Reflecting on 2015... some highlights!

Looking back on 2015... it was a fantastic year in so many ways! I had some wonderful creative opportunities...
*Working for Scrap-N-Art online magazine!
*Designing for DCWV
*Continuing on with Imagine Crafts
*Another term with Spellbinders
*Design team trip to Phoenix AZ with my Spellbinders peeps!
*Some awesome publications, including a couple of covers!!

It was also a year of change creatively for me. I stepped down from all of my design team commitments except for Spellbinders. I was burnt out. Never thought that would happen... but it did. I really needed a break! So beginning in June, I created only for Spellbinders.
Now, my work for Spellbinders ended with 2015. I will miss it SOO much! I adore Spellbinders products and will be forever thankful for the amazing opportunity to design for Stacey Caron!! She is so special to me! She gave me the opportunity of a lifetime... She made us feel like we were family... Getting to hang out with the design team in Phoenix was so special. We got to know everyone on a personal level. That is what made this company unique. Spellbinders is what it is because of you Stacey...
I wasn't sure what would happen once I was finished with all of my commitments. I was afraid I would loose my desire to create. Didn't know if perhaps it would be the beginning of the end for me...
But i am so happy to say that it's not!! I have been working on organizing my studio, and I'm SO excited about this new freedom I have!! I can create WHATEVER I want, using WHATEVER I want... WHENEVER I want!!  It's a very strange feeling... but very liberating! !I  look forward to getting back to my roots... to scrapbooking! i enjoy the paper crafts, DIY and cards, but Scrapbooking is my passion!!
Now, that doesn't mean I will not be applying to some awesome teams... I still ADORE working for companies... just sayin'... Hoping for some AMAZING opportunities to come my way in 2016!!

I'd like to share some of my 15 favourite projects from 2015... In no particular order...

Wow! That was so hard to decide! So much variety! so much fun!! There are a few others that I'd like to add, but they are using new product by Spellbinders, so I can't share yet! ;)

Thanks for joining me on this look back thru 2015!! I'd love to hear what project above is your favourite!!
Until Next time...
Happy Creating!

Scrap N'Art Mag April Issue Sneak Peeks Pt 2

Oh my!! Where did April go???? LOL! I need to be sharing my MAY sneak peeks!! But I will finish April's first!!
Ok, here we go!! These projects can all be found in full in the April issue of Scrap N'Art Online Magazine! Click HERE to subscribe!!

Use Your Stash:
Each issue has an article where we can create ANYTHING  we want, as long as we use product from our sponsors!! Here is what I created... well, a sneak peek of it... Stop by this issue to see more, and to see what the rest of the team created!! Check it out here...

PRIMA; Mix It Up
One of our fabulous sponsors for April was Prima Marketing!! SWOON!!!!! I ADORE Prima, and of course, had an amazing time creating with their product!!
This is a sneak of a mixed media Reverse Canvas that I created using their product. Check it out here, along with the others on the team created.

Jewellery Making To the Extreme
DIY Jewellery making is on the rise!! I had SO much fun creating this piece for the issue using some gorgeous Spellbinders "A Gilded Life" Supplies. See details of this and what the others created here.

Prima: Banner Mini Album Video Tutorial
For my final sneak peek, I am sharing a mini album that I created, again using the fabulous product supplied by Prima Marketing! Full video tutorial supplied for this project here!

And that, my friends is the April issue!! A-MA-Zing!!!
If you are not a subscriber, what are you waiting for!?!? Be sure to check it out!!
Now, time to start getting the May Sneak Peeks ready!! :) Come back soon for those!
Until then... Happy Creating!!
Tina

Shabby Chic Birdhouse With DCWV

Hello all!!! Spring...  was really hoping it was on it's way... but now they are calling for another 30-45 cm of snow this weekend!!! Will it ever end?? LOL!!

However, I was feeling pretty "springy" when I created this project!!  DCWV has recently come out with DIY Project Stacks!! For the beginner crafter, they are fabulous, because they give you everything you need, including instructions!! For the more advanced crafter, they give you a basic design and then it is up to YOU to make it into something more!!! They are awesome!
The stack I used for this project is called Butterflies and Birds. It comes with 3 template sheets, 22 double sided card stock (many with a gorgeous pattern!) and 16 perforated sheets... that make over 800 butterflies! This is a super fun stack! And the colours are TO DIE FOR!!!

I used a birdhouse template that is included with this stack and traced them onto the papers I used... also in the stack. I used ScorTape to adhere it together and then inked the edges using Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko Vintage Sepia ink to add a distressed look to the edges. Then came the fun of decorating it!!!

 I used some Want2Scrap pearls,  May Arts Lace, Cosmo Cricket tiny Text word strips, Spellbinders die template...and of course the butterflies from this DCWV Stack.

I added some twine to the top so that I can hang it if I decide that I want to. :)

This simple birdhouse has SOOO many options when it comes to personalizing it!! I think If I do one again I will begin with a cardboard base so that I have a more sturdy birdhouse for longer. Because I REALLY like the look of it!!!
This DIY Project Stack, along with 7 others are available at  JoAnn Stores.  So unfortunately we can not get them here in Canada... but if you CAN get them, do so! It's so worth it!! Check out the DCWV blog to see the other fabulous DIY stacks that are available!!
Thanks so much for stopping by today!!
Until next time...
Happy Creating!!

Classic Time... with Imagine Crafts

Good morning!!! Happy December to you! I hope you are enjoying getting ready for this holiday season! It's the "most wonderful time of the year!!" Yep, now I've got you singing!! ;)
I am BURSTING with ideas for things I want to create lately!! I have recently received my first Design Team box from DCWV... and let me tell you, they are SCREAMING for me to create some gorgeous Christmas crafts!! :)

But for today, I am here to share with you a non-christmas themed project. IMAGINE Crafts partnered up with Rubbermoon Stamps and we have been playing with their product. One of the things I received from them was a DIY clock kit! It was SO much fun!! Let me show you what I did...

And to show you just how I did it... here is the video!!

Visit the IMAGINE Crafts blog to see more beautiful clocks created with this kit, and IMAGINE Crafts products!!
Thanks for stopping by!!
So, until next time...
Happy Creating!!

Spellbinders Holiday Greetings, Advanced project

as promised, I am back!! :) Wow! 4 posts in 3 days! i could get used to this!! LOL!!
For today I have an advanced project for you that I created, once gain, using Spellbinders Holiday Greetings.

Let me share a bit about this die... I chose it because I thought it was be very challenging for me. I was right... but in the end it was SO easy to work with!! And the possibilities are endless!!!!!
Here is what I did for the most complicated project... it may not look that difficult, but in having to create only partial cuts, it definitely takes some experience and patience. :) But it's worth it, as I really love how it turned out!!

NOEL Holiday Gift Set

You can see FULL instructions, with photos on the official post on the Spellbinders website HERE.
Here is what I used to create this...

Spellbinders Supplies:

• S4-434 Holiday Greetings
• SCD-010 Build-a-Tag One
• T-001 Tool 'n One™
• GC-001 Spellbinders® Grand Calibur® Die Cutting and Embossing Machine

Other Supplies:

• ClearSnap: Glitter
• May Arts: White Ribbon and Iridescent Cord
• Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L®: Adhesive Sheet, E-Z Runner® Permanent Strips and 3D Foam Squares
• White Cardstock
• Red Cardstock
• Green Cardstock
• Hole Punch
• Box
• Low Tack Tape

Thanks again for stopping by!!! I think I'm going to have to do a giveaway coming up soon... so stay tuned!!!

Until next time...

Happy Creating!!

Tombow Design Team Finalist Submission

Today I am thrilled to be able to share with you the project that I created for the Tombow Design Team Finals!! i was sent their Xtreme adhesive... which is 5x stronger than their standard adhesive!! So I decided to really put it to the test!! :) I could NOT decide what medium I wanted to work with... burlap, wood, cork, canvas... this adhesive is said to be fabulous with them all! Since I could not decide I thought "Let's use it all!!" And THAT is what I have done!!

Baby Bliss Mixed Media Mini Album

 My album is entirely hand made. I created the base with corrugated cardboard. I covered it with a patterned burlap from DCWV, which I ADORE!!! It adhered beautifully!!

 For my binding, I used a different printed burlap, also from DCWV.  I then punches holes and inserted eyelet's. Thru those I laced a beautiful ribbon from May Arts. I adore how this turned out! So soft and feminine!!

Onto my cover, I added strips of lace, ribbon and burlap to join the binding with the front cover. All adhered using the Xtreme adhesive! Then I die cut a Spellbinders Standard Circle from corrugated cardboard and adhered it to the center, with a "baby"die cut in the center. I created circles from twine and wired twine and tied them in "lasso" format. These were adhered using Xtreme adhesive! Yes they were!!! To keep the top layers down I did add a touch of Mono Aqua Liquid Glue. The flowers, twine and greenery on the front were adhered also with the Mono Aqua Liquid glue. A few extra little embellishments and the cover was complete.

For the inside, I created an accordion type fold which really tested the Xtreme adhesive! It held FABLOUSLY!!! I am very impressed!!  On the inside pages I adhered the following using the Xtreme adhesive... Metal embellishments, twine, buttons, chipboard, patterned paper, Wood charms, ribbon, lace and more!!

Here is a little peek at one of the inside pages... LOVE!! I die cut the inside pages using Spellbinders LF-109 Grand Labels Four. 

 However, I did run into one problem with the Xtreme adhesive... if i were to me completely honest. I ran out before having the opportunity to adhere the inside pages to the base of the book!! :) Yes, I used a LOT of it on this project!! So i decided to try some of my favorite double sided tape instead... BIG problem!! It would NOT HOLD!! AWESOME!!! That shows what a MAJOR difference the Xtreme adhesive made!! So, I will have to hold off on showing you the ENTIRE inside until I have the opportunity to complete it... which I hope will be soon. but for now, I wanted to share the outside and a sneak peak of the inside... More to come, I promise! :)

So my friends, THAT is my project for the Tombow DT finalist callback, using the Xtreme adhesive. What do I think of the adhesive?? I WANT MORE!! I NEED MORE!!! So wish me luck!! :)

Supply List:
TOMBOW Xtreme adhesive runner, Aqua Mono Liquid Adhesive
Spellbinders: LF-190 Grand Labels Four, S4-114 Standard Circles, GC-001 Grand Calibur Machine
DCWV: Cork Stack (Pastels), 12x12 corrugated cardboard, 6x6 printed burlap
May Arts: Ribbon, lace
Cropodile and eyelettes
Maya Road Twine
Dollar store wired twine
Zva Creative: Pearl Flourish and mini flowers
Simple Stories: BABY die cut
Cosmo Cricke:t Tiny Text stickers
Crate Paper Clothespins
Decorative Stick Pins by Darsie Bruno

Thanks so much for stopping by!!!
Until next time...
Happy Creating!!

Tombow USA Design Team Application!!

Hello all!!
So you all know that I love to try new things!! Some of my designing commitments are coming to an end...  So I have decided to throw my "hat in the ring" so to speak, and apply for the Tombow USA Design Team! So I get to share some of my favourite projects on here with you all!!

Those to which I have created video tutorials, I have linked up the video in the title of the projects. :) Enjoy!!

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First up are 2 of my favourite scrapbook pages. The first one, Never seen before! The second, one I recently created for Imagine Crafts.

HEART AND SOUL

It's SUMMERTIME

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Next up, are a couple of cards that I really have enjoyed creating. Love how they turned out!! Again, the first one created for Imagine Crafts with a full video tutorial, and the second, new, never seen before!!

Thankful...

 HAPPY HOLIDAYS

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And last, but not least, here are a few "off the page" or DIY kinda projects... 

 Express Yourself: A Toilet Paper Mini Album

3D Snowflake Holiday Ornament

Elegant Party Ensemble

And that, my friends... is just a little glimpse into some of my recent favourite projects. I tried to show a huge variety of styles and difficulty levels to show my versatility.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Until next time...
Happy Creating!!

Upcycle with Imagine Crafts!!

Hello all!! Today is my day to share a video on the Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko blog!! Our challenge was to "up cycle" something old and make it new!!
I had So much fun with this project!!! I could have made so many more pages to it, but knew I had to keep it a bit more simple for the video!!
Here's a peek!!

Can you guess what I up cycled?????

Stop on over to the Imagine Crafts blog for a full video tutorial and to find out the mystery item!! :)
Until next time, Happy Creating!!

IMAGINE Crafts and Viva Las VegaStamps! Blog hop

Welcome to the IMAGINE Crafts and Viva Las VegaStamps! Blog Hop. For the next week, our two design teams will be featuring some amazing projects featuring products from both our companies. Amazing stamps require amazing ink, right?  (Today is the last day of the hop!)

Mixed Media Prize Package

We're proud to announce your chance to win one of three different Mixed Media Prize Packages from IMAGINE Crafts and Viva Las VegaStamps! You have until midnight PST on Sunday, May 31st 2014 to comment on as many of the Design Team Blog Posts from this week as possible. On Monday, June 1st we’ll draw three random blog posts and one comment from each of those posts will win a prize package!

Ready for some inspiration from our artists?

Here's today's posts from IMAGINE Crafts:

Tina McDonald THAT'S ME!!

And from Viva Las VegaStamps!:

Natasha Serova

Tera Callihan

  If you're just joining us on the Mixed Media Blog Hop, here' the links to the previous days posts: Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday   ***Blog Hop Hint – if you click on a link that takes you to a page saying something like, “Sorry this page cannot be found” just click on the header at the top of the blog (usually a picture or the blog’s name) and it will take you to that blog’s most recent post. That post *should* be our hop. If not, you can probably scroll down a short way to find the hop post.

For my project, I created a mixed media scrapbook page! i LOVED this fabulous stamp and knew the minute I received it that I would use it on a scrapbook page!!!
Here's a basic "how to" in how I created it...

• begin with solid background paper. Stamp checkerboard stamp from Viva Las Vegastamps! using Memento Luxe Black Tuxedo ink. i focused on the area around where my photo would go, as well as accent areas on the bottom. Open bottle of Tuxedo Black irRESISTible texture spray and "flick" some onto the page. Let dry.
• Spritz Fireworks! spray in Summer Sky  while holding the paper up so that the colour will drip down the page.
• Tear patterned paper strips and arrange to form a photo mat.  Lightly sand edges of 3x4" black and white photo. Mat with black card stock. Adhere using foam tape.
• Diecut Spellbinders® A2 Modern Stationary by nesting dies together and die cutting using Grand Calibur® machine onto black card stock. Staple 2 of the frames together and add to the page.
• Add flowers, clock cut outs, stickers, title, etc to embellish the page.

Supplies:

• IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko: Memento Luxe (Tuxedo black), Fireworks! Spray (Summer sky), irRESISTible texture spray (Tuxedo black)
• Viva Las Vegastamps!: Checkerboard background stamp
• Spellbinders® Grand Calibur machine, A2 Modern Stationary dies.
• Patterned papers (Fancy Pants, Authentique)
• Black card stock, card stock stickers flowers, embellishments

Thanks so much for stopping by!!! If you are not already following my blog, and you would like to, please follow using the links on the right side of this page.

Until next time...

Happy Creating!!

Monterey Pine Charms Video Tutorial for Imagine Crafts

Good morning friends!
Today I'm over on the Imagine Crafts blog sharing these fun charms!

They are super simple to make using Monterey Pine from Imagine Crafts, Electric Neon Inks, embossing powder, some fun dies from Spellbinders® and Artistic Wire!!
Check out the video here! And as always, thanks for stopping by! I greatly appreciate your support!

Until next time... Happy Creating!!

Spellbinders Springtime Shipping Frenzy - Day 4

Spellbinders® Springtime Shipping Frenzy - Day 4

Hi everyone!!  Thanks so much for stopping by! Welcome to day 4 of Spellbinders® Paper Arts Springtime Shipping Frenzy!! Today I am excited to share with you two brand new sets of dies!!

S5-214 Scalloped Borders Three

S2-067 Create-A-Rose

I have created two projects using both of these sets, and a video tutorial on exactly HOW to create-a-rose!  Be sure to read all the way thru so you don't miss your chance to WIN these amazing dies!!! 

The first project that I'm sharing with you today is a card. 

Spellbinders® Supplies:

MM-001 Artisan X-plore™ machine

S5-214 Scalloped Borders Three

S2-067 Create-a-rose

S4-430 Foliage Flourish

S4-367 Back to Basics Tags

MP1-004 Media Mixáge ™ Cotton Rag Fine Art Paper

Preferred Partners:

IMAGINE Crafts®/Tsukineko® : Memento Luxe inks (Dandelion, Pistachio, Olive Grove, Toffee Crunch)

My Fun Stampers Journey: Stamps (Little Big Greetings)

Cross Promotional Partners:

My Mind's Eye™: Assorted Patterned Paper

Want2Scrap©: Baby bling, Le creme

Bazzill Basics Paper®: White Cardstock

BEACON ADHESIVES: Fabri-Tac 

Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L™: Foam squares

Let's begin with the HOW TO for creating this gorgeous rose!!!! I have created a video to walk you thru it. Then we will move on to creating the card. 

CREATE A ROSE VIDEO TUTORIAL

Or Click here to view on YouTube

Card Instructions:

Begin with 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" card base from white card stock. 

Cut two strips of yellow striped paper 5 1/2  x 1/2 ".  Adhere one to top of card and one to the bottom of the card. 

Trim Kraft paper to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2". Place cutting edge and decorative insert from Scalloped Borders Three  along the top of Kraft paper.  Cut/emboss in Artisan X-plorer™ machine. Repeat along bottom edge.

Trim cotton rag paper to 4 1/4 x 5 1/2".

Cut top and bottom edge using edges from Scalloped Borders Three and Artisan X-plorer machine. No need to emboss. 

Adhere under Kraft piece. Adhere both to card base.

Trim yellow Damask paper to 2 1/4 " x 5 1/2" (approx).

Repeat technique as above on Kraft paper. Adhere to card front. 

Stamp sentiment from My Fun Stampers Journey using Memento LUXE toffee crunch.  Cut/emboss using Back to Basics Tag.

Cut and emboss large accent from Foliage Flourish die set not Cotton Rag paper. Stencil  and ink using my Memento LUXE Olive Grove and pistachio inks. 

Adhere to card front.  

Adhere ROSE created from video tutorial. Add tag using foam square.

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For my second project, I decorated a gift tin! I used Aluminum Foil for my Rose!!! I love how it turn out! So much fun too!!

PRIZE INFORMATION!!

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

Note: *The entry link is scheduled to automatically disable after 48 hours. 

Official Contest Rules can be found HERE.

For more chances to win, visit the extremely talented

                                 Heidi Blankenship

for more Spellbinders projects!! 

Questions?  ContestQuestions@Spellbinders.us.  No entries will be accepted at this email address.