BC Creative Expo

This past weekend was spent happily crafting with my best friends Lee & Jacqui at the BC Creative Expo. This was the second year for the Expo (first year for us) and although there were some bumps, overall it was a blast! Friday was the main shopping day -- but I only bought stuff on my list! I joked that the list was written in invisible ink and the items only appeared once I found them and decided on the purchase. Very convenient!

We took part in 3 classes which ranged from complete disaster to absolutely phenomenal. I ended up with quite a few cards that I liked from each class so even the disastrous "Christmas Cards with a Twist" class was somewhat successful.

"Christmas Cards with a Twist" had quite a twist - the class wasn't about Christmas cards and many key supplies weren't delivered so the final cards would've ended up quite horrid. I made the best of it and pretty much ignored the class instructions and just tried to create a few not-terrible cards out of the supplies. This one worked out pretty nicely - I like the cut-out:



The next class was "Clearly Creative" and I had a great time with the embellishment buffet (Trisha had stations set throughout the room for prima flowers, buttons, chipboard, glimmer mist, alcohol inks, stamps, papers, laces). The "Naturally" card was the class project. The rest were just random creations.

The final class was "Stencil Magic" and it was the best by far. I have rediscovered brass stencils and am loving all the new uses for them. The best learnings from the class included this card:



When you put white embossing paste onto a previously inked glossy paper, the paste will pull up the ink colours as it dries. Truly magic!



And it is possible to use brass stencils on double-sided adhesive tape if you first soap up the stencil with 100% vegetable oil soap. I have tried this unsuccessfully before and am thrilled to have such a simple solution.


And finally we learned how to use embossing paste and the perfect pearls powder. What luck as I had bought some of the perfect pearls the day before and had no idea what to do with them.



So, all in all this was a fantastic weekend. I ended up with 17 cards and a slight hangover. Lee, Jacqui and I spent tonnes of time gossiping, and I even learned a few new techniques. Just have to hide that Visa bill!

Christmas is coming

My friend Jacqui & I spent a very productive weekend making Christmas cards. Not all of the cards worked out but these 3 are favorites.








And finally, I completed this card in answer to a splitcoaststampers card sketch challenge. I'm not totally happy with it (I can't help but think the flower looks like a sliced apple) but I do like the way the inked embossing looks.

Excuse the bragging

... but I absolutely have to memorialize the beautiful turkey that I roasted for Thanksgiving yesterday. Unbelievably moist and just perfectly browned! I'm so very proud of it.

It's going to be a sparkly Christmas

A wonderful side effect of my Cuttlebug is that I've started using a couple of things again that I haven't touched in years. After finding out that my brass stencils work with the Cuttlebug, I decided to do some experimenting. This card worked out absolutely fabulously (if I say so myself).



To get this look, tape down your brass stencil with removable tape. Spread translucent embossing paste over the stencil ensuring you scrape off any extr. Lift stencil straight off. Cover with glitter (shake off excess). Let dry.



This is a fun mixed card using glitter for the stripes and a bit of glitter glue around the edges of the scalloped circle. And no card is complete without Fluffes!

It's a Cuttlebug Christmas

I've been going a bit crazy lately with my Cuttlebug. I've created quite a few Christmas cards using basic embossing as well as some ink resist.

These first cards were done with plain white cardstock embossed with the snowflakes folder. I used a Fluffles stamp (so incredibly cute!) and my scallop circle punch for colour.



This next card is just an embossed circle with a cute penguin sticker I had laying around. Nothing fancy.


I love the way this card worked out. I simply embossed two pieces of white cardstock with the ornaments folder. I used one piece for the main card, and then cut a 2" square and matted it for the accent.



Next I decided to try something a bit more complicated. Here are the basic steps (although there are lots of other "how to's" on the internet) and two of the cards I created.

1. Using plain white cardstock, dab stamping ink all over card. Then smear a lighter colour of stamping ink onto the card to give a two-toned look. Keep dabbing and smearing until you are happy with the look.
2. Wait until the card is completely dry! This is absolutely essential.
3. Run the card through your cuttlebug using the embossing folder of your choice.
4. Use your brayer to add clear embossing ink to the raised areas of your card. Add preferred colour of embossing powder (shake off excess).
5. Use heat gun to emboss the raised areas.
6. Admire your final product!

The colours on this card didn't photograph well - they are much more red than pink in real life.

More scrapbook pages

A digital page completed using Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Creator


I changed all photos to black & white in order to emphasize the lack of colour in the winter landscape. I then opened the colour of Alex's coat and crazy carpet to draw attention to the focal picture.


A goofy layout of the boys acting up. I used a combination of circle punches & rub-ons.


This layout took forever as it was difficult to find decent instructions on how to embed the photos inside the letter frames. I'm really happy with the result. The layout was finished off with animal stickers to lend depth.


A traditional layout


Another traditional layout. I love the Elmo paper!

Tis the season ... to make Christmas cards

OK, it's only September, but everyone who crafts knows that one has to get a headstart on the seasons to ensure everything is ready in time. With that in mind, I started trying out ideas for Christmas cards. My cuttlebug is on loan right now so I stuck to paper & stamps for these first attempts. They aren't spectacular but I'm fond of the white & green card. I am absolutely in love with the Fluffles stamp. I may have to buy more in the line!