Mailbox happiness!

I finally sat down and made something I've been thinking about for a long time - a little mailbox of happiness for our family! We're suffering from Winter's-almost-over-but-Spring-is-still-too-far-away blues these days, and we needed to start celebrating the small things that make us smile.

With the new Sale-a-Bration stamp set, I couldn't resist! The "You make me happy when skies are gray" stamp from See Ya Later was just perfect!

My oldest son absolutely loved The Bee Movie and there's a part in the movie where Barry B. Benson says that bees can't fly in the rain - Hunter always used to get so upset for the bees... He was devastated that they couldn't go out in the rain. So for awhile, when it was sunny, he used to say "the bees can come out today!". I thought incorporating the bees into the mailbox was a fun idea. Worked perfectly for the Dynamic Duos challenge this week as well :)

Each family member has a different coloured envelope, and when the little 'you've got mail' flag is up (it's hinged on a brad), then you can check the box and see who the warm-fuzzy is for. 

It's a very basic design, starting with a 6" x 3-1/2" base and curving a 6" x 12" piece of cardstock overtop. The sides were reinforced on the inside using Coaster Board to help it stand straight and and not bow. The front of the mailbox was trimmed using the Oval Framelits die and the inside was lined with a piece of Daffodil Delight Polka Dot Parade DSP. 

The bees were made with the small oval punch. Their tail was done with the bottom of the small heart punch and the head was made with the small circle from the itty bitty punch pack. Their wings are punched from vellum with the small heart punch. 

The mailbox is fastened with an Antique Brad and a hair elastic. 

I hope to make a tutorial and have that posted within the coming weeks, so please check back! 

I played along with the Dynamic Duos challenge this week; Basic Black and Daffodil Delight with the added challenge of a shaped card. I didn't do a shaped card, but thought a 3D project would be cool too :)

Thanks for stopping by today! 

-Tara

xox

Supplies:

Stamps: See Ya Later

Inks: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Basic Gray, Coastal Cabana

Paper: Polka Dot Parade DSP, Basic Black CS, Daffodil Delight CS, Whisper White CS, Vellum, Coaster Board

Emellishments: Antique Brads, Candy Dots, Brad Base

Tools: Big Shot, Paper Piercing Pack (Essentials), Paper Piercing Tool, Oval Framelits, Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Small Heart Punch, Petite Pennants Punch

Christmas Time for Dynamic Duos

Well, this is it! This is my last week as a member of the fabulous Design Team over at Dynamic Duos. I just want to say a huge thank you to Anne-Marie and Lesley for having me on the team for the past 6 months; and as well to all the lovely ladies I've had the opportunity to get to know and craft with! It's been a blast.

For my last project, I decided to make a Christmas card.

I used the new Special Season stamp set for this one. In fact, I actually used the whole set, and no other sets! It's very rare that I do this. Usually I pull from a couple sets at a time, so it was fun to ink it all up at once :)

The tree is stamped in Perfect Plum on the background panel and then again on a scrap of Whisper White in Wisteria Wonder. Popped a mat onto it and layered it over the darker tree. Using my two-way gluepen, I added some Gold Stampin' Glitter.

The pinecones and sentiment were embossing in gold. I just love this set, and can see myself using it a lot for my Christmas cards this year!

Check out the challenge this week:

Thanks for stopping by!

-Tara
xox

Halloween @ Dynamic Duos!

**Be sure to check back tomorrow morning for the winner of the blog candy!!**

Well, it's just about that time... We've been planning our "family" costume for quite some time now. Hunter wants to be the Mad Hatter and I couldn't be more thrilled! Alice in Wonderland has always been my favourite story - I have a million copies of the book, and in high school even started illustrating my own version of it (that project is still yet to be completed! haha).

So, to set the mood a little, I made this wee little halloween luminary for the boys room for this week's Dynamic Duos challenge. Nothing too creepy, as I want them to be able to sleep still, but just to get them in the spirit.

The boot was stamped and embossed on vellum. I made a super simple box and cut a window from one side. The pumpkins were punched and drawn on, and the 'grass' is burlap ribbon.

The colours this week are Tangerine Tango and Basic Black, with a dessert option of a halloween theme.

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

Lots of Love for Dynamic Duos

I just loved the colours of this week's Dynamic Duos challenge; Calypso Coral and So Saffron. I wanted to make something a little different than I normally do... Different in that I don't make a lot of 'love' cards ;)

I used the I Am Me DSP, which I love so much. It's got some great subtle patterns in with the fun colours and graphics of the 'busier' papers. 

I did some faux stitching along the edge and used the Best of Love stamp set for the heart. I think finished it off with a few Calypso Coral buttons and there you have it :)

Check out the challenge this week:

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

A rustic birthday at Dynamic Duos!

This week at Dynamic Duos we have an absolutely fabulous colour combo - perfect for fall... or masculine... or anything really ;)

It has been forever (and a day!) since I last used Apothecary Art, so I whipped it out for this simple and rustic birthday card.

The background panel is embossed with the woodgrain embossing folder, and I tied a little knot with some linen thread on the end of the burlap to give it a little something extra.

The image was cut out with the label framelits, and I framed it by cutting a second frame the same size as the original and cutting it in half. I just wanted to give a little pop of colour behind the sentiment without putting on another frame altogether.

Finished off with a little popped up banner, et voila!

Today would have been my grandmother's 91st birthday. This is the first "major" occasion since she passed away in May, and I'm missing her a lot today. I knew this challenge would go 'live' on her birthday, so this card was in honour of her. I'm also using her Apple Pie recipe today to bring to an early Thanksgiving dinner we're having with my family :)


Check out the challenge this week:

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

Monochromatic Birthday wishes for Dynamic Duos

Hello!

Sorry for the late post of my Dynamic Duos card this week. On top of computer problems today, we've also had a little case of the "Flash Flu"... Inexplicably, almost everyone in the family got super sick, but only for a very short period of time! My oldest son literally looked grey at one point. Pretty terrifying!

I digress...

The colour combo this week is Blushing Bride and Primrose Petals. Lovely combination of pinks!

I used the chevron background stamp to add some interest to the back, and my very favourite flower stamp Stippled Blossoms. I finished it off with some Smoky Slate/Basic Grey accents.

Check out the challenge this week:

We would love to see you over at Dynamic Duos this week!

Thanks for stopping by!

-Tara
xox

Celebratory Stars for Dynamic Duos!

Well, it's a rainy, lazy Saturday here in Ottawa and we've got big plans to clean, clean, clean! Fun, eh? ;)

I'm taking a quick break to share with you my very CAS card for Dynamic Duos this week!

We're mixing up Crumb Cake and Basic Black with a yummy dessert option of heat embossing!

I reached for the Simply Stars set and my Black embossing powder. I freehanded a fun little border, et voila! It's that easy :)

A fun little card for a congratulations or birthday celebration!

We'd love to see you playing along with us this week. Be sure to swing on over to Dynamic Duos and check out all the lovely creations by the design team.

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

Happy Thanksgiving for Dynamic Duos!

Oh my! So sorry for my late post today - I was smack dab in the middle of a super fun birthday party for my sweet baby Jack! 

This week at the Dynamic Duos we have a sweet colour combo - So Saffron and Pistachio Pudding.

Again, I'm hitting up the Fall/Thanksgiving cards. Is there anything any better?!  I'm still madly in love with the Magnificent Maple stamp, and of course the burlap ribbon! The background was done by stamping with a clear block in So Saffron. I used the wicked fun Chevron Punch for some extra details behind the sentiment. 

Check out the challenge this week:

Thanks for stopping by!

-Tara

xox

Love & Sympathy

It's time for another new challenge at Dynamic Duos and this week, you get to pick one of the colours. We've gone ahead and pick one colour for you - Perfect Plum - but go nuts with #2 ;)

For my second colour, I've selected Soft Sky. I recently got the seam binding ribbon in an order and just couldn't wait to try it. 

I used the Framed Tulips for my border and brayered over them with Soft Sky. I LOVE the look of brayered embossed images! The flowers are from Fabulous Florets, stamped in Soft Sky and Perfect Plum. I cut them out and popped them up on dimensionals.

Some pearls for a little extra touch, et voila.

Check out the challenge this week:

We would love it if you stopped by and checked out what the rest of the DT has done, and play along with us!

This weekend, we are going through the huge step of moving our two boys into a room together and making an 'office' out of Jack's old room. And by 'office', I kind of mean 'craft room'... :) I currently craft in the basement, and there are have been one too many run-ins with spiders (and a cricket!) for my liking. I'll take pictures along the way to share!

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

Birthday By the Tide

Hello and happy Saturday!

This week we have a super awesome colour combination for you at Dynamic Duos. It's time to get your "pretty" on!

I used the fabulous new embossing folder from the Holiday Catalogue, Stylish Stripes. Fun, eh? Then I used the oh-so-fabulous By the Tide set for the image panel. I popped the shell up on some dimensionals and added some Calypso Coral and Smoky Slake banners and finished it off with an Antique Brad.

Check out the challenge colours this week:

Thanks for stopping by!

-Tara
xox


List of Supplies:
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, By the Tide
Papers: Calypso Coral DSP, Smoke Slate DSP, Crisp Cantaloupe CS, Smoky Slate CS
Embellishments: Antique Brads
Tools: Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder, Big Shot

Black Tie at Dynamic Duos!

Hello! It's time for a brand new colour challenge at Dynamic Duos. This week we have a black tie week, which means we're also offering up a dessert option :)

 Pool Party + Basic Black (+ Embossing)

I used the Happy Day stamp for the flower/doily in the background and the faux suede technique for the larger Pool Party flowers. I love the look of that technique!

Check out the challenge this week:

Be sure to stop by and visit the rest of the design team to have a peek at their lovely creations!

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

Pink and Green at Dynamic Duos!

Hello and happy weekend!

This week at the Dynamic Duos we have a soft and subtle combination for you with Blushing Bride and Pistachio Pudding.

I went heavy on the 'neutral' this week. I used the Wildflower Meadow stamp set for the first time - what a sweet stamp!

I also used the Modern Medley DSP for the first time too, and I absolutely love the music paper. I cut out some flowers with the Flower Fusion Sizzlit Die and added some Basic Black and Very Vanilla Candy Dots (how much do you love these awesome embellishments?!)

Check out the challenge this week:

Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team has come up with! We can't wait to see how you use these colours :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

Blast from Easter past at Dynamic Duos

It's time for a bright and cheery colour combo over at Dynamic Duos!

I went for another scrapbook page this week - I'm trying to get caught up on my "back pages" these days... And then I'll start working on my "front pages"! hahah. I was doing so good scrapbooking 2013 as it happened, but I've been slacking for sure. 

This is from Easter 2012, so not too bad ;)

Check out the colours we have for you this week:

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

Sneak Peek Week - Day 4 & Dynamic Duos!

Hello!

Back with a double post today to share this week's fabulous Dynamic Duos challenge as well as the next sneak peek card.

First up, Garden Green and Pear Pizzazz for Dynamic Duos!

We went to the park back in May with my brother and his family and my hubby challenged my bro to a race. It's difficult to know who to cheer for when it's your brother and your husband! Derek came out the winner this time around, but I don't think that my bro will let that happen again ;)

Check out the challenge this week:

And now for another sneak peek from the Holiday catalogue.

I love the Color Me set. It's super cute for gift tags, cards where you colour it yourself, or cards where you let the recipient colour it, which is what I did here. I made a little 4-1/4" x 4-1/4" square card and used the scrapling left over to hold the crayons. This way, it can be mailed in a regular envelope, but when you remove the crayons it doesn't affect the overall look of the card.

I'm going to send this to my nephew this year for Christmas :)

I used the colours from Dynamic Duos for this as well - Garden Green core'dinations paper conveniently looks a lot like Pear Pizzazz on the inside. Score!

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

Sweet Baby for Dynamic Duos!

This week at Dynamic Duos we are playing with my absolute favourite colour combo - Sahara Sand and Pink Pirouette.

These colours screamed baby to me, so I softened it up and went girly :)

I wanted to use the alphabet embossing folder, but I wanted it to be a little more subtle, so after running through the Big Shot, I ran my bone folder over it a few times to 'flatten' the embossing a bit. For the bottom, I cut strips of Pink Pirouette DSP and Sahara Sand cardstock (embossing with the Polka Dot embossing folder) and alternated them.

The lamb is stamped and then cut out using one of the fabulous new Chalk Talk framelits. The die cut was a bit big for my image (I thought) so I cropped it by running it through again and taking off about 1/4-1/2" of one side.

Check out the fab combo this week :)

We'd love to see you play along! Come out and check out all the other fab cards from the Design Team! :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

Pistachio Anniversary

This week at Dynamic Duos you get to pick your favourite coordinating colour (to go with Basic Gray). It's almost impossible to find a colour that doesn't go with Basic Gray, but I wanted to try and keep this on the 'manly' side, so I went with Pistachio Pudding.

I sanded down some Core'dinations paper and them cut it into little squares. Then I drew a dotted line between the squares to make a tic-tac-toe-like board. I found the sketch online awhile back but can't seem to find it again. I added the pearls to the popped-up hearts to imply that "I won"... a great husband! haha.

I gave this to Derek for our anniversary, which was on Tuesday. We went out for dinner, which was delicious, and then just hung out in the evening. It was quiet, but perfect.

Check out the challenge this week:

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

Quilling at the Dynamic Duos

Hey guess what? It's time for another Dynamic Duos colour combo! This week we're hitting the oranges up - Tangerine Tango and Cajun Craze:

I've been wanting to try quilling on a card for a very long time. I've never done it before (youtube was my best friend), and I didn't have any of the supplies (hello, toothpick), but in the end, I think it turned out OK. 

Stampin' Up! cardstock might be just a smidge too heavy/thick, and it tends to separate a bit, but all-in-all, it was super fun. I will definitely be trying it again - especially since I found a quilling tool at a lovely little Mom & Pop store here in the city. Hurray!

I used some Smoky Slate as my neutral for this one. I thought it was a nice contrast to the oranges, and it made it more 'modern' than 'autumn'. 

Come check out the challenge this week and link up your card. We can't wait to see what you do with these colours.

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

A new challenge at Dynamic Duos!

Hello friends,

It's time for another challenge at Dynamic Duos - and what an awesome colour combination this week; Pear Pizzaz and Basic Black, with a dessert option of using a Plant Theme.

I used a Basic Black marker to colour white Baker's Twine, and picked up a stamp set I haven't used in a really long time - Serene Silhouettes. Love that set :)

Here's the challenge this week:

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

Feeling pretty at Dynamic Duos

Happy weekend, friends!

I'm still riding the high of a very fun and intimate BOGO event last night with some superb ladies. I'm just so excited about the new catty - can't wait to get my hands on new goodies.

Over at the Dynamic Duos, we've got a very pretty colour combination for you!

Happy Birthday Wishes - Tara (Murphy) Bourgoin

I went with Crumb Cake as my neutral for this card, which I generally don't do. I typically stick to white or vanilla, but sometimes you just have to get a little wild and crazy.

The stamp is from one of the new hostess sets, and I'm absolutely addicted to it already. After I stamped the image in Raspberry Ripple, I shaded underneath the foliage with Crumb Cake and a Blender Pen. I then added some highlighting with White craft ink. I have a Blender Pen reserved for this purpose alone. I like to use the white gel pen, but I find that I have more control over how strong the colour is going to be when I use the blender pen - It works great!

To make the 'chubby' scalloped border, I punched out one of the Fancy Flowers from Wisteria Wonder and cut it up into three pieces (two heart-shaped pieces with 2 petals each, and a single petal). It fits perfectly on a 4" panel. 

The Crumb Cake seam binding ribbon was pulled and ruffled. 

Check out the challenge for this week:

I am really looking forward to seeing all the lovely cards with this colour combination!

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

Saying Goodbye to Bashful Blue

Ok, it's official - I'm completely out of Bashful Blue. When I heard it was retiring, I used up every last scrap of it. The final piece I had stashed away went into this little love card for Dynamic Duos.

Check out the absolutely lovely monochromatic colour combo this week!

We would love to see what you create with these lovely blues - so swing on over and take a peek at what the rest of the wicked Design Team has whipped up!

Thanks for stopping by today :)

-Tara
xox