Yeah for Monday and a Scrapbook Steals MWM!!!!

It has been a long time since I have sat down and done some scrapbooking.  Probably since I went on my last Scrapbooking Weekend!!!!  Crazy......I use to scrapbook daily.  I really need to get back into it and what better way than creating a layout using Scrapbook Steals MWM sketch!!!

Such a great place to go for amazing scrappy deals and some darn good inspiration.

Something else that is good for inspiration is spending scrappy time with a dear friend.  Something that I really need to do more often.  And now that a special friend....Nicole .....is living in the same city as me, I know we will be getting scrappy much more often.  And yes Nicole.....I do love you LOL!!!!

Here is this weeks sketch.....

Daisy 9

And this is my take on the sketch....

And a few close ups to show the details....

The paper that I used was a bit of a challenge for me.  Bright colours are always difficult for me.  I'm not sure why.  I guess it's just not my style.  But I played with it and after leaving it for a few days, put the finishing touches on it.......and now I think I love it!!!!  And I love looking back at pictures of my little Zoey.  She was such a sweet little thing....so nice and fuzzy!!!  She is 2 1/2 years old now and has turned into a beautiful young girl.  She is pretty small for a golden retriever, but is she full of energy!!!  Yikes!!!!  Certainly not the calm dog that old Scouty was, but just as loving and wonderful.  I love her to death, and she will always be the best birthday gift that I have ever received!!!! Thank you to my incredible kids.  She is the gift that just keeps on giving <3

Have a great week everyone ~ Cathryn

Welcome to June!!!!

Today it is my turn to host a challenge on The Paper Girls Challenge Blog......my first time!!!  At my age there aren't to many firsts anymore LOL!!!!  So I have really been looking forward to this.  I called my challenge......Rub-Ons Reinvented. If you are anything like me you probably have a bunch of half used rub-ons, or rub-ons you just haven't used.  

Lately my new passion, besides scrapbooking has been mixed media art.  It is perfect for all those left over bits and pieces of rub-ons. 

Pop on over to PGCB and join in the challenge for the chance to win a great prize!!

I created 3 small canvases, and I think they might just be my favourite off all that I have created so far.  Since many people have asked how to create a canvas I decided to give step by step instructions on how I like to create.  But please remember....there is NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY!!!  This is just the way I work.  It is a little lengthy, but I wanted to show pictures of every step.  I hope you enjoy!!

My first step is always to put down some kind of paper, and then paint to create the background.  On these I used pages from a book, but I really like using tissue.  Especially from sewing patterns.  You get a great texture.

  I decided that I wanted to do an owl and 2 different birds.  I cut them out of scrapbook paper.  Before glueing them down with modge podge I did a little stamping to give more texture.

 A little easier to see in this close up.

 The next step is to do some shading around the edges so the pictures pop out and add dimension.

Again.....a little stamping to add dimension. 

 Some more shading and all the little extra things.  Also I love to do some doodling.

 This is where the rub-ons come into the picture.  I just kind of throw them in anywhere.  And don't worry if they don't rub off perfectly.  the less uniform the better.

 After every layer that I put on I always put a layer of modge podge.  It keeps things from mixing, and seals in everything.

 And here is the finished product!!!!  These just make me so happy......they are so stinkin' cheerful I can barely stand it LOL!!!!

I hope you have enjoyed this post and it has inspired you to do a little creating of your own.  And if you have any questions please ask.

Thanks for stopping in.

~Cathryn

April Showers Bring May Flowers!!!

Although Mother Nature seems to be a bit behind schedule this year, on my morning doggy walk with Miss Zoey, I noticed that there is a lot more green than brown grass for her to explore!!! So I'm sure beautiful blooming flowers will be on their way very soon!!!

In the meantime I have some new creations to share with everyone today.  I have always been a huge fan of Mixed media journals and canvases.  They are just so fun and free and creative!!  So I figured....how hard can playing with paint be???  Well I learned very quickly, just how difficult "letting go and having fun can be LOL"  Getting messy and coloring outside the lines does not come naturally to me.  But the more I played, the more I loved the outcome!!  

So today I decided to share a few of my recent creations.  Up until now, my art work has always been gifts for friends and family.  But now, by the end of May I will have my art work up for sale.  So exciting!!!!!  So make sure to come back and visit my blog at the end of the month for more fun and information about a give a way.

The canvases I am sharing today are each 8x10"

Enjoy!!!

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!!!

~Cathryn

T.G.I.F. and a Little Card Creating!!!

I can't believe how hectic and crazy my life has been in 2014.  So many changes happening.  Trying to get my home prepared for total renovations.....from top to bottom has been nothing but insane.  But it has helped me clean out anything that I haven't used in the past 2 years......except for scrapping stuff!!!  THAT I have a hard time getting rid of.  Both of my daughters have moved out on their own so I will also be getting a new craft room which I am very excited about.  Although I miss my girls....change is a good thing.  My oldest daughter and her husband have just moved in to their brand new house they built.  I'm so happy for them.  Such an exciting time for their beautiful family.  I have been trying to help out as much as  I can by spending as much time as possible with my 2 adorable Granddaughters.  They are truly the light of my life.  

Today I got creative making cards for my youngest daughter.  She is off to BC for a couple weeks for a wedding.  And needed a wedding, bachelor, and bachelorette card.  I was a little strapped for time but I think they all turned out great!!!!

Enjoy!!

This is the wedding card I made.....their colours are yellow and black.  I'm not sure if I like the heart at the top....it looks a little poorly done.  But that is because it is made with 2 thumb prints.  Just not possible to get perfect :)

Next I tackled the Bachelor card.  The guys are off to Vegas to celebrate their friends upcoming wedding.  I hope they all come back in one piece :)

This is the last card I created.  My daughter didn't want anything to girly, so I wasn't quite sure what would work.  I just started creating and this is what it ended up as.....maybe a 'little girly' but I think it will be fine!!!

Hope you enjoyed my creations......enjoy your weekend!!!

~Cathryn

Happy Monday Everyone and Welcome to The Paper Girls Challenge BLOG HOP!!!!

It's a Birthday and an Anniversary and a BLOG HOP.....all in one!! 
How fun is that??

On top of our usual challenges that happen every 2 weeks on the first and third Monday of each month, this month we have decided to Celebrate our Blogiversary with a Blog Hop!!!
Our talented Designers have created gorgeous projects using Celebration as a theme. And also the use of wood veneer or chipboard shapes.

A random winner will receive a $25 gift card from the amazing and addictive store
Creative Embellishments

For my project I decided to make a card.  It's always nice to have a beautiful handmade card on hand. I  pulled out a favourite of mine,  My Mind's Eye Howdy Doody.  Such a versatile timeless collection.  It never gets old!!  I also used Tim Holtz Distress Stain on my wood veneer flowers.

If you have come to me from the very talented Michele's blog, then you are the right track.

Here is the hopping order

Paper Girls Challenge Blog 

Erica

Charity

Deborah

Michele

Cathryn<<<<you are here

Kristy

Please hop, comment on all blogs and then go back to the Paper Girls Challenge Blog to enter using the Rafflecopter  Widget.
You will have until Friday April 4th to enter to win the $25 gift card.
Have fun hopping and Good Luck everyone!!!!

WELCOME 2014.................Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine January Sketchy Challenge

I am really starting out a bit late to celebrate the New Year, however Happy New Years to all who are near and dear to me!!!!!!  I had a wonderful Christmas with all of my kids, my parents and my 2 precious granddaughters!!!!  AND.....I got the best gift ever from my kids.......the CAMEO SILHOUETTE!!!!

I  have had so much fun learning and trying new things with this handy dandy sweet machine.  It's just amazing.......and fun!!

One of my first fun Layouts I created was for Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine January 2014 Sketchy Challenge. 

A big thanks to Sue Sykes for this great Sketch

Please check out her blog.....it is filled with such amazing inspiration!!!!

Kewi Beans

Such a great sketch........

...........and here is what I created!!!!

This precious layout is all about meeting my second granddaughter for the first time.  I was suppose to be there for the birth but little Miss Taylor wasn't waiting for me to get there......she was in a big hurry!!!  I can't tell you how incredibly amazing it is to hold a new grand baby for the first time!!  My heart just melts thinking about it and looking at the photo.  She is a true gem in my life.  

Umma LOVES you TAYLOR!!!!!

I flipped the sketch so that my picture was situated better......and I LOVE this beautiful collection by Teresa Collins!!!!

SUPPLIES

Cardstock-Bazzill

Patterned Paper & Embellishments-Teresa Collins :You are My Happy Collection

and

DCWV Timeless Type Stack

Letters-AC Thickers;Pink Sunrise & Cameo Silhouette; Will You Call My Name Font

Ink-Tim Holtz Distress;Walnut Stain

Silhouette Cameo Embellishments-Abstract Circle Frame, Cards (love), Heart Flower Cards, Heart 4x6 Journaling Card

Twine- made at a Local Yarn Store