Here is this week’s sketch puzzle. Hope you are still loving these sketch puzzles as much as I do. I have made a medium version and a hard version for you to solve. Please note that they are both of the same sketch.Enjoy!

medium version

large version

If you have any problems printing this sketch off just send me a pm or email Tara at: thynner5@yahoo.ca and I will send you the sketch. Please put “Sketch” in the subject line.

Also, if you use this sketch as the foundation for your next layout and email it to me or provide a link you will be entered in this month’s Blog Prize Draw!!

Here’s last week’s sketch…

Have fun!

~Ally~

I have another special person to share with you today. I would like to introduce you to Laura (Angelbear).

How long have you been scrapbooking?

I started scrapping about 4 years ago when my sister took me to a Creative Memories beginner class and I although I really enjoyed it I just wasn’t a Creative Memories scrapper and soon struck out on my own. I found a few very helpful and friendly sites on the web and have been trying new things and learning ever since.

Describe your scrapbooking style?

I guess I would have to say my style is pretty simple with a few lumps & bumps thrown in for fun!  I love to work with patterned paper and let my photos and journaling take center stage.

What are your favorite manufacturers?

There are so many awesome manufacturers out there it is hard to choose! For cardstock ~ bazzill!  For patterned paper there are few companies I really enjoy working with…Scenic route, Basic Grey, Creative Imaginations, and Daisy D’s as for embellishments…Prima, Fancy Pants, and any companies bling!

What are your favorite scrapbooking magazines?

I really like Scrapbook & Cards Today and Scrapbooks Etc

Do you have any scrapbooking goals for 2008?

Not really….I just want to continue to learn and create!

Do you attend crops or prefer to scrapbook alone?

Every Wednesday my friends & I get together and scrap…I don’t get  a lot done but I love the social aspect of scrapping!  I get more done when I am alone! LOL!!!   With my husband on the road, and two very active boys to keep me busy, I don’t have a lot of time to myself to scrap so I make time! Every night after the kids go to bed (by 8pm) I take out my supplies and try an do something scrapbooking oriented every day to give me some ‘me’ time.

What do you listen to when you scrap?

The TV or nothing…My house is not normally quiet so sometimes its nice to have a bit of quiet.

What are your favorite foods and drinks?

I love a good steak!!!!  There is nothing like a good BBQ’ed Striploin!!!  As for drinks…I usually drink coffee, tea and water.  When friends are over and we are having a few drinks it is usually Kahula or Baileys.

Do you have any pet peeves?

I have a couple lol!!!…People who have potty mouths….people who stop on a red light….people who drive 60 km an hour in an 80 zone….people who do not discipline their children when they re being brats….

What do you find do you scrap the most?

My boys!  They are the center of my world!

Any scrapbooking trends you don’t like?

I love to look at other peoples layouts doing these fabulous things but its really not my style.

What is your favorite color to scrap with?

I use a lot of red, black, and browns…very neutral and not girly…It seems like ether is a lot of pink now a days and with two boys it just isn’t for me

Anything else you would like to share with us?

I’m not really sure what there is to tell….I love to create!  I’m on a couple of design teams now and I really enjoy the challenge.  I have been on the www.scrapbookdreamer.com team for a few months now and I love the ladies there and I was just asked to join another team but the announcement has not been made yet so I can’t say where that is.  LOL!!!

What are you favorite scrapbooking sites?

I have a few I really like to spend time at… www.scrapbookdreamer.com  www.loveisinthedetails.ca  http://scrapbookheavencanada.myfastforum.org/index.php 

Thank you Tara for picking me this time!  (You’re very welcome!!)

It was hard for me too choose my favorite layouts!  My favorites were published or were for my DT projects and can’t be placed on another board yet and I can’t post them anywhere! LOL!!!  So here are a few I really like:

Laura has been a big part of CCAS and has even served as a Design Team member. We sure love having her around.

Thanks Laura for letting me spotlight you and your wonderful work.

~Tara~

I have a fun technique to share with you today. I happen to have found something that is really fun and easy to do. It involves using a mask. Yes… todays lesson is all about using masks.

Heidi Swapp has cornered the market on masks. She has some amazing designs out there right now. I love them all. I think I may even have them all too. One of my favorites is the crown mask. I can’t believe I have had it and never used it until now.

So… what the heck is a mask anyways? It is a repositionable template that works the opposite of a stencil by giving you the negative image. It has a sticky surface that will cling and stay in place once you have positioned it. You can use any medium on it. Everything from paint, ink and chalk. I have used them all and I like the effect they each bring. When you use paint you get a great even, strong coverage. With ink you also get great coverage. When you use chalk you can easily blend colors and get a softer look.

Once you have chosen your mask and your medium you need to chose your background paper. Position your mask on your paper and apply your paint, ink or chalk over the mask. Once you’re satisfied with the result, gently peel the mask away. You are left with a beautiful negative image!! Then, just wipe the mask clean. They are completely reusable!!

I used white paint with a little Ranger Crystal Stickles on the following layout of DD. I loved the overall effect.

You can also make your own masks by using stickers. This is very easy to do. I have also just traced an outline using a pencil or marker as well.

Have fun and play around with different masks and mediums.

~Tara~

This week’s chosen word is:

STAR

1.  a natural luminous body visible in the sky especially at night

2. a: a conventional figure with five or more points that represents a star; especially : asterisk b: an often star-shaped ornament or medal worn as a badge of honor, authority, or rank or as the insignia of an order c: one of a group of conventional stars used to place something in a scale of value

3. a: the principal member of a theatrical or operatic company who usually plays the chief roles b: a highly publicized theatrical or motion-picture performer c: an outstandingly talented performer <a track star> d: a person who is preeminent in a particular field

Here is a cute layout I did of Paige. She had come home with a horrible looking Scrape on her chin and a Star Reader Badge. She was so excited about winning a Star Reader Badge that she must have forgotten all about the terrible ouchie on her chin. She didn’t get around to telling me of her fall off the jungle gym until after I promised to take her picture! What a goof!

I must apologize for the poor scan. I am trying to work out the kinks. I’d appreciate any scanning or Photoshop tips!!

I would love for you to be inspired to create something using this week’s word. It can be in your title, your photo(s) or your subject. Don’t forget that if you complete any sketch puzzle challenge, Monday challenge, wordy Wednesday challenge or submit a tip for Tip Tuesday then you will automatically be entered to win this month’s Blog Prize!! So get scrapping and either send them to me at( thynner5@yahoo.ca ) or link them in the blog!~Tara~

I have some great tips for you today from Ally!

- Need coloured staples?  Ink your plain silver staples to the colour you need.  Staz-On ink works well for this!
- Need coloured brads?  Dip them in paint, using embossing powder to re-colour them or add some glitter glue!
- Need some funky patterned brads?  Stamp on them or use rub-ons to decorate them to match your page!
- Need some new alphas?  Try punching alphabets using your QuicKutz or Sizzix dies out of felt or thin chipboard, like the sides of your finished cereal boxes.

These are great scrapbooking tips that I hope you will think of using sometime.

Since Ally is on the CCAS Design Team, she is not eligible to win this month’s Blog Prize. (Sorry Ally… nice try!) If you would like a chance to win this month’s Blog Prize then complete any challenge, send in a tip or technique or use one of the fonts on a layout or card. Send them to: thynner5@yahoo.ca and put CCAS Blog in the subject line.

~Tara~

 It’s time for a challenge!  This week’s challenge is all about double sided patterned papers.

Your challenge is to create a page using one piece of double sided patterned paper.  For the page below, I used a piece of Crate Paper.  You can use anything else… endless cardstock, ink, stamps, stickers, etc. to create your page but you’re only allowed to use one sheet of double sided paper.

If you take me up on this challenge, either email your layout to Tara or provide a link in this thread, you will be entered into this month’s Blog Prize Draw!!

Send them to: thynner5@yahoo.ca.  Please put “CCAS Blog Challenge” in the subject line. Good luck everyone!!!

~ Ally ~

Since Tara was awesome to post my Sharing Sunday, I thought I’d post today sketch puzzle.

Enjoy!

Medium version

Large version

If you have any problems printing this sketch off just send me a pm or email Tara at: thynner5@yahoo.ca and I will send you the sketch. Please put “Sketch” in the subject line.

Also, if you use this sketch as the foundation for your next layout and email it to me or provide a link you will be entered in this month’s Blog Prize Draw!!

Have fun!

~Ally~

One of the things I hear from members of CCAS is how sad they were that the kit club is no longer available. Jen really did put together some fantastic kits just before the store closed down. I get asked about kit clubs alot and I have decided to share some of my favorites with you.

The first one I am going to feature is Scrapdango. Their kits really do rock!! I am not saying that because I am on the desgin team because I had purchased thier kits before. They are a full kit with some wonderful add-ons at an affordable price. Thier shipping charges are the best around.

They offer two kit choices. The first is the Sugar kit which is geared more to the girls. The second is the Sugar kit and it is geared more to the boys.

Here is a peak at thier April kits:

Sugar Kit:

 Spice Kit:

For more information please check it out: Scrapdango

Another fantastic kit club is Scrapshotz. I have been a member there for a couple years now and I have never been disappointed with their kits. They have really started to outdo themselves lately with some fantastic, loaded kits.

Their current kit is full of American Crafts goodness. If you are a fan of American Crafts and collect Thickers, then this kit is for you! They always offer kit extras at discounted prices. Here is a peak at this month’s wonderful kit:

You can get further information here: Scrapshotz 

Ally is on the design team for the following kit clubs.

The first one is Sweet Pea Scraps. I am a fan of thier kit collections. They always seem to have a knack at gathering papers and embellishments that truly compliment eachother. Thier current kit can be seen here:

Please check out thier online store here: Sweet Pea Scraps

Lastly, is Srapperie. They offer an array of kits for subscribers to chose from. There is the Essentials which is geared to the average scrapbooker. They also offer another kit which overflows with products. There are other kits and extras to chose from as well. For more information please check it out here: Scrapperie.

I hope you take a moment and check out these great kit clubs.

~Tara~

I am a font-a-holic!! I can admit it. I love fonts!! All types of fonts. I am contantly looking through the web for new, fresh and funky fonts. I thought I would share my addiction with you gals.

This week I have chosen a cute one called: Wedding Bliss

If you would like it on your computer you can download it for free here: Abstract Fonts

I also found something a little more festive for the weekend. Here are some cool and funky Easter fonts and doodlebats: Dafont

If you require instructions on loading your new font, they can be found in the Resources section of the blog: Resources

I would love to see any creations you make using this font. You can send it to: thynner5@yahoo.ca and put “font friday” in the subject line. You can also link you creations here as well. Anyone who does this will have a ballot for this months draw!

Enjoy your new fonts!

~Tara~