Christmas cards

Hi Crafters,
Life around here has been a whirl wind with not only holiday plans but with WEDDING preparation too! (In case you missed it in past posts, I am getting married on New Years Eve)!!! I have still managed to make some time to get my Christmas cards made (lets just say I'm running a bit on fumes at this point)! I wish I could get moew of them posted but I have just been very slow on the photography and honestly, I'm not even sure that I took pictures of all of them before I mailed them out...grrrr...my bad. Once things settle down in the new year I'll figure out what pictures I have and we can pretend I wasn't late with the rest of them. I have been playing around a lot with my new Stampin' Up stuff and really loving it! I am not going to post all the details of all the cards here as I don't have time but leave me a message if there is something you are wondering about and I'll do my best to get back to you. For now here is what I got....

Anyways, I just wanted to post so you didn't think I forgot about you all but this will more then likely be my last post of 2011! Happy crafting and happy holidays! See you in the New Year as a married woman :)
Tara

JustWordz DT Friday

Hi Everyone,
It's that time again...JustWordz DT Friday! We are back one final week before the holidays to show you some more fabulous cards and dare I say I have a feeling they are all going to be Christmas related haha! I can't wait to check out the rest of the DT creations! Make sure you check them out too on the JustWordz blog and head over to their personal blogs from there as each member has so much wonderful inspiration to offer! Have I told you lately how in love with these stamp sets I am?! Seriously, look at the perfect sentiment I created for this card this week! This picture was from a series of pictures I found last year through Tim Holtz's blog. Search Tim Holtz Christmas tags 2010 and you you should be able to find the link. They are stinkin' cute pictures! 
Have a wonderful weekend everyone and happy crafting!
Tara

Details:

Cardstock: Recollections

Patterned paper: DCWV

Ribbon: Offray

Gromlets + Big Bite Crop a Dile

Red Pearl pen

Distress inks

Sentiment: JustWordz Christmas Set

Stamp-a-Stack part 4

Hi Everyone,
Okay we have finally made it to the end! Can you believe it 12 designs, 2 of each for a total of 24 cards in one day! I seriously can not even tell you have much fun I had!!! If you missed the original post where I filled you in on the event click here, there is also part 1 here, part 2 here, and part three here. And finally here are the last set of cards to share from that fabulous day!

Thanks Kelly for putting on such a great event! See you next year for sure :) If anyone lives in Nova Scotia and is interested in knowing more about this for next year please message me and I can send you some contact info.
Happy Crafting!
Tara

Birthday Sundaes Challenges

Hi Everyone,
The DT at Birthday Sundaes is taking the month of December off to have more time to enjoy with family and friends during the holiday season. Hope everyone gets what is on their wishlist and we'll be back with more challenges to help you use up your new and old stash in the New Year!
Happy Crafting!
Tara

JustWordz DT Friday!

Hi Crafters,
It's time again to show you some JustWordz inspiration. I just can't tell you how much I am in love with all these stamp sets. When using these stamps you always have just the perfect sentiment! Here is another card I created using the Christmas set and a digital stamp from Wee Stamps. How cute is she!?

Don't forget to visit the JustWordz blog and see the rest of the DT creations for this week!
Happy Crafting!
Tara
P.S. Can you believe we are in Dec. already!? My wedding is only 29 days away!!!

Details:

Cardstock: Staples Brand + Scraps

Sentiment: Justwordz Christmas Set

Cricut Cut: Little shapes on the bottom from Accent Essentials cut @ 1/4"

Ribbon: Offray

Silver baubles

Silver and red pearl pen

Stickles

Silver embossing powder + heat gun

Snowflakes embossing folder + Cuttlebug

Stamp-a-Stack part 3

Hi Crafters,
Can you believe there are still more cards to show that I made that day at the Stamp-a-Stack event I attended. If you missed the original post where I talk about the event click here. There is also the part 2 here.
On the first 2 cards in this set we got to play with H2O paints. Have you tried these? They are so much fun and leave your card with this fabulous shimmer (sorry you can't see it in the pictures well). H2Os have officially been added to my wishlist. I want one in every colour lol!!! Speaking of which what have you put on your wishlist this year? I fear my grows by the day and is added to all year long haha

Happy Crafting!
Tara

Birthday Sundaes Challenge # 37 + Using up the scraps idea #12

Hi Crafters,

This week the challenge on the Birthday Sundaes blog is another easy one, just create a birthday card with a birthday sentiment on the front. Not only is it an easy week for a challenge we also have a sponsor too!

And here is what you can win:

This week I decided it has been far too long since I have used any of my tiny scraps up so I pulled them out along with my new top note die from Stampin' Up and set to work. I decided the scraps that bug me and overwhelm me the most are my small skinny strips of paper. I hate to throw them out because often they are from such pretty papers but after a while I get more then I know what to do with. By just gluing them all down to a base layer and then cutting that layer out with my top note die in my Cuttlebug I was able to make a very pretty background for this card.

I think I will make more of these bases in the near future and get rid of more of that never ending pile. What do you do with these pieces? Leave me some links to projects you have created using them as I would love to see them and maybe get some scraplifting ideas to help me keep my pile under control! If you would like to see some of the other ideas I have come up with using my scraps click on the 'using up the scraps' link under my labels on my side bar (you will have to scroll down my blog page a bit to find this link).

Thanks for stopping by today and don't forget to check out the Birthday Sundaes blog for more get inspiration from the rest of the DT. They are always sure to impress!
Happy Crafting!
Tara
P.S. Today is my bridal shower...yippy!!! :)

Details:

Cardstock: Recollections + Staples Brand

Patterned paper: scraps

Top note die + cuttlebug

Sentiment: Stampin' Up

Pearl pen

Ovals: Cricut

Butterfly: Martha Stewart punch

JustWordz DT day and a fabulous Black Friday deal!

Hi Everyone and welcome back to another Justwordz DT Friday! I am so excited to share my card with you today, it is one of my favourite ones that I have created lately! The image I used was a freebie from
Stamping boutique I coloured it up with my Prisma coloured pencils and Gamsol and then used stickles and Glossy Accents to give it a neat 'real' window effect. I also used my new favourite tool my heat gun (why oh why did it take me so long to get one of these) and some gold embossing powder for my sentiment. Thanks for stopping by today and don't forget to check out the JustWordz blog and the rest of the design team for some great inspiration! BUT WAIT...I also have another fantastic reason for you to head over to the JustWordz blog...Kim has put all her stamp sets on sale for Black Friday for the AMAZING price of just $13.64 a set!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?! Why not get a set of each and have hundreds, no wait thousands of sentiments to choose from when creating your cards!
Happy Crafting and Shopping ;)
Tara

Details:

Cardstock: Recollections

Patterned paper: DCWV

Digital Stamp: Stamping boutique

Sentiment: JustWordz Christmas set

Ribbon: Stash

Gold Embossing powder and heat gun

Stickles

Glossy Accents

Prisma coloured pencils + Gamsol

Gems: Dollarama

Storm day!

Hi Crafters,
So today was the first official storm day of the school year here in my neck of the woods so can you guess what I have been up to all day? No not crafting lol but I have been on a mission to get this craft room cleaned up! So even if I am not covered in glitter I am still hanging out in my favourite place :)

As for this storm... we have been having above normal temperatures and just all around beautiful weather here the last couple of months. Yesterday was the first day I even wore a winter coat! More often then not I have just been wearing a sweater outside! So it seems we have just jumped right over autumn and headed straight into winter. Although, the forecast says 14 C again for next Wednesday so my guess is this 30 + cm of snow will not last long. Just long enough to make a wet mess!

Do you ever get storm days where you live or do your kids not know the thrill of hearing that sounds sweeter then music on the radio when they announce, all schools in the _____ school board are closed for today! Pure bliss :)
Tara

Stamp-a-Stack part 2

Hi Everyone,
Remember last week when I showed you the cards I made at the Stamp-a-Stack event I attended? If you missed it click here. Here are the next three in the series.

Again simple but stunning! Just looking at them remind me how much fun I had. I am certainly not a pro at inking but I think I pulled it off okay that day. Are Christmas cards your favourite to make too? Leave me some links to your favourite Christmas cards. Any ideas I can scraplift?

Happy Crafting!

Tara
P.S. I got a secret that I am not allowed to tell until Friday make sure you come back for sure because it is a big one and one you will love!!!

Birthday Sundaes Challenge #36

Hi Crafters,

This week on Birthday Sundaes the challenge is to use old/neglected stash. Well, don't we all have piles and piles of that! We are also sponsored this week by Karen's Doodles  and what fabulous digital stamps she has. It was so hard to pick which one I wanted to use on my card this week but then I remembered I have a  little girl like obsession with princesses and so my decision was made, lol. For my old/neglected stash I first used some really pretty colour cardstock that I have been hoarding forever. I also used my Butterfly embosslits folder that I purchased from Stampin' Up and never seem to remember to use. I also used this fabulous trim that I bought in a bunch of different colours a while ago and have yet to even take the plastic. off. My stickles are something I love and have just recently been digging them out again. I really wish they showed up better in pictures as this card has four different coloured stickles on it and just sparkles!

I can't wait to see what oldies but goodies you find hiding in your scrap space and put to work this week. Check out the Birthday Sundaes blog for the rest of the fabulous DT creations and to see who our guest designer is this week!

Happy Crafting!
Tara

Details:

Cardstock: source unknown (that's how long I have had it! Sorry)

Digital Stamp: http://karensdoodles.com/

Trim: Multi Craft Imports

Ribbon: Offray

Butterfly: Sizzix butterfly embosslit

Sentiment Stamp: Michael's

Clear babbles

Stickles

Prisma Coloured pencils + Gamsol

Justwordz DT Friday!

Hi Everyone,
Welcome to Friday (finally)!!! It is time again to get some fabulous Justwordz inspiration! This week we were given Redonkulous Designs digital stamps to work with again. These digis are fabulous and they just keep getting cuter and cuter. Here is the card I made matching one of these digis up with Justwordz Party Time stamp set.

Details:

Cardstock: Recollections + scrap pile

Digital Stamp: Redonkulous Designs

Sentiment Stamp: Justwordz Party Time Set

Ribbon: Offray

Border Punch: Ek Success (American Girl series...it's hot pink)!

Babbles: undyed

Prisma Coloured Pencils + Gamsol

Stickles (on his ball even though the camera didn't pick them up)

Now head on over to the Justwordz blog to get more inspiration for the rest of the Design Team. There is also challenge going on over there to make a Christmas card with a snowflake on it. You should really enter this while you are there as there is the chance to win a fabulous prize! 

Happy crafting everyone and have a wonderful weekend!

Tara

Stamp-a-Stack

Hi Crafters,
I was uploading my photos today and realized that I never showed you the cards I made at a recent card making event I attended. The event was called Stamp-a-stack. We started at 9am and crafted all day creating 24 Christmas cards by the end. We made 12 different designs with 2 of each design. It was a fabulous day I can't wait to do it again next year! The event was put on by Kelly from My Stamping Studio and two of her friends. Each lady created 4 of the designs and had all our layers cut out for us so all we had to do was stamp and assemble! Since there are a lot of pictures to show I will break it up into smaller posts over the next little while. Here are three of the cards we created that day.

I wish I could take creative credit for these fabulous cards but like I said all the hard work was done for us that day! I love that all the cards were very simple (they had to be we really only had 15 minutes per card)! It just goes to show simple can be great!!! Have you ever gone to anything like this in your area? If so and you have pictures leave me a link I would love to see them! 

Are you inspired yet?

Happy Crafting!

Tara

Birthday Sundaes Challenge #35

Hello Crafters,

It's time for another Birthday Sundaes challenge! Today our challenge is to create a birthday card with a tree and a birthday sentiment on the front of your card! As soon as I read this challenge I knew just the tree I wanted to use! Here is my card inspiration for you this week...

I have been so inspired so much by the amazing cards that my fellow DT member Samantha makes using her pearl pens that I have been trying to use mine more lately. I tried a technique I have seen her use this week by framing my entire card with pearl pen dots. I really like the effect. It is clear I need more practice but I think I pulled it off okay :) Thanks for the amazing inspiration Samantha!

Card Details:

A2 Size card

Cardstock: Recollections + Staples

Cricut cut: Sweethearts cartridge cut @ 3.5"

Sentiment stamp: Hero Arts

White pearl pen

Glossy accents

Ribbon: Offray

I Hope you can join us this week too! Check out the Birthday Sundaes blog for the rest of the DT creations!

Happy Crafting!
Tara



Justwordz DT Friday!

Hi Everyone,
Today is a special day not only because it is Justwordz DT day but it is also Remembrance Day here in Canada. It is in honour of Remembrance Day that I created my card that I am sharing today. I just googled poppy colouring pages (actually spell it the non-Canadian way without the 'u' for better search results...I have learned from experience, lol) The one I choose to use was from this link. It worked perfectly for the front of my card! I coloured it up with my Prisma coloured pencils and Gamsol then used glossy accents on the flowers with a black pearl pen for the centre. The red 'gems' in the top corner are also a pearl pen.

Details:

Cardstock: Recollections/Staples

Sentiment Stamp: Justwordz Everyday Sentiments Set

Ribbon: Offray

Thanks for stopping by today and don't forget to check out the rest of the Justwordz design team. Plus Kim has a fabulous giveaway going on right now that you will want to get in on. All the info. is on the Justwordz blog.

Have a great Remembrance Day my fellow Canadians and happy Friday to everyone!
Tara

Too Much Fun!

Hi Crafters,
I had so much fun with the Bugaboo image that I coloured for my last Birthday Sundaes post that I decided to play around with Gus a bit too! I justed the same layout as I did with him on a card I made a while ago but tried some different papers and spruced it up a bit. Today I am just showing you just the first with more to come.....

Details:

A2 Size card

Cardstock: scrap pile except Staples Brand white for my base

Patterned papers: again scrap pile

Digital Stamp + sentiment: Bugaboo

Ribbons: Offray

Embrodery floss + Buttons: my stash

Glossy Accents: his glasses

Prisma Coloured pencils + Gamsol

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

http://quirkycrafts.blogspot.com/ Challenge #23 - Attitude (Gus totally has attitude)!

My Memories Suite Giveaway Winner

The winner of the My Memories Suite giveaway is...

Jessica M. said "What great pages! This software looks really neat! My favourite item from the digital scrapbook website is "Moments and memories" word pack. Thanks for the chance to win!"

Jessica M. j_mari33 at hotmail dot com

Congrats Jessica!!! I'll be emailing you shortly with more info.

Happy Crafting!
Tara

Birthday Sundaes Challenge #34

Hello Crafters and Happy Sunday,
It's time for another Birthday Sundaes challenge! Today our challenge is super simple, create a birthday card and include a birthday sentiment on your card front! We also have a special treat for you this week if you participate and follow all the rules (see the Birthday Sundaes blog for complete list for rules). Today is one of our DT members Birthday and she is sponsoring us this week with a fabulous prize! Happy Birthday Tracey! The prize Tracey is supplying, a huge assortment of Kaisercraft Christmas supplies.



Here is my inspiration for you this week...

Oh ya I did three! I was just having so much fun with this image!

Details:

A2 Size cards

Cardstock: scrap pile except Staples Brand white for my bases

Patterned papers: again scrap pile

Digital Stamp + sentiment: Bugaboo

Ribbons: Offray

Punches: Fiskers, Creative Memories corner punch

Pearls: Dollarama

Glossy Accents: her glasses

Liquid snow: icing

Stickles: hat pom pom

Prisma Coloured pencils + Gamsol

Hope you can join us this week too! Check out the Birthday Sundaes blog for the rest of the DT creations (you are in for a treat this week)!

Happy Crafting!

Tara

Justwordz Stamp Release Blog Hop!

Hi everyone and welcome to the Justwordz Stamp Release Blog Hop. Today Kim is officially releasing her two newest sets of stamps and all I can say is WOW she has really out done herself with these sets! There is a Christmas set and a Party time set. If you have just happened upon my blog today and would like to start at the beginning of the blog hop then head on over to Justwordz. Here are the two sets in full...

(remember you can click on the picture to see it bigger and really get a look at all those words on there)

Today we also have another treat for you. Kim's niece Sheryl has just set up shop selling digital stamps at Redonkulous Designs! (Yup talent clearly runs in that family)! Each of the DT has a set of Kim's stamps and we were rewarded with a chance to work with some of Sheryl's digis. I was so excited I actually made two cards but one will have to be saved for another day...I know it is killing me not to show you too! It took me forever to decided which card to share but since this week I have been noticing Christmas ads everywhere and actually as I am writing a Simpson's Christmas special is on tv, I figured why not kick off the Christmas card making season in style! So here is it.....

I really wish you could see all the sparkle and shine on this card...the picture just don't capture it!

Details:

Cardstock: Recollections and Staples Brand

Patterned Paper: DCWV

Digital Stamp:  RedonkulousDesigns

Cricut Cuts: Snowflakes, Accent Essentials

Sentiment: Justwordz Christmas Sentiments Set

Ribbon: Offray

Bling: clear baubles

Prisma coloured pencils + gamsol

Glossy Accents

Stickles

White embossing powder + heat gun

Jelly Roll white pen

Fiskers edge punch

I have actually gone crazy making Christmas cards lately and I can't wait to share more! I have been so busy I haven't even stopped to take pictures lol, but don't worry they are coming soon!

One last thing before I send you on your way...I have a giveaway going on and I would really love to have you enter. Click here to be taken to the post. Good Luck! You are also going to want to make sure you check out the Justwordz blog as there are all kinds of wonderful prizes, a challenge and some fabulous inspiration to be seen there today and always!

Now I am sending you off to visit Samantha

Here is a list of the entire op in case you get side tracked along the way.
Kim
Alina
Tara (you are here)
Samantha
Leah Ann
Kristin
Heather
Corry
Cecelia

Have a wonderful weekend everyone and happy crafting!
Tara

My Memories Suite Software Giveaway

Hi Everyone,
I am back today with a few more layouts I made using the My Memories Suite Software. I actually cheated a bit this time and used pre-made templates. All I had to do was pop in the photos! I am really not a computer natural (I am lucky I can work this blog thing lol) and yet I feel like I am really rocking this software when all I have to do is add the finishes touches! I have not had a great deal of time to play around with this software and I am sure there is way more you can do with it then what little I have shown you. There are a ton of freebies on the MyMemories.com website with embellishments and pre-made templates. Just think how quick you could throw together a photobook/ brag book with this software. I'm sure I will be creating more with this in the near future. As I was looking at my finished layouts a few minutes ago it struck me that they would make fabulous paper layouts and I might just use some of the pre-made templates as layout sketches in the future! So even if you are unsure about digital scrapbooking this might be an awesome resource for paper crafting too!

My discount code is still active if you are interested in some savings enter this code at MyMemories.com store STMMMS88364 and you will receive a $10 savings! Plus I am also going to giveaway a copy of this software to one lucky follower! Here is what you need to do in order to enter...

1) Be a follower of my blog
2) Go to the  MyMemories.com  store look around, find your favourite item and then come back here and let me know what it is! (I can't wait to see what you discover)!
That simple!!! I'll be drawing a winner one week from today on November 7, 2011

Good Luck and Happy Crafting!
Tara

Birthday Sundaes Challenge #33

Hi everyone,
Sorry I am late with this today. This storm blowing though the East Coast has been playing games with our power and of course this would be one of the only weeks I didn't have my post pre-typed, grrrr. The power is back on though (for now anyways) so on to business... this week at Birthday Sundaes us designers have the week off and the guest designers have taken over! The challenge this week...your favouite (it's nice and easy) ...any kind of birthday card with a birthday sentiment on the front! Head on over to the Birthday Sundaes blog to see what the guest designers have created to inspire you this week and then link up your creation!
Have a fabulous week!
Tara

Justwordz DT round 2!

Hello Bloggers,
I am so excited that I was chosen to be part of the Justwordz DT for a second term. The Justwordz stamps are amazing and each time I see a new sentiment made with them I am amazed yet again. There is truly just endless possiblities! This term there is something new too! Kim has just released two new sets, one is called Christmas Season and  the other is called Party Time. Let's just say I could not settle for just one and now own both sets lol. All week Kim has been featuring her new DT on her website and today was my day. Pop on over and check it out, you are also going to want to check out all 3 of her stamp sets while you are there ;)
Happy Crafting!
Tara

My Memories Suite Software

Hello Crafters,
I am so excited to share a special project with you today. I have recently been playing around with My Creative Suite software. I never thought that I would be interested in digital scrapbooking because I really LOVE playing with paper but I can see how this can be addicting. It is just too easy!!! Here is the first page I created with the software. I keep it super simple as I am still brand new to this but I also really like the simple look! We got our engagement photos done on a beach this summer and I have yet to do anything with them so I thought this seemed like the perfect time! I'll be showing you some more projects through out the week and then I have a surprise for you soon!
As a treat for now here is a special code that will get you $10 discount at MyMemories.com store STMMMS88364



Happy Crafting!
Tara

Birthday Sundaes #32

Hi Everyone,
It's that time again...the new challenge for Birthday Sundaes is to create a card using only the colours purple/green/white/black birthday card. I was super surprised that I found this challenge easy as usually I struggle with colour challenges but the colours in this one were just so great! I used some stamps that I purchased at Michael's forever ago and had yet to ink up. I also used my heat gun and embossing powder again and I just love the effect on these flowers. I think I have a new favourite technique :)


Thanks for stopping by today and don't forget to head on over to the Birthday Sundaes blog to check out the rest of the DT creations as well as our guest designer this week.
Happy Crafting!
Tara

Details:

A2 Sized Card
Cardstock: Recollections and Staples Brand

Stamps: Micheal's, Technique Tuesday
Ribbon: Offray

Brads: stash

Cuttlebug + Script embossing folder

Heat gun + embossing powder

Justwordz DT Friday (Oct. 21)

Hi Crafters,
This is the last week for the current Justwordz DT and I just want to say a big thank you to Kim and all my fellow members for making this DT so much fun! Ladies it has been a blast to see how each and every one of you use the Justwordz Everyday Sentiments stamp set each week. When I first got them I stared at them for a whole night coming up with possible sentiments. Now after seeing your creations I realize just how many sentiments they can really make and even then I am sure we have only scratched the surface. Thanks for all the amazing ideas ladies!

This week for my Justwordz  project I made a card for my father in-law. I learned this inking technique at my local scrapbooking store a while ago and wanted to give it another shot. It was only after I finished the card that Brian (my fiance) pointed out the original card I made using this technique was given to my father in-law already!  Guess I better not give him this one too since it is very similar lol. Might need to re-stamp another sentiment since I only have one father in-law haha.

Details:

A2 size card

Cardstock: Recollections

Pattern paper: My Mind's Eye

Digital Stamp: This was a freebie from tidbitstrinkets.com
Sentiment: Justwordz Everyday Sentiments Set

Ribbon: Offray

Brad: stash

Here is the original card I created at my LSS

Remember Kim has just released two new stamp sets! A party invite set and a Christmas set! In the very near future her new DT will be announced and you will be able to see these stamp sets in action. Although, if I were you I would head on over to her site and check them out now as the Christmas set is going to fly off the shelf I am sure!!!
Also, don't forget to head over to the Justwordz blog and check out the rest of the DT creations made with the Everyday Sentiments stamp set!
I am entering this card into the following challenges:
http://celebratetheoccasion.blogspot.com/ - Challenge #35 - male + metal
http://tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com/  - 'taking to the skies'
http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/ - Things that fly
http://scrappyfrogschallenge.blogspot.com/ - Something that flies

I am also linking up at
 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone and happy crafting!
Tara

Birthday Sundaes Challenge #31

Hi Everyone,
There is a new challenge over on the Birthday Sundaes blog. This week the challenge is to make a tall card with a birthday sentiment on the front of your card. We have Sweet 'N Sassy stamps as a sponsor this week and what cute images they have! I choose to use the fall bouquet and I just love how I was able to print the image larger because of the tall card. This made all the little details in the bouquet easier to colour and I just love how it turned out! I did a lot of inking on this card and the more I do it the more I like it :)

Thanks for stopping by today and don't forget to head on over to the Birthday Sundaes blog to check out the rest of the DT creations as well as our guest designer this week.

Happy Crafting!
Tara

Details:

 Card Size - 8.5" x 4"

Cardstock: Recollections

Patterned papers: DCWV

Digital Image: Sweet N' Sassy

Sentiment Stamp: Hero Arts

Ribbon: Dollarama

Prisma Coloured Pencils + Gamsol

Gems: Dollarama

Martha Stewart brown chalk ink