Monthly Archives: July 2014

August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop: What a Hoot

Welcome to our August Blog Hop and the first hop in an all new Annual Inspirations Idea Book!! If you have come from Jill’s blog then you are on the correct path in our circular hop- just keep reading and then hop on to the next blogger below.

Have you SEEN the adorable stamp of the month’s we are offering in the Annual Inspirations?!! They are soooooo stink in’ cute!

August brings to us the ‘What a Hoot’ Stamp set- it may seem early for something that has a Halloween taste to it but given that you need time to create all your Halloween goodness it is really just in time!

I made this card using the CTMH Cricut Artiste- this is one of the swing cards that you can cut (sized at 5 1/2 when I cut). I then added elements from the Scaredy Cat paper and complements packs. I stamped and cut out my stamped images (and coloured aspects in with our NEW shinhan touch twin markers!). Finished it off with some of our white enamel stars (coloured with the new markers.. more on that in a later post).

The next item is a gift bag- made using the same paper and the August stamp of the month- how cute!!! You could use these to hand out candy in your neighbourhood (provided you don’t get a zillion kids- we usually get two or three so I could manange).

Want to get this stamp set for your own? Place an order on my SHOP (link at top of page) and when you spend $50 you can get this for only $5.00!!! (and if you JOIN my August launch party while you are at the SHOP then you might also win the hostess rewards!!)

Now hop on over to Pam’s blog to see what she has created for us!

Until we craft again, The Brae-er

Simple Summer Wreath

I really enjoy adding touches to my home that make it reflect my personality and use up stuff in my stash! Really it is win-win!!

I have had my winter wreath up on my door for far too long- since the colours were muted and not strongly winter I thought I could get away with it. I knew I had to make a new one soon and even bought the foam circle at Michael’s so that I could… but the month’s just slipped on by…. My son and my husband both made comments and Austin even tried to take it down and hide it. I true sign that it was time!

Early July I got out my supplies and set to work! I used my foam base and a full pack of our Skylark textiles (which are set to retire at the end of July- so act fast if you want some).

I cut all the strips of fabric about 2 1/2 inches in width – I wasn’t very particular on being exact because I knew the wrap style would cover most of it up. I also cut the strips the full length of the fabric that comes in our textile package- about 36 inches.

Then I got wrapping and used LOTS of hot glue to hold it down. I took my time to make sure I got the wrapping just right but it didn’t take long before I was done. I had fabric left over and made a lovely bow with it- I also added a bow made from our jute ribbon to help it stand out.

As a final piece, I added a base and bling pendant and two charms- I made sure the quote was fitting of the season and me!

Until we craft again, The Brae-er

Family Friday: Canada Day Fun!

I have decided to share some of the fun and crazy adventures that my family has- on family fridays! These posts won’t be regular but will allow you to get to know me and my gang just a little bit more. I hope you enjoy them 🙂

Canada Day was a while ago (July 1st for anyone not Canadian who follows) and I returned home just in time to celebrate with my crew. Every year we participate in the full assortment of events (even though this year I was really feeling the jet lag or just exhaustion from my trip). We went down to our local park and watched the parade, took park in the free kid activities and the midway and of course, returned later that evening for the fireworks!

This is my youngest, Ellery (almost three). Pretty cute, right?

Here are both my kids- Austin is 10 and is not always willing to participate in a photo. Currently my albums look like I only have one child… I hope he grows out of it! Lucky me though, he didn’t notice so I grabbed a pic of him and Ellery on the boats- I LOVE this because it shows just what a great brother to her he is. He is loving, helpful and takes such good care of her (they do have their moments but overall the age gap between them worked out great!).

Another! I tell you he was in a good mood that day!

Ellery also was able to experience midway rides for the first time- she loved them… little daredevil!

Until we craft again, The Brae-er

Picture My Life Mini Album

By now if you follow my blog you know how much I enjoy using CTMH items in unconventional ways- well here is another post! This one uses the Picture my Life cards to create a little mini-album- I focused on friendship as the theme for this and will use it as an Operation Smile Auction Item for my upcoming team event!

The PML cards for this one are from the Skylark collection- I used few accessories to pull this one together as the cards really offer more than enough! You can see washi tape is prominently used for the binding on the pages- super easy! I then cut apart other cards to use aspects of them in my mini-album (a little bit of foam tape really helps these pop).

Here you can see some of the Skylark assortment and some Aqua dots- I love doing these smaller projects as they are a great way to use up some of my leftover product (especially accessories).

Now I just need to wait for photos!

Until we craft again, The Brae-er

CTMH contest: Paper Fundamentals

July means a new social media contest from our founder and CEO, Jeanette Lynton!! Watch this video and be sure to either go directly to youtube or to Jeanette’s blog for your chance to win!!

Only a few days left to enter!

Until we craft again, The Brae-er

Brae-er Team July Blog Hop: Out with the old!

Welcome to another Brae-er team blog hop- this month we decided to focus on products that are retiring in order to make way for NEW stuff in August (I am super excited to share the new stuff with you!)

If you have never participated in a blog hop then just read on and follow the links provided on each person’s blog- if you get lost you can come back here to see a full list of participants (at bottom). If you want to order any of these items the feel free to visit my SHOP where there is a whole section of retiring items.

I decided to focus on one of my favourite items on the retiring list- of course these are now sold out! But I will share anyway and maybe some day they make a come back. This is a layout made with one of our True-fit folios- they are great for a layout on the front and some ‘stuff’ inside (they are a 12×12 file folder). I used this one to showcase some of Ellery’s artwork- kids bring so much home and I wanted to have it in an album if possible.

In this photo you can see some of her work sticking out of the top. I used an old paper because it fit the art theme well. Since it had a strong pattern to it I kept my additions to a minimum and matted my photo and just added some pennants and flowers (off another piece of paper in that particular kit). THEN I used the July Stamp of the month- Circus Alphabet- for my title (and you can get this stamp still when you purchase $50 or more on my website- for only $5!)

Now hop on over to Chris’s blog to see what she has decided to share with you!

Full list of Blog Hop Participants:

1. Brae Montgomery- http://wp.me/p4htXJ-wC

2. Chris Robertson –http://chriscreativelife.blogspot.com/2014/07/out-with-old-july-brae-er-team-blog-hop.html

3. Michelle Stewart ~ http://mycreationswithmichelle.blogspot.com/2014/07/team-brae-ers-out-with-old-blog-hop.html

4. Kiera Van Schyndel – http://inspirepapercrafts.blogspot.com/2014/07/out-with-old-brae-er-team-blog-hop-july.html

5. Carol-Anne Grenier http://cagrenier.blogspot.com/2014/07/july-blog-hop-out-with-old.html

6. Alyson Mayo – http://createwithalyson.blogspot.com/2014/07/brae-ers-unit-blog-hop-retiring-products.html

7. Tamara Lisowski –http://geermara.blogspot.com/2014/07/july-ctmh-blog-hop-out-with-old.html

8. Carol Taggiohttp://craftycarol55.blogspot.com/2014/07/july-out-with-old-blog-hop.html

9. Lucy Imrie –http://lucyscreativeexpressions.blogspot.com/2014/07/out-with-old-brae-ers-blog-hop.html

10. Julie Sinnott – http://12x12travels.blogspot.com/2014/07/team-brae-er-july-blog-hop-out-with-old.html

11. Nicky Scott – http://www.timelesscottage.ca/team-brae-er-out-with-the-old/

Until we craft again, The Brae-er

Cross Canada Blog Hop: Mini Books

I LOVE making mini-books- especially for my non-crafty friends as gifts. They are the ones who appreciate the hard work and both of us know that they would never make one of their own. This book is one of those… made for a friend expecting her fourth and last baby (and since she refuses to give into my peer pressure and find out what she is having she gets one made in gender neutral colours).

Now this is a blog hop as well, so welcome! Read on and follow the links to see LOTS of different ideas for mini books.

For my album I used one of our Hip Pic albums (if you search on my website ‘hip pic’ you can see a few ways I have used these- they are so great!). I also used the Babycakes Picture my Life cards to decorate the album- a little bit of stamping and some accessories pull it all together!

You can see I used lots of washi tape- many of my hand cut pieces are actually cut from some of the picture my life cards (not stamped at all). This book came together in about an hour- quick and lovely!

Now HOP on over to Michelle’s blog to see what mini-book creation she has to share!

Until we craft again, The Brae-er

Single Page Saturday: Single page layouts are FUN!

Lately I have been VERY inspired by one page layouts- I have a bunch of older photos or single photos which I love but had no way of logically scrapbooking them all together (that I like anyway). There is SOOOOOOOOO much inspiration in pinterest (I have a whole board full of inspiration for cards and layouts).

It may seem silly but I find a single page layout freeing- the process has a different feel when it is only one page I am working on. When I work on two I approach it a with a whole different attitude and thought process.

For this layout I used more pieces from the My Crush Assortments you can purchase for use in our Crush albums- the ONLY paper that is from an actual kit is the back pink chevron piece (from Ivy Lane). I have to admit- I had to buy another pack of the crush assortments! This will be my third but they are just so perfect for so many things (and at $4.95 they are well worth the money!)

I also used my spray pen with a reinker/water mix in it, some of our sequins (new product alert!) and a stamp set (also new!!)

Do you scrapbook in two-page layouts or do you sometimes try a single page? How does this make you feel? I would love to know your thoughts!

Until we craft again, The Brae-er

CTMH Convention ‘hangover’

Yes, convention was almost two weeks ago (well the start of it anyway) and I am still feeling the effects- the only good part is that these effects are all good…. inspiration, motivation, creativity… and a little bit of tiredness but coffee fixes that right up! Convention is one of the BEST parties of the year and I am so glad that I was there this year and will CERTAINLY be there next year too!

This year I had 13 team members join me- that is my best turnout yet. Convention is an investment so it can be hard to see the payoff if you have never been but I think all of these ladies now know that it is totally worth it! Here are just a few highlights.

Private meeting with the mouse! Yes please!! For the Director’s dinner the company hired Mickey for a photo op- and I later met Minnie during the awards ceremony (I won 9th place for team building in North America- a HUGE accomplishment as Canadians do not usually place in the top ten!)

After the photos and our lovely dinner we were taken into the California Adventure park to watch the World of Colour Show- it is wonderful! There I had time to connect with my gal-pal Denise! Another aspect I love about convention is the time to connect with old friends AND meet new ones!

After being up late, we woke up super-early to run/walk a 5K- here is Denise and I again getting ready for this one. My friend Anita photo-bombed us! I will admit- I walked it- took photos on the way and just enjoyed the view of the park with NO other people!

There is LOTS more that goes on- I may post more in another post (let me know if you would like to see more).

This year my BFF Sarah and I did stay an extra day and played at Disneyland itself- oh my…. the California disney is so quaint and just awesome! We had a great time… and only felt a little guilty about being there without our children!

Until we craft again, The Brae-er

New CTMH Cricut Cartridge

By now you may have heard… it will be EVERYWHERE… CTMH is releasing a new cricut cartridge!!! Here are three sneak peek cards that I created at convention using the new cartridge (and new colours and new papers and new accessories LOL).

HELLO! What is that – pop up card! Whoohooo!!!!

and here a fancy fold! I think this cartridge will be a real winner!!

What do you think?

Until we craft again, The Brae-er

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