Here are some great inking and tips from Ally that I wanted to share today:

To remove ink from your acrylic blocks, use a damp Mr. Clean “Magic Eraser” sponge.  Works at removing any permanent ink like magic!!
Store your ink pads upside down to ensure the top of your ink pads stay saturated and ready to use.
Store your mini chalk ink and mini ink squares in a bead organizer box.  You can stack 2 pads per divided section.
Clean your stamps using baby wipes.  I cut mine up in small squares and stick them in a snack size Ziploc bag for easy storage at your desk.

Thanks Ally for sharing these amazing tips with us!

If you have any tips or techniques you would like to share with us please email me at thynner5@yahoo.ca and put “CCAS Blog Tips” in the subject line. Everytime you do you will be entered into the monthly draw.

~Tara~

This week’s challenge is to create a page about one of your siblings; your sister, your brother, a step sister, etc.  Now, if you don’t have a sibling, make a page about someone you consider a sibling… like a really good friend!

Here is a page about my little sis, Christie.

Don’t forget  to post your challenge pages to this post or send Tara an email “CCAS Challenge Monday” at thynner5@yahoo.ca .  For every challenge you share with us, your name will be entered into the monthly prize draw.  Good luck!

This week’s sketch is a card sketch.

Enjoy!

One site I came across a few months ago is “Scrap Time“.

Christine is local Ontarian who shares products, techniques and fun tips for all things scrap related.

Make sure to check out her most recent videos for all kinds of things like…

• Using Clear Embellishments
• Core’dinations Cardstock
• QuicKutz 12″ Platform

Have a great Saturday!

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.

I love a good typewriter font and this one is fantastic!

This week I have chosen a cute one called: Sketched Out

If you would like it on your computer you can download it for free here: 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 font!

~Tara~

Posted in Font Friday, Previous

Here at CCAS, we have always highlighted the fact that most of us have kids and the need to teach our kids that crafts can be fun!

So today, we’re highlighting a fun favourite…. PLAY DOUGH.

I found this tutorial in our CCAS Resources section.

Recipe:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• food colouring (optional)
• glitter (optional)

Mix together flour, salt, water and oil in a large bowl.

Using your hands (not a beater), mix together the dough until it starts to turn into a dough ball.

Separate into smaller batches in order to create different colours.

Add food colouring and glitter to create a fun dough.

Using a roller and cookie cutters, or your fists on a board, create your masterpieces.

Put aside to dry.

There are many ways to dry your creations.

You can leave them out in the air in a room with good warm air circulation if you don’t mind waiting 7-10 days for your pieces to dry.

You can dry your pieces in the oven after a brief rest in warmly circulated air. After the pieces are partially dried, place the items into a oven at 50 degrees F for about a half an hour. If the pieces are still moist, increase the temp to 100 degrees F for an additional half an hour and remove to the counter.

Where possible, it is best to not move the piece back and forth from the oven as the change in air temperature can lead to cracking of the dough.

The last option is the fastest. Place your creation in a 200 degree F oven and bake for about 10 minutes.

Be sure to keep the temperature of the oven low to avoid the clay browning.

Once completely dry, you can paint the pieces.

Have a great Thursday!

Here is this week’s word:

Sunkissed

1. having a certain healthy glow

2. having been ‘kissed’ from the sun

3. tanned

It can be used in so many ways to show so many things! Here is a layout I did using my Scrapdango kit and a Lucy Chesna sketch. It features one of my favorite photos of Emmy and she is sporting this magnificant sunkissed glow.

 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~

The lovely Ally recently introduced the “So Sketchy! Subscriber”!

The So Sketchy! Subscriber is a monthly mini booklet mailed right to your doorstep.

Each month the booklet contains:
- newly designed, never before seen sketches
- sketches for card makers and 12×12 and 8.5×11 scrappers
- tips and tricks for using the sketches provided
- a “subscriber only” monthly contest
- and some colourful and inspirational examples.

This mini booklet is designed to be 3-hole punched and slipped into a traditional 8.5×11 binder for easy storage and quick reference.

Subscriptions come in either 1 month or 3 month subscriptions. I may increase it to a 6 month subscription if I get enough interest.

The So Sketchy! Subscriber is mailed out on the 10th of the month.

If you are interested in this wonderful piece of inspiration, please sign up with the widget to the right hand side of the blog. Please sign up for the subscription that best suits your address; there are Canadian, U.S.A and International subscription prices.

If you have a free minute be sure to check out this great opportunity!

Ally’s sketches are amazing, and truly inspirational.  Let’s support her new adventure

~ Jen ~

Today’s tips are all about using paint.

The lovely Claudia left this wonderful tip on the blog yesterday that I wanted to share:

I use disposable paint edging pads to clean my rubber stamps. They are very inexpensive so when they get dirty you can just throw them away. They are available anywhere paint is sold.
Claudia

Great stamping tip Claudia!

Now…. some tips when using paint:

• Use an empty egg carton as a paint tray.  When you are done, just throw it away.
• Make your own overlays using paint and transparency paper bought from your local supply store.  A quick and easy project.  If you make a boo-boo, just wipe it away and start again.
• Add a small swipe of paint to brighten up your flower tips or buttons or chipboard elements.
• Store your foam paint brushes in a Ziploc bag, labeled with the paint colour and store in the freezer.  You’ll always have a paint brush ready to go with that specific colour.
• Paint your brads to get the desired colour to match your page.  Why not use up those yellow or odd colour brads you’ll never use.
• Create your own Magic Mesh by painting drywall tape from the hardware store.  And yes… it’s acid free!
• Purchase a large foam sheet or a craft mat from the dollar store to place under your painted projects.  Makes for an easy clean up of your craft area; wash and dry and you’re done.
• Use the caps from your milk cartons or pop bottles as paint holders.  You can even wash them and use it again… and again… and again. A great way to create and recycle!

Please email your tips to Tara at: thynner5@yahoo.ca and put “CCAS Blog Tips” in the subject line. You could also link it to us here on the blog.All tips and creations will earn you a ballot into the Monthly Blog Draw! Good Luck.

I get to start the week off with a challenge!! It is a nice and easy one. I would like everyone to go on over to the So Sketchy Blog and pick out one of the amazing sketches Ally posts there. I would like for you to then use it for the foundation of your next creation!!

Here are a couple layouts I did over the weekend using some of the sketches. I was lucky to have an amazing kit to work with at Scrapdango and I was in the zone!!

Fun layout: Sketch #7:

Cute Chick layout: Sketch #5:

Please email your creation to me at: thynner5@yahoo.ca and put “CCAS Blog Challenge” in the subject line. You could also link it to me here on the blog.

All creations will earn you a ballot into the Monthly Blog Draw! Look for a sneak peek at this month’s prize pack later this week! Good Luck.

~Tara~