It's here!! 2013-2014 Annual Catalogue Release!

That's right - the 2013-2014 Annual Catalogue is now available and ready to be swooned over!

Click on the image to be taken to the catalogue PDF

I wanted to point out some of my favourite things from the new catalogue, but I'm not even sure where to start!

Alright, first up, the fabulous new In Colours:

2013 - 2015 In Colors

From left to right - Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding and Strawberry Slush.

And do you notice that these new In Colors are displayed here with Core'dinations paper? Yes, all colours are now available in this fun new paper. 

Clay Molds

A fun new way to make embellishments in any colour you like! All you need is the mold, the clay and a reinker in your favourite colour - Let the embellishing begin!

 Designer Tape

 If you haven't noticed it yet, take a close look at the new Designer Tapes - they now include Washi Tape. I'm so in love with Washi Tape that I literally have to remind myself not to use it on every project. Two fun bundles (total of 6 different designs) to choose from

Buttons & Brads

The buttons have gotten a face-lift! Sleek, clean and crisp designs for all the color collection designer buttons. If you didn't love buttons before, you will now! And be sure to check out the gorgeous little embellies for the new In Colors.

Framelits

Do you love framelits? I sure do! And now there are even more fun designs to choose from. The RMHC stamp set coordinates perfectly with a new framelit set. Check it out below!

Color Collection Paper Stacks

Like everything, even paper needs to be revised every now and then. The color collection Paper Stacks have been redesigned to feature 4 new patterns. They are fun and playful and are sure to please anyone. Patterned paper in every colour - YES!

Ronal McDonald House Charity Stamp Set

+ 

Chalk Talk Framelits

You can't miss it - it's right there in the main body of the catalogue this year. And it's cute, to boot. I can't wait to get my hands on this little set and matching framelits!

and much, much, more...

I can't wait to share some new projects with you - and see what you are sharing as well!

Welcome to the 2013-2014 Annual Catalogue, friends :)

-Tara

xox

Touchdown!

This week at The Friday Mashup Lisa is challenging us with a clean and simple (CAS) card using the colours of our favourite sports team.

The Clean and Simple part is no problem! But the sports team? Let me be completely honest - I don't have much interest in sports. So, I just chose the colours of the hockey team in our city, since they were working towards winning the Stanley Cup while I was making this card (they have lost since then, but that's neither here nor there).

I picked the colours from the Ottawa Senators: Red, Black, White and Gold

Aside from not really being into sports, I also have a crazy dislike for Lobster. They freak me out... Seriously, I could barely make this card without the heebie jeebies! BUT, I felt I had to use it just once and I love how it turned out :) The black frame is one of the extra fun embellishments in this months Paper Pumpkin kit!!

I cut a template the same size as the frame and rotated it on my panel and then used it as a guide to add the dashed lines. The sentiment is embossed in gold.

Here is this week's challenge:

1. Create a project using "the colors of your favorite sports team"
2. Create a "Clean and Simple project".
3. Or Mash it Up and create a "Clean and Simple project using the colors of your favorite sports team".

Why not swing on over and check out what the rest of the Design Team has in store, and then link up your creation?

And speaking of My Paper Pumpkin, here's what I made with the rest of the kit!

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

And the winner is...

And the winner of the May subscription to Craft Project Central is...

Comment #3

Faye J!!

Congratulations, Faye. Please contact me at tarabourgoin@yahoo.ca so that I can get all your information and sign you up!

See you tomorrow with something new to share :)

-Tara
xox

Blog Header for MSD Monday!

Good Monday morning!

We're back at MDS Monday with a fun new card sketch + technique. I'm loving that we get to play together each week now!

Each card sketch week, we'll introduce a new technique for you to play around with. The intention is that you have a smaller scale project to try out the technique, and then you can use it later on in a bigger project - OR, you can use the card sketch for a scrap page or any other digital project!

This week, I used the oh-so-versatile sketch from Heidi to create a header for my new blog, Through Grandma's Cookbook. That's right... I've decided to go on a little adventure. Feel free to check it out, but I've only just started, so please be patient :)

And here's the fab challenge this week:

Sketch + Using the Colouring Tool

I used the colouring tool on the branch stamp behind my main image. I was able to colour the branch, the leaves and the acorns all separately. I LOVE this feature - it's just one more way to take a favourite technique from our traditional card-making/scrapbooking and apply it to My Digital Studio.

We'd love to have you join us this week!

Thanks for stopping by today (and thanks for checking out my new endeavour as well)!

-Tara
xox

Layer upon layer...

It's time for a new sketch over at Sunday Stamps, and this week Steph has a super versatile and fun sketch for us! You can keep it as simple as you want or as complex as you want - I decided for a lot of layers of Pistachio Pudding and Strawberry Slush :)

Yesterday was my sister-in-laws birthday and this card was made for her. She likes to make lace and does beautiful work - so I wanted this card to have a lot of lace elements. It's difficult to see, but there is a strip of Delicate Lace Tape behind the three squares. I used the Delicate Doilies set as the focal images and the Mosaic embossing folder from the new Catty :)

Check out Steph's sketch:

Come on over and play along with us too - We love visiting everyone's blog and seeing all the different interpretations of the challenges :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

Saying Goodbye to Bashful Blue

Ok, it's official - I'm completely out of Bashful Blue. When I heard it was retiring, I used up every last scrap of it. The final piece I had stashed away went into this little love card for Dynamic Duos.

Check out the absolutely lovely monochromatic colour combo this week!

We would love to see what you create with these lovely blues - so swing on over and take a peek at what the rest of the wicked Design Team has whipped up!

Thanks for stopping by today :)

-Tara
xox

Love... playing with pencils!

Happy Friday, friends!

Heidi's got a twist for you with this week's Friday Mashup challenge! It certainly got my wheels turning.

Before I get into talking about my card, check out the challenge:

1. Create a project using "your choice of a Neutral & a Splash of one Bright Color"
2. Create a project "using a Pencil (regular graphite #2)
3. Or Mash it Up and create a project "using pencil & your choice of a neutral & a Splash of a Bright Color"

Ok, so how awesome is that, right? Right, it's awesome. Only thing is, I was stumped! I looked through all my stamps trying to find something to "colour in", when it hit me... Heidi talked about how she did pencil drawings in Junior High, so I thought back a little further - Kindergarden!

Remember when you used to find leaves and then rub the side of a crayon on a piece of paper over the leaves and you could see the veins? I took the same basic principle and replaced crayons with pencils, and the leaves with the Woodgrain embossing folder.

My pop of colour is the Real Red feather and thin border. The main cardstock is Smoky Slate (oh, by the way, Smoky Slate is beyond amazing).

We'd love to see what you come up with for this challenge. See you there :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

May at Craft Project Central

I hope you enjoy browsing through these wonderful projects that are showcased for May over at Craft Project Central!

Best of Flowers Cards & Tote

Designed by Sharon

 

Pocket Pouch Satchel & Cards

Designed by Donna

This & That Desk Set

Designed by Heidi

Clutch Purse Card Set

Designed by Christy

Birthday Explosion Box & Greeting Card

Designed by Monika

Spring Framed Art & Cards

Designed by Regina

Be sure to check back later in the month for the rest of the May projects! Want to start making these ones right away? Sign up over at Craft Project Central and receive beautiful tutorials for all projects featured this month for only $10!

Don't forget to take a peek at my project and leave me a comment - I will be doing a draw on Monday for a free subscription to CPC for May!

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

CAS Masculine for The paper Players

Good morning!

I've been eyeing The Paper Players for so long now, but have just not played along. Today, I put my 'big girl' pants on and made a card for their awesome challenge - a Clean and Simple (CAS) masculine card.

I wanted to try something a little different, so I experimented with embossing with burlap. It took me a couple tries, but I finally got something I was pretty happy with.

Since it's not an actual embossing "folder", the impression is very light. It doesn't have the two-sided folder (where one side pushes into the other) so if you're looking for something really obvious in terms of embossing, this isn't it!

I first embossed as I normally would, but with the Big Shot platforms closed (in other words, no tabs opened). Platform + Acrylic + Burlap + Cardstock + Acrylic. The impression was there, but very faint. I then added a shim (a sheet of Cardstock) and that one is a bit better (middle). Then finally I added a thicker shim (two sheets of cardstock). I found this to be the perfect for what I wanted - a little bit of texture to make the strip of burlap I was adding.

Here's the challenge over at The Paper Players

I think I'm going to have fun experimenting with 'DIY' embossing... I've already started scoping out some things in my kids' rooms to use ;)

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

My May project for CPC + BLOG CANDY!

Hello!

I'm excited to share with you my May project for Craft Project Central. Although it's a bit late for Mother's Day, this project is great for any occassion - just change up the sentiment!

Oval Box and Card Set

As always, I love to get feedback :)

BLOG CANDY!

Leave a comment on this blog post and you will be entered in a draw to win a free subscription for May from Craft Project Central (value of $10).

With the subscription you will get beautiful instructions to create 10 projects using all Stampin' Up! materials. Here are a couple things to keep in mind:

1. Start commenting now!

2. All comments must be entered by Sunday, May 26th at 11:59pm EST
3. I will be doing the draw using random.org on Monday, May 27th at 9:00pm EST

Thanks for stopping by today! :)

-Tara

xox

Scrap sketch at MDS Monday

Time for another fabulous sketch over at MDS Monday - This week we have Beth hosting, and she has a fabulous sketch for us!

My mother-in-law took these photos of Jacks, and they are just so cute. I knew I had to do something with them. Beth's sketch was perfect!

Check it out:

Come see what the rest of the Design Team has created, and then double click on that beautiful green icon of yours and get creating!!

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

Happy little box-in-a-bag!

Oh, hi again!

It's funny, I go into hiding almost all week, and then from Fri-Mon you can't get rid of me ;)

It's time for a brand new challenge at Sunday Stamps. Check it out:

Hayley's is our talented hostess with the mostess this week, and she's got this wicked colour combination for us! At first I was afraid (I was petrified) - I get really intimidated by brights. I love the look of them, but I just never know how to use them without feeling like I'm blinding everyone.

Fortunately, our design team came up with some awesome non-blinding samples! And looking at them all makes me feel so happy. This may be the beginning of what I'll refer to from here on in as my "Brights Movement". Kind of like Picasso's Blue Period ;)

I'm also playing along with Freshly Made Sketches this week because I just had to try out the great sketch they had!

Thanks for stopping by!

-Tara
xox

For this kids!

Well, it's the first day of a glorious long weekend! We were so excited about this long weekend that we made tons of plans... Then realized last night they were all for today! haha - getting the car fixed, helping my dad out with some things, getting my hair done, having some good friends over tonight... But it feels great. This is summer :)

So, it's time for another Dynamic Duo! Are you ready? :)

The fun colours this week are Pacific Point and Basic Black. We also have a dessert option for you - make a card for a kid or with a kid theme. 

I'm not going to lie, I struggled for a bit on what to make. Despite the fact that I have two young boys, I'm dangerously low on "kid" stamps. So, I went to my crafty bible (ie: Pinterest), and found this fabulous VW punch art. I tried to find the original source but came up empty handed. If you know who originally created this gem, please let me know so I can give credit where credit is due!

I also couldn't find instructions anywhere so I followed the photo as closely as possible and I think it turned out pretty cute. I embossed a strip of Basic Black with Chevrons to mimic tire treads.

This is for my nephew's 3rd birthday in July. 

Check out the fabulous inspiration from the Design Team and then come join us for some fun!

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

Everything will be OK

Hello, and happy day-before-the-long-weekend to you!

Today at The Friday Mashup Holly is challenging us to make a monochromatic card, and if we fancy, add some baker's twine. 

Admittedly, I forgot the baker's twine part :( You'd think that after doing the mashups for so long that I'd remember that there is always two parts - but I was so focused on the monochromatic part that it completely slipped my mind! (I know, for shame) 

Why not head over to The Friday Mashup and check out some monochromatic cards with baker's twine ;)

Check out the mashup:

Create a project using "A Monochromatic Color Scheme".

Create a project "using Baker's Twine".

Or Mash it Up and create a "Monochromatic project using some Baker's Twine".

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

MDS Monday has gone weekly!

Hello! And a very (very!) happy Monday to you. Why am I so happy on a Monday? Because MDS Monday has gone weekly!

Each week we will post a new challenge for you that will stay open for two weeks. Every other week will still be a scrap sketch, but now we're introducing a card sketch/technique week as well. Feel free to use this card sketch as a page though :)

Here's my card for today:

Check out the sketch:

I added some embossing to my card and have created a little tutorial for you. It is posted on my main blog, and a link to it as well saved under my "Tutorials" page. I hope that you find it helpful.

We do hope you'll join us at MDS for this new challenge week! :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

Faux Embossing in My Digital Studio (MDS)

Faux Embossing in My Digital Studio (MDS)

Tara (Murphy) Bourgoin

A quick and easy way to add embossing to any MDS project!

Step 1

Select the image you want to “emboss” from the Stamp Brush sets. In this example, I chose Back to School - Dots Overlay from the Back to School kit. Apply to your project. It will show on screen in Black.

Step 2

Crop the stamp to the same size as the section you are “embossing”. For this project, I cropped it to match the white layer on my card, which is 4” x 5-1/4”. 

Step 3

Change the colour of the stamp to match that of the background you are putting it in. In this project, Whisper White. Move this stamp layer so it is 1 layer above the background.

Once you have changed the colour and moved it back in your layers, you won’t be able to see the pattern anymore. We’re going to fix this now!

Step 4

With the stamp brush layer still selected, select “Drop Shadow” from the Design Centre. Adjust your settings so that Opacity=”-40%” and Blur=”-3”

Step 5

For a softer look, adjust the Opacity of the stamp brush in the Design Centre to 90.

You can do this with any stamp brush set and colour! I find that some stamps work better than others when doing this technique. Here are a few more examples using the exact same process. 

Colour: Midnight Muse;  Stamp Brush: Decorative Overlays - Argyle

Colour: Crumb Cake;  Stamp Brush: Autumn Harvest - Flower 1

Colour: Blushing Bride;  Stamp Brush: Decorative Overlays - Woodgrain

Hope this tutorial was helpful.

-Tara

xox