Birds of a Feather

Once the weather gets warm I find myself totally forgetting to blog.  Or maybe because our warm months are so darn short I am spending as much time as possible enjoying it.  Either way, I need to make a habit of taking time in the evening to sit down and share.

This layout was so much fun because I totally created the background paper.  I took a very light blue piece of cardstock and some white Gesso and with a stipple brush, and created some clouds.  

I then took 2 colours of Distress Oxide Ink from Ranger, Broken China, and Mermaid Lagoon, and using their round sponge brush I filled in most of the background. leaving the clouds to peek through.  The last step was to sprinkle a little bit of water.  I was so happy with how it turned out!!!

To add a bit of colour I added some patterned paper to the left side.

I have been eyeing this Paige Taylor Evans cut file from Silhouette for a few months.  But I just wasn't sure how I would use it.  But after going through my photos and picking the photo that I used, and coming up with a title, I knew these birds would be perfect.  I just cut the cut file apart and picked a few of the birds.  I then backed them with bright coloured paper.

Another thing I have started doing when I create is to use at least 2 older things from my stash.

It is getting way too huge and I really need to buy less and use older stuff. 

So on this layout, I used some doilies from my stash and some brads.  Who doesn't have a ton of brads they have never used!!!

Everything else was pretty straightforward.  It is such a bright fun layout and the photo taken by 

Kelsie Kelly Photograper is such a beautiful photo of my 2 oldest granddaughters

Taylor and Blake. 

The Collection that was used for this layout is Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd.

Thanks so much for dropping by!!!  ~Cathryn

Little Cotton Rabbits - I am in Love!!!!

Yes, it is true......I have a new love in my life LOL

And it is not what anyone would expect!!!!   For Easter this year I wanted to make something special for my three beautiful granddaughters.  So off I went to search Pinterest for ideas.  I came across a company called Little Cotton Rabbits.  And these sweet little knitted creatures stole my heart.

Thankfully there were patterns that I could purchase through Raverly.com

These little bunnies are adorable and very detailed.  They did take longer to create that I expected, but the end result was well worth the time.

The girls loved them.  And because the dresses are removable, I can make a whole wardrobe for them.  I have since made a sweet little bear, and can't wait to create a whole family of these beauties.  Bunnies, bears, pigs, foxes, cats.......so many to create!!!!

And I will make sure to share them all, here on my blog!!!!

Thanks to Kelsie Kelly Photographer for the gorgeous photos!!!

Thanks for visiting!!  ~Cathryn

Rainbows Rainbows and more Rainbows!!!

I have had so much going on in my life lately that I am a week late in getting this post up.  

Last week my challenge RAINBOWS was up on The Paper Girls Challenge Blog 

And let me tell you it was also a huge challenge for me.  I usually am most comfortable creating with a few limited colours.  And usually  not bright colours.  But I love to challenge myself.

And I love seeing all the amazing creations from the other very talented Paper Girls.  This challenge also featured a super talented guest designer,  Marty McGee. Please check her out, you won't be disappointed!!!

So for this challenge I wanted to really explore many different ways to create lots of colour.

First I tackled a 12x12" layout.

On the day I created this layout I had stopped at a Hardware Store to pick up a few supplies to create a poured paint canvas.  And while walking past the paint chips I thought what better way to add a rainbow of colour?  

Once I chose a gorgeous cut file from the Silhouette Cameo Store by Paige Taylor Evans, the rest came together very quickly.  Well......although I can't say backing all of those tiny little hearts was fast it was very enjoyable and relaxing......if you are a fan of fussy cutting!!  And I am.

Here is the end result.

I love so much about this layout.  The photo of my oldest granddaughter Blake always makes me smile.  And that quote was just perfect!!!  Because I chose to mount the cut file on white cardstock, I also decided to give it a whimsical light outline with a few black hearts. Such a simple  thing to add but it really makes a huge difference.

I next wanted to try a Rainbow of colours using Water Colour Paints.  So I pulled out some Jane Davenport Watercolours,  MY FAVOURITE!!!!   Using the packaging technique I added some colour, and that was it really.  If you want to make a beautiful card that is super fast, this is the way to  go.  I added a rub-on, and a simple sentiment inside and that was it.  Easy peasy!!!

Now this last project was something that I have wanted to try for a long time.  I have been watching videos of poured painting for months.  And even then I really had no idea what the heck I was doing LOL.  But I gave it a try.  And although it didn't go totally as planned, the outcome was pretty good I think.  Once it was completely dry, I collaborated with Miss Blake and we came up with the idea to add a quote, and some clouds that I cut on my Silhouette Cameo.  I must say that mixing paint and pouring it is a messy business.  But SO MUCH FUN!!!!!  I know that I will be giving it a try again.

I want to thank my daughter for taking such beautiful photo's of my creations.  She is such an amazing super talented photographer.  Please check her out

Kelsie Kelly Photographer

I am super blessed to have many of her amazing photos to create with.

Thanks for stopping by and if you have any questions about any of the products I used or anything else, please leave a comment and/or leave a message on my Facebook page

Cat-Scrap Creations

~Cathryn

Paper Issues & Stuck Sketches

Wow I can't believe Spring is here!!!!!  Well.....according to the calendar it is here.  But unfortunately we are suppose to be getting more snow tomorrow!!!   It better stop snowing very soon or the poor Easter Bunny is going to have to hide Easter eggs in the snow LOL

The layout that I am sharing today is a Challenge from Paper Issues and Stuck Sketches.  

If you are looking for challenges, sketches, great inspiration and some fun, please check out these great blogs.  Believe me you will not be disappointed!!!!

Here is the sketch

I had a photo that I wanted to scrap, but since it was just a single photo I had to change things a bit to make this sketch work.

All in all this turned out to be a very simple and fast layout to create. Which doesn't usually happen for me.  I am a notoriously slow scrapbooker. So when a layout comes together quickly it is a nice change of pace for me.

The photo is of my youngest granddaughter Miss Avery.   She is the sweetest little nugget in the world and although she is almost 3 years old already, she has only gotten sweeter.

So here is my take on the sketch

I actually used very few embellishments on this layout.  The title

"I LOVE YOU" and the puffy sticker hearts and arrow are the only embellishments I used.  Everything else was either a cut file from my Cameo Silhouette, or flowers cut from the paper collection that I used.  Sometimes less really is more.

I also decided to do a simple black outline around the entire page, and around the photo mats and the flowers.  It was the perfect detail I think. 

Here are a few close up photo's

SUPPLY LIST

Cardstock-Bazzill

Patterned Paper-Crate Paper : Heart Day Collection

Puffy Embellishments-Pebbles

Cut Files-Silhouette Cameo

Black pen-Sharpie

Thanks so much for visiting my blog.  Please feel free to ask any questions and join my blog.

Occasionally I will have a surprise give away and for every comment your name will be entered!!

~Cathryn

Welcome Avery

Hi everyone. I hope you all had a great week.  Probably like me you are happy that the weekend is here!!!!  Today I am sharing a layout that I created for a Hip Kit Club Sketch Challenge.  

I fell in love with this sketch immediately and knew exactly the photo I wanted to use, and the paper collection that I wanted to use.

This sketch had so many possibilities.  

I chose a photo of my youngest granddaughter Avery, that was taken when she was just a few weeks old.  She looks so darn precious. And I chose the collection from Prima called

Heaven Sent.  So appropriate for this darling photo!!!

I am so in love with how this layout turned out!!!!  

I had to change the placement of my photo on the opposite side so I just flipped the sketch.

This Prima Collection is gorgeous beyond words. So soft and delicate and very vintage.

SUPPLIES

Cardstock-Bazzill

Thread-Coats

Letters-Recollections

Doilie-Unknown

Everything else-Prima : Heaven Sent Collection

I hope this sketch and my layout spark your creativity!!!  

Thanks for visiting my blog!!!

~Cathryn

Puddle Fun

Happy Monday everyone!!! I am feeling a bit sleepy today, just trying to get use to the time change.

But I did get some craft and scrap time over the weekend, and also did a complete change of the way I had all of my scrapbooking products organized. 

Up until  this past weekend, all of my embellishments were organized in bins by company.  But after spending forever just looking for a doilie that I knew I had, but could not remember what  company it was from, I decided I needed a change.  I'm hoping that I find it much easier to find what I am looking for so I can spend more time creating and less time searching!!!

Today I am sharing a layout that I created for Mercy Tiara's 27 Day Scrappy Challenge!!

You can pop onto her Facebook page and join in the challenge, and find lots of wonderful inspiration.

This March Challenge was a pretty big stretch for me LOL.  But that is sometimes a good thing.  It is so easy to get stuck in a rut, and just use colours and embellishments that you find easy to create with.  With this Challenge, I stumbled a bit and it took me longer than usual.

Christine Ethier's CHALLENGE

"As the Spring heads our way I was thinking :

1) Design a layout with a prominent diagonal element.

2) Use only pink and yellow papers but include a small touch of purple. 

3) The title should have either something about Spring or something inspirational about life.

4) Finally use two clusters of layered elements that include any mix of stickers, chipboard, enamel dots, resin shapes, or flair.

5) Have fun!!!!

I first went through my papers and my stash searching for anything purple.  Although I love the colour purple,  I find that it is difficult to work with. But I did find a few elements that I could use in my clusters.

Next I went through my Tim Holtz Distress Inks, and found that I had 2 of the new Oxide Inks that worked perfectly. Wilted Violet and Worn Lipstick. For the yellow I didn't have an Oxide but I had Squeezed Lemonade in the Distress Ink. 

I first covered my very light pink cardstock in Clear Gesso. Once that was dry, using a round sponge, I applied all 3 ink colours.  When I was happy with how it all looked I sprinkled some water, and then ran my roll of paper towel over it to quickly pick up the water and some of the ink.  I wanted it to kind of look like rain drops.  It turned out really pretty!!!!

Once my background was dry I mounted it on another piece of cardstock and then I stitched around the edges with purple thread.  Then I added my title, photo, and embellishments.

And this is the finished layout

This layout has way more colour than I ever usually use.  But, I really love how it turned out.  And I love the quote that I found. Little Taylor looks like she is not quite sure if jumping in the puddles is for her LOL.  But once she gets going she is really loving it!!!!

I haven't created my own background before with inks, but I just really love those Oxide Inks and I can't wait to get some more colours and try this technique again!!!

Here are a few close up photos.

How stinkin' adorable is that little yellow rubber boot?  So happy I found that and the Umbrella in my stash. Without doing some organizing, I'm not sure I would have found those.

SUPPLIES

Cardstock-Bazzill

Patterned Paper-Simple Stories

Ink-Tim Holtz : Distress Oxide Worn Lipstick & Wilted Violet

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Squeezed Lemonade

Doilie Diecuts- 

Flowers-Pebbles & Sassfras

Crochet Icon-Prima

Tiny Puffy Houses-AC Amy Tangerine

Rubber Boot & Umbrella-Pink Paislee

Enamel Hearts-Doodlebug

Letters-Woodgrain : Prima, Pink : AC Thickers Sunrise

I hope this layout inspires you to try something new, and to check out

Mercy Tiara's 27 Day Challenge

And remember

"Scrapbooker's don't lie

they embellish"

Thanks for stopping by...........

Cathryn

The Paper Girls Challenge Blog #147 Travel/Vacation

Wow!!!!  I am so behind on blogging.  I just noticed today that I have 3 layouts just sitting waiting to be shared.  Much better than in the past where I didn't blog because I had no crafty mojo LOL!!  Before I get into this project, I would like to invite you to check out The Paper Girls Challenge Blog and join in this challenge.

Also it is a great place to jump start your own creative mojo!!!

Their latest challenge is all about Travelling and Vacations.

Over the past few months I have finally got my poop together and started working on a Disney Vacation Album for my daughter and her family.  It's about time......especially since they have already made 2 trips, and this year they are taking a Disney Cruise.

When I started this album I really struggled because the colours that are perfect for this album are not really easy for me to create with.  But as time goes on I think I am becoming much more comfortable.  I have seen many many layouts created using the silhouette of a large Mickey Mouse head.  And always wanted to give it a try.  So this is what I came up with.

Thanks to all of the beautiful layouts on Pinterest that inspired me to try this out!!!

  

I love, love, love how this turned out!!!!!  I originally tried to do the outline of the mouse using water colour pens.  But it just didn't turn out the way I had it planned in my head.  So instead I decided to machine stitch with 3 different colours......red, black, and yellow.  Then I added some splatters with some Jane Davenport water colour brushes.  If you have never tried them, you should!!!  The colours are simply scrumptious.

Then I just added a bunch of embellishments, a large star, and an absolutely adorable photo of my 2 adorable granddaughters, Blake and Taylor.

 It really turned out better than I thought it would!!!  

SUPPLIES

Cardstock-The Paper Company

Colour-Jane Davenport : Water Colour Brushes in Lobster, Sandbar, and Shark's Eye

Star-Heidi Swapp

Camera & Blue Arrow-Studio Calico

Wood Veneer-Connoisseurs Fundamentals

All other Stickers & Chipboard-Simple Stories : Say Cheese

Mist-Dylusions : Pure Sunshine

Patterned Paper-Simple Stories

Washi Tape-Simple Stories : Say Cheese

I sure hope you enjoyed this layout and you go check out the fun on The Paper Girls Challenge Blog.

Thanks

And remember.....

"You can't use up creativity,

the more you use,

the more you have."

        ~Maya Aangelou

SWEET as can be........

Well now that the Olympics are over, it's about time I got back to blogging.

I totally got hooked on watching every event and just couldn't pull myself away.  LOL.  But I am so happy to get back to creating and expanding my artistic skills.  I truly believe that venting my creative side is what keeps me sane.  Especially when life is difficult.  And right now life has been very difficult and more challenging that I want it to be.  And hopefully in the near future things will settle down, and I can share good news.

In the mean time, back to scrapbooking. This layout I created has turned out to be my all time favourite.  I started out by using a February Challenge from Paper Issues called Bigger is Better.

Basically to use a large title.  After looking through some photos I settled on a photo I have wanted to scrap for a long time.  It is one of my most favourite photos of my granddaughters that was taken right after the youngest was born.  It is such a gorgeous photo and I had been putting off scrapping it, probably because I wanted to make sure I did it justice.

After going through my stash, I decided on the Crate Paper Collection......Little You.

I just love the soft pastel colours, and the dark grey that compliments them so well.

For the large title I chose to use a Silhouette Cut File, and back the word SWEET.

I used some water colours on the background, and contrast letters for the remainder of the title.

I did some stitching on the 3 different patterned papers that I used in the background. And I used some bunched up gold thread under a few of the embellishments to tie in with the gold.

I just really really LOVE how this turned out.  I'm not sure what exactly makes me love this layout so much?  It just makes me super happy !!!!

I hope you enjoy it also and it gives you inspiration to create.  Spreading inspiration is my main goal with my blog.  I am and have been inspired by so many amazing scrapbook artists.  

SUPPLIES

Cardstock-Bazzill

Patterned Paper-Crate Paper : Little You Collection

Thread-Coats

Colour-Prima Watercolour Lemonade & Rose

Jane Davenport Water Colour Pen : Stary Skies

Heidi Swapp Colour Shine : Gold

Flair-AC

Tiny Words-Recollections

We're Here Bubble-Basic Gray : Kneehighs & Bowties

Enamel Cloud-Carta Bella : Rock-a-bye Baby

Black Letters-Webster Storytellers

Thank you Paper Issues for this great Challenge

and remember

"Creativity takes courage"

                 ~Henri Matisse

If you have any questions please feel free to ask

~Cathryn

PGCB Black & White Challenge.

Wow it has been awhile since I have been here!!! Flu season has been the worst that I can remember in a long time.  I always get my flu shot every year and usually if I get the flu, it's mild and I get over it quickly.  But not this year!!!!  I was hit by the bug just after the New Year's.  But it didn't seem to last long. But just when I thought I was better, it came back worse than ever.  And I have been dealing with it since then. It just seems to linger on forever.  This past weekend I slept for 4 days straight!!!!  So I'm hoping that is the end of it LOL

I thought maybe a little crafting might get me back on track.  And this challenge was perfect.  It has been such a long time since I had made any cards, and so that was what I decided to create.

Both cards are actually pretty simple and fast to create.

For my HAPPY BIRTHDAY card I cut out some letters on my Silhouette

using black cardstock, and backed them with some black & white patterned paper.

I stamped the little flowers and BIRTHDAY. 

And then I drew a little border with a black marker.

On my second card I cheated just a little, and 

 added a small amount of water colour, using the packaging technique, 

on a white background. Then I stamped the cute little fox and leaves, and 

"sending lots of love", with black STAZON ink.

Both cards took very little time to create, and I think they turned out pretty

darn cute.  Quick and easy........perfect I think for when you need 

a card in a hurry!!! 

Now, make sure you check out the Paper Girls Challenge Blog for lots more inspiration.

Thanks for stopping in,

and remember

"Whenever you are creating beauty around you,

you are restoring your own soul."

~Alice Walker

and What??????

So the sketch I used in my last post was so great,

that I decided to use it again.  Actually while I was creating that Disney layout,

I kept thinking about these stickers I had and how they would be perfect for 

this sketch. When I started creating this layout it took no time at all

because I had been planning it in my head for days!!!

That seriously never happens for me LOL

I am notoriously a slow slow scrapbooker.  Sometimes taking days 

for one layout. So this layout was a great surprise!!!  And on top

of that I really really love how it turned out!!!!

Here is the sketch again....Thank you Hip Kit Club

for the great inspiration!!!

And here is my layout

I'm just so pleased with how it turned out. And it is such a great memory that 

I never want forget.  My granddaughters are such a huge part of my life.

And making special memories is so important to me.  And I certainly want to remember them for as long as possible

Here are a few close ups!!

The colours are also a stretch for my creative brain.  I usually have no luck with 

bright colours.  But these Doodlebug Collections, Fairy Tales and  Cream & Sugar are just the cutest!!!

I hope this sketch inspires you are much as it has inspired me.

If you want to share any projects with me, just head on over to my Facebook page.

Cat-Scrap Creations

Anyone who shares a creation of any kind will be entered into a draw

for some Doodlebug products!!

You will also have to like my Facebook page and join my blog.

I will draw a name Sunday February 4, 2018 at 6pm

SUPPLIES

Cardstock - Bazzill

Patterned Paper - Doodlebug:Fairy Tales and Sugar & Cream Collections

Doilie - Unknown

Ampersand Stickers - Jen Hadfield 

Square Gold Sticker - My Prima Planner

Gold Thread - DMC

Thanks for stopping by!!!  Have a great weekend and remember

"Scrapbooking is a work of Heart"

~Cathryn

Lovin' the Mouse

Hello crafty friends!!!  Today I am going to share another Disney layout with you!!

I used a sketch from The Hip Kit Club. You can find this sketch on their

Facebook page Hip Kit Club Member Forum.  They have a weekly sketch, and you can

win a $10 gift certificate to their club. And you don't have to use their product to join in!!!

I just love al of the amazing inspiration I get there.

Today I am using the January 19-25 sketch to can see below.

I absolutely LOVE this sketch.  So much so that I am creating another layout using it!!

Here is my take on this sketch.

I think it turned out so cute!!!

Here are some closeups 

It is so much fun backing the wood veneers with paper that had hearts on them. One of my favourite

things to do.

SUPPLIES

Small papers and stickers - Simple Stories : Say Cheese I and III

Ink - Liquitex Carbon Black

Wood veneer circles - Unknown

Small treat bags - Echo Park

Chipboard - Simple Stories Say Cheese

Letters - AC Thickers : Rockabye Blue

              Amy Tangerine Journal Black

Washi tape - Queen & Company Trendy Tape & Simple Stories Carpe Diem

Thanks for visiting. If you have any questions about this l

layout, please feel free to ask!!

And remember

Crafting each day

keeps the crazy away!

~Cathryn

Snowflakes are Kisses from Heaven

Here, in the province of Alberta where I live, snow is a huge part of my life!!!!

And some of my favourite pics of my granddaughters are of them outside enjoying our

beautiful snow.  It's funny because every year I totally look forward to our winters and the snow.

But I also look forward to the end of chilly weather season.

I absolutely LOVE this pic of my sweet Tay enjoying some time outdoors.

It's such a great photo because you can see the fresh snow falling and Taylor's adorable rosy cheeks!!!

The other day I ran across a scrapbook blog called The Studio Challenges.

Their January 14, 2018 challenge is to use snowflakes on your project.  So this photo was perfect. 

Here is the layout I created!!!!

The sweet little reindeer are fussy cut from a piece of patterned paper.  They are just the cutest ever!!!

And the snowflakes and trees are Silhouette cut files.

I really wanted to use a stencil to make snowflakes on the background but I didn't have a stencil that was just snowflakes, so instead I used a stencil that kind of looks like little flowers.  I think it ind of looks like bits of snow falling......maybe LOL

Here are a few close up pics to show the details.

SUPPLIES

Cardstock-Bazzill

Patterned Paper-Me & My Big Ideas : Baby Girl Collection

Crate Paper : Style Board Collection

Cut Files-Silhouette trees and snowflakes

Stencil-Unknown

My Paper World Papierpaste

Inks-Ranger Tim Holtz Distress : pine  needles, worn lipstick, walnut stain

Chipboard Hearts & Stars-Heidi Swapp

Letters-AC Thickers & Prima Alphabet Stickers

Mini Doilie-Cosmo Cricket ; Lovely Bits Salt Air

Small Tags-Bella Blvd.

Enamel Dots-MME

Tree Paper Clip-Recollections

Thanks for visiting my blog!!!  And if you have any questions please feel free to ask!!!

And remember

Scrapbooking is........

a work of heart!!!!!

~Cathryn

For the LOVE of Disneyland!!!!!!

Who doesn't LOVE Disneyland???

I have been lucky enough to have visited twice in my life.  Once as a young teenager and once as an adult with my oldest daughter.  And honestly, going as an adult was is some ways more fun than going as a child LOL  It truly is a place to enjoy at any age!!!!

I now get to enjoy the fun through my granddaughters and the photos from their trips to Disney.  Late last year I finally got my act together, and gathered all the super fun Disney scrapbooking supplies I have been collecting for years, and started creating an Album for my daughters family.

It has been a bit of a struggle for me as the colours are not my favourite to create with.  However, it has made me think outside my comfort zone and I am starting to enjoy the process. 

Today I am sharing the first 2 layouts that I created.  Although they took forever LOL.....I really love the outcome.  

This layout is from my daughters family's first trip.  And I totally love this pic of just the girls!!!!

(sorry for the poor pic and bad lighting......not much sun where I live when this pic was taken)

AND I LOVE the title!!!!

Here are some close up pics so you can see the detail better :)

And here is the second layout I created.

This layout is from their second trip, and I melted when I saw these pics!!!  My amazing daughter Kelsie is a lifestyle photographer, and I am blessed to have a continuous supply of incredible photos to create with.

Again here are some closeups.

Hope you enjoy these layouts and if you are looking for Disney inspiration, check back here and hopefully I will have a new layout every few weeks.

As always THANKS for stopping by and remember

"Creativity is contagious, pass it on"

                               ~Albert Einstein

Also, if you have any questions please feel free to ask

      ~Cathryn