A Layout to Brighten any January Day

 Nothing better on a cold snowy January day than flowers, roses and the promise of warmer weather.  Here is a versatile layout that can be used for family, heritage, a special child's milestone, or a personal autobiographical story.  The sky is the limit here and the way in which this can be used is definitely open-ended.  The paper featured here is KaiserCraft English Rose Collection you can email Deb to ask about it.  The beautiful hues of cream, pink, greens and burgundy are fresh and gives us a hint of warmer weather around the corner.  The metal rimmed pearls on the flowers are also KaiserCraft and go with this collection in colors of latte, brown, and pale green. 

I  am featuring Martha Stewart punch around the page punches here.  I used the punches on the first layer punching a green inspired pattern paper as a base mat cut at 101/4" square.  This is one of the sizes suggested on the punch around the page instructions, allowing the punches to work out evenly. Then I used the corner punch from the set to make a 6"x4" picture mat to feature as the focal point. I used the Cricut machine and Storybook cartridge to cut my lettering for the title.  I used the same cartridge to fashion the second picture frame in a circle with hibiscus flowers to highlight it. I double shadowed it to add depth and detail.  I used the burgundy diecut to feature some journalling which I will do on the computer on cream carstock to match the other cream highlights on this layout.  This was a fairly quick layout to bang out.  I made it in a couple of hours which included thinking about how to fit everything on the page as I create my own designs.  This layout would be perfect for a Shadowbox to hang on the wall.  If anyone has any questions on any part of my design, just email me and I will be glad to answer them for you. Find my email at the end of the blog, comments are welcome and if you leave a comment with a question I will try to answer it in short order.

Find Martha punch around the page punches on my links.  At this time, there is a Martha Stewart Punch preorder going on at OC Scrapbookers - go and check out the great deals there.  I am offering workshops on cards and layouts using punch around the page punches to bring detail and depth to your cards and layouts.  Email me or call me to ask about details or to tailor a workshop just for your group!  Email k_robitaille@yahoo.com  or call 705-844-2734 and leave a message.  Working on a Winter layout next.... 

Couldn't resist a December Layout!

The holidays went by so quickly!  I so enjoyed family times and good laughs.  Here is a picture of our precious Grandson who is growing by leaps and bounds.  He is just a joy to have around, he is funny and loving - so affectionate too, anyone who gets within his radar can't help but fall in love with him.  Here is a layout that showcases his mischievious side.  Mommy and Daddy says it took quite a few shots to get this impish liitle face smiling at the camera as he was so interested in  all the ornaments and trimming the tree!  Here you will notice my new House Mouse stamp with the sentiment; My Cup Runneth Over.  I couldn't help but use this on the layout as that is truly how I feel about my good fortune in life, wonderful family relationships, my good health and the same for my loved ones; what more can a person ask for?
I colored the stamp with Copic Markers (not happy with results this time) but I need to practice more - more - more... because when copics are coloring right for you, there is no other marker.  The trick is to get the right color combinations.  I do know that Deb is offering a fantastic preorder sale on Copic marker combinations right now.  Hurry on over to the store and check it out.  Just a quick post today... more coming very soon...  have a wonderful day!

A Card Reminiscent of the Old Days

Hello My Friends...

Wow, time flies when you're busy and productive - when the days are filled with work and the tasks of getting ready for the holidays.  I wanted to have this posted yesterday but phew!... nonstop action!!  Anyways, I have a few Christmas cards that I want to post in the next little while before the Christmas holidays are completely over.  I have a few cards made up that I haven't posted yet.  I know that there is a big sale coming up at OC Scrapbookers and I can hardly wait for that to happen and see what great discounts are coming up.  Is everyone getting in on the great offering of 10% off the purchase of gift cards for holiday gift giving? What a great idea!  This festive card here is a very simple card with layered panels of Cardstock, a Spellbinders Nestability Scallop Circle and a Standard Circle.  I used a JustRite Stamp from the Christmas Treasures Set 3 1/4" round centers and borders.  I colored the stamp up with copic markers and I am loving those markers as I get feeling a little more comfortable with them each time I explore with them.  I tied a nice fancy gold ribbon onto the top panel and fixed a lovely bow that finished the look.  Most products can be found at OC Scrapbookers... watch for the coming sale, it sounds like a great one!!!  Stay tuned for more festive looks in the coming days...

I Love Gold!

Hello Everyone

This card was so much fun to put together!  The pattern paper is a choice from SEI again which is a favourite of mine if you've noticed (I've been using it alot lately).  The holly leaves are outlined subtely in gold so the natural choice for me was the gold bazzil cardstock that I used to embellish with embossed die-cuts!  My, oh my!  See how the gold die-cuts enhance the JustRite stamp set I used?  The stamp set is the 31/4" round Christmas Ornament Set which I colored with copic markers.  The Spellbinder dies that I used were Standard Classic circles and Scollop circles and the border is the Spellbinders Illumination Border Grand. I just topped it off with a small fancy ribbon with gold fleck in it and Voila!.. a beautiful Christmas card.  You can find theSpellbinders, and the gold and silver bazill cardstock on the Monday Madness sales over at OC Scrapbookers and you'll want to stay tuned for the Tuesday teaser coming up too!  Email Deb at OC Scrapbookers with any questions on upcoming crops, any products you may be looking for and for a list of her new scrappy wear that she has coming into the store.  Some great T-shirts and Hoodies with funny and unique scrapbooking sayings on them!  She can answer any questions about those and send a link to the pictures.  I am getting one with "What Happens at the Crop, Stays at the Crop!" -- I can hardly wait for that zipped sweater to arrive!  Anyways, as usual my friends.. thanks for visiting and thank you in advance for your friendly and inspiring comments.

The Blog Candy Winner is ....

Hello My Scrapbooking Friends...

I have an announcement... drum roll please.....arhmmm, arrrhmmm..  I am pleased to announce our winner for the I-Top Bradmaker package sponsored by OC Scrapbookers'n More!  The lucky winner is GlennaWoods1952
I would like to thank all the wonderful participants who took time to type out such wonderful comments on the blog candy post!  I entered the total number of all the comments posted into a random generator and it picked out Glenna as the winner.
Glenna, we're glad you found out how to post your comment and now you have been the one selected to win this fantastic little tool to add to your scrappin toolbag!
Email me and we can talk about how to get this package to you in short order.... k_robitaille@yahoo.com

Punch Around the Page Card

Hello Everyone:   I am back to post once again but low and behold, I am unable to post the project I was wanting to post featuring the I-Top Bradmaker tool once again... this weekend got real busy for me.  I received an unexpected visit this weekend from one of my boys who came home for the weekend.  We went out and about and visited with other family too and the weekend went real fast.   So, since I didn't accomplish much in the craft department this weekend, I went into my little stash of projects and found this enchanting little card that I made with a set of new Martha Stewart Punch around the page punches.  A corner punch with a nifty matching border punch that does an awesome job on various card sizes.  This set is called String Lace and it gives your cardstock such an elegant and lacy appearance, perfect for christmas cards.  I used Spellbinders Nestabilities Standard Circle and Scallop Circle dies on the front and a JustRite stamp from the Old Fashioned Christmas set that comes in a circle 31/4" size.  The other JustRite stamp I used on the inside is from the Christmas Nested Sentiments and Verse set.  In addition, to frame the sentiment, I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder on the inside. I colored the outside JustRite stamp with Copic markers and fitted some green rhinestones around the scalloped diecut.  Voila everyone...  These Martha Stewart Punch around the page punches are another great tool to have in your scrappin toolbox!!!
You can find most everything I have on my project at OC Scrapbookers 'n More online store. If you don't see it, email them and talk to Deb, she can get pretty much anything you want  -- talk to her about the punch around the page punches because I know they have them and they may be getting more...
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Deb @ OC Scrapbookers for sponsoring that awesome blog candy prize.  I want to wish all of you good luck on winning it too.  I will be drawing the winner Monday night at midnight and I will post the winner on Tuesday night.. so watch for your name as I will need you to send me your address if you are the lucky winner.  Again, good luck everyone -- you have one more day to comment by clicking on the blog candy pic and posting there.
Bye bye until Tuesday.....

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

 Happy Saturday Folks...  I have posted today a fanciful Christmas card rich with texture, layered with color and shine.  On this card I am featuring the use of the I-Top Bradmaker tool again and this time I have added two of the medium sized brads placed strategically on top of two gold foil embossed medallions that I fashioned from the leftover petals I had saved from the first project I made with the I-top tool.  You can see it when you click the blog candy to comment.  This was a fun card to create with the I-topper and with various spellbinders dies such as Circle Nesties - standard and scallop, the Grand Lace borderability and the In Spades Pendant.  The inside of the card features the Martha Stewart punch around the page Holly leaves set to offset the red flocked Pointsettia and Holly paper on the front of the card. A gold and rich red ribbon sets off the two medallions with brads.  I hope you enjoy....

Comment on the blog candy for a chance to win the prize -- another post on Monday to feature this fantastic must-have tool!  Thank you for your interest in my cards and projects...