Nat Noted -- Oct. 29/12

I love Fall because of the wonderful colours, warm sweaters and comfort food! The cooler weather also means more time inside to scrapbook all the pictures I took last summer.

It is also the season for crazy weather. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the path of Sandy aka The Frankenstorm. Stay safe!

I found some wonderful things online thatI had to share with you.

1. I think I seem to remember that I *may* have said somewhere that I didn't understand why anyone would make and want to give or even want to receive a Hallowe'en card. I take it all back if the Hallowe'en card looks like this. ;-)

Photo credit: Hege Lundquist (Prima)

2. American Crafts just released new products, including these fab scissors. I want this set now please.

3. Debbie Hodge lists 5 reasons to use black and white photos on a layout. I love this Dina Walkley page where the photo was converted to black and white to give it more impact (plus it's a cool layout).

Photo credit: Dina Walkley (Get It Scrapped!)

4. I am really loving the layouts by Lilith Eckles who is on the design team for American Crafts. I find this page very inspiring because Lilith took her inspiration from Pinterest. I also love the ribbon and the sewing and the words on the orange stripe and the pennants and the white space and the sense of movement. Wow.

Photo credi: Lilith Eckles (Lilith's Scrapbooking Venture)

5. Who knew ink splats could be so beautiful?  

Photo credit: Tina Walker (My Mind's Eye)

6. Christy Tomlinson designed some super cool iPhone covers. If you go to Christy's site, you'll see the other producst she's designed and a coupon code. Love Christy!

Photo caption: Christy Tomlinson

7. Noell Hyman from Paperclipping has a great post on how to start Project Life.

Photo credit: Noell Hyman (Paperclipping)

8. Anna Bjorklund from Tattered Angels decorated stones to play "three in a row" (which looks a lot like tic tac toe to me) with doodling and Glimmer Glam. The tutorial on the TA website is very cool. 

Photo credit: Anna Bjorklund (Tattered Angels)

 9. Love the confetti on this card.

Photo credit: Sally Traidman (Hero Arts)



I hope you find time to be inspired and create something wonderful this week.



It's Not Halloween

I would never pretend like I'm 'on time' in my scrapbooking. But really, I'm not that far behind (that being said, I estimate that I probably have like 60 layouts to do to 'catch up' - totally doable!)

However, I did complete a summer scrapbooking challenge in June, July and August in which I finished 61 pages. 4 of those pages are my little guy Sam's 2011 Halloween. So when I saw the paper the design team was getting for the October layout, the Whoo-ligans collections by Bo Bunny,  

my heart sank just a little bit. What on earth was I going to use for pictures?!

Lucky for me, I came across pictures of Sam with his Green Lantern glasses that he got as part of a McDonald's Happy Meal a few months ago and a crown from one of his board games. For some reason, Sam LOVES those glasses.



I based my layout on the October sketch of the PageMaps 2012 calendar. I quite like this sketch because it allowed me to use a border punch, one of my favourite scrapbooking tools. I also created dimension by using foam squares and orange ribbon on a border piece.



I created my pocket by using a scrap piece of red paper and added faux-stitching. I cut a slightly small piece of white cardstock and used Black Soot Distress Ink around the edges. I used this piece as my journalling box.



Finally, I added a frame sticker from the collection but I used foam squares to add dimension.

This layout turned out a lot better than I thought it would. I'm pretty happy with this one! Come check it out in person at Auntie Em's and complete your own layout based on the October sketch to potentially win a prize!


Happy scrappin'!

Captain America

This was a hard for me this month.  My biggest challenge was that I had no Halloween photos.  I begged my son to let me take photos of him, and still, it ended up costing me $10.  And after all that, I realized that the outfit really didn't match the paper.  

This month we needed to created a pocket.  I kept it very simple, I used my mat for my pocket.  I just used my two-way tape all around, except where I inserted my journaling.  We also had to use stickers, I only used one, but I added Glossy Accents, and thread.  I also added a little punch to the pattern paper with Stickles. 

Nat Noted -- Oct. 22/12



Hallowe'en is just around the corner. I know this from all of the blog posts on Hallowe'en decorations, Hallowe'en cards, Hallowe'en layouts and Hallowe'en inspirations.

Don't get me wrong, I love Hallowe'en. I just don't have time to decorate my house and I have no idea who would want a Hallowe'en card. ;-)

There were a few things I liked online this week and, yes, I did include one Hallowe'en decoration. <sheepish grin>

1. Fancy Pants has the best altered objects. I love this trick or treating bucket .

Photo credit: Jing-Jing Nickel (Miss Fancy Pants)

2. All of Julia Stainton's cards are beautiful, but this one is stunning. I love how she used leftover scraps and embellies. I am totally inspired!

Photo credit: Julia Stainton (Belle Papier)

3. Noell Hyman from Paperclipping has a great post reminding us to organize our scrap space before the holiday chaos. Just as I was thinking where I would find the time, she writes: "Take what time you have left to get organized so your mind will be clear and your space will be ready." I feel like Noell is speaking to me directly! LOL!

4. I love this vintage envelope created by Anna Dabrowska aka Finnabair. She also posted a tutorial on the Sizzix UK blog.



Photo credit: Anna Dabrowska/Finnabair (Sizzix)

5. I need this.

Photo credit: Thienly Azim (mod paperie) 

That's it for this week. See you soon!!

 





Two not so scary Halloween layouts

The challenge for the October sketch was to create pockets on your layout.  Well WOOPS I forgot to do that, so I did a 2nd layout, and then went back and added a pocket to my first because I felt guilty.  We used the Bo Bunny "whoo-ligans" collection for this challenge.

... And Ducks?!

 

 

 

Pumpkin Sitting

 

 

 

You too can join in on the challenge, simply use the page map for October in the Scrapbook & Cards Today calendar as your starting point, and using supplies that you purchased at Auntie Em's create a layout with a POCKET!  Bring your layout to the store for a chance to win!

 

 

Copic Marker ~SEPIA~Techniques class with Lorena

Auntie Em's is pleased to provide you with another Copic Markers colouring class on Saturday October 27th at 1:00pm.  Lorena will take you through the art of colouring a sepia image with Copic Markers using the E40's colour family. Cost is $20. 

Understanding shadows and shading using only brown markers to create your own coloured image that gives the appearance of a sepia photograph.  You will be amazed with the results that you can achieve from SEVEN markers all in the same colour!

 

Auntie Em's will have all of the markers available for purchase.  Call to reserve your spot in this class today.  Have your markers set aside for you at the same time.

E40 Brick White
E41 Pearl White
E42 Sand White
E43 Dull Ivory
E44 Clay
E47 Dark Brown
E49 Dark Bark

It is suggested that you bring your colourless blender (0) as well.

Nat Noted -- Oct. 15/12

There wasn't much to do on a rainy weekend so I put the finishing touches on a few layouts I started at Crop & Create Ottawa.

I came out of that event with a ton of ideas in my head. I've been thinking about colours and patterns and scrapbooking in a different way. And it got me excited about scrapbooking.

With all of this creative energy, I was inspired by a ton of different I found online. I hope you like these as I do!

1. Basic Grey just released two new collections Fact and Fiction. I like both of these releases because the papers look like they would work with any other collection both as basics and as accents.

2. The very talented Andrea Budjack created a beautiful shaker gift tag.

Photo credit: Andrea Budjack (Creative Paper Trail)

 3. Donna Downey is travelling through Europe teaching her wonderful techniques to some very lucky scrapbookers/art journallers/artists/creatives. While away, she posted some old favourites for Inspiration Wednesday. This caught my eye because of the purple (to say I love purple is an undertatement). Using strings as flower stems is genius! And oh so beautiful!!

Photo credit: Donna Downey (simply me)

4. Debbie Hodge from Get It Scrapped! has a great post on scrapbooking with the colour blue.

Photo credit: Amanda Jones (Get It Scrapped!)

6. Echo Park and Carta Bella have just released a free eBook called Season's Greetings. You have to create an account to download the book, but it's free. There are ton of great ideas here. Did I mention it was free? ;-)

7. Nicole altered a few tins for her niece's birthday. Her niece wanted cash (which teen doesn't?) and she thought this was a great way to give her the money. I couldn't agree more! These are so awesome they make me wish I was related to Nicole. LOL!

Photo credit: Canadian Nickel Srapn

8. Jess made a mini-album on my favourite subject: coffee. This is brilliant! Note to self: Must make an album dedicated to coffee before Christmas.

Photo credit: Jess (Life on Lee Avenue)

9. This candy dish by Thienly Azim is just too stinkin' cute not to share with you.


Photo credit: Thienly Azim (mod paperie)

10. My Mind's Eye has a ton of ideas for Hallowe'en treat bags.

Photo credit: Monika Wright (My Mind's Eye)

11. I want this phone.

Photo credit: Kaz Hall (This Little Shabby Shed)

Wishing you a week full of good surprises!

Cari's Prima Weekend of Fun

CARI IS COMING TO TOWN!!

Ok I know it's just a few snowflakes but tis the season!! LOL So ladies I know you have been wondering what you need to bring to class so I'm attaching the list from Cari for each class. Of course your basic tool kit is an essential but make sure you have the following!!

Starting with Friday night's Class - Tags and Cards

Scissors

Trimmer

Helmar 450 

Tape runner

Distress tool

Saturday morning Firefly Layout Class / sold out

Trimmer

Scissors

Helmar 450

Tape Runner

Foam Tape or whatever you call it LOL

A Palette Knife if you have it. If not Cari will have a few we can share

Distresser Tool

Saturday afternoon Flower Pot Album

Scissors

Trimmer

Helmar 450

Tape Runner

Water Sprayer or Mister

Sunday morning Mixed Media Album

Scissors

Baby Wipes

Paper Towels

Helmar 450

Water Mister or Sprayer

Acrylic Blocks for stamping-small and medium

Black Ink pad-Staz On 

Small wallet sized photo-black and white-self portrait, any part of body except your privates

Paint Brushes-1 in, 1/2 in.-bring a few...

Tiny Attacher or Stapler

Darn you Cari - now I have to take another photo!!

Well ladies if you have any questions please don't hesitate to call us at the store 613-938-4888.

Plus we still have a few spots left for some of the classes - you won't be disappointed!

See y'all soon!

 

Nat Noted - Oct. 8/12

Happy Thanksgiving! On this day, I am thankful for the gift of health and for my family & friends, and for all of the creativity that surrounds me.

I found a few things online which I hope you will like.

1. October 6th was World Card Making Day. I made a cute retirement card and participated in the Bo Bunny Blog Hop. There were a ton of great cards online this weekend, but these were my favourite.



Photo credit: Becky WIlliams (One Scrappin' Mama)



Photo credit: Lea L. (Lea's Cupcakes and Sunshine)





Photo credit: Thienly Azim (Mod Paperie)



Photo credit: Andrea Budjack (Pink Paislee)



2. Tim Holtz announced that the Seasonal Distress Inks are now part of the distress colour palette. This means that you can now buy the seasaonl inks separately unless, like me, you already have them all. ;-)

Photo credit: Tim Holtz

3. Lifestyle Crafts previewed a new product -- the Genius Ultimate Platform. It comes out in the Spring, but I know I already want it! These platforms fit in the Big Shot, the Vagabond and the Cuttlebug. I love that they're magnetic and include one self-healing mat and one embossing mat. Aren't you curious now?


Photo credit: Lifestyle Crafts

4. Becky Higgins celebrated the 3rd year of Project Life with classes and giveaways and these mobile backgrounds. I haven't quite figured out how to change the background on my iPhone to one of these cool backgrounds. Maybe my 9-year old son can help. LOL!!!


Photo credit: Becky Higgins

54. Debbie Hodge from Get It Scrapped! loves lists more than I do. This week, she blogged about using menswear patterns, such as houndstooth, chevron, herringbone, and pinstripes, in scrapbooking layouts. 

Photo credit: Kiki Kougioumtzi (Get It Scrapped!)

6. May Flaum took the Stamp and Show Challenge to turn something into rustification (anything that looks like rust). She altered a white foam pumpkin and leaves with Dylusions, Tim Holtz alcoholic inks, distress inks and crackle paint, and various paints from Claudine Hellmuth, Jenni Bowlin, and Adirondack. May Flaum's directions are very clear, which instantly makes me feel like I could do this project.

Photo credit: May Flaum

7. Vicki Chrisman from Miss Fancy Pants made hanging luminaries from the Summer's End line. I'm thinking this would be a great project to make with the kids!

Photo credit: Miss Fancy Pants

8. Sometimes pictures online do not do a layout or a card or a project or a product justice. I think this is true for Pink Paislee's Portfolio collection. I liked it. But I didn't love it probably because the colours looked too muted online. Then, I got to use the collection at Crop & Create and it is stunning in person! These pictures at Moxie Fab World will give you a hint of how amazing Portfolio is.

Photo credit: Moxie Fab World

9. I really love handmade calendars. And I really want to make one for my office because it will remind of my family and that little obession/hobby/passion of mine. :-) I love the calendar Corrie Jones made. Every page is filled with great techniques and a bit of whimsy too.

Photo credit: Corrie Jones (You, Me & Crazy)

10. David Kelley gave a great TED talk on creative confidence. The video is a little over 11 minutes long, but you will love every word.

I hope you have a week filled with creative people and projects.

See you next week!