Paper Happens... Sometimes

Wow... it's been too long!

2010-03-03T22:08:00.009-05:00

Oh my... I can't believe it has been 4 months since I last posted on my blog. Like my blog title says... paper happens.... sometimes (LOL). I have been creating a little over the last few months, but time has been precious and posting has been pushed to the side burner.

We have enjoyed a fantastic winter here - although most of November and December were spent sick between me, my husband and kiddies. We enjoyed birthdays and Christmas and more birthdays and then... we went to the Olympics in Vancouver. What an amazing experience! The trip was wonderful and it was so awesome to cheer for Canada! I am so grateful to be Canadian and I thought out athletes represented our country so well! I'll have some layouts to share soon - but in the mean time, I'm here to share a card for the Poppy Seed Challenge. I love Paper Trey Ink stamps and the style of the design team members and I always check the design team blogs. Lisa Johnson (one of the PTI design team members) has posted a fun challenge on her blog to use at least one of the following on a paper craft:

• Crystals (which could be a Rhinestone too or even a gem brad!), a flower image and the use of light yellow. Here is a little, quick card using these elements.

Here is my creation for the challenge:

Supplies (all supplies CTMH unless otherwise noted):

• Cardstock: Colonial White, Desert Sand, Buttercup

• Stamps: Spot on Backgrounds, Blooming Flourishes, Thank You

• Inks: Desert Sand Stamp Pad and Copic Markers

• Other: Clear Sparkles, Diamond Stickles

I'll be sure to keep posting on my blog in the next little while - and thanks for stopping by!

Welcome Baby Card

2009-10-27T22:15:00.005-04:00

One of my co-workers is expecting in early December. All the ladies in the office are planning on having a "shower" for her next week. I pulled this card together to accompany a group gift! I purchased the adorable Doodle Beans Baby Laundry-Boy digital stamp and I had to print it out and trace over it, since the mom to be doesn't know if the baby is a boy or girl and I didn't want to include the car image on the card (I really hope that tracing a digital stamp and omitting the car on the onesie in this case is considered within the rules of the illustrator).

Supplies:

Paper: CTMH - White Daisy CS, Goldrush CS, Sweet Leaf CS; Little Yellow Bicycle - Patterned Paper
Stamps: Doodle Beans Baby Laundry - Boy Digital Stamp, CTMH - Childhood, Random Thoughts
Inks: Copic Markers, Goldrush, Twilight, Black
Other: Sand paper (3M), CTMH - Sponge, Ranger Ink - Diamond Stickles

Boo! {Mojo Monday 110}

2009-10-26T16:55:00.003-04:00

Boo! Halloween is just around the corner - and my two boys are excited!! All the reason to sit down and make a fun festive card using this week's Mojo Monday sketch! I found this adorable free digital stamp at Dustin Pike's blog and couldn't resist using this floating ghost for this card - the image is free for a short time, so be sure to stop by Dustin's blog and check it out!

All supplies CTMH unless otherwise noted:
• Paper: Cardstock: Black, Goldrush, Heavenly Blue, White Daisy
• Stamps: Argyle Backgrounds, October Word Puzzle, Dustin Pike - digital image
• Ribbon: Silhouette Creative Basics
• Inks: Black, Goldrush, Heavenly Blue, Copic Markers
• Other - Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Mojo Monday 108 Christmas Card

2009-10-12T23:21:00.006-04:00

Wow, it is Monday evening and I've had time to play with my stamps and the Mojo Monday sketch for this week already - gotta love a holiday (it is the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday today). Here is my take on the Mojo Monday sketch this week. My card uses one of my favourite CTMH paper kits - Aspen and the adorable Snow Friends stamp set... I also pulled out a couple of Cuttlebug embossing folders to add some dimension to the card.
Here is the sketch this week:

Here is my card:

Supplies (all supplies CTMH unless otherwise noted):
• Paper: Aspen Level 2 My Reflections Kit
• Stamps: Snow Friends Stamp Set, Wonderful Holiday Stamp Set
• Inks: Desert Sand, Twilight, Copic Markers to colour the stamped images, Spring Chalks
• Punches: Snowflake (Martha Stewart), Circle Punch (CM)
• Ribbon: Creme Brulee Ribbon Round Collection
• Other: Cuttlebug Embossing Folders (Swiss Dots and Snowflakes), Diamond Stickles

I also played around with the free Inkscape software I downloaded off the internet and made myself an actual watermark today; I'm pretty pleased with myself that I actually figured out how to do it. What do you think?

Circle Happy Birthday Card...

2009-10-11T21:29:00.005-04:00

Here is a birthday card I created for my Aunt... I've seen really great circle cards out there in the blogging world, but had not taken the opportunity to create on yet, so I thought this would be a great time to try :) Once I pulled the card together I was really upset that the silly thing kept rolling on the table and I couldn't get a good picture of it since it kept moving LOL! I realized that in order for the card to "sit" nicely I had to square up the bottom of the card - so I slightly trimmed a small area of the bottom edge of the card with my handy dandy scissors and I finally got the card to sit nicely LOL!

Supplies (all CTMH):
• Twitterpated Level 2 My Reflections Kit, Desert Sand CS
• Sorbet Brads
• Chocolate Ink, Sorbet Ink,
• Many Thanks Stamp Set, Happy Birthday Stamp Set

Enjoy!

Mojo Monday 106 - Hello There

2009-09-28T23:24:00.005-04:00

Wow, it's Monday night and I already have a card completed for the Mojo Monday sketch this week (yeah for me LOL!). I absolutely love this paper kit and the adorable stamp set that comes with the Twitterpated Workshop On the Go kit! The only way to get your hands on this cute little hedgehog (I think it's a hedgehog :) is to purchase the WOTG kit from the CTMH Autumn/Winter 2009 Idea Book!

Here is this weeks sketch:

Here is my take on the sketch this week:

You can click on the picture to enlarge the image. I paper pieced the "back" on the hedgehog after I stamp kissed the image with the dotted stamp from the Argyle Background Stamp Set (I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but I LOVE this stamp set and it retires at the end of 2009, so if you don't have it in your stamp collection yet - you have to get it!)

Supplies (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

• Twitterpated Level 2 My Reflections Kit

• Twitterpated WOTG Exclusive Stamp Set, Argle Background Stamp Set

• Chocolate ink, Crystal Blue ink, Desert Sand ink

• Cocoa Ribbon Round (retired)

• Colonial White Bigger Brad

• File Folder tab punch (unknown manufacturer)

Mojo Monday 105 - Boyish Birthday Card

2009-09-27T10:40:00.004-04:00

Here is a REALLY quick birthday card I pulled together for a party Aidan was going to this week.

Here is the Mojo Monday Sketch:

Here is my card: I didn't layer two levels of circles along the bottom of the card since my background paper was a circle patterned paper - it looked too busy.

I incorporated the stamp set in the CTMH September promotion: Everyday Celebration and the Merry Monsters stamp set! The papers are from the CTMH Animal Cookies My Reflections Kit. I also used some liquid glass on the monsters "eyes" - you can't see the shine in the picture very well, but it added a nice shine to the image in real life.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mojo Monday 103 Christmas Card...

2009-09-07T22:06:00.004-04:00

We had a fantastic weekend here in Southern Ontario - the sun was out and the temperature was perfect - not too hot and not too cold, needless to say, I didn't spend any time in my craft space creating... but I did check out the Mojo Monday sketch for this week and decided to sit down and create after the boys went to bed!

I was inspired by a card Vicki W. posted on her blog . I used my nestabilities to create my scalloped circle and then used the cut pieces to "layer" my trees... what a fun technique - I am definitely incorporating this technique on my Christmas Tree hunting layout for this year!

Here is the Mojo Monday 103 Sketch:

The vertical rectangles behind the main image reminded me of Christmas Trees for some reason - which is the main inspiration for my card. I tried to add a sentiment to the rectangular "white" space in the sketch overtop of my trees, but it was too much and you couldn't see the detail in the trees, so I decided to add my sentiment to the bottom of the card. The card uses papers from the new CTMH Jingle Level 2 My Reflections Kit, Olive Cardstock and the following CTMH Stamps; Evergreen (D1315)and Shining Star (D1320).

Let me know what you think!

September SOTM and Unscripted Sketches

2009-09-01T18:35:00.001-04:00

It is September 1st and the newest CTMH Idea Book is live for ordering!!! I love it everytime a new idea book comes out :)

Here is a quick card I pulled together using the CTMH September SOTM and this week's Unscripted Sketches sketch. The colours were inspired by the JRL Colour-Me-Monday combination; Red, White and Blue revisited.

This stamp set reminds me of the outdoors with all the dandelion fluff's blowing in the breeze - I just loved blowing all the fluff off the weeds as a kid and now my boys love it too! This colour combo reminds me of fall, and I can't wait for autumn to come around - it is my favourite time of the year! Until then, be sure to check out the Autumn/Winter idea book for all the new CTMH products!

Gear Up 4 Some FUN Layout

2009-08-31T10:35:00.005-04:00

Well, it is already the end of August and the CTMH Autumn/Winter 2009 Idea Book goes "live" tomorrow, so I figured I should post some artwork using some of the summer products before September 1st LOL! This is a layout we made in June 2009 at my monthly crop using the Tinkerin' Level 2 My Reflections Kit. I added a few extra embellishments and hand wrote the journalling. I used the Dimensional Element Numbers and the sponge daubers to colour in the "4" in the title. The remainder of the title was stamped and/or cut out with my wishblade machine. The Grey Flannel CS "gears" were also cut out with my wishblade. We used the Journalling Jots Stamp Set (for the journalling box), Gear Up Stamp Set (for some of the gears) and Sans Alphabet Stamp Set (for the "some"). The stamped gears were stamped using the stamp rolling technique with first and second generation stamping to get some dimension to the images.

By the way, the boys had a blast riding their bikes/scooters through the puddle and posed for pictures for me too - it was a fun time for all of us LOL!

Thanks for stopping by!

Another Mojo Monday Birthday Card!

2009-08-22T21:41:00.004-04:00

Seriously... I never realized how many birthday cards you use in a year until I started making my own cards a couple of years ago... This is the second birthday card I've needed in less than 2 weeks. It was my niece's birthday on Friday and we had her 4th Birthday Party today! I tried to pull a card together last night after my CTMH Monthly Workshop, but I was just too tired to create after midnight... so I woke up this morning and thought I'd check out the daily Mojo turns 100 Saturday (Day 6) Weekly Sketch for some inspiration :).

I also used an old JRL Colour Me Monday colour combo for this card - the papers are from the CTMH Perfect Day Level 2 My Reflections Kit. All other supplies are CTMH (except Copic Markers for colouring); Nursery Bash Stamp Set, Desert Sand Ink, Creme Brulee and Colonial White. Cardstock, Liquid Glass (on the balloon).

Enjoy!

Mojo Monday 99 - Boo

2009-08-16T09:20:00.004-04:00

The Autumn/Winter 2009 CTMH catalogue will be released to customers in just a few short weeks on September 1! Each catalogue there is a stamp set that is a "I MUST HAVE - right now"... and this time around that stamp set was the Merry Monsters set... The set has 4 little monsters and the cute saying used on the card along with an EEK saying. I have two little boys (ages 3 and 4) and they love anything to do with monsters, aliens and all things scary right now. I made this card with them in mind!

This card uses the Mojo Monday 99 Sketch (notice how it takes me almost an entire week to get the Mojo Monday Sketch cards made lately LOL). The card uses all CTMH product with the exception of the ribbon, which was a piece of scrap ribbon I had (most likely from Michael's), copic markers used to colour in the monster and the circle (CM) and corner punches (SU!).

Pattern Paper is from the Silhouette Level 2 My Reflections Kit and Silhouette Creative Basics Kit. Cardstock is Colonial White, Autumn Terracotta and Olive. I also used the Tiny Typewriter Stamp Set for the Boo and black Itty Bitty Brads.

Let me know what you think!!

Mojo Monday and CTMHs August Stamp of the Month

2009-08-09T13:19:00.005-04:00

Here is a quick birthday card I pulled together for my sister using the Mojo Monday 98 sketch - her birthday was on Friday, but I haven't had a chance to post since :). I used CTMH's August Stamp of the Month: Its Your Day and Happy Birthday stamp sets. This is a very versatile birthday themed stamp set - it is great for creating party invitations, birthday cards and more!!

The highlighted colours were inspired by JRLs Colour Me Monday colour combo: Juniper, Hollyhock, Blush and Creme Brulee - I also used Colonial White.

New Baby Card

2009-07-23T18:16:00.003-04:00

I'm so excited to share that I have another niece! Lyla Marie Mayers was born last Thursday (July 16) at 2:11 am. She weighed in at 8lbs 5oz and is super cute! I pulled this card together to give to my sister and brother-in-law as a congratulations!

The colour combo was kind of inspired by JRL's Colour-Me-Monday combo - I used Sorbet, Bamboo , Colonial White and Blush, so my combo is slightly varied, but still a great combo!

I really want a super cute giraffe outline stamp - CTMH has some adorable giraffe stamps, but they are not outline style stamps, so for this card I found a cute clip art image and hand traced it twice and used by Copic Markers to colour "her" in! The stamps are all CTMH - Express Postage, Argyle Backgrounds and Baby Steps... and last but not least - I used the Mojo Monday Sketch 95 for the card design.

Fallin' Leaves Layout

2009-06-30T21:07:00.004-04:00

I posted my favourite layout from my little guy's scrapbook yesterday and today I'm posting my favourite layout from my older guy's scrapbook (he's only 4 - not so old LOL). This layout was a finalist in the "Best use of Colour" category in the CTMH Scrapbook and Share contest... Vicki Wiznuik won the category with her amazing Vancouver Aquarium layout... all the finalist layouts were terrific and I really was excited to be a finalist :).

Anyway... here is the layout. I hand stamped, cut and distressed each of the paper leaves, which took forever, but I love the look!

Supplies all CTMH:

• Majestic Blue My Reflections Level 2 Kit

• Autumn Terracotta Cardstock

• Nature's Vein and Rustic Alphabet Stamp sets

• Bamboo and Outdoor Denim Brads, Pewter Clip

Sweet Baby Layout

2009-06-29T23:37:00.007-04:00

I had entered this layout in the CTMH Scrapbook and Share contest and thought I would share it here too! This is a layout of my baby at 6 months old... he is now 3! It is really scary how fast time goes by... This is my favourite layout in Owen's book - I'll get to posting my favourite layout from Aidan's scrapbook soon :)

Supply List:

All supplies CTMH...

• Snips and Snails Level 2 My REflections Kit (retired), Crystal Blue Textured Cardstock and Cocoa Cardstock

• B&T from a past Heart of Winter Campaign (can't remember the kit name)

• Rustic Alpha, Rustic Numbers, Sans Alphabet Stamp Sets

• Pewter Brads

My First Blog Award...

2009-06-28T23:24:00.004-04:00

I'm so flattered that the talented Dena nominated me for this award and a little embarrassed that it took me a month to realize she had nominated me... better a little late than never right?

The rules to the award is as follows:

*comment on this blog
*cut and paste the award logo and use it on your own blog
*nominate 5 to 10 blogs that shows great attitude and gratitude
*link your nominees with your blog post
*comment on their blogs to let them know they won the award
*link back to the person who gave you the award to show your appreciation!

And the award goes to...

Erin
Emma
Sharon
Leisa
Janelle
Krista
Carol
Jamie

Check out the artwork posted by these talented ladies for some awesome inspiration!

Thanks Teacher Card

2009-06-28T14:57:00.006-04:00

Wow, where does the time go? It doesn't seem that I've neglected posting any artwork on this blog for as long as it has been. We've had a hectic month or so with lots of birthday parties, end of school field trips and parties and sports games so there hasn't been much time for crafting - besides when the nice summer weather finally arrives here in southern Ontario, we take advantage by getting outside and enjoying the sunshine!

Here is a thank you card I pulled together for Aidan's JK teacher. She is leaving the school to go teach at a French Immersion school next year and we will miss her - she was a great teacher this year and Aidan REALLY enjoyed his first year at "big boy" school because of her! I remember seeing a card on Laurel's blog a while ago and this card was inspired by her artwork. I tried to look for her card on her blog again and couldn't locate the card, but it had a similar apple on the front and similar colours, although I don't think she used the same paper pack... her artwork is amazing and I always find inspriation looking at her blog!

I used CTMH's Animal Cookies My Reflections Kit papers, Library Cards, Spot On Background and Thank You Stamp Sets and the card design was taken by Jeanette Lynton's new Wishes Card Confidence Book. I hand cut out the Apple, leaf and stem and used some Tulip Brads. The apple is popped up with 3-D foam squares.

Mojo Monday #86 - Reach for the Stars...

2009-05-11T18:08:00.006-04:00

I'm really loving the Mojo Monday blog and their sketches... this is my third try at a sketch and I can't believe I just didn't take the time to play before!

Here is the Mojo Monday sketch for this week:
And here is my version:
I just love this little robot guy... He is so cute and such a breeze to colour in! I added some Diamond Stickles to the little "lights" on the robot to make them look like flashing lights.

Supplies:
Paper: patterned paper: Animal Cookies - CTMH (Level 2 My Reflections Kit), Stamp Sets: Sandylion - (star image and robot), CTMH - Reach for the Stars, Inks: CTMH - Dutch Blue, Black, Tulip and Copic Markers, Other: Diamond Stickles, CM - Circle Punch.

Whoo loves you?

2009-05-10T11:42:00.004-04:00

Happy Mother's Day!! It is a beautiful sunny day here in Southern Ontario and I can't wait to get outside with my two little guys and go "hang out" at the park - we'll make sure to wear our spring coats, since it is a little chilly though LOL!

Here is a card I made for the grandkids to give to my mom for Mother's Day... I used Jeanette Lynton's Colour-me-Monday colour combination again (I just love this colour combo)... believe it or not, the owl is the same colour as the "pink" paper square under the owl mat - the colour doesn't come out the same in the picture though :) I usually don't add my own handwriting on my cards - but I don't have a stamp with this sentiment and I was just to lazy to get my little alphabet stamps out to stamp it, so I used my journaling markers to add the "whoo loves you?" to the front of the card and a big "we do!" on the inside.

Supply list:

Cardstock - CTMH, Desert Sand, Heavenly Blue, Sorbet, Garden Green and Colonial White

Inks - CTMH, Desert Sand, Sorbet, Heavenly Blue

Stamps - CTMH, Journaling Dots, You're A Hoot, Argyle Backgrounds

Other - SU punch, CTMH brads, Cuttlebug - Swiss Dots embossing folder

Mojo Monday Sketch using Jeanette Lynton's Monday CTMH Colour Combo

2009-05-07T22:20:00.006-04:00

I've been MIA the last couple weeks - there has been a lot of catching-up to do since the awesome scrapbook retreat, but I'm finally back in the groove and ready to start creating again!

Here is a Mother's Day card I put together using the Mojo Monday Sketch #85 and the beautiful colour combo posted by Jeanette Lynton this week - if you haven't checked out Jeanette's blog (which is awesome by the way), she is going to start posting a new colour combo every Monday - how great is that?

Here is the sketch:

Here is my version of the sketch:

I have a thing for polka dots and this card shows it LOL! I cut out the smaller flowers and the flourish with my wishblade. I hope you like it!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's out there!

All supplies CTMH unless otherwise noted: Heavenly Blue CS, Desert Sand CS, White Daisy CS, Garden Green CS, White embossing powder, Cottage Floral Stamp Set, Say It With Style Stamp Set, Spot On Backgrounds Stamp Set, Sorbet Ink, Versamark and White Daisy and Sorbet brads.

Welcome Baby...

2009-04-20T23:23:00.003-04:00

I hosted a weekend scrapbooking retreat this past weekend with two great CTMH consultants, and I'm very happy to say everyone had a GREAT time, the food was fantastic, projects were great and the artwork produced was out of this world! I can't wait to get together with this great group of ladies again at our next retreat! I have lots of artwork to share, but I'm lacking some sleep so I'll post a quick card tonight and get to posting the rest of my creations later this week. I also became an aunt (again) on Saturday... my little niece - Hailee was born, at 9 lbs 4 oz she isn't so little for a new born, but she sure is adorable! It seems that babies are all around me lately, and I was in need of another baby card for an upcoming shower. I pulled this gate fold 5" x 5" card together really quickly!
Let me know what you think!

Supplies: Paper - Stamps - CTMH (Welcome Baby), Imaginisce (Chick - For Peeps Sake Collection), CTMH Cardstock (baby pink, white daisy and buttercup), Ink - CTMH Desert Sand and Baby Pink and Copic markers, Cuttlebug Argyle Embossing Folder, CTMH Winter Cozy Buttons, Diamond Stickles.

Mojo Monday Card Sketch - Happy Birthday Star!

2009-04-14T23:37:00.005-04:00

So, I've been watching a few blogs and noticing the great artwork being made using the Mojo Monday Card Sketches and finally gathered up the nerve to try the latest sketch! Here is my first attempt at a Mojo Monday sketch... first the sketch:

Here is my card:

It is my wonderful husbands birthday tomorrow, so I pulled this card together just for him! I find it so hard to find masculine images and I really didn't want to make him another birthday card with a cake on it... so here is my creation. All the supplies are from CTMH

Let me know what you think - I'd just love it if you'd leave a comment!

Happy Birthday Cupcake!

2009-04-13T19:01:00.003-04:00

This is another Happy Birthday Card - I used my nestabilities and swiss dots cuttlebug for this card - Hope you like it!

All Supplies CTMH unless otherwise noted:
• Notebook Level 2 My Reflections Kit
• Itty Bitty Black Brads
• Happy Birthday Stamp Set
• Bamboo and Black Stamp Pad
• Cupcake Stamp Set - Inkadinkado (Birthday Cupcake)
• Diamond Stickles

Spring Happy Birthday Card

2009-04-13T17:50:00.002-04:00

I just love the Key To My Heart CTMH paper kit - the kit was available in January 2009 and I'm so glad I got my hands to 2 kits - that way I have double the paper to play with! I dug into my Fancy Botanicals Die Cuts for this card too!

All supplies CTMH unless otherwise noted:

• Key to My Heart Paper Kit and Stamp Set

• Happy Birthday Stamp Set

• Fancy Botanicals

• Creme Brulee Stamp Pad

• White Daisy and Tulip Brads

For You Card...

2009-04-13T17:34:00.005-04:00

As a CTMH Consultant, I have access to the wonderful products before they are available to the public... here is a 5.25" x 5.25" square card I made using the upcoming July Stamp Of The Month - You've Got Flair... I used one of the images and random stamped the multi-coloured patterned paper and used a masking technique to sponge bamboo ink between the stamped images

All supplies CTMH unless otherwise noted:

• You've Got Flair - July SOTM

• Perfect Day Level 2 My Reflections Kit

• Heavenly Blue, Bamboo and Colonial White Cardstock

• Tulip Brads (Spring Blossom Assortment Pack)

• Frosted Lace Stickles

• Corner Punch - SU!

• Copic Ciao Markers

Paper Happens... Sometimes

2009-04-13T16:09:00.001-04:00

I have finally decided to hop onto the blog bandwagon and I've created a spot to showcase my paper creations... hence the blog title - Paper Happens... Sometimes.

I LOVE to create paper artwork; scrapbook pages, hand made cards, gift items etc... but a lot of the time, life gets in the way (read between the lines - kids, work, house chores LOL) and my paper creations get pushed to the side. I am hoping that by starting this blog, I will hold my self accountable to my paper hobby and be sure to create at least one card or scrapbook layout per week to showcase here!

I have a few items that I have created in the past few weeks to start off, I'll dig out pictures of my favourite paper art and post those here in the next little while too!

Please be sure to stop by and visit again soon - and be sure to leave a comment now and then to keep me encouraged LOL!

- Mell