Here is a wonderful sewing tip submitted by Jackie

This week’s word is: Nature

1. the natural world as it exists without human beings or civilization

2. the elements of the natural world, as mountains, trees, animaks, or rivers

3. natural scenery

4. characteristic disposition; temperament: a self-willed nature; an evil nature.

This word can be used in so many ways. It is such a peaceful word I used it in the following layout I did for Scrapdango’s Scrap Me UP Challenge. I was given these wonderful photos from Jackie and asked to make a page with them. I used the word in my title. I also left the chipboard in it’s natural state.  This layout was based on a sketch that Ally designed for the So Sketchy Blog. I used a wonderful collection of papers from Scrapdango’s Sugar kit.

Here is a fun and easy project to do.

I love to alter things and I also love to include my kids in some of my projects. We sat down a while back and created fridge magnets from coasters. You can purchase coasters in bulk and most LSS’s or online. You can collect them when you go out to supper or at the bars. You also have the option of making your own out of chipboard!!

Pick some patterned papers and a wallet size photo. Adhere the paper to your coaster/chipboard. The girls inked the edges of the coaster. We then added thier photos and some flowers and ribbon. They found these neat alpha brads in my stash and we added their names to it. We also applied some rub ons as well. Next we adhered a magnet to the back of the coaster.

Viola….. some fun and simple fridge magnets!

I plan on making some more this weekend with the girls.

If you create any magnets please email me at thynner5@yahoo.ca and put “CCAS Magnets” in the subject line. You may also link it here on the blog. You will earn a ballot for this month’s Blog Prize!!

~Tara~

This tutorial was created by Kristin.

Curling Chipboard

Submitted by Kristin

Here is a neat technique that I’ve tried and really enjoyed. I can’t wait to try it again!

Chipboard graces most scrapbooking layouts these days. Whether it is alphabets or an embellishment, chipboard is everywhere!

For something different try soaking your chipboard in a dish of water. I tried this with Fancy Pants chipboard flowers. Once the flower was in the water for a couple of minutes it separated into 4 thin layers. I laid the layers out on a paper towel and let them dry overnight. When they were dry, I was able to cover them with patterned paper and curl the petals with a pencil. I love the look of the thin layers of chipboard. I can’t wait to try this again with alphabets!

Don’t forget to check out the CCAS Resource Wiki. We have LOTS of fabulous tutorials.

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.

Howdy all!

I just wanted to share some of the standard tools that I always have in my scrapbook desk with everyone that I just can’t live without.

Clear Ruler - I use my 12 inch clear ruler all the time! It comes in very handy when I need to know what size of journaling block I can add to my pages. I typically get mine from Staples for much less than a dollar.

Mechanical Pencils - I always have at least a couple of mechanical pencils in my desk. No need for sharpening with kind of pencil and you can get packs of them at the dollar store that will last you a long time!

Compass - What’s a compass you ask? It’s part of a typical mathematical tool set that you used to use in school that draws circles. I use this tool all the time, especially when I’m stamping and need a circular guideline.

Eraser - Believe it or not, I have a retractable eraser made by Staples. I don’t ever use the erasers on the ends of my pencils because they tend to leave dark marks on the paper. But that’s just my preference.

Sand paper - I love sanding my photos and sometimes I use it to distress my chipboard and paper edges. I always have some small squares of pretty course sand paper in my desk drawer.

Fine Tipped Scissors - I absolutely love hand cutting detailed items for my cards and pages. Having fine tipped scissors allows me to get into all those teeny, tiny spots to cut out fine details.

Exacto Knife - Since I love to cut out details, I also need an exacto knife to cut out any internal details along the way. I use a retractable Exacto brand knife for this and I use it almost every day. I also use it to poke holes to put my brads in too.

Baby Wipes - I use stamps on almost all of my pages. In order to clean them off, I keep a Ziploc bag full of cut baby wipe pieces for cleaning. I also use them if I accidently ink my desk top or have a paint spill on my work area. They are so handy!

I hope my list of tools might inspire you to add some of these things to your scrapbooking tool arsenal too!

Happy creating!

Nope… no cooking involved here!

Today’s challenge is all about using the items listed below. Please use the following items on a single page, any size will do.

• use something red
• minimum 3 brads
• minimum 1 sticker (letters count!)
• only 1 piece of ribbon
• a piece or two of raw chipboard

ANYTHING else goes…. you can add anything else as long as the items above are on your page!

Here is my page… “Nature Lovers”:

So let’s see what you can cook up for this challenge! Good luck!!!

Howdy all! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Today is Monday…. Challenge day!!!

Today’s Monday challenge is all about alphabets and stamping! I what to see you use your alphabets a little bit differently than normal. I what to see you trace them for your title!

Some methods of tracing alphas include:

• applying your masking letters and tracing them
• using your chipboard letters and tracing them
• using those older alphabet stencils and tracing the outlines
• using your letter negatives and tracing them!

Not only do I want to see your alphabet tracing, I also want to see some stamping! In my page example below I stamped the simple “written” part of my page back ground.

So let’s see them! You have only a few more days to complete any of the January challenges posted on the blog to be eligible to win a prize from me this month!

~ Ally ~

We will be starting every week  on the blog with a challenge!! I hope you are inspired to create a page this week using my challenge.

This week’s challenge involves stamping! I want you to use a stamp at least once on your layout. I also would like to see some chipboard. I love… love chipboard.

Here is my layout of Paige. I used some Gel-a-tins stamps. I love this new alpha set. It is so pretty and so versatile. I used my Crafter’s Workshop Template to create the scallop border. Add a great photo and some patterned paper and voila!

I would love to feature your creations on the blog. Please email me your layout or card based on this week’s challenge to be featured on the blog. My email address is:  thynner5@yahoo.ca . Be sure to put “blog challenge” in the subject line. 

~Tara~