Moving On

After a summer hiatus I realised it was becoming too difficult to fit two blogs into my busy life so, for now, I've decided for now to combine my creative exploits with the rest of my families exploits over on  
KAGS Life. - Why don't you follow me there?

Mothers!

I made these mini albums for Mothers Day. 

Mothers Day in the UK is earlier in the year - in March. I really have to have my stuff together to remember that now. 

However I made these for Canadian Mother's Day and showed guests at recent gatherings and hostess clubs how to make it.


Just a quick 3 pager - but there's room to add a couple more. And, yes, I did cut out all those tiny flowers by hand.

I used this very same template to make some wedding invitations with a lovely turquoise blue and dark brown cardstock and a damask style stamp. I didn't take any pictures before the bride to be wandered off with it to show her fiance. I'm sure I'll see it again soon and I'll take pictures then.

Blocks of Colour

I've been asked about the colour blocking thing again - so I thought I'd post the story so far. 

I took the class with Jill Hildebrand at Saskatchewan Scraps. Jill's the kind of girl who likes to do this fast - really fast and use papers, any papers that really don't go together. 

That's when the magic happens; you put all these scary patterns together - not really worrying about it and you end up with something that just works - in a very small amount of time. Which is great for a procrastinator like me. Have a look and see what you think.

I love doing this so much now that I've set up a colour blocking folder. All the pattern scraps go in there and lots of the old stash that really, let's face it, I'm never going to use. That's all I need. Actually that's all I allow myself to use - which speeds things up no end.

I'm going through all the old storage albums (LOM style) scrapbooking all the old pictures this way. I'm getting lots done, the stories are going on paper and I feel like I'm doing something to reduce the ever growing pile of photo's. Gotta love that!

Every now and then I come across some photo's that I want to do a bit more with. So then I flick through my new inspiration binder (that's thanks to Wendy Smedleys Organised & Inspired class at BPS) and I'm off and away. 

Scrapbook Saturdays

Another successful Scrapbooking Saturday - in more ways than one.

I can't imagine how many pages were completed yesterday - some people seem to work like they're powered by steam.

We tried an entirely random potluck for lunch and we didn't get 15 desserts!! AND we had enough yummy food left over for supper too. So, thank you to everyone who participated!

It's great being able to put enough tables out that we can all sit down and eat together -catching up with old friends & building new friendships whilst we scrapbook.
The other great thing about that was being able to do some scrapbooking myself!

Usually at any event like this I am really unable to focus on anything.
That was until I took Jill Hildebrants colour blocking class a few weeks ago - now I'm flying! Six pages of colour blocking AND a regular funky page too.

I decided to use colour blocking as a way of getting through LOADS of scrapbooking fast. Which means getting heaps of older photos out of the storage albums and into my Library of Memories. Whilst going through the 1999/2000 storage album I even found two possible mini albums - and I have at least one photo album ready to use!

Here's one table of very busy ladies. One of their number was insistant that she was not scrapbooking, merely sticking photo's in albums. This lady even inspired her friend with a cool idea for a scrapbook page but STILL insisted that she's not scrapbooking. Like we live on the dark side! One day. One day soon, she'll try a stamp or a piece of patterned paper. I know she will.

There's just two more dates left for this season. May 9th (the weekend after the yard sale) and June 13th - this one will go until midnight! If you want to come join us send me an email!

Giving It Away to.......

Thanks to everyone who left a comment and a title suggestion.

I loved them all but I couldn't resist the movie reference so neatly combined with my daughters blog name! Now why didn't I think of that?
Saucy expect a package of treasure to be arriving shortly.

Giving It Away - help needed

Last month when I came out of hiding the blog was at 6276 hits. It's gone up by 700-odd since then. So I think we should have a little celebration.
Can you help me?
This layout is one I started at the weekend.
It's finished apart from a title and no matter how much I play around with words I just can't get something that grabs me.
Do you have any ideas?
Post me a title in the comments or just stop by and say hi - there's another package of trash to treasure waiting to be sent out.

All SKrapped Out

Don't you just hate LONG line ups! Had the mission for coffee been just for me I would not have joined the line. However, there were six others depending on a succesful mission.

I arrived at the Saskatchewan Scraps event with just enough time to deliver the coffees and bring in my laundry basket of supplies before our first class with the wonderful Jill Hildebrand.
The class today was colour blocking. Had to giggle to myself and share with my friends - half the papers in the kit were from Close To My Heart!

In just over an hour I put together to scrapbook pages. Amazing what you can do when you only have a certain number of supplies and not an endless choice!

There's always a table decorating competition at Saskatchewan Scraps. You may remember that at the last event - we won for our Night Owl pyjama party.

This year we arrived in our vintage housewife aprons, used vintage dressmaking patterns for our table cloth - along with confections made from paper.
On display we had lots of vintage finds and notes about proper behaviour for the 50's housewife.

Although we are probably one of the noisiest tables when it comes to standing up and showing off our creations we all scrabble to hide and not be the one to speak. Thankfully Mel is always there to ensure our entry is the winner.

Yes, thanks to Mel, once again we walked away with the table decorating crown - and the goody bags! The girls are already whispering and plotting our next entry!

In the afternoon we all took Allison Orthoner's photography class. What an amazing woman. Allison de-coded the man made instructions of camera gobbledy gook and gave ous some wonderful visual cue's - including bright blue speedos.

I know, they're not bright blue, but even though this is Simon Le Bon - you still wouldn't want this lurking in the background of your photo - or any other distracting image!















After the class it was time for a practical. We all chose a spot and were challenged to take 5 very different pictures.
This is one of my favourites.

But I also caught these guys in my sights
Tammi's nylons were a constant source of entertainment luckily she always takes the ribbing with good humour.

Thanks Leica for another great event. You are such an inspiration to us all. How you manage to organize a fab event like this and do all the other stuff you do as well as take care of your very busy family is beyond me. Thanks for bringing it all together right here in Saskatoon. Thanks also to Leica's Mum Gwen for all the delicious food and refreshments. Mmmm! Loved that curried chicken too!
These events are just great for the scrapbookers soul and I can't wait for the next one (hint hint!)

Inspired Brad Storage

The other day I was browsing the galleries for the Big Picture class I'm on (ok, one of the classes I'm signed up for!) When I came across this really cool idea for storing and displaying brads. This rainbow arrangement of brads, put together by an obviously very creative mind, is just what I needed.


The other day I came across a pack of four cork tiles in the 75% off bin at my local grocery store. Now I had no excuse not to have a go at creating my own display.

My eyes have gone a little screwy from putting it all together - but I love this really useful piece of art - and best of all I can just pick it up and take it to a crop - like Leica's one coming up this weekend!
I think I will display it there on the plate rack too!

You know what I am amazed by - just how few red brads I have. I wonder if that's because I use so many - or never think to buy red?

Defining Moments

Things are changing around here. I'm trying to adjust to some new routines - and probably causing more chaos in the process. I haven't had as much time to scrapbook this week that's for sure. This is one that I finished last week.
Can you tell I'm trying to use my new found colour choices of blue and red? I can't resist a bit of orange either.

So, this afternoon, I'm sitting at the table with my son, making a number line with some brightly coloured beads when he decides to inform me that he knows what puberty is!

You know those moments when you've just taken a sip of tea and the snort of laughter sends that drink up the nasal passage? Yep. That was me.

I had to ask. I needed to know what this new phenomonen meant to him. It's good. Really good. So good I actually reached for a pen and some paper to make sure it's remembered forever. Ready?

Puberty is when you fall in love with someone and then kill them.

I guess all those raging hormones could induce some overwhelming feelings - but I think he has the wrong end of the stick.

Maybe it was a moment of temporary (in)sanitary?

Anonymous Scrappers

Another sucessful Simply Scrapbooking event. Someone suggested we should name our day as Scrapbookers Anonymous - and I guess for all the inspiration and learning each & everyone brings to our "meetings" it's kind of fitting.
What do you think?

Yesterday saw a 50% increase in attendees on the first event in February. I can't wait to see what happens for the next one, April 4th. Early registration is available now.

We Have A Winner

Do you know how many little happy dances I did as the comments on my post went up one by one - and I now have 15 followers! I'm no longer the billy no mates of the blog world. Thank you.

So, Tamara, if you would like to email me here kr8inkaren@hotmail.com I can get a bag of treasured trash on it's way to you!

Karma in Beige

Last week as part of the Organised & Inspired class we were given a few sheets of questions. I finally picked up the sheets and set about answering some of the questions.

"How much did you pay for your first car" prompted a conversation with my husband, remembering our first cars & driving tests.

I was 19 when I finally passed my driving test - 3rd time lucky right? Each time I took the test I went to a different testing centre. Southgate, Winchmore Hill and finally, Chingford.
I purchased my first car a few days later. A 1977 Ford Escort Popular, in a colour that has since been nicknamed (by my nearest & dearest) as hearing aid beige. I paid roughly 400 Pounds (GB).
I nervously drove that car home. After all this was my first time driving unaccompanied. I learnt to drive in that car. It got scratches and dings. I drove all over in that little car. I moved house in that little car. I had a couple of years of very happy driving in that car.

The end of the Escort came one evening while driving home. An oncoming vehicle turning right (we're in the UK remember) hit me. Another driver stopped, and gave me his details as a witness straight away. For many reasons (which could be a story for another day) I never pursued the claim. Instead I upped the bank loan and bought the Volvo.

However, I never forgot the driver who stopped to help and offered support.

Now how about this.

Just this morning after dropping my two at school I witnessed a vehicle collision. One driver had failed to observe the yield sign and collided with the another vehicle who had right of way.


I stopped. I made sure the appropriate driver had my details. He was only a young guy on his way to school and was very obviously shaken by the incident.

Luckily neither driver was hurt.

There was a lot more damage to both vehicles than there ever was to my first car.
I now feel like the good deed that was given to me all those years ago has been returned.


But how weird is that? I better be careful what memories I recall tonight.


Here's the layout that I was inspired to make.
(Looking at it now the text looks a bit wonky. Maybe it's the angle I took the photo at trying to avoid the harsh mid afternoon sunlight!)
I love how simple this page is, it's not loaded down with product - but it's still me.

Giving It Away

You know, I put the blog followers thing up the other day. I'm feeling really lonely:(
There's plenty of you lurkers that come by here.
I need you to come out of the proverbial closet.

Leave me a comment. Introduce yourself .
Then sign yourself up to be a follower of this blog. (You need to click that button over there - to the right) If I get 10 followers (see I'm not ambitious) by the weekend I'll be entering each and every one of you in a draw.

I think this weeks draw will be a package of kindness. You know I'm (now) a believer in moving out the stuff I no longer use, or have never used for that matter. It needs a good home, someone who'll appreciate newer, FREE, supplies.

It could be you.

I might even throw in some unopened packets of something. Something scrapbook related - get your minds out of the gutter.

What have you got to loose?

Comment. Follow this blog.

Make me happy - and I could be doing the same for you.

Just Chillin"!!

Here's another quick one.
This is one half of a Page Maps design. I've recently used this same design two or three times. Whatever works, right?

It's the beginning of a new month too - which means that the new Page Maps are up GO HERE to see them and download the PDF.

I just got a new design card for my Slice in the mail from JustCr8. And that's where I'm going right note to play with "Noteworthy". I am thinking I might need that new design card on the Slice website - Just Chillin'. Which one's your favourite?

Oh that is just so funny, just as I was about to publish this post I realised I hadn't given it a title. So then I thought "Just Chillin" would be pretty cool - to go with the page and the design card - then I got shmwacked on the side of the head with the realisation that the paper I used for the layout is also called - yep, you guessed it - Just Chillin'!

Also, I'm thinking up some kind of give away, this week. Not sure of the details right now - or even what it might be - but we all like to get something for free, right?

Octopus

I actually emailed a picture of this to a friend earlier today - I wasn't sure if it was worthy of putting on here - it totally felt like I was just playing and having fun.
I mostly wanted to try making those funky flowers that seem to be everywhere right now.

The sun was an afterthought. I keep thinking that maybe it looks like an octopus? Have to say I saw the Daydream paper in a different light whilst creating this! And that little green piece behind the last toadstall in not meant to be there - but didn't realise until after I took the picture - and now the sun is in the wrong place!

I would love to hear what YOU think to this one.

Twenty Four Hours

Last summer we took a road trip to Drumheller, Alberta in between visitors. We had just 24 hours to spend in the dinosaur town. It takes a good 5 hours to drive each way.
When we got back, of course along with all the happy memories I had LOTS of pictures. After sifting, paring down and printing I had just over 90 pictures I wanted to use. Too many for one scrapbook page. Not enough to dedicate to one album.

I decided to try Photo Album scrapbooking. Something Stacy Julian had introduced us to in the Library of Memories class.

Just a simple $3 slip - in photo album from WalMart remove the cheesy front (slip in) cover & replace with your own fitting cover.

an introduction page (another first for me)

and we're off

see how I had no trouble at all "letting go" cutting photo's to fit in each slip in slot.

I chose about four colours that I thought worked with the theme and feel of Drumheller

I used the same stamps sets all the way through. There was no re-inventing the wheel with every turn of the page.

In the journalling spots I stamped a time for each location we stopped at - to emphasize that 24 hour theme.

I even slipped in some pictures and didn't feel the need to run any narrative

I cut and slipped in the map for the Royal Tyrell attaching the extending parts to cardstock

and this to the flip side.

I even slipped our entry ticket in behind this page.

The only picture I didn't take here was of the poor woman walking around with her dressed tucked into her underwear :0 (The dress was a bit odd anyway...& I couldn't decide if it was part of the design - and get this the rest of her family - who were walking behind her did nothing either. )

Anyhow, this photo album scrapbook is probably the fastest thing I've ever put together and I love it.

And I still can't believe we did all that in 24 hours!

Total lift

So this one is a total lift.



But I have to tell you this much, when I saw this layout by Elizabeth Kartchner in Creating Keepsakes January 2009, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

From the paper, to the story.

Everything just clicked into place.

I always thought that I looked through magazines, sometimes tagged the ones I liked and then placed that magazine in it's chronological place in a magazine file and forgot about it.

Then, thanks to the Organized & Inspired class at Big Picture Scrapbooking and the freedom it's given me to actually cut....those bad boys....up I've been revisiting all those back issues and going oh yeah that totally reminds me of a story I want to tell.

So I cut it out and slap it in my inspiration binder (which is now two binders - but that's because of all the magazines I had let me tell you!)

Did I tell you already how much I love those Inspiration Binders? Except I think I might be getting addicted to cutting up magazines now, need....... to buy more........ to cut them up.

Birthday Spinner

The Warman Mafia were here for their monthly card/splurge/hostess club. I found this spinning card on Split Coast Stampers and used the Daydream paper pack.

I used some more of those Stickles too. My most used colours (that are not really colours) are Star Dust and Diamond. One has a blue irridescent tone to it and the other is more golden. Both are sparkling sensations.
A little bit of dental floss is all you need to get this card spinning. The dental floss I used here is cherry flavoured and therefore pink - but it goes well - don't you think?

We also made this box in a bag. Another stolen idea from Split Coast Stampers. I used my new SLICE to make the star on the front of the card.

You can also probably also see some more use of those sparkly stickles and my other favourite new toy (which takes a back seat to the slice) the threading water punch from Fiskars.

Luckily I had some double sided tape I had acquired at the last Saskatoon Crop n Cruise - and it definately came in handy for both projects.

Do you also notice the lovely little charm bracelet in the pictures? I didn't make this one.

It was a Valentines gift from the very lovely Saucy and her darling daughter Loopy. Actually we scored twice - one for me and one for my own little darling Daisy.

Saucy is just the craftiest person I know and would surely give Martha a run for her money (& product line). I like to think of her as our very own Pioneer Woman without the calf nuts.

So Inspired

You already know I'm a BIG, huge fan of Big Picture Scrapbooking, right? I'm always taking a class, spouting all the wonderful knowledge that I gain under the guidance of the likes of Stacy Julian or Cathy Zielske.

Currently I'm enrolled in Get Organised & Inspired with Wendy Smedley.

My new path of enlightenment involves this:

an ever growing pile of magazine cut outs.

Part of the class suggests clipping the layouts and themes from magazines that inspire you.
I was very very reluctant to do this. And yet somehow I picked up my scissors and began to clip without a backward glance. One magazine down and I was hooked. Several magazines down and my binder was beginning to take shape.



One thing I have learned? I have a love of blue and red - it can be almost any shade of blue or red but I love in particular a shade of blue I've come to call Tiffany blue and the red? Cherry red. It makes me happy.

I thought at first I would have to, no need, to have very structured sections within this binder, but I have even managed to let go of that.

I started out sticking everything to white cardstock - and soon got tired of that. Now I simply rip the store lists and other "white" pages from the magazines and stick my clippings to them instead!

Now, whenever I look through this binder (or it may very soon end up as several binders) I am just itching and tingling and bursting with ideas and can't wait to go to my room and play!

Now, please excuse me, I need to go through Simple Scrapbooks 2008!

Get Creative

Good Morning Science Trek. You guys are going to have so much fun this afternoon creating some scrapbook pages! Ms Chan & I thought you'd like to see some artwork to give you a few ideas - so I thought I'd quickly give you a few links for places I like to go for inspiration!

Kelli Crowe is really fun - you can see a gallery HERE

Vicki Boutin is Canadian and her work is lots of fun too go HERE

Leica Forrest is fun and she's right here in Saskatoon - go HERE

Sassfrass is a product line - they have some great stuff on their blog HERE

One more is Pencil Lines - they publish a sketch - and layouts using that sketch you can see them HERE

Page Maps works along the same premise - look HERE

Have fun browsing all these wonderful galleries and we'll get really creative this afternoon! I have to tell you last year when I came in to work with Science Trek it was the boys who really impressed me with their creativity!

Phew!

and then she rested. That's exactly what I did yesterday. SSS was ( I think, I hope) a success. Thank you to everyone who came. What a wonderful bunch of ladies to try out on. Everyone got along really well, lots of creativity floating around and ideas bouncing off each other and best of all - lots done!
The food disappeared - I guess that's a good thing. I'll make more chocolate chip shortbread and purchase even more liquorice allsorts for next time!

I really enjoyed visiting with everyone - and I could still join in the chatter from the kitchen - so I didn't miss a thing!

Next one is March 7th - so email me or leave a comment now and get your spot reserved early.

I began working on my inspiration binder when I had a chance to sit down throughout the day.

This is an idea from my latest Big Picture class - Organised & Inspired with Wendy Smedley. I really wasn't sure about cutting up my huge magazine collection - but you know what?

I'm loving it.

Just had to breathe, and let go. It is ok to cut the magazines up. So I started with CK for 2008.

I've noticed I have a bit of a thing for all the really fun layouts - not so much for the blocky stuff - and I have a big thing for blue and red - doesn't matter what shade but I'm all over it!

Already I can flick through this burgeoning bundle of collected scraps and feel inspired by everything I see.

Now, can I cut through Canadian Scrapbooker?

Simple Saturday Scrapbooking Dawns

Tomorrow is the very first "big" scrapbooking event that I've organized.
I think I mentioned that earlier this week. Just about 12 hours to go until kick off and the gates open. I'm really excited and quite nervous. Am I ready?

Of course not.

That would not be me.

I have lists! Lists on paper & lists in my head and as the time ticks away my thoughts are going faster and faster.

I wanted these monthly crops just to be a place where like minded friends new & old could come, hang out and get some good crafting time in.

Us girls we need that time.

I'll let you know how it goes.



Meantime I have my Art4Kids class to run. Tonight's early classes ( I have three classes back to back, K & G1, then G2 to G4 and then G5+) heard the story "Snowmen At Night" by Caralyn Buehner. We have previously been working on perspective - so we paid special attention to the size of each snowman layer. Then we used some colours to suggest light and shade adding definition to the shape, before adding some details like scarves, mitts and the like.
Now I just have to make sure I have everything I need for tomorrow - including the kitchen sink!

Kit Lift

Just before Christmas Vicki Boutin was selling some of her class kits over at her blog. I love VB's style - everything she does is just filled with fun and energy.
Anyway, I was very lucky to recieve some (like 5 kits I think) as gifts on Christmas morning (I wonder how that happened!!). One of the kits was called That's My Boy. I've already put that layout together - but I loved it so much I wanted to do it again. This is my take on that kit using (mostly) CTMH products.

This is the paper pack called Stardust. I've had to re-order this pack for my personal stash already - because I love it - all of it - so much!
You can see I've picked out some of the planet rings with Star Dust Stickles and added some green stickles on the dots too.

The strip to the right of the page is from one of the VB kits's that I got - I think it is Sassafrass.

The green star, number 3 and "enjoy" were all cut using my lovely new Slice.

I am so happy I bought it!

You Rock

I may have taken an extended hiatus from blogging - but that doesn't mean I wasn't working away at little paper delights like this.
It's a pop up card using the new Emporium paper pack from CTMH and the new MyAcrylix stamp set You Rock.

This is the card that everyone can choose to make at the first, upcoming, Simple Scrapbooking Saturday, that I have organized.

The first one is this coming Saturday - so I'm making lists on paper and in my head of everything I need to do and remember to bring!

We're going to try something new too. You know how one person's trash is another persons treasure? I'm encouraging all attendees to bring their unwanted, unused, I bought it on a whim supplies to swap and trade among us. Hopefully, we'll all get a great deal - and a new stash to take home!

I've booked four dates so far, trying to keep to the first Saturday of each month.

The Saturdays are February 7th, March 7th, April 4th and May 9th.

If you're from around here and would like to get some good scrapbooking time in, come and join us. Email me for the details.

Here's another valentines card I pulled together. The girls in my splurge club got to make this one.

Paper is from the CTMH paper pack That's Amore. The stamps are from the February Word Puzzle and a little bit of my new favourite stickles flavour - Diamond.

I put together this 6x6 for a recent gathering.

When all inspiration failed me and the tantrums were starting I looked no further than the cover of the new Idea Book.I used one stamp set Boutique Borders (another new one!) four times on this minature layout - trying to get the same look without the use of all the embellishments. Can you spot all four?