Think Big

Here is a card I made using the Stampin Up! set called "Think Big".. I bought it last year from one of their mini catalogues.  I mostly bought it because of the "big" word and thought it would be cute on scrapbook pages with titles like "big boy!"or "big helper!" (both are things i find myself saying to Luke on a regular basis).  Here I incorporated the set to make a congratulatory card for someone who just made an exciting announcement, like an engagement, or pregnancy, or changing of jobs.  I suppose you could mass produce these and they could also be used for baby announcements or any other type of announcement as well.  I also used my trusty Marvy Uchida Scalloped punch, and an oval stamp I nearly forgot I had, from Paper Salon.  I can't remember what company the ribbon is from, but I bought it a long time ago from Sarah's Shabby Shoppe.  I also used a Prima flower and a little self adhesive jewel, to add a little bling!

Butter Tarts

This is seriously a huge accomplishment for me, I'm really not big into baking.  I find it tedious, and in the end I'm left with an enormous mess in my kitchen, no - a total disaster.  The problem is, I love to eat baking.  It's my favorite treat.  And I volunteered to bring 2 dozen baked goods to my parents for our family Christmas celebration tomorrow night.  So today I tackled the butter tart.  Growing up we made these with Mom in the kitchen, and they were always one of my favorite treats.  This recipe isn't exactly the one my Mom used to use, but they are pretty good if I do say so myself.

Butter Tarts:
Premade tart shells
1 cup of butter
3 cups brown sugar
5 tbsp cream
1 1/2 cups raisins
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients together an fill pastry shells up to 3/4 full.  Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until they start to bubble.

CASE-ing

If you are familiar with the term “scraplifting”, then this won’t be a hard one to grasp.  To say you “scraplifted a card” doesn’t sound quite right, so there is another term used instead.  It’s called “CASE-ing”, CASE stands for “copy and share everything”.  I guess “cardlifting” sounds kinda funny.  When you see an idea or layout, technique, color scheme you really like, and copy it and make it your own, this is referred to as “case-ing” or “scrap-lifting”.  If I create something that I make publicly available, by doing this I know that it will be shared and re-distributed.  So I just know that all of my “creations” will be shared.  If I post something it now belongs to the community of lookers and crafters who use it.  So if you see something of mine you like, please by all means use it.  It would be really cool if you would post a comment and tell me what you did with it and if you changed it and made the design even better.  I’m of the attitude that in the community of scrapbookers, stampers and card-makers alike, we are constantly inventing and reinventing new techniques, and designs.  It’s a wonderful thing that we can all learn from each other and share ideas.  Here is an example of case-ing. 


Here is a card I

“CASE”d from the Close To My Heart website that really caught my eye:

 

And here is the card I made after having been inspired:

Answering some questions

I wanted to say thank you for leaving comments, I love making cards, and being decorative and coming up with new ideas.  I love that we can all share in this and love to hear from you.  I have a couple of questions to answer from Tanya:

Q: Hey Andrea, I was actually going to ask you where you buy all your papers? Do you get them online, or is there a store you purchase them from? I love all the papers you use... I especially liked your birth announcement paper :) I'm going to start scrapping Josh's pictures soon (in the new year) once I get a whole pile of new stuff. I'm looking forward to it!!

A: I really buy my supplies from all over the place.  Whatever makes me say, "WOW" pretty much is what I'll buy.  Some of my favorite places to shop are www.thescrappingbug.com (they have everything), Stampin Up! (their stamps and papers are gorgeous and their idea book is the best I've seen), and CTMH.  I also have shopped at www.lovebugscrapbooking.com, www.pickofthepatch.com, and www.sarahshabbyshoppe.com.  These Canadian online scrapbook stores I mentioned all have excellent shipping rates, and great customer service. 

But sometimes I'll have something in my head, and then have to go find it.  For the birth announcements I had something in my mind, very subtle, and pastels..something gender neutral.  When I walked into my local scrapbook store and saw this paper by Lasting Impressions, I bought it in an instant.  It was exactly what I had pictured.  For the blue and green paisley paper, it wasn't what I had in mind originally but I found it in my local scrapbook store next to the Lasting Impressions paper and I just had to have it.  It's from Autumn Leaves and called "Smitten Paisley" from their MOD collection.  It's not a recent release, so I'm not sure if it would still be available in stores.  Someone might have some left over though somewhere, you never know.  I hope that answers your questions,  Have fun scrapbooking all Joshua's firsts!

The MOM paper bag album took us a total of four hours to complete, We started at 8pm and finished at midnight.   I'm planning a second one, so I'll let you know how long that one takes.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I just love this time of year, the snow has already fallen and we have been enjoying the warmth of our wood burning fireplace.  Last week we decorated a tree for the first time since we've been married.  It's something we didn't know if we would really do, have a Christmas tree I mean.  We always want to make sure our kids really understand the true meaning of Christmas, our Saviour's birth.  We do not want Christmas to revolve around the tree, the trimmings and especially not the presents.  However, as I find myself becoming more and more crafty and decorative, I feel that having the tree this year has taken on a new meaning for me, it's about decor and making our house look cozy and inviting than anything else.  I will definitely not be having Santa Claus around or on my tree.  It's simple, just some lights, stars, hearts, berries and snowmen.  And I happen to think it looks very cozy.  And so do my guests.  So what do you do to make your home cozy for the holidays?  Any traditions or cool ideas to share?