One of many

Before the new year gets any further along and Christmas seems like it was an eternity ago, now seemed like a good time to start posting my Christmas cards from 2011, while there is still snow on the ground.

My first Christmas card for 2011 was made for a Christmas in July card swap. I just loved this double-sided Christmas paper by Graphic 45 from their Christmas Past Collection. 

 Both sides of the paper were used for the front of the card. Inside the card I used a vellumy like paper, that matched the green on the front perfectly. I embossed both ends of the green paper and when opened the card said 'Merry Christmas'. Unfortuneatly, I did not take a picture of the card opened. The ribbon was placed behind the green paper and threaded out the sides. The poinsettas are stamped and gold embossed on red and green vellum.

I love the layout of this card as both sides of the double sided paper are on the front of the card. This is one card layout that I will be using again. Hope you like it too. Thanks for looking.

Same Die Cut - Slightly Different Look

Last fall when I was at Scrapfest in Oshawa, Lisa of Local Rubber King was demostrating her new die cuts that she had made to match her stamps. They are all awesome. It was all I could do to stop myself from buying everyone of them.

I had bought this stamp from Lisa the previous year, so I decided it was the first one I wanted the die cut for.

After watching Lisa demostrate how to use it, I went home and created these two cards. There are slightly different, but the basic design is the same. Both flowers and stamps were colored using one of my favorite colouring methods, using Tombos directly on the stamp. Thanks Lisa for showing me this great method of coloring and how to create the wonderful background. A great way to fill in all that white space.

Needless to say, I am looking forward to seeing Lisa at the next Scrapfest in Kitchener in the spring. Thanks for looking.

Just for fun

Sometimes a quick and easy card is needed. This is one of those. I have to admit though, sometimes quick and easy for me is harder than a card with a lot more detail.

Magic Birthday

I love to try new formats and techniques and this card was one of the new formats I tried last year. It is now one of my favorite formats. It is a little different from the usual side or top opening quarter card. It has wings on either side that when spread apart slightly, help it to stand up. There is also an over lying flap on the front that opens to show the inner part of the card where a greeting/signature can be placed. One thing I learned in  making this card is not to make the front too heavy, or the card will tip over and not be able to stand properly.

Paper for this card was from 'my paper stash'. The punch used was a MS all around the page punch and the butterfly is from the Garden Party set from Local King Rubber Stamps.

 I gave this particular card to my mother for her birthday along with the explosion box (shown in an earlier post).

Thanks for dropping by and looking forward to hearing from you.

Card front

Card front with view of wings on left side

Greeting area under flap

View from left side showing wings. The same type of wings are on the right side as well.

Birthday Explosion Box

We celebrated another significant birthday in our household last year. Our daughter turned 30. Do you remember when we were kids and we thought '30' was 'over the hill'!  Needless to say I don't believe that anymore.

In honour of my daughter's changing decade, I made a special explosion box for her as well. Though I had a blast doing it, several evenings were spent looking for, reviewing and scanning all the pictures from her babyhood to grown up hood into the computer. The final step was thenprinting them to the size I wanted. 

The paper I used was a set of co-ordinating papers (Ally's Wonderland) by SEI and was purchased purchased from a local LSS. I wanted paper that was bright and youthful, without being childish and could be used on various opposing pages as the colors were all the same, but just in different formats.

Looking back at my creation, there are a few things that I would have differently now, if I were making it now, but this was my first box and I can incorporate these new ideas into the next one I make. I am looking forward to making more boxes later this year as some other special celebrations will be taking place in our family.

Thanks for stopping by.

Please forgive my photography. I almost forgot to take pictures and as a result, when they were taken they were done on a clear glass table top and I slide a place mat underneath to stop the floor from showing through. Also, I never seem to get my pictures exactly where I want them to be in my posts. Any tips would be appreciated.

Top of the lid

Paper used on sides

Centre panel

Some of the inside panels

Various inside panels

Mom's Explosion Box

I'm not sure what I want to post first. Some projects/cards from last year that didn't get posted on here or some Christmas cards that I worked on last month.  As one hasn't been opend by the recipent yet, I decided to start off with some pojects/cards from the fall and lead up to Christmas. It should only take a few posts.

I've always been fascinated with the explosion boxes that I have seen on various blogs and after an evening's lesson, I decided to make one for my mom for her birthday. The paper I used was from Bo Bunny, the Welcome Home 6 x 6 pad. After the initial part of putting the box together, the pictures I added made the box her life history and a very special birthday gift.  Thanks for looking and I look forward to reading your comments.

I used this paper on two of the outside sides of the box.

I used this paper on the other two sides.



Top of the box. I used a MS punch on the edge of the medallion before folding,

Inside the box. I organized the pictures in each section into the various stages of my mom's life - her parents (top) - as a girl (right) - four generations and friends (left) - children and grandchildren (my kids) - bottom

Some pictures of my mothers parents as she was growing up and before.

Some pictures of my mom growing up.

Happy New Year's

Well, it is hard to believe that another year has come and gone. Since my last post in October, time has just flown by with preparations for Christmas. Even though my children aren't little anymore, there still seems to be a ton of stuff to do during this time of year.

My goal for 2012 is to better organized.  I think I partially succeed with that goal last year with a lot more postings and I am going to try to do even better this year. With my middle son, Christopher getting married in the spring, life is going to be very busy for the next few months as wedding plans move ahead. I am looking forward to welcoming Sabrina into our family and have to tell you that she is a former scrapbooker and has recently had the opportunity to make a few cards.

So today while I have some time to myself (as the Rose Bowl parade is not on TV until tomorrow) I have designated today, the start of update my Blog Day. So here goes! I have cards to post, links to update, pictures to upload and more to add.