Secret's Out! - Canadian Conference Project #1

I've been so excited to share this news, and I'm finally able to do so!

I was contacted by Stampin' Up! Canada to design the Make & Take projects for some of the conferences that are happening around Canada from Sep-Nov. Three other fab Canadian designers were contacted to do the same, for other cities (I've linked to their blogs below).

First up was the Kitchener conference, which happened October 3rd/4th. These are the projects I designed for those two days.

Shaker Card and Gift Box

Notecard Set and Holder

It was so much fun to design projects for my fellow Canadian demos to do, and I'm so honoured to have been asked to participate! It was a great experience!

Stay tuned though, later this month I will share the projects I designed for the Regina conference as well.

Check out the three other super-talented ladies who made projects for these conferences as well:

Cathy Caines

Anne Granger

Julie Olivier

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

The Friday Mashup, way too late.

Time got a little away from me last week, and then that sort of carried over into this week!

Although very late, I wanted to share my project for this week's Friday Mashup challenge.

Check out the challenge:

• Create a Project using "Vellum". 
• Create a Project with "Stitching (Sewing or Faux)".
• or Mash it up! and create a Project with "Vellum and Stitching".

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

Supplies

Stamps: Blended Bloom, And Many More

Ink: Calypso Coral Blendabilities, Versamark

Paper: Brushed Gold CS, Calypso Coral CS, Pistachio Pudding CS, Vellum CS, Gold Soiree Specialty DSP

Embellishments: Gold Embossing Powder

Tools: Dotted Scalloped Border punch, Heat Tool, Sewing Machine

Gift Box Punch Board for Colour Me...!

So, I've been completed addicted to the Gift Box Punch Board. I'll admit it, I was skeptical at first... But now that I've got my hands on it, I can't put it down!

This little box is ~ 1-3/4" x 3-1/4" and is just too cute for words! I created a little band to go around, that I stamped with the adorable Little Buddy Birthday set. 

The sweet dino was coloured with Blender Pens and punched out with the 2" circle punch. See those little yellow pearls? Those were coloured with Daffodil Delight Blendabilities! Yes, you can colour those pearls and make them shine in any colour :)

Check out the challenge this week:

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

Supplies:

Stamps: Little Buddy Birthday

Inks: Sahara Sand, Blushing Bride, Pool Party, So Saffron, Daffodil Delight

Paper: Sahara Sand CS, Pool Party CS, So Saffron CS, Whisper White CS

Embellishments: Blushing Bride 1/4" Cotton Ribbon, Linen Thread

Tools: Gift Box Punch Board, Dotted Scallop Border Punch, 2" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1/8" Handheld Punch

Green and Yellow at Dynamic Duos!

Hello and welcome to the weekend!

This week at the Dynamic Duos, we're mixing up green and yellow! I was a little nervous as first, but it all worked out in the end.

I ran across a sketch online a few months ago, and this card is loosely based on that sketch. Unfortunately, I couldn't find it again to use as reference or to give credit.

I had a lot of fun with this card. It's a little bit different than I normally do, so it was great to mess around with. What do you think?

Here is the challenge for this week. We'd love it if you joined us.

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

Back from under the Holiday dust!

Good morning, Friends!

The holiday dust has (somewhat) settled and I am back to blogging with a new Friday Mashup challenge. It feels like it's been forever since I've posted something... But that's all about to change :)

Starting this evening at 6:00pm EST, I will take you on a journey through the awesomeness of the Spring catalogue (with maybe a little bit of SAB in there too) in my "Spring Catty Sneak Peek Week!".

Before we get to that though, let's check out the fun challenge from Amanda this week:

I kept my card for this week's challenge fairly simple. I made the little bird a shaker frame and would normally add some embossing or something to the background panels, but fought the urge and let it go 'naked'.

I loved the saying from Winter Memories so much and hadn't used it yet this season, so it seemed like the best time.

Here's the Mashup:

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge:

1. Make a project using "Snowflakes".
2. Or Make a project with the colors "Whisper White, Pool Party, Midnight Muse, and Basic Black".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Snowflake Project with the colors Whisper White, Pool Party, Midnight Muse, and Basic Black".

Thanks for stopping by today! I'll see you later tonight for Day 1 of Spring Catty Sneak Peek Week :)

-Tara
xox

List of Supplies:

Stamps: Four Seasons, Winter Memories

Paper:  Midnight Muse CS, Pool Party CS, Basic Black CS, Whisper White CS

Embellishments: Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds

Tools: 1" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle punch, Shaker Frames, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch

A time to be thankful

Good Friday morning, friends!

Back at you today with another Friday Mashup challenge. This week, Rita's got us thinking thankful thoughts. Up here in Canada, Thanksgiving has come and gone; but there is never a wrong time to be thankful or to be making Thank You cards!

For this card I stamped the En Francais background stamp over a piece of Always Artichoke. I embossed it with Gold embossing powder. The leaves (and this might seem a bit backwards to you!) are cut from the Autumn Accents Bigz Die and then embossed in Gold using the French Foliage stamp set.

I thought about embossing using the Wonderfall set that coordinates with the Die, but I was looking for something a little more 'natural' and less 'playful' for this card. The "Thank You" part of this challenge is actually on the inside only. The sentiment is from Blooming with Kindness and is embossed in gold as well.

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge:

1. Make a project with "Leaves".
2. Or Make a project saying "Thank You".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Thank You project with Leaves".

Hope to see you playing along this week! Please hop on over to The Friday Mashup and see the lovely creations from the rest of the Design Team!

-Tara

xox

List of Supplies:

Stamps: French Foliage, En Francais

Paper: Basic Black CS, Always Artichoke CS, Very Vanilla CS

Embellishments: 7/8" Cotton Ribbon, Antique Brad, Gold embossing powder

Tools: Big Shot, Autumn Accents Bigz Die, Heat Tool, Dotted Scallop Border punch

A pop of colour at The Friday Mashup!

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!

It's Friday :)

Ready for another Friday Mashup?! I thought so!

**See end of this post for a list of supplies**

I needed something simple for a friend of mine. I wanted to sound a "what up?" kind of card, but needed it to be a little low-key... yet still cute ;) Moving Forward is the perfect set! I can't believe it has taken me this long to get it.

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge:

1. Make a project with "Dry Embossing".
2. Or Make a project using the colors " Daffodil Delight, Basic Grey & Basic Black".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project with "Dry Embossing & The Color Combo".

We'd love to see you join us this week for such a hip/modern colour combo!

-Tara
xox

List of Supplies:
Stamps: Moving Forward, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Basic Black CS, Basic Grey CS, Daffodil Delight CS
Embellishments: Basic Black Tafetta Ribbon, Pearls
Tools: Word Window punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Argyle Embossing Folder

Technique time at The Friday Mashup!

Happy Friday, friends! :)

This week I'm your hostess over at The Friday Mashup, and I've got a fun sketch and technique mashup for you!

Back in August I attended the Stampin' Up! regional event in Hamilton and they showed us a really cool technique for making your very own Washi Tape - So easy and so cool! Check out the tutorial I made over at The Friday Mashup Tutorials page for instructions on how to do it.

Here's what I created:

**See the end of this post for a list of supplies**

And while you're at it, why not mash it up with the sketch part of the challenge too? :)

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge:

1. Make a project with the "Sketch".
2. Or Make a project using "Faux Washi Tape".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project using the "Sketch and Faux Washi Tape".

Thanks for stopping by today. Can't wait to see all your lovely creations!

-Tara
xox

List of Supplies:
Stamps: Winter Memories
Paper: Crumb Cake CS, Lucky Limeade CS, Cherry Cobbler CS, Festival of Prints DSP

Tools: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch

Sketch time at Sunday Stamps!

Well, today is the first real "Sunday" for me since August, really... Tomorrow I return to work after the most amazing 10 months home with my little boys. I had so much fun being with them, making new friends with them, and enjoying life's incredibly precious moments.

Today is also my nephew's 2nd birthday, so we have one more grand celebration :) Happy 2nd birthday, my little man! We love you!

OK, let's get to the card, right? I stuck very closely to the sketch today at Sunday Stamps, right down to the butterflies! I don't make a lot of cards with butterflies, so I felt like taking advantage of the sketch and just go for it!

With Sympathy

 Stamps: Kindness Matters, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Colours: Midnight Muse, Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Summer Starfruit

Papers: Patio Party

Embellishments: Summer Starfruit stitched satin ribbon

tools: Dotted scallop ribbon border punch

You're going to want to keep this sketch handy for another time, it's a good one ;)

Please join us at Sunday Stamps and show us your lovely creations!

-Tara

xox

Oh, baby!

I fell in love with the Storybook Friends stamp set (the whole suite, in fact!) as soon as I saw it. I knew it would be great for baby projects, and for scrapbooking my (little) boys first year of school.

I played along at CASE Study today. I just loved the card they had for us this week, and I felt that this stamp set would work well.

Hello, baby

Stamps: Storybook Friends, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Colours: Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizzaz, Pool Party, Blushing Bride

Paper: Twitterpated

Embellishments: Wisteria Wonder ruffled ribbon

Tools: Postage Stamp punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch

This is another baby project I made using this stamp set and the Notable Alphabet. It was a gift for my SIL who is due in less than a month with her first baby!! :D Can't wait to meet our new niece. I hope she likes this wall hanging.

Back to Case Study - Check out the card by the lovely muse! Gorgeous, eh?!

 Thanks for stopping by :)

-Tara

xox

Sunday Stamps #6

It's time for a sketch challenge at Sunday Stamps! :)

Thinking of you

Colours: Perfect Plum, Pool Party

Stamps: For the Birds

Embellishments: Linen Thread, Stitched Grosgrain ribbon

Tools: 1-3/8" Circle punch, Scallop circle punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch

Here's the sketch!:

We would love to see you play along this week! Stop by some of the other Design Team blogs for more inspiration and then link up your card! Can't wait to see it!

Holly Endress

Lisa Johansen

Monica Hornof

Hayley Kew

Joan Jeffery

Also... Happy Canada Day, my fellow Canadians!

It's supposed to be a beautiful day here, so I'm planning on heading with the boys to some Canada Day festivities with a friend of mine and her little one. There's a midway, music and fireworks... should be alright ;) Hubby is playing at a music festival out in the boonies, so we're kicking it solo for the night!

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

Friday Mashup & SUPER exciting news!

Glorious Friday morning! The sun is shining, and I anticipate a lot of water play and park fun in the next few hours :)

The fabulous Amanda has a really fun Friday Mashup challenge for us this week - but before I get to that, I have some really exciting news!

Last night I got a call from Stampin' Up! to tell me that I was chosen as one of the 20 finalists for the Artisan Design Team!! I was tickled pink! Since I won't be going to convention, I won't find out if I was one of the winners until afterwards... But nonetheless, I'm ecstatic! :)

OK, now on to today's challenge!

 Stamps: Flock Together, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Tiny Tags

Paper: Birds of a Feather DSP, Crumb Cake, Primrose Petals

Ink: Crumb Cake, Island Indigo, Primrose Petals

Extras: Stitched ribbon, Baker's twine

Toos: Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Jewelry Tag punch, Oval punch

Here's the mashup challenge for you this week:

1. Make a project using the " Party Time " theme.
2. Or Make a project using the " Box in a Bag " tutorial.
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Box in a Bag with a Party Time theme."

If you have never made a Box in a Bag before, Amanda has a great tutorial over on her blog, here.


So, head on over to The Friday Mashup and lets get the party started! :)

-Tara
xox

Merry Monday and Freshly Made Sketches

When I saw the Happy Hour stamp set in the new catalogue, I fell in love! I was open to all the possibilities, but I knew the first time I used it would be for a Christmas Card.

Christmas Cheer

Previously, I had only owned one Christmas set and I didn't want to keep making the same card, so I didn't participate with the Merry Monday challenge created by Lesley. Alas, now that the new catty is out (and I've had a sneak peek at the Holiday catalogue coming out in August) I know that I will have a surplus of holiday cheer to choose from :)

Here's this week's Merry Monday sketch.

I also played along with Freshly Made Sketches to make this pretty little birthday card for my sister-in-law who turns 30 today. I LOVE the Stippled Blossoms set SO much. I knew it was pretty... but I didn't know how pretty it was until I actually used it. For this one, I used Primrose Petals on the bottom layer of the flower and Raspberry Ripple on the top. For the leaves I used Lucky Limeade on the bottom and Gumball Green on the top.

Birthday Wishes

Here's the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.

I have some cute Father's Day cards to share as well, but I'll wait for tomorrow for those :) 

Edit to add: So excited that my SIL's birthday card got a "Perfect Princess" nod at the Freshly Made Sketches - Thank you! :)

Technique Time!

I’m loving these technique challenges over at the Friday Mashup! I’ve been wanting to try the Versamark Resist (“ghosting”) technique for quite some time – I even had all the supplies – but it just never happened. 

With a gentle nudge in the right direction, I gave it a shot. I really liked it! I have a feeling I may try it again real soon.

Mother

Materials used in this card:
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Glossy White, Whisper White 
Paper: Crumb Cake DSP, Always Artichoke DSP 
Stamps: Elements of Style, Delightful Dozen 
Ink: Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke, Marina Mist, Versamark 
Embellishments: Always Artichoke Seam Binding 
Tools: Decorative Label punch, Sponge daubers, Dotted Scallop Border punch

This is the Friday Mashup Challenge:

1. Make a project using the "Sketch".
2. Or Make a project using the "Ghosting (aka VersaMark Resist) Technique".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project using the "Sketch & the Ghosting Technique".

It's snowing outside today. That's pretty much all I have to say about that :(

-Tara

xox

Woven Thank You

Just had an awesome phone conversation with one of my besties - 151 minutes and 14 seconds. It felt like I was back in highschool again. Even though it's almost 2am, I feel refreshed after talking to her :)

I've got a fun little card to show you, featuring some products from a brand new product suite that will be debuting in the 2012-2013 Annual Catalogue. Exciting, eh?!

Thank You 

Fun sketch came courtesy of Pals Paper Arts! Been way too long since I took on one of their challenges! It was the perfect sketch to pull out the sneak peek product for! I love the DSP so much that I couldn't decide on only one design, so I weaved them together for double the pleasure ;)

There will be more sneak peeks of this set coming up! So y'all come back now, ya hear?!

-Tara

xox

A green and yellow basket :)

A little basket made for my son to collect his Easter eggs in this year!

Last year was his first time collecting eggs. It was, by far, one of the cutest moments I've ever witnessed. After collecting them all, he decided he wasn't done, so he put them all back into hiding, and redid the whole process! :)

 Las Easter: can't believe how much he's changed in 1 year...

Can't wait to see what he does this year with this little 'basket' of his!

Thanks to the Friday Mashup team for this challenge!! I probably wouldn't have done this otherwise, and I'm so happy I did! You guys are the best.

Here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project using the "colors Green & Yellow".
2. Or Make a "3-D project that's a Basket or a Treat Pouch".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Treat Basket/Pouch using the colors Green & Yellow".

Materials used to make this basket:
Cardstock: Whisper White, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi
Stamps: Delightful Dozen
Inks: Wild Wasabi, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, White (gel pen)
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Top Note die, Scallop circle punch, Scallop oval punch, Large Oval punch, 1/2" circle punch, (hole punch), Dotted Scallop Border punch

I think I got it all covered there ;)

-Tara
xox

Edit to add: So excited - This card was chosen as a "Glamette" with the Friday Mashup! :)

 

Friday Mashup Fan Favourite Challenge

There's something really exciting going on at the Friday Mashup! They are currently having a "Fan Favourite" challenge, where we get to put forth a mashup that we would like to see as a challenge. I was very excited about this, but I must admit, it took my quite some time to come up with something! I have a new-found respect for what these ladies do each week!

My Mashup Challenge would be:
1. Create a "birthday card" project.
2. Create a "custom gift bag",
3. Or, "Mash it up!" and create a "birthday card with matching gift bag"!

The birthday card opens like one of those old-school file folders, where the string rolls around two little circles (in this case, brads). When it's undone, it folds down and the inside holds the birthday greeting. We made a version of this card at a meeting I had gone to, and I loved it so much I had to make it my own. (Edit to add: I was told that the original idea came from Becky Roberts)

I hope you like the idea for a mashup. If you want to make a birthday card and matching gift bag, you can vote for my challenge idea here on the side panel! I'm #8 :)

Until next time - Happy Stamping!

-Tara
xox

Iris Fold: Part deux

Hi :)

I hope you all don't mind - but I'd like to toot my horn again... Yesterday I found out that I was named a Perfect Princess at the Freshly Made Sketch challenge (thank you, Jen!). SO thrilled. I love their sketches, and I love the styles of the design team. I am always so inspired by their clean and beautiful projects!


This week, I couldn't wait to get started on my card with the latest sketch :) In my last post, I mentioned that I tried a new technique - the Iris Folding technique. Unfortunately, I wasn't quite happy with the results of that one... So, for this sketch challenge, I wanted to have a second go at it.

I decided to use the colours from ColourQ challenge (because they are SO gorgeous), and the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.

Here is what I came up with. I have to say, I much prefer this attempt over the last one. I'm a big fan of techniques that let me play with as much designer paper as possible (like that good ol' Herringbone technique I keep using, hehe).

Hello

(FMS17, CQC120) 

Hope you enjoyed this version of the iris fold :)

Matierals used for this card:

Cardstock: Island Indigo, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White

Paper: Pocketful of Posies, Flirtatious, Twitterpated, Regals DSP

Stamps: Triple Treat Flower, Elementary Elegance

Ink: Island Indigo, Rich Razzleberry

Embellishments: Wisteria Wonder ruffled ribbon

Tools: Fancy Flower punch, 1/2" circle punch, Dotted Scallop Border punch,

Until next time - Happy stamping :)

- Tara

PPA Pick and a new challenge!

Some exciting news this morning! My entry into the Pals Paper Arts challenge was selected as one of the PPA Picks! I'm very honoured to have been one of the three selected winners :)

I'm looking forward to taking part in the sketch challenge, which will be revealed on Thursday. Why don't you play along too!

In other news, I tried my hand a few "new" things that I'd like to share. I wanted to participate in the SUO Challenge (Stampin' Up! Only), and they urged us to use a technique that is either new, or one that you seldom use. I decided to do both!

The new technique is the Iris Folding technique, which I've had my 'eye' (hahaha...) on for quite some time. There are many great tutorials on youtube, like this one, and this one. This is another technique borrowed from quilting.  Now, I have to admit, I made a few mistakes and I'm not 100% happy with the final product, but I think it was a good first go at it. I think the next time I try it, I'll use a more basic shape... using the "H" and "J" leave little room for the 'shutter' pattern to be visible.


The second 'technique' isn't so much a technique, but it's still something I do very little of - scrapbooking. I really wanted to get this picture of Hunter and Jackson with Santa someplace so I could bring it out each year - I chose to do it 8 x 10 to fit a nice frame I already had laying around! In the photo, Hunter is 3 and Jackson is 3 months :)

Materials used:
Cardstock:  Marina Mist, Whisper White, Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso
Paper: Letters to Santa DSP
Stamps: Winter Post, Petite Pairs
Inks: Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red
Embellishments: Old Olive grosgrain ribbon
Tools: Dotted Scallop Border punch, Decorative Label punch, Top Note die, Curly Label punch, Postage Stamp punch, Big Shot, 3/16" Corner Round punch

Can't Stamp the Rain facebook page is only 22 fans from having a draw! Go on over and "like" it to be entered :)

Until next time - Happy Stamping!

-Tara

Happy New Year!

Ok... so I'm a bit late with my "New Year" greeting! But I do sincerely hope that each of you ended 2011 on a high note that will last you well into 2012!

In my last post, I mentioned how instead of a New Year's resolution to change something, I've decided to make a list of the things I am happy with now, and continue to put effort and love into those things. I think that if you're going to change something in your life, you aren't going to wait for New Year's to do it - and if you do wait for New Year's to do it, it might not have been that important in the first place.

Before I get to my list though, I have a little something to show you! Yesterday was a glorious day for me - Not only was it my birthday, but the 2012 Occasions Mini went live!! I would give you all a minute to rejoice, but since I'm a day late in my announcement, many of you have already been rejoicing! In which case, I'll give you a minute to keep rejoicing... Ready? Ok...

The challenge over at Pals Paper Arts this week was a lovely monochromatic colour palette, which I really dig.

Sadly, I thought I was supposed to be working with Night of Navy, when in fact Not Quite Navy was the colour of choice. Obviously, I was 'not quite' thinking!

Nevertheless, I bring you the following!

Thank You

 (PPA126)

I so desperately needed to make a card featuring some of the gorgeous new products from the Occasions Mini! Framelits, ribbon, stamp sets... yum!

Let me get onto the rest of this New Year's thing before I write anything else. I'm rather verbose, and we could be here all day...

2011 Awesomeness that's going to continue in 2012 (AKA - The things I won't change):

1. Our family dynamic: I don't know how it happened, but we have something amazing going on here! The birth of our son Jackson in September has only added to the warmth and comfort of this home. Our oldest son, Hunter, is incredible with him, and it brings us such joy to watch them.
2. My love of stamping and giving myself the time to do it: I don't know what I'd do without stamping. As soon as I have some free time (read: naptime), I slip away to my little corner and get lost in colour. It's a therapy beyond any other I've come across thus far in my 28... wait... 29 (!!) years.
3. "Pizza Night": For those of you who have made a resolution to become healthier this year, I applaud you. Realistically, I should have done the same. And I will get to very soon ;) But no matter how many vegetables I vow to eat, and how much exercise I commit to doing, I will not give up this little gem. It pleases me.
4. Sending cards "just because": Having a mother out of town gives me a great excuse to mail "just because" cards. How many have I sent, you ask? 1. Maybe 2... Not acceptable! We are going to one a month this year. Mom, if you're reading this, we'll mail them on the 15th of each month ;)
5. Our TV-free home: We donated our TV to the Salvation Army awhile ago. Not because we think they're evil, or we have anything against them, we just don't have enough room in our family living space to accommodate one! That, and we could never find anything to watch anyways. Some people think we're crazy and ask what we do in our spare time. Turns out, we have very little of that anyways :P Do I ever miss it? Of course! Particularly Bob Ross reruns and Divine Design.

See, told you I was verbose ;)

How about one more sneak peek from the Occasions Mini and Sale-a-Bration which is coming up so soon! Those gorgeous brads, that irresistibly vintage paper, and the oh-so-delicate ribbon are all from the sale-a-bration event. Excited?!

Until next time - Happy Stamping! :)

-Tara

P.S. Card materials for "Thank You" are as follows:

Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Whisper White

Paper: Night of Navy DSP

Stamps: Apothecary Art, Curly Cute, Mixed Bunch

Inks: Baja Breeze, Night of Navy

Tools: Framelits dies, Dotted Scallop Border punch, Pleated Satin ribbon, Scallop Circle punch