Winter Inspiration

I thought I would share another "Winter" layout that I did. Unlike the last layout, this is done in very warm and non-typical winter colours... but I think the contrast is neat! It makes winter seem a little less cold and gloomy!

What have you been inspired with throughout the winter months?? Link those layouts over at Lasting Memories!

Happy Scrappin'!

More Fun with the Cricut!

I couldn't rest with only having shown you ONE layout using my cricut... so here are some more I have been pumping out!!

This first layout is some more pictures from our Saskatchewan trip this summer. I just love the layered effect of the cricut letters...

This next one might be my new favourite layout! I love how 'uderwatery' and blue it is! I had some 'water' paper that worked perfect for this! And the "Life's A Beach" cricut font was obviously perfect! What a fun day! We enjoyed the float so much we did it twice that day!

This last layout is pictures from when Hubby's cousin got engaged. We were comissioned to secretly take picture from afar... very fun!

I used the "Storybook" cartridge to cut out the 'bubble' (what are those things called again??) and then cut out arouns the cut out, to make another 'outline'. I also used the 'Storybook' cartridge to cut out the saying "A Wish Came True". I think this page suits the event quite well! Congrats Jen & Jaime!

What have you scrapped lately using a cricut, or any other cutting machine?? Link your layouts at Lasting Memories... but hurry! You only have until this Saturday to link your "Cricut" layouts!

Happy Scrappin'!

Challenge #15- Use Your Cricut

This week's callenge at Lasting Memories was to use your cricut...oh  my gosh! How could I choose between all of the layouts I have done lately using my cricut!! I use it on almost every page, and I love tham all!
My husband took these gorgeous sunset pictures while he was out at work in late June. I wanted to feature them on a page, but I didn't want to take away from the natural beauty of the pictures. I finally decided on this super simple layout...

This particular font is called "Caligraphy"...wow! Stunning! I used a swirly thing from the "Storybook" cartridge...another of my favourites!
Simple, clean, breathtaking. What more can you ask for in a layout?

What have you made with your cricut (or any other custom cutting systems)?? Let us see your creations by linking your layouts over at Lasting Memories!!

Happy Scrappin'!

I love to PUNCH!!

I just couldn't stop punching!!! Here is another one of my favourite "Punch" pages!

For this layout I used my trusty Creative Memories "circle" punch. 

I took a strip of paper and punched random circles, layered it on top of pink paper and then used the cricut to print matching letters.

 I then used the punched out circles (plus a few more) to create a wavy border on the opposing page.

Of course I HAD to use my cricut... to make these lovely coordinating flowers! 

 A perfect little girl page! I hope this has inspired you to use your PUNCHES! And remember, you have until this Saturday to link your "punch It Out" layouts at Lasting Memories! 

Happy Scrappin'!

Challenge #12: Flip Flaps & Page Protectors

Challenge #12

Guess where I am??? On my bi-annual SCRAPBOOKING RETREAT!!! I look forward to my fall and spring retreats all year...and this year should be amazingly-super-de-duper fun because my sister-in-law, cousin and Aunt are all coming! (Although my best-friend and partner-in-craft could not make this one because she has a new baby!). I am sure we are having a blast and getting LOTS scrapped!

Anyway... on to the challenge!
WHAT FUN!

I had never even heard of a "flip flap" until I became a member of the Lasting Memories Design Team. I happened to get a promotional package from Close To My Heart in the Spring and there were these strange little picture sized page protectors that I didn't know what to do with. When Karen suggested a "flip flap" challenge I thought she was crazy...then I remembered those little things.

I AM HOOKED.

These added so much to my page, not to mention I was able to add 4 MORE pictures to my layout without it looking stuffed and overcrowded!

Want to know how they work? Read on!

During the Christmas holidays we held a surprise book-signing and book-reading to celebrate my Mother's latest novel "And the Beat Goes On." I chose to use these pictures because I had a few extra shots that I wanted to fit onto the page, but didn't seem to have room. A flip-flap was the perfect solution!

For this layout, I began by picking my pictures and colours and came up with a basic layout.

Then I chose the pictures to be used in the "flip-flaps" and layered them several times. You will need to leave one side "un-stuck" so that you can insert the flip-flap like so:

Attach your flip-flaps. You will end up with 3 pictures that take up the space of ONE on your layout!

I didn't only put pictures in the flip-flaps... I used some memorabilia and a beautiful sticker poem I found called "She Who Believes in Herself."

I used my "Paper Doll Dress Up" Cricut cartridge to make a city-scape and a pterodactyl. "Dream Big" and "Extra Extra!" are Creative Memories stickers.

The toughest part about useing the flip-flaps is making sure that they will be accessible even once your page protectors are in place. Because I use Creative Memories pages, this was not very hard. They are side-loading, and therefore if you position the flip-flaps right against the edge of the page, there is no need to create a hole for them to go through.

Carefully slide your pages into the protectors, leaving the flip-flap open until the page protector is in place.

And there you have it... a great page with some extra pizzaz!

Flip-Flaps CLOSED

Flip-Flaps OPEN:

Have you ever used flip-flaps?? I'd love to see what you have come up with! Link your "Flip-Flap" layouts over at Lasting Memories...and be sure to hurry...you have until Saturday for this challenge!!

Happy Scrappin!

Challenge #11: Handmade Flowers

 Here we are on Challenge #11 at the Lasting Memories Layout Challenge Blog! 

This week's theme is " Handmade Flowers."

To make my flowers, I used my Cricut and the "George & Basic Shapes" cartridge and cut out two different flowers in several sizes.

 I then took a sponge and some 'Close to My Heart' ink to the flowers, giving them a distressed look.

 Then...crumple, crumple, squich, squash! Make them look like real petals by adding some dimension...

 

Now carefully unfold the squished flowers!

 Attach them together using a brad and tada! A beautiful handmade flower!!

 I used my lovely new flowers on a layout I have been working on for a "pre-wedding" book for one of my Hubby's cousins who just got married.

 

 

Hope you enjoyed learning how to make flowers! It is super fast and easy, so give it a whirl and then let me know how it went!

Don't forget to check out what the rest of the Design Team came up with at Lasting Memories!

Happy Scrappin'!

Back to School and Fall Inspiration!

Monday was my Hubby's first day of school... in a long time. Kurt is a journeyman Welder, but has now begun his second trade; as an Electrician. Back to Apprentice wages, but loving every minute! And so... for the next few years he will be in and out of school for 10 weeks at a time. Fun! :) Isn't he a cutie?

I thought I would share a few more of the layouts I did for my friend Willow's wedding. Hopefully they will inspire you for this weeks challenge at Lasting Memories... "Chipboard & Fall Colours." Hurry and post your layouts for a chance to be top 3! Entries will only be accepted until this Saturday!!

I love adding "memorabilia" to my pages... above you can see the wedding invitation... I did all of the layouts for this wedding to match their chosen colours. 

I used "My World" Cricut Cartridge to make the wheat...love it!

The third layout I did for this wedding is a little more "full" as I wanted to fit the rest of my pictures in... I used the program from the reception (again, the same colours!) along with my favourite pictures from the dinner and dance.

You had a gorgeous wedding Willow (& Matt!), thanks for including me in the fun!!!

I hope this has helped to inspire you for the "Fall Colours" challenge over at Lasting Memories... now get over there and link your layouts!!!!

Happy Scrappin!!

Simplicty...

I thought I would post another "Simplicity" layout that I prepared for this weeks challenge at Lasting Memories. Need some help getting your mind going? Need a little inspiration? Here she is!

I used my wonderful cricut and "Graphically Speaking" cartridge to cut out this lovely saying...

...and I used the "George & Basic Shapes" cartridge for the flowers.

I love how "simple" this layout is... crisp white background with crisp shapes and solid colours.  What does simple mean to you???

Be sure to enter the "Simplicity" Layout Challenge at Lasting Memories, and don't forget to tell a friend for your chance to be entered into a draw for some GREAT CANDY!!! There is only ONE week left for this challenge so hurry and post your pages!

Challenge #4: Simplicity

Can you believe we are already on Challenge #4? I can't...that means summer is almost over! And... I will be home from holidays tomorrow. Boo. I'll tell you all about it later this week...

SIMPLICITY

I think this describes my usual scrapbooking style pretty well. I like my layouts to have straight, sharp lines, simple titles, and not be over-crowded. I actually came up wth this layout when I was working on the last challenge, so it has "stamped" elements as well... but I thought it represented "simplicty" to a T.

The pictures are from October 21, 2007- My Univeristy roommate and I did a photo shoot... she had lately become really interested in photography and needed a model. She actually did my wedding the next summer and I love her photos! Whay to go Laura!

You will note that this layout has stamping incorporated into it... and if you read my posts from the last challenge, you will know about my stamping-in-my-scrapbooks phobia...it must be lessening!!

This page represents simplicity in it's looks as well as in the nature of the pictures... enjoying nature = simple.

This page uses Close To My Heart paper and ink, and Stampin' Up! stamps. I also used my cricut and my "stamped" cartridge.

I started by choosing a blue paper (Close to my Heart paper pack "Sasaparilla") that would compliment the blue sky in my pictures, but not be overbearing. I then stamped the outline of leaves in a coordinating blue ("Lilac Mist" from Close To My Heart) all over the entire page.

Next, I used "Grey Wool" ink to very sparingly stamp the overlapping leaf imprint, adding just enough colour to really make the page stand out.

 I chose a really nice light brown from the same 'Close To My Heart' paper pack and used it for matting pictures, as well as cutting out my cricut images.

 I cut out "2007" and a "happy tag" and then used white paper to cut out the letters for "Autumn." I really love how these simple words bring to life what is happening... the pure enjoyment of autumn.
I then used another "Stampin' Up!" flower stamp for something 'extra'. 

For the rest of the layout I used large blocks of paper, simple matting and cleam cut corners and lines. One circle-cut picture adds some dimension to the page. 

A simple layout, yet very pleaseing to the eye. I love how it turned out!

What can YOU do using simple techniques such as random stamping and large blocky pieces of paper?
Don't forget to check out Lasting Memories to see all of the wonderful layouts my Design Teammates have come up with for this "Simplicity" Challenge!
Happy Scrappin'! And remember, link your "Simple" layouts on the Lasting Memories Blog for fun and a chance to win!

I should be driving home from holidays tomorrow... so I'll let you know all about our trip in the next few days!!