound familiar to a lot of you, but I really just wanted to benefit from a rebate on my own purchases!

I became an active demo much faster than I had anticipated, in parts because SU! held a Regional event in Toronto two months after I had signed up and on a whim, I decided to sign up and go. I went thinking I'd get to hang out with my upline (who was long-distance) and stamp, but it turned out to be so much more. I think it gave me tools to get started on the right foot right away and in the evening, I joined other demos for a team dinner and got to immediately connect with the team and create a network. Those were all elements that contributed to my success and the fact that I remained around for so long.

Ironically enough, a few months ago, when I started going through my stash and rearranging stuff, I found some old pictures that had been forgotten in a box of that Toronto Regionals from 2005. Say hello to the fresh-faced 25-year-old me! Interestingly enough, as far as I know, my upline and I are the only remaining active demos from the group featured here, which just goes to show that not everyone will last a whole decade.

I used the Everyday Adventure Project Life by Stampin' Up! cards and added a few stamped images to quickly put together this colourful page.

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Autour du monde, Heidi Swapp sets
Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay
Project Life Cards: Everyday Adventure
Accessories: Designer Buttons, Sweet Dots, Sequins, Modern Label Punch, Window Sheet,
Starburst Framelits Dies, Stampin' Dimensionals, Banner Punch

 

Pure Bliss

The look of pure bliss on my niece's face in those pictures is cute to see. She obviously enjoyed riding on her grandpa's shoulders.

To match the fun vibe and the pink of her hat, I pulled out the Everyday Adventure Project Life Card Collection (retiring). I used various elements to embellish the cards:

• 2013-2015 In Color Sequins (top right) and the Day to Day Project Life stamp set to add the date
• Best Day Ever stamp set from Sale-a-Bration, inked with markers to get three colours on the sentiment (if you have that stamp set, it's perfect to use on scrapbook pages)
• The Heart Confetti Border punch on the title block, with one of the cards peeking from underneath
• The word "enjoy" was die-cut out of Silver Glimmer Paper using a die from the Mini Treat Bag Framelits dies set. The pink bow on the bottom left corner piece was also die-cut with the same dies and added to one of the cards, with a Black Sweet Dot on the bow. I recommend using the Transfer Adhesive Sheets on the back of your cardstock before die-cutting the bow, then it will be super easy to adhere in place with no fuss or mess.
• A Sweet Dreams Designer Button on the bottom middle panel
• A heart was die-cut out of Silver glimmer paper using the heart die from the Mini Treat Bag Framelits dies set (getting a lot of use out of that one, as you can see), then decked out with a Designer Button.

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Alphahearts, Best Day Ever, Au jour le jour (Day to Day) Project Life, Taffy Alphabet
Cardstock: Whisper White
Project Life Card Collection: Everyday Adventure
Ink: Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay
Accessories: Stampin' Write Markers, Sweet Dreams Buttons, Designer Buttons,
Silver Glimmer Paper, Transfer Adhesive Sheets, Mini Treat Bag Framelits Dies,
Strawberry Slush Ruffled Ribbon, Hearts Confetti Border Punch, 2013-2015 In Color Sequins,
Neutrals Sweet Dots, Nordic Designer Buttons, Stampin' Dimensionals

 

Gift Exchange

I hadn't had the chance to use the Hello December Project Life card collection that was offered as a add-on to the Holidays catalogue last December since it came out just before Christmas. I knew I'd put it to good use eventually once I got around to scrapbooking Holidays pictures. Those pics were taken a couple of years ago, back when I was still working in Quebec City. We had done a gift exchange before Christmas and the rule was that the gift had to start with the same letter as the recipient's name. Some people were quite clever with their gifts and we had a few good laughs!

A lot of the cute embellies and stickers you see on the page came from the Hello December embellishment pack. I think this was one of the best Project Life kit we've had so far and I hope to see more like this one over time.

Since the cards were sized 4 x 3" and I had 4 x 4" pockets on the protector sheet I chose to use, I cut the cards apart and glued them together to change the format. I also used parts on my pictures to add my journaling about each of them. I used the Rotary Alphabet Stamp to write the gifts.

 

TIP: I'll be honest - the rotary Alphabet stamp can be frustrating to use. With our foam pads, the ink get everywhere and it's hard to get a clean stamped image. Either you get ink where you don't want it or parts of the letters are missing. I only started liking this stamp after seeing a short clip from convention where they advised to ink your sentiment, then rotate the letters around your sentiment that are not being used to get clean ones in place before stamping. Afterwards, you go back and clean everything with a baby wipe. (Or the Stampin' Scrub, but this is one instance where the wipes might allow for a better cleaning.) Much, much better results!

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Alphabet Rotary Stamp, Skinny Mini Alphabet
Ink: Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Lost Lagoon
Accessories: Hello December Project Life Card Collection and Embellishment Pack,
Project Life Corner Rounder Punch, Stampin' Write Markers, Silver Ribbon

 

Elvis is in the Building

I love my boss: he's a lawyer but he's managed to remain a kid at heart. He loves dressing up in costumes and never miss a chance to do so, so the year our office Christmas party theme was "White," he showed up at the event wearing a Elvis costume! Needless to say, he was very memorable amongst the crowd.

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Patterned Papers and Accents: Crate Papers
Others: Alphabet Stickers (American Crafts, Doodlebug Designs), Stampin' Dimensionals,
Project Life Corner Rounder Punch, Twill, Rhinestones, Nestabilities Dies

 

Home

Those pictures must date back ten years. I also found them when rearranging my pictures.

 

 

 

Photobooth

This is a page I made with pictures from our Christmas office party, where a photobooth was available. In retrospect, as cute as the inserts I made are, I should probably have used pocket cards that were very streamlined to balance out the fact that the pictures are crowded and busy. Hindsight is 20/20...

 

 

 

Silly Family

Those little mustaches on a stick really brought out our silly side, as captured in these pictures!

 

 

Featuring Stampin' Up!'s Project Life This Day - Queens of Art at Regionals

This is a quick and simple page I put together using a Project Life page protector and the This Day project Life Mini Card Collection offered exclusively during the Sale-A-Bration promotion. Have you gotten yours?

The pictures show my downline members and I when we attended a Quebec City Regionals together a few years ago. Good times.

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Skinny Mini Alphabet, 123-ABC Alphabet & Numbers, Spencerian Alphabet
Cardstock: Tango Tangerine
Project Life: This Day Mini Card Collection
Ink: Coastal Cabana, Island Indigo, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Tango Tangerine Striped Ribbon, Daffodil Delight Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon,
Project Life Corner Rounder Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Piercer, Sweet Dots,
Stampin' Write Marker, Stamp Punch, 1" Square Punch, Bitty Accents Punch Pack,
Arrows Embossing Folder, Best Year Ever Accessory Pack

 

Using sketches on a pocket page - Early Spring

Last week, I put together a Project Life page and I went about it a little differently than usual. I first picked pictures, then found patterned papers to match (Sweet Dreams Designer Series Paper, from the Occasions catalogue). But then, to create pocket inserts, I looked online at card sketches and used them to make my own inserts! This worked out better than I could have hoped for.

Here are the three challenges I drew from: Nacho Average #129, Create with Connie and Mary #343 and Fab Friday #58.

A few noteworthy details:

• Two of the inserts come from the Hello December Project Life kit that was sold as a special item during the Holidays. I stamped an image from a retired Easter set inside, and overlapped a sentiment from the same set as well.
• The Joy wood piece, the star epoxy sticker and the blue-green sequins are from the Hello December Accessory pack that came with the Project Life card. I turned the wood piece into a shaker by using a piece of window sheet under the word and a shaker frame. I mixed some gold sequins in there as well.
• I created my own Easter scene using the awesome Sheltering Tree stamp set. The first tree was stamped in Basic Grey ink, the other two were stamped in Smoky Slate. I used the shadow stamp to add the snow, and then overlapped glitter using Heat 'N Stick. ('fess up: when's the last time you used this item?) I added a few lonely leaves using Lost Lagoon ink here and there on the trees, and then sponged the sky using Soft Sky and Lost Lagoon ink for an ombre look.
• I used a piece of acetate sheet to create an overlay. I stamped and embossed a sentiment in Pool Party Stampin' Emboss powder, added a piece of velvet ribbon from the Artisan Embellishments kit and a plastic rose.
• The title was created using two stamp sets: Project Life Day to Day for the word "Spring" at the top (which, I'll point out, fits perfectly in the Word Window punch - and when's the last time you used THAT one?), and Skinny Mini Alphabet for the second word. Although I'm not usually fond of photopolymer, I have really adopted this new stamp set for my Project Life pages. The font and size is just perfect for a lot of uses.
• The sun (middle row, right) was punched right out of my patterned paper, and added to the cloud-pattern paper from the same pack.

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Project Life Au jour le jour (Day to Day), Skinny Mini Alphabet, Bouquet pascal, Sheltering Tree
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Hello Honey, Whisper White, Lost Lagoon
Designer Series Paper: Sweet Dreams
Ink: Soft Sky, Lost Lagoon, Basic Grey, Rich Razzleberry, Hello Honey, Smoky Slate, VersaMark
Accessories: Sweet Dreams Designer Buttons, Deco Label Punch, Word Window Punch,
Stampin' Dimensionals, Hello Honey satin ribbon, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Sponge, Heat 'N Stick,
Project Life Corner Rounder Punch, Stamp Punch, Square Punch, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter,
Hello December Project Life Card Collection and Accessories, Gold Metal Basic Buttons,
Plastic Roses, Artisan Embellishments Kit, Window Sheet, Pool Party Stampin' Emboss Powder,
Oval Collection Framelits Die, Paper Piercer, Piercing Template, Brights Glimmer Brads,
Gold Sequin Trim, Circle Punch

 

Featuring SU!'s This Day Project Life - Sexy Mama

The This Day Project Life Card Collection was out, so I looked at the pictures I wanted to scrapbook to see which one could work with those cards. I found one that my mom took of me with my onion goggles. I used to wear contact lenses up until I had lasik eye surgery and since then, I cannot chop onions without crying profusely to the point where I can't see what I'm doing anymore. Very annoying. I had told my mom about this and she found me the goggles you see me wearing. They are not attractive, but they do work! Not the best look, but worth wearing in order to save myself from chopping off a finger!

This page was created with the use of a 6 x 8 page protector (sold in the annual catalogue and also shown on page 8 of the SAB brochure. Since I just had to cut my picture to size and slip cards in pockets, it came together really quickly.

The top left card was stamped with two alphabet sets to create the title: Skinny Mini Alphabet (current) and Spencerian Alphabet Lower (retired). I keep my retired alphabet sets preciously so that I always have the size and font I need. This script font seemed perfect to stamp the word "sexy." A bow of Coastal Cabana Thick Baker's Twine was added using glue dots to place the twine where I wanted it.

One of the cards had sunglasses on them - couldn't believe my luck! Perfect to go with the theme of the picture. I cut off the ends and added it to another card with polka dots to make it more interesting, and I placed Designer washi tape at the seams. I flipped one of the edge from the sunglass card I had cut over and used the polka dot design to decorate the top card. I added a Designer Button from the Best Day Ever Accessory pack (offered in the SAB brochure as a freebie) and another one at top, glued over yet another paper scrap I had leftover from cutting another card apart.

Top right is a journaling card that I used as is. I simply handwrote my journaling using Stampin' Write Markers and glued three Sweet Dots in place to decorate.

Rhinestones and Crystal Effects were added to the sunglasses image to jazz them up. This took less than half an hour to complete. I'm really starting to dig this Project Life thing! I'm working my way down the pile of pictures that I want to put in albums.

The SAB promo is offered until the end of March - make sure you get this exclusive Project Life card collection for free while it is offered! E-mail me if you want to place an order.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Skinny Mini Alphabet, Spencerian Alphabet Lower
Project Life Card Collection: This Day (SAB)
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Tango Tangerine
Accessories: Best Day Ever Accessory Pack (SAB), Coastal Cabana Thick Baker's Twine,
Stampin' Write Markers, Crystal Effects, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Designer Washi Tape,
Brights Sweet Dots

 

Read the Card!

As I was working with the Christmas Cheer Simply Scrappin' Kit, I thought it'd be appropriate to use it to make a scrapbook page. I paired it with one of my Project Life page protector (which helped since I was down to scraps at that point). Most of the decorations on the page are sticky die-cuts from the kit itself, but I did add a few items myself. The nice thing about the design of this page protector is that it includes four 6 x 6 inch squares. That size opens up the option of using embossing folders on a page, which you can't do on bigger formats. You'll noticed I added embossing on some of the squares.

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Taffy Alphabet, Typeset Alphabet Lower
Simply Scrappin' Kit: Christmas Cheer
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist, Always Artichoke
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Marina Mist
Accessories: On Film Framelits Dies, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stampin' Write Markers,
Embossing Folders, Ribbons (Vanilla organza, Cherry Cobbler satin), Silver Glimmer Paper,
Pearl Basic Jewels, Vintage Buttons, Silver Cord, Old Saint Nick Rub-Ons, itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack

 

Halloween Cutie

I am really getting into the whole Project Life trend. I will admit I hadn't really given the trend a second thought when it first came out because I thought I would find the grid pattern too repetitive and overall look too simple. I didn't jump on the PL bandwagon immediately when SU! issued the products this summer - despite the free shipping offer that made it all very tempting. I'm glad I finally decided to at least give it a try. The sure sign that I'm liking the results is that this page I'm sharing today was supposed to be submitted for something and I liked the page too much to send away and decided to make something else instead so that I could keep the page for my own album!

The design was inspired by the Seasonal Snapshots card collection and matching accessory pack, both sold in the Holidays catalogue. They include cards that are themed around Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving and School. The mix of colours and patterns is beautiful and I'm really liking what I'm putting together with it.

 

 

 

 

 

The title was created with the new Skinny Mini Alphabet Photopolymer set. I used the Hearts & Stars Decorative Masks, Hello Honey Classic ink and a dauber to add stars to an existing journaling card. The tag in the corner was created with two stickers from the accessory pack, and I used the Project Life Holiday Cheer stamp set to add the sentiment (Remember this Day).

The chevrons on the picture are also from the stickers in the Project Life Holiday Snapshots Accessory pack.

 

 

The Accessory Pack includes clear cards and sequins, which scream to be paired to make shakers! I layered the clear tag over a journaling tag (on which I added a black strip of cardstock in the center to make the sentiment easier to read) and followed the printed frame to add stitching by hand.

Here's a tip: Gravity tends to bring the sequins all in the bottom of the shaker, so I used glue dots to glue a few in place near to top to distribute the sequins more evenly.

The adorable epoxy dots on the left card are also from the accessory pack, and so is the sticker. I used the Ghoulish Greetings stamp set to add "My Little Monster" to it.

 

 

Left journaling card: I used epoxy dots and sequins from the Accessory Pack to decorate some of the polka dots on the card in matching colours. Ain't it cute? One of my favorite details from the page. At the bottom, I added the month and year using a Project Life photopolymer stamp set from the annual catalogue called Day to Day, and the bats are from the Holiday Cheers stamp set.

Right journaling card: I layered two journaling cards, a 4" x 6" one with a square one on top (with the sentiment). I followed the shape of the circle with my paper piercer, adding holes, and then I handstitched with white needlepoint floss. I added an epoxy sticker and a sticker die-cut from the accessory pack to finish decorating.

 

 

 

Left card: The journaling was added using the Project Life Journaling Pens (the largest one). At the bottom, I added "Boo!" with the Holiday Cheers stamp set. The ghost is a sticker from the accessory pack.

Right card: I combined two journaling cards to make this one. The black card was cut down to keep only the sentiment, which I centered on the polka dot card and "held" in place with Designer washi tape, from the accessory pack. (The remaining piece from the black journaling card went on the orange polka dot card I used for the back of the shaker, shown in previous picture. No waste!) The epoxy dots are also from the accessory pack.

 

 

It should be noted that all of the Stampin' Up! Project Life Journaling Cards come with square corners (which is unique to the Stampin' Up! Project Life cards, as all of the regular PL cards come with rounded corners). We sell the Project Life Corner Rounder Punch, so it is up to you to decide whether you want square corners or rounded ones. More options, more variety for your albums! It''s always good to have options.

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Project life Holiday Cheers (Holidays Catalogue), Project Life Day to Day (Annual Catalogue),
Salutations effroyables (Ghoulish Greetings) (Holidays Catalogue),
Skinny Mini Alphabet (Annual Catalogue)
Ink: Basic Black, Hello Honey, Tango Tangerine
Accessories: Seasonal Snapshots Project Life Card Collection,
Seasonal Snapshots Project Life Accessory Pack, Project Life Corner Rounder Punch, Glue Dots,
White Needlepoint floss (DMC), Stampin' Dimensionals, Hearts & Stars Decorative Masks

 

Visit to the Sugar Shack

Those pictures of my niece just crack me up. She was just starting to ham it up for the camera and make those oversize smiles kids do. Her hair is also the most tousled I've ever seen Must have been the hat, I guess... 

 

 

Project Life: Cutie Pie

This is my second go at Project Life. This picture of Megan is one of my favorites. She looks so adorable on this. Ironically enough, she was not feeling well that day since she was teething and she kept bursting into tears periodically. This picture was taken in between two crying bouts. The soft colours of the Project Life were perfect to go with the picture.

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Tidy Alphabet, Typeset Alphabet Lower
Inks: Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery, Peach Passion
Accessories: Pistachio Pudding Ruffled Ribbon (SU!), Metal Ribbon Slide (Making Memories),
Corner Rounder Punch (SU!), White Stampin' Emboss Powder (SU!), Stamp-a-ma-jig (SU!),
Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (SU!), Project Life Journaling Pen (SU!),
Circle Punch (SU!)

 

Project Life: Mom, my Pacifier!

This page is my first official try at the Project Life system. I had used pocket protector pages before and made my own insert, but this is the first page I made with actual Project Life cards. I will admit it is definitely a quicker option than traditional scrapbooking. I made this page after coming back from a trip outside of town and I managed to put this together in under an hour. (And what took me the longest was looking through the whole card pile to decide which ones to use!)

The pictures of my niece and sister were taken last year. My sister thought she'd take away the pacifier so we'd had nicer pictures and could see Megan's pretty face. Tears quickly ensued over the pacifier, so I'm not sure we achieved our goal! Look at her crinckled, frustrated face in the last picture... As her grandfather often says, "She doesn't speak but she makes herself understood!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Sweet Shoppe Alphabet Upper and Lower, This and That Remember This rotary stamp
Inks: Midnight Muse, Pumpkin Pie
Project Life Cards: Honey Edition
Accessories: Dazzling Details (SU!), My Way Punch (SU!), Sparkly Dots (?), Dots (Doodlebug Designs),
Project Life Journaling Pens (SU!), Rhinestones (SU!), Chevron Border Punch (SU!),
Corner Rounder Punch (SU!), Alphabet rub-ons (Doodlebug Designs, Making Memories),
2013-2015 In Color Sequins (SU!), Sweet Dots (SU!), Silver ribbon (?)

 

Project Life: Open Wide

Those pictures of my niece just crack me up. She's eating as though she's never been fed in her life! She's always had a good appetite, which I guess is a good thing since her parents do not have to fight with her to get her to eat. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Patterned Papers: My Mind's Eye
Accessories: Dots, Project Life cards, Corner Rounder punch, Stampin' Write Markers,
Alphabet Stickers (American Crafts), Buttons (Autumn Leaves), Washi Tape (SU!),
Champagne Shimmer Paper (SU!), Circle Punches

 

Back to Old Habits

They say in fashion, everything old is new again at some point. Lately I've been finding myself adding some Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein clothes to my wardrobe, which used to be two brands that were staples back when I was in high school. Remember how big the Calvin Klein elastic band peeking out from underneath the jeans was?