Canada Day Blog Hop

Hi Crafters and welcome to the Canada Day blog hop!
It's great to be Canadian Eh? And did you know there are some great crafting companies out there as well has a ton of fabulous Canadian crafters and bloggers! Today is all about supporting those Canadian companies and showcasing some truly talented Canadian ladies!

Well lets get started.... I am your first stop of the day so I better let you in on some very important information. We have some great Canadian and other friendly sponsors lined up for prizes and winning is going to be so much fun! All you need to do is hop along with us leaving all the participants some lovely comments and pick up one "clue word" from each blog along the way. Once you have all the words then you will have a special question to answer. Leave your answer in the comments on Heather's blog (the last stop on the hop) and ta da you are entered to win one of our great prizes! You have until Wed. July 4th to leave your comment and the winners  will be drawn and posted on Thurs. July 5th. Best of all you will have a blast looking at all the fun Canadian crafts along the way!

Here is the list of sponsors and prizes to drool over....
*Your Next Stamp ~ Jenny from Canada rubber stamp
*Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps ~ choice of rubber stamp
*Bugaboo Stamps - $30 Gift Card
*Redonkulous Designs ~ choice of one digi image
*Scrappy Moms Stamps ~ Canada set

*** Note that on Shari's blog she used "Jenny" from your next stamp! So if you want to see what she looks like this is perfect!

I decided to make a scrapbook page for my project today. I figured it was time to finally scrapbook some pictures from the past...these photos were from a Canada Day car show we went to in 2009 (oh the joys of being married to a technician, lol). This page was a fabulous way to use up some of these red scraps. I just filled my Cricut mat full of them and started cutting.

Details:

Cardstock/patterned paper: from my stash and lots of scraps

Cricut cuts: Maple left - Create a Critter - cut @ 2", 1.5", 1.25", 1"

Letters - Plantin Schoolbook - cut @ 1.5"

Gems: Dollarama

Stamps: Pink By Design - Canada Set

Hero Arts - July set
My Mind's Eye- Miss Caroline Dilly Dally "Adventures"
Fiskers - Brackets
SU: Punch

*I am going to link my project today up to Joyful stamper's link up party

Now it is time for you to move on and check out Mary's blog blog next but before you go your first "clue word" is How.

Happy hopping and happy crafting!
Tara
Here is the list of the blog hop order just in case you get sidetracked along the way.... ;)
Tara- - http://tarashomemadehappinessot.ca/
Mary - http://www.maryshappyplace.com/
Kim - http://www.justwordz.ca/
Nicole - http://canadiannickelscrapn.blogspot.ca/
Kerry - http://mommakcrafts.blogspot.ca/
Michelle - http://mumoftwoblog.blogspot.ca/
Tracy - http://thecroppingcanuck.blogspot.ca/
Kate - http://smallbitsofpaper.blogspot.ca/
Shari -http://sharispinkpalace.blogspot.ca/
Avril - http://totallyscrapaddicted.blogspot.ca/
Heather: http://princesspaperprojects.blogspot.ca/

Card Organizer

Hi Crafters,
Last week I showed you sneak peeks at a card holder/organizer I had made and was teaching a class on. The class was on the weekend and a success! Here is a finished booklet we made. It is made from file folders and has 6 double sided pages with a total of 12 pockets in it. All the inner pages are also stamps ramdonly with the doilies making the inside as fun as the outside :) Sorry I didn't take any pictures of them.
Happy Crafting,
Tara

Details:

Stamps: SU

Ribbon: Offray + Celecbration

Cricut cut: 1" Plantin Schoolbook

Gems: Offray + Dollarama

Glossy Accents

Bind-it-all

Baby Boy Banner

Hi Crafters,
Well, I am not sure why but blogger was not letting me post any pictures earlier in the week saying I was out of storage space and when I looked into it I still had 63% left and now all of a sudden it works again..... I'll keep posting I guess until it tries to mess with me again!

I am so excited to share with you a project I created on Sunday! It is for a special little guy I know! He is almost 2 months old and such a cutie pie! He room is done in a John Deere theme. His Daddy is a farmer ;) I noticed last time we went to visit the walls in his room where a little blank so I decided to help fix that! What do you think?! I can't wait to go visit again and hang this banner up! I just know baby and Daddy will love it. I can already hear the request for one for Jeremy's garage now lol.
Happy Crafting!
Tara

Details:

Cricut cuts:

Circles from Plantin Schoolbook - Green cut at 4", Yellow cut at 3.75"

Letters cut from Boys will be Boys cut at 2.5"

Tractor cut from Boys will be Boys cut at 2.5"

Baker's Twine - Twinery

National Scrapbooking Day?!

Hi Crafters,
So I must admit I sort of missed National Scrapbook Day this year. I was busy all day yesterday with errands and my sister in-laws wedding shower (clearly she is not a scrapbooker or she would have realized the holiday she was interfering with lol). I did get a chance in the evening to spend a few minutes in my craft room but only long enough to bind a booklet I have been working on. I will be teaching a class on this booklet next weekend. Here are some sneak peek photos and I'll be sure to show you the actually book next weekend after the class.

I did get some time in my craft room this afternoon and even fired up my poor neglected Cricut! I just love the project I created but it is too dark to take photos right now so I'll share that another day.

Happy Crafting!

Tara

You Had Me At Craft Guest Designer Lala-Palooza

Hello Crafters,
I am so excited to share with you that today I am a Guest Designer on You Had Me At Craft! How fabulous is that?!!! For my guest designer project I created a thankful mini album. On here I am posting the pictures that are left over from my post there (there were just too many photos for one post and I didn't want to bore her followers lol) If you would like to know more about how I made this book and to see the rest of the photos head on over to Alex's blog You Had Me At Craft.

Have a great weekend everyone!
Tara
P.S. Thanks again Alex!

Paper Playtime Challenge #56

Hi Everyone and welcome,
Today is a new challenge day over at Paper Playtime and my last week there as a DT member for the month of September. The challenge starting today is to create a Halloween themed project. I must say the project I created for this challenge is my favourite creation yet this year. It just came together perfectly! I got the idea from the Stampin' Up Christmas Mini catalogue. In there they made a wreath like this with Christmas papers. I decided to try my hand at it with some Halloween papers I have been hoarding since last year.

I started by cutting a base for the wreath out of cereal boxes using my Cricut. Just did a circle and then a smaller circle inside it in the Design Studio. This was what I used to hot gun all those rosettes on. After creating the wreath I fancied it up with some embellishments. I cut a bunch  of small circles out of my Cricut (it was acting weird that day and not actually cutting these in perfect circles but in the end I love that)! I inked those up and glued them on placing a hand dyed bauble inside each one, Don't they look like freaky eyes?! The black stiff ribbon was something from my stash and the black and white twine is from the Twinery. The Happy Halloween was also cut using the Cricut and the Mini Monsters cartridge and then I used glossy accents on the orange letters.

I wish you could see it in real life as the picture does it no justice and the dimension is awesome! I can't wait until it is time to decorate for Halloween and display this baby! Now its your turn to get creative...head on over to the Paper Playtime blog first for some more spooky inspiration and then show us what you got!
Happy Crafting!
Tara

Details:

Patterned Papers: Martha Stewart Halloween Pad (2010) + Imaginisce papers (2010)

Cardstock: Scrap pile

Ribbon: Stash

Twine: Twinery

Baubles: hand dyed

Mini Monsters + Plantin Schoolbook Cricut cartridges

Martha Stewart scoreboard

Hot glue gun

Glossy Accents

Justwordz DT Friday!

Hi Everyone,
This week for the Justwordz DT project Kim gave us a hard one....we had to make a tag. Sounds simple enough and it was other then a panic I felt before I started as this was my first ever tag! Honestly though, I am super proud of this one. I really love how it turned out and I went really far outside my box!

You'll notice I used all really bright colours this week. Well, that is because the day I was making it was sunny and 25. I was in a bit of a tropical mood after the terrible weather we have been experiencing here in Nova Scotia this summer.

One of the neat things I did on this tag that was outside my norm was that I created the background paper. After getting the tag cut out in the blue it looked like it was missing something. I bought these circle Hero Arts stamps a while ago and have never inked them up so I gave it a shot. You can't really tell that the dots are all in circles after I got everything on but I still really liked the effect.

I also did some inking on this card which I am slowly feeling more confident doing (having the right supplies really helps...get yourself some artist sponges and you will be glad)

To finish off the card I sprayed it with glimmer mist (this was another one of those had to have items that has been collecting some major dust). Now this was the part I was scared to death to do as it was finished and I always seem to mess it up when I just want to add that 'little something' right at the end. Does this happen to anyone else? Anyways you can't see it in the picture but the entire tag is all simmery and looks awesome!!!

Ok if you are still with me thanks...not sure why I am so long winded today (home alone with no one else to talk to maybe lol) Don't forget to head over to the Justwordz blog to check out the rest of the DT creations as I know they are going to be amazing!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Tara

Details:

Cardstock: scrap pile :)

Stamps: Justwordz Everyday Sentiments stamp set

Cricut cuts: Plantin Schoolbook

Tag cut @ 4 1/2

Flower @ 2

Circle @ 1/2

Punch: Martha Stewart Butterfly

Ink for background: Marina Mint Stampin' Up

Glimmer Mist: silver sugar

Baubles: hand dyed by me

Pearl Pen black

Ribbon: Offray

Micheal's pink chalk ink

Official Just Wordz DT Launch

Hi Everyone,
Today is the official launch of the Just Wordz DT. If you have just arrived here form Kimberly's Just Wordz blog then welcome and thank you for visiting. Each Friday we will post cards created based on a theme. The Just Wordz blog will have a sneak peek at each of the designers creations but you will need to pop over to their blogs to see the full creation and to leave them some love. This week the theme was 'celebrate'! It is so neat to see all the different sentiments these stamps can create! If you just happened on my blog today you will want to head over to the Just Wordz blog to see what everyone else created this week too! While you are there check out the great introductory special Kimberly has put on the stamps to 'celebrate' the DT launch! Also, there is a chance to win a set! All the info. is on the Just Wordz blog, be sure get as many entries in as you can before August 21, 2011!
Thanks for talking the time to 'celebrate' with us today!
Happy Crafting!
Tara
P.S. I created a quick (okay it took me hours but who's counting lol) video to show you had to make one of these great paper flowers I used on the front of my card. Scroll down for the video.

For my card today I used the current Mojo Monday sketch #200

Details:

Cardstock + pattern paper: scrap pile :)

Fiber + Ribbon: Offray and Dollarama

Bling: Dollarama

Jelly Roll White Pen

Brad: from stash

Cricut cut: 1" circle from Plantin Schoolbook

Bow Easy

Stamp: Just Wordz

Birthday Sundaes Challenge #14

Hello Crafters,
This week is 'shaped birthday cards' on birthday sundaes. I had never made a shaped card before so I decided to take the easy route and use a cartridge with the shape card feature. Unfortunately this was not the easy route afterall :S It got done but it was not a pretty process. Let's just say I hope you have much better luck making yours! I found the cuts on the Hello Kitty cartridge didn't match up. The card base and layers were cut at two different sizes (base and black outline 4 3/4" and layers cut @ 5") I was still left with a little white showing from under the layer but my mini tag covered it just fine and my Justwordz stamps worked so perfectly on the mini tag. I love smaller sentiments! In the end it turned out cute and I am happy with it but can't say I am going to make a bunch of these ones in different colours lol.
Good luck and I can't wait to see what you come up with!
Tara

***Oh my goodness I almost forgot! This week the challenge is sponsored by fellow DT member Michelle and it is a Just Because Card cartridge. What an awesome prize! Thanks Michelle :)

Details:

Cardstock: Recollections

Cricut Cuts: Hello Kitty and Plantin Schoolbook (tag)

Stamps: Justwordz

Cuttlebug and embossing folders Tiny bubbles and stripes

Google eyes and Bling: Dollarama

Black embroidery floss

Bake Sale Blog Hop Day #2

***If you are looking for the Birthday Sundaes post click here***

Welcome back!
If you are arriving here from Tracy @ Craft Junkie Too then you are in the right place. If you have just happened along my blog and would like to start at the beginning then click here. On this blog hop you are going to see anything and everything that has to do with bake sales. Get ready to get some great ideas!

Today I am sharing with you something that I am reposting. If you have been a long, long time follower or have gone back through ALL my posts you may have seen it. It was one of the first projects I ever posted.

Here is the orginial post:
My Mom was hosting a benefit bake sale last weekend. Not only did I make some yummy banana chocolate chip muffins I also made this sign for the front of the table! I used the Everyday Paper Dolls cartridge (pg 73). I cut the Doll out using the fit to page feature on the Cricut Expression with the 12x12 paper. I can't remember what size she was cut at. Just remember to peek while you are doing it so you can cut all her pieces out at the same size. The letters were cut at 9". I've had both the Paper Doll carts for a long time but have just recently really began to play with them. I forgot I bought them because they were so darn cute!



Thanks for stopping by today. Your next stop is Jenny @ Crazy About Cricut
Happy hopping!
Tara

Bake Sale Blog Hop

Welcome to day one of the Bake Sale Blog Hop,

If you are arriving here from Tracy @ Craft Junkie Too then you are in the right place. If you have just happened along my blog and would like to start at the beginning then click here. On this blog hop you are going to see anything and everything that has to do with bake sales. Get ready to get some great ideas!

The project that I made to share with you is a recipe book that I made out of a notebook I bought at the dollar store. I have made these in the past for gifts. I also sew and usually give it with a homemade reversible apron. They are always very well received! I have one that I use to record only my favourite recipes in that I go to often. I like the idea of all of my favourites in one handy place. I also think it will be neat to someday pass this well worn book on.

Thanks for stopping by today. Your next stop is Jenny @ Crazy About Cricut
Happy hopping!

Tara

P.S don't forget to enter my follower giveaway!  Click here and scroll to the bottom of the post. I am not going to draw until Saturday night to give everyone who wants to enter a chance because of blogger being messed up the last couple of days.

Details:

Large notebook

Cricut Cuts: Everyday Paper Dolls -Doll + all accessories cut @ 3.5"

Plantin Schoolbook - Letters cut @ 1.5"

Patterned paper: Me and My Big Ideas

Cardstock: scrap pile pieces

Stamps: Peachy Keen

Ribbon: Offray

Ek Success edge punch

ATG

Zig 2 way glue

The Pink Stamper NSD Challenge #12

Challenge # 12 was to create a kid themed project. I am entering my title page from the scrapbook into this one. I am so in love with the little outfit and doesn't my flower beaded flower that I made a while back look great on this page!
Tara

Details:

Cricut cuts:

Plantin Schoolbook letters 1 1/2"

New Arrivals (sorry forgot to record what this cute outfit was cut at).

Hearts: Michael's mini punch

Boarder Punch: EK Success

Stamp: Elles Studio

Rub ons

Pattern paper: scrap pile yet again :)

Blue cardstock is Recollections

White cardstock Staples bulk

Birthday Sundaes Challenge # 6

Hello Crafters,
It's Sunday and you know what that means...a new challenge over on Birthday Sundaes. This week it is a challenge for sure, it's a Special Birthday Challenge! You must a create birthday gift packaging, party favor, invitation, cupcake toppers/wrappers, banners, treat boxes, etc.

I have never made a banner before and decided to make one for a friend's little girl who was turning two this weekend. All in all the banner was super easy to make (a little time consuming but fun). Taking pictures of it was a whole other story however. It was a nightmare! I used a ton of glitter which my camera hates, the entire thing was the length of a wall and really high when we hung it and to top it all off the lighting was terrible. But I did what I could and I think I took enough to give you a good idea. I am glad I took some before we hung it! Although, like I said my camera hates glitter so I couldn't use the flash. All the details will be listed below the picture.
Thanks for stopping by!
Tara

Recipe:

Cricut cuts:

Scallops - Accent Essentials 5"

Yellow circle - Accent Essentials 4 1/4"

Patterned Circle  - Accent Essentials 4"

Letters - Plantin Schoolbook 3"

Butterflies - Once Upon a Princess 2"

Beginning of banner cupcake - Once Upon a Princess 2 1/2"

End of banner cupcake - Once Upon a Princess 3"

Crown  - Once Upon Princess 3"

Cardstock: Pastel Pack Dollarama + white from bulk pack staples

Patterned Paper: Me and My Big Ideas

Ribbon: Offray

 Crop-a-dile Big Bite

Glitter Glue

ATG

ZIG 2 way glue

Pop dots

Happy Valentines Day!

Hello,
Here is the card I made for Brian this year for Valentines Day. I used my friends Stampin' Up stamps. I think the set might have been called 'Things I Love' but I am not 100% sure. I stamped them at her house last weekend and then whipped the card up this weekend here! I used the Stampin' Up markers to colour in the stamps and I was not super impressed with how the stamp turned out. I am a perfectionist so the faded parts bothered me at first but then looking at them this weekend I thought what the heck...the distressed look is really in right now lol!
As always, thanks for looking!
Tara

Recipe:

Recollections cardstock

Stampin' Up stamp set

Stampin' Up markers

ATG

Heart - Cricut cut 3' Plantin Schoolbook

Made by Momo Guest Designer

Hello Crafters,
I was very kindly asked by Mari to be a guest designer on her blog Made by Momo this week. To say the least I was TRILLED! Her challenge this week was to make something with hearts on it and to use the colours white, black and hot pink. Usually colour challenges scare me but I was on a mission...and I just love how it turned out! Of course I found the white a little boring so I blinged (is that a word?) it up with some glitter glue.
Happy crafting!
Tara

P.S. It looks like a huge storm (or I guess a couple hitting at once) is heading our way starting tonight. They are calling for 25-35 cm of snow by Thursday (we have at least that now), which means tomorrow is looking like a storm day. The bad news is I don't get paid for storm days :( The good news is I will have some great crafting time! I'll be sure to take some storm pictures for you guys and post them! Who doesn't love a good snow storm?! lol

Recipe:

Frame cut - Cindy Loo Pg 38 @ 5 3/4"

Hearts - Plantin Schoolbook 1", 1.5" & 2"

Cardstock - Recollections

Bling - Dollarama

Glitter Glue - Micheal's

White Gel Pen - Marvy

Made by Momo Challenge

Hello Everyone,
When I saw that the challenge last week on the blog Made by Momo was all about princesses I was so excited. I have had this idea in my head for a while now and this was just the push to get me started. Here is what I worked on over the weekend...

Recipe:

CDS - Plantin Schoolbook & Paper Dolls Dress Up

Patterned papers -  DCWV All about girls glitter pack

Purple Glitter paper - Colorbok

Tags - Elles Studio you can buy the printables (what I used) at Jessicasprague.com

Embellishments - from my stash

Tulle to decorate binding

Things to note:

1. I didn't use any Cricut cuts other then the main book, I am trying to use up some stuff that has been collecting some major dust in the last year since my bug arrived. 

2. Colorbok glitter paper is very messy and I think I had more on me then my book did by the time I was finished.

3. I got to use one of my newly made beaded flower embellishments and three mini glue dots held it in place perfect!

4. Yes, I really was a princess once (for my community) and Miss Congeniality for an entire year! You know what they say, once a princess always a princess ;)

Cartoonist

This is one of my favourite scrapbook pages from my Cuba 2010 scrapbook. I kept it simple as not to take away from the main focus. I love the way the drawing really stands out on the page! Thanks for looking and happy crafting!
Tara
PS how funny is that picture!

Cuba Scrapbook Photos

Hello Crafters,
I just realized I didn't post many of the pictures from my Cuba Scrapbook that I finished over the summer. Here are a few of the pages of our awesome entertainment! I will post more soon.
Happy Crafting!
Tara