Nordic Pines from Bazzill Basics Paper

I have come across a winter collection that I really love…. Nordic Pines by Bazzill Basics Paper… and was inspired to design a layout for Canadian Scrapbooker's December Sketchy Challenge.

BabyOfTheFamily and her sweet friend surprised me by asking for photos outside during a blizzard! What?  I don't have to beg? Ha. 

Here is Sue Sykes' wonderful sketch:

I sure don't like winter, but strangely I always enjoy creating winter layouts! I think I was also inspired by the amazing landscape at the scrapbook retreat where I was working on this layout.

Isn't the Nordic Pines colour palette awesome? 

The Bazzill package of paper snowflakes worked perfectly as embellishments, along with the Kraft "Edge" card stock strips:

There were 3 different snowflake shapes:

I outlined the title with my American Crafts white Galaxy marker to make it stand out more on this cool piece of chalkboard patterned paper and added some stitching with red embroidery thread.

 My Stampin' Up! paper piercing set helped with all my stitching:

I also did some cross-stitching to enhance the homespun patterns and the tiny cross-stitched stag heads:

I stamped and cut out this stag using a Sizzix stamp/die set.

I just love that Bazzill pleated paper ribbon!  Just pull it out of the package, and you have a really pretty embellishment.  Easy!

At this busy time of year, it's so nice to use a collection that helps your layouts come together quickly and easily.  

If you need some inspiration with your designs, click HERE to visit the Canadian Scrapbooker Sketchy Gallery.

A Little Bit of Christmas

Are you busy planning and making your Christmas cards?  To be honest, I only create a handful for a few special people and actually snail mail about 80 more store-bought ones with our family photo and annual Christmas letter.  Yes, I have a big family!

Here is one card I designed using some wonderful Sizzix products:

This is being featured on the Canadian Scrapbooker blog today, so for more details and some step-out photos of how it came together, click HERE and find out more.

Fall Projects

Have you seen the Fall issue of Canadian Scrapbooker magazine?  It's jam-packed with all kinds of crafty goodness.

Along with my Double the Fun article, I wrote a piece called "Completely Cardstock" and designed a few projects. 

Here is the picture frame and matching card, using Core'dinations wood grain cardstock. 

I took an old 5 x 7 picture frame and made my own faux wood grain design with paper and ink.

 By adding a few Sizzix die cut leaves and twigs from outside, I have a nice piece of Fall decor.

I used the Sizzix "Tattered Leaves" die and Core'dinations Tim Holtz Kraft-Core "Shattered" card stock.

I take photos of my kids every Fall, and this year took a lot of begging....more than usual.  But I did get a few shots of them.

I actually prefer this 'outtake' with their cousin.

And I was happy to get this nice pic of Opa's birthday, which we celebrated along with Thanksgiving last weekend.

It has been beautiful Fall weather here, with gorgeous temps and the leaves are turning....

My husband and I went for a walk along the ravine in front of our house.  Breathtaking!

It's these quiet moments that make me appreciate the beauty of nature in the Fall.

 I have to say that I'm very sad to see summer go, but the warmth of this Fall season has made it easier to say good bye to summer.

The colours have been magnificent against our bright blue sky, and the days are filled with sunshine.

Maybe some day, Autumn will become my favourite season after all.

Thankful

When Thanksgiving comes around, I try to think of ways to make my dining room table look special for our family meal.  I decided to make some place cards, and this is what I came up with...

This project is being featured on the Canadian Scrapbooker blog this week, so to see the complete photo step-by-step tutorial and supply list, please click HERE.

Thanksgiving is also a time for me to think about what I am grateful for in my life. 

 I'd have to say my family is definitely number one, and I'm especially enjoying the changing relationships among my children.  Meaning....there is less squabbling! Ha!

I'm also thankful for the teaching opportunities I've had lately.  Canadian Scrapbooker magazine has opened up some new possibilities for me, and I love teaching at events as part of their DT.  Designing and writing for the magazine is the best thing that has happened to me in the past few years.

Teaching classes is a joy, and I'm grateful to be able to teach classes locally.  In fact, my next class is offered at Treasured Memories on October 29.  Here is a look...

The Kaisercraft photo display frame looks beautiful with the Take Note collection.  There are a few fun techniques thrown in, with some cool copper metallic elements.  Click HERE to register for my class.

The pictures are my kids from last Fall.....and I'm still trying to round them up before the leaves blow away for this year's photo shoot. Ack.  It's like herding cats!  I might resort to threats soon. 

I wish you and your families a very blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!  

A Card and a Class

Once in awhile, I do a blog post for Canadian Scrapbooker called "Tuesday With the Team."

Last week, I shared a card I designed using Sizzix dies and embossing folders with Core'dinations ColorCore card stock.

There are more close-ups and a video tutorial on how I made this card on the Canadian Scrapbooker blog.

Click HERE to see that post and watch the video.

I also have some exciting news about a class I am teaching on June 13 at Treasured Memories.  There are limited spots, so register now if you are interested.

I have had such wonderful feedback about a similar Kaisercraft photo display that I designed a few weeks ago, that I decided to make it into a class.  Click HERE to see my other Photo Display project.

If some of you are wondering where I will be teaching in the future, I wanted to let you know that I will now be an independent instructor.  So I will have classes at a variety of stores and events, which I will announce here on my blog and on Facebook.  

I have lots of class ideas and opportunities coming up, so stay tuned.....

A White Valentine

As some of you already know, I have a very dear friend who lives far far away on the eastern coast of Canada in a magical place called Newfoundland.  A few months ago, Michelle invited me to join a Facebook group called "Crop Circles" where mostly Newfoundland scrapbookers meet and share.  Natasha Connolly set up this group, and I had the good fortune of meeting her last September as well. If you're a lucky Mainlander like me, you can manage to squeeze into the group and join in the fun.

This is Michelle's January Sketchy Challenge layout depicting my Screeching In when I visited her in Newfoundland.  And YES, I kissed that REAL fish!

There are lots of wonderful challenges at Crop Circles, and Michelle announced an all-white challenge for January.  Uh oh!  I've never designed anything with one colour, and card stock isn't always my first choice for scrapbooking.  I guess you could say I'm a colourful kind of girl.

Here is Michelle's all-white layout and a link to her blogpost where you will find a tutorial on those beautiful embossed flowers she made...

Click HERE to visit Michelle's blog.

But I'm up for a challenge and eager to try new ideas, and before the month could end, I promised myself to make something all white.

A layout was daunting, so I decided to make a card, a Valentine card actually....

The doily and heart dies are all Stampin' Up/Sizzix and the XO is from a Tim Holtz Sizzix die.  The ribbon is May Arts and the card stock is Bazzill.

The pearls are Stampin' Up!

Here are the 3 Stampin' Up dies I used. I just LOVE embosslits!

I had this XO die cut in Kraft paper left over from another project, so I painted it white with gesso and sprinkled it with Iridescent Diamonds Craft & Glitz glitter.

When I began making this card and pulled out all the white card stock from my stash, I quickly realized that there are many shades of white! Surprise!  So that's why my embossed hearts look a little grey, even though I used white card stock.  It's what I had on hand, and if you know me, I didn't want to start all over again! 

Do you think my husband will notice the different shades of white anyway?  uh. No.

So thank you Michelle for pushing me out of my creative comfort zone!  I should probably mail YOU this card instead (or maybe the Cod that I kissed :)

Happy New Year!

I can't help it....I love the beginning of a year and totally buy into the idea of starting fresh, having resolutions [breaking them] and creating new opportunities.

One idea I had for a class to start off the New Year is to design an album using Graphic 45's "Place in Time" collection.

Here is the first layout of the album....I'll share the others as the months go by.

January

This is a photo of my mother back in 1955, in winter, headed out with her skates.  I didn't know my mother skated! 

Everyone thinks most Canadians skate, and I suppose many of us do...except for my daughters and me!  Yes, I took skating lessons as a child, but the ice and cold are not my friends, and my girls agree.

Some close-ups...

I layered these banner strips in the background.

Distressed and inked edges.

A snowflake Sizzix die and glitter

Glittered tags and dyed ribbon.

I am really excited about creating an entire 12x12 album with Graphic 45!  If you would like to join my class and live in the area, call The Urban Scrapbook or register online.  

If you live far far away and would like to take the class by purchasing a kit or registering for online videos, please get in touch with me by sending me an email at kelly@klapstein.com .