Monday, June 29, 2009

A year of techniques with Core'dinations...and a giveaway!

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Black Magic, Essentials, Whitewash), Bo Bunny chipboard album, Cosmo Cricket patterned paper, Unity Stamp Company stamps, Fiskars border punch, stylus and heart punch, Spellbinders dies (butterflies and flowers), Cuttlebug embossing folders, Lego base piece (for sanding over on cover and back cover), Carl scoring blade, Scenic Route chipboard leaves, Bazzill chipboard snowflakes, Basic Grey chipboard letters, Pink Paislee chipboard letters, EK Success perforator, corner rounder and binder punch, Staples binder rings, Tsukineko ink, Dymo labeler, Making Memories sanding block, other: foam layering tape, stapler and staples.

I have noticed from the Sitemeter thingy at the bottom of my blog that there are a lot of people cruising the internet right now looking for ideas on how to use Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock.
Back in May of this year, I taught a class to retailer's at a warehouse in Ottawa, ON, Canada. They were in the same boat as many of you...looking for ideas to get themselves and their customers fired up about using Core'dinations.
Core'dinations is unique in the sense that it has a coordinating colour core and can be torn, sanded and antiqued. There is nothing better when you want to emboss either. Sanding can really enhance the embossing process.
The mini-album was designed to be hung in the area of their stores where Core'dinations is sold. There were no photos or journaling. Each page could be used as inspiration for a layout, card or altered project.
I hope you get some inspiration from it as well. If you have any questions about any of the techniques please feel free to post them here or email me at: thehodgees@yahoo.ca

SCROLL TO THE VERY END OF THIS POSTING TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE GIVEAWAY!!!

January: Using Whitewash cardstock, place chipboard snowflakes underneath and then place a polymer mat or latex mat over top. Sandwich these through embossing plates and run through an embossing machine (i.e., Big Shot, Cuttlebug, Wizard, etc.). Sand Whitewash with a very coarse sandpaper.

February: Punch scallop hearts using a Fiskars Squeeze punch and then emboss using a variety of embossing folders and/or texture plates. To create the border, turn Black Magic cardstock over and use your scoring blade. Turn back over and sand to reveal colour core.

March: Cut up a Cricut mat or other repositionable surface to the same size as your embossing plates. Place the chipboard letters. Place Whitewash over top and then a polymer or latex mat. Run through embossing machine. Run through a second time using embossing folder with leaves (Cuttlebug used here). Sand with a coarse sandpaper.

April: Using a long, torn strip of white cardstock, sand along the edge while holding firmly in place on top of Whitewash cardstock to create a cloud line. Shift the torn paper over and down and sand again. For more details on this technique, visit Scrapbook & Cards Today (blog).

May: Using the Spellbinders blossom die, cut flowers in a variety of sizes using Whitewash. Using your fingernail, flick and roll the edges in. Alternate Whitewash and reverse side colour when assembling flowers. Using the Fiskars scalloped heart punch, create a leaves for each flower.

June: Using Spellbinders dies, cut and emboss butterflies. Using a scoring blade, turn Black Magic over and score a 1/2" grid over entire background paper. Turn over and sand the black surface to reveal the colour core.

July: Using a coarse sandpaper, hold Whitewash in place over a chipboard leaf (Scenic Route was used here). Please note: Scenic Route also make chipboard stars if an American flag is needed instead.

August: Using the Fiskars Boundary Waters punch, create a wave border from one Essential colour collection and lightly sand the crests of the waves. There are four colours or shades in each Essential collection. Tear along the edge of a strip of sand coloured Essentials ("Beach" was used here).

September: Using Black Magic (Abracadabra), sand over chipboard letters (Basic Grey used here). To create the dotted heart, punch scalloped heart and then emboss using a garlic press. See images below. This technique works best on small areas or long, thin strips.





October: The stars were made by cutting into the front of the Black Magic cardstock with a craft knife in this sort of shape, but with only 5 points (*). Using the non-cutting end of the craft knife, poke through from the back of the paper to force the points outwards. Press down with your fingernail. Attach a coordinating Core'dinations cardstock in behind the hole you have created.

November: Begin by "antiquing" the background brown. To do this, scrunch the cardstock into a tight ball (you may want to spritz it with water first), and then smooth out. Using an iron, flatten paper. Sand over creases to achieve an antiqued look. Using a stylus and a craft mat, press spines into the front of each leaf (Scenic Route chipboard leaves were used as tracers here). Lightly sand over the front of each leaf to reveal the spines.


December: Using approximately 3/8" strips of Core'dinations paper and a Dymo labeler, pass the cardstock through the hole where the Dymo tape would pass. Punch letters. Lightly sand the surface to reveal the letters. A Cuttlebug embossing folder was used on the cream cardstock. Sanding is not necessary.

Back Cover and Front Cover too: Place Black Magic over a large base piece of Lego. Sand to reveal the polka dots. This technique was discovered by a previous Core'dinations design team member, Michelle Engel.

And now....THE GIVEAWAY!!!!

On this posting, name the technique that you think you will try or would like to try OR name your favourite month from this album. On Wednesday, July 8 (my mom's birthday) at 8pm EST I will use the random number generator thingy (yes. a very high tech term), to pick one winner to receive a pack of Whitewash cardstock and a pack of Black Magic (Spell Caster).

Please only post once on this contest - to keep it fair. All's fair in the love of free cardstock.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Let the summer holidays begin!

The school year is officially over here in Ontario.
On Wednesday night I was up until 2am putting the finishing touches on my last two teacher gifts. I made two mini-albums for two dear teacher friends of mine. I have been working this past year as a kindergarten Phys. Ed. teacher. I have thoroughly enjoyed it!







The two classes that I teach both have wonderful homeroom teachers. One of them is leaving our school this year so I really wanted to make him something special to help him remember his kids.
I took each class to the gym with a huge piece of paper and marker. We made a list from A to Z of all the fun action words we could think of. I then took pictures of three students at a time, being sure to get all class members into the book.
We presented the books to their teachers on the last day of school - Thursday. I added two more additional worn grid paper so that each student could add their name in their very best printing. Both teachers loved their presents.
*Please note: The photos of the students have been blurred slightly for privacy reasons.*

Supplies: Jillibean Soup patterned paper, twine and printed twill, Scenic Route worn grid paper, Core'dinations cardstock (Black Magic - Abracadabra), Bazzill brad, Basic Grey chipboard letter (for sanding over), Making Memories paint, We R' Memory Keepers chipboard album and page protectors, Font: Another Typewriter, other: sand paper.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

The best four letter word ever

This red four letter word went up on our front yard last night. Phew! Although we won't be moving until October it's nice to know that everything is sorted out.

Now, I had good intentions. I had four mini-albums all planned in my head for my kids' teachers. Matt has two teachers (one in the AM, one in the PM) and Ema has a teacher and an educational assistant. I wanted to make them all a little album. It didn't happen. Instead I came up with Plan B. Plan B was started this morning at 4am and I just finished the gifts about 15 minutes ago. Four sets of four cards. I just need to run out and buy some more envelopes this morning and we are all ready for the last day of school...which is tomorrow.
Tomorrow is also the day that the summer issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today comes out. One more sleep!




































Supplies: Jillibean Soup patterned kraft, kraft and twine, Stampin' Up! stamp set (Comfort Food), Uniball white pen, Tsukineko ink, Clearsnap Smooth (red), EK Success marker (brown), other: foam layering tape.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

2 more sleeps

Only two more sleeps until the summer issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today is available at your local scrapbooking store or available on-line...for free! I have two summery cards in there and I am dying to see how Catherine and Kerry have photographed them.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Scrapbook & Cards Today and Craft Gossip

Whoa.
What a week...and that's just putting it mildly.
First of all, we have sold our house...in a matter of 12 hours. The "For Sale" sign went up yesterday morning at 10am and before 10pm last night we had a serious buyer who has already signed the contract.
Last Tuesday night we went for a tour of a house and raced home to make them an offer which was conditional on us selling our house. The house we want has EVERYTHING that we need for our daughter, Ema. Ema was born with a very rare skin disorder called Ichthyosis. Ever since she was born we have known that we would need to find a house that suited her needs or spend a lot of time and money converting the house we are in now. Again, we have found the perfect house for Ema. Prayers have been answered.
Here's a picture of the front of our new house. My good friend, Kim, lives in the house next door (to the left). Wheee!

Next, on Monday, June 15, there was a lot of traffic to this blog thanks to a "Blog of the Week" shout out at Craft Gossip. It's a great little website, full of inspiration and great techniques. Allow yourself at least one cup of coffee to linger through.
Finally, today at Scrapbook & Cards Today they are featuring a teacher thank you gift set, card and layout of mine. Whoa. Again, be sure to allow another cup of joe for exploring this awesome blog as well. Tips, giveaways, and loads of inspiration. Their summer issue is due out in a week or so as well. Exciting times!
That's it for today....but...it's only 7am. Who knows where this day is leading?
Have a good one!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Jillibean Soup contest

Don't delay!
Head on over to the Jillibean Soup blog.
You have until Monday, June 15, 2009, to enter their Jillibean Soup journaling sprouts contest. You can win $100...and that's in US dollars.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Core'dinations powered by diesel

Back in April, at ScrapFest, I got a really great deal on the Diesel Grand dies by Quickutz. I had had my eye on them since they were featured in the spring issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today (dang you, Catherine and Kerry).
Anyways, I need to justify the purchase by using them on the next 90 layouts that I make.
Let it begin...
These pictures of Matt were taken at my parents' new cottage up in Lion's Head. They just got ownership so we now begin the process of fixing up the yard. I bet Matt would scare any critters out of their precious flower beds.
Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Vintage, Black Magic, Essentials), Scenic Route grid paper, Quickutz letter dies (Diesel Grand, Jolly collection), font: Another Typewriter, Basic Grey precision file set, Heidi Swapp edge distresser, Tsukineko ink, other: sewing machine, thread, foam layering tape.

Supplies: Core'dinations cardstock (Vintage, Black Magic, WhiteWash), Sizzix texture plate, EK Success 3" scallop circle punch, Creative Memories circle cutter, Basic Grey precision file set, Quickutz letter dies (Diesel Grand), Font: Mason, other: foam layering tape.

This little babe belongs to dear friends of ours. I got to watch her one afternoon back in January. I then had to give her back. That was hard. For this layout I used texture plates by Sizzix the emboss the swirls into the WhiteWash cardstock. The layout is based on one by Candi Gershon at Scrapbooks Etc. magazine. It was for their "Make it Yours" call for January 2010.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Heads up, buttercup

Just a quick note to say...
I will be teaching a Core'dinations layout class.
Where: All About Scrapbooks & More
22-24 Kent Street
Woodstock, ON
(519) 533-1500
When: Saturday, June 20th
10am - 12pm
How much: $15.99 (plus tax)
For an image of the class and more details follow this link.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

C'mon summer. Let's go!


It was cold the other day. I don't need or want sweltering hot but the fact that I regretted not wearing a coat in the morning is just plain wrong for June.

With that in mind, I bring you a warm card. A-SPF#30-body-warming-good-old-summer-fun card. It's my DT card for over at Sketch This for today (June 3). Enjoy!