Category Archives: Uncategorized

Beach party days have finally arrived!

Finding time to craft has been super difficult since we started caring for my little nephew- full time work, my two kids and a wee baby means busy, busy, busy!! I was able to sneak in enough time to scrapbook a fun summer memory from last year at the beach just down the road from where we live (we spend a lot of time there in the summer). This fun memory was scrapbooked using a sketch from @alisondavis4sg (check her out on Instagram) and brought to life as part of the 30 days of sketches series 9 held by Christy Harriman (#bestof30dscbl to see more of these fun pages). I have LOVED crafting with these sketches when I can!

The colours and patterns of this paper are perfect for the lake, ocean, pool or vacation pages (and I am sure there are MANY more options). I have just started to play and cannot wait to see what else I can scrapbook… if I get time LOL.

One of my favorite features of this sketch is the photo array on the far side- you can size this up or down but it is a GREAT option for when you have lots of photos that you want to include on a page.

Let me know what you think about this new paper below in the comments!

(and I almost forgot to add- you can get your hands on this paper starting July 1st over on my SHOP!)

Until we craft again, The Brae-er


Fresh Paint is a very re’fresh’ingly fun!

I will admit when I first saw this paper I did not have a good reaction. It was SOOOOOO different from all the papers we have offered over my 17 years with CTMH. But, as I have learned through the years, sometimes when you actually begin to play with the paper you fall in love and I am happy to report that it happened again!

Like many of you, I had pictures that I had just not found the right fit for yet. Many of these were masculine photos and some…. some were concert photos. I cannot remember where I was when the realization set in (I know it was not the craft room) but I was struck with the thought that this paper was PERFECT for a concert I had been to a few years ago. I was excited to find time to play and make this page a reality!

This was such a fun page to put together- I relived the memories of the concert (I am also seeing them again next month and will be saving some Fresh Paint paper for that layout), found freedom in the fun colours and patterns of Fresh Paint and found myself having so much fun! Check out the close up photos of some of the accent clusters. 

I also had a bunch of great photos of my nephews that I never had the right paper to bring these photos to life. Fresh Paint again saved the day (okay maybe not the day but at least the memory). The colours and the spray-graffiti look were just perfect. If you haven’t checked this paper out then I highly encourage you to do so and soon- it is only available until the end of June!

Until we craft again, The Brae-er


Cardstock Carnival- more techniques with cardstock!

As part of Cardstock Carnival I have been sharing techniques that are perfect for our white-core cardstock. Today I have two more to share.

The ‘Hay There’ card features paper leathering. This technique was perfect for the Pretty Little Ponies stamp and thin cut set as it adds to the outdoor and country feel. To achieve this look you need to spritz your cardstock with water (enough that you can scrunch it up without tearing). Once you have done that carefully unfold the paper and lay it flat to dry (I usually place something on top to help it stay flat). Once dry, lightly sand the cardstock. This will help you achieve the look of leather.

Paper tearing is another fun technique. On this card and layout I used shades of blue to achieve the look of waves. When tearing I hold the cardstock strips and tear toward myself- this gives me the best control over the tearing. Our stamp of the month (You’re the GOAT) has a cute little whale that was perfect to tuck into the waves. On the layout I added liquid glass along the torn edge- my aim was to mimic the crest of a wave.

I was really pleased with how these projects turned out- playing with cardstock is super fun!

Until we craft again, The Brae-er


Do you have Cardstock? I have ideas in how to use it!

This month is cardstock carnival and I am so excited- our cardstock if a fantastic quality and you can do so much with it! This month you can purchase our cardstock at a fantastic discount- see those prices here. We have even released a special cardstock series of UV coated paper- shiny and gorgeous (just see the picture above).

My goal this month is to show you many of the fantastic ways you can use our cardstock. Our CS has a white core and this allows us to extend the possibilities and create so many fun things with fun techniques. Stay tuned for a weekly article here and follow my facebook business page where I will be holding lives showing how to do these techniques.

Want to start being inspired by our CS? Look below for my first project.

This card project is all about using your cardstock on it’s own- you can get so much out of it and often, you don’t need patterned paper to tie a project together. The colours in this card were inspired by a blanket of my nephews. I took those colours, matched them to our cardstock (with two tones to each colour on a sheet there are soooooo many colours to match) and created this fun card that could easily be made from scraps from other projects.

What colours of our cardstock do you love? Tell me in the comments below.

Until we craft again, The Brae-er


Sweet as Honey- Scrapbooking Workshop Kit

Have you seen this workshop!! It is BEE-utiful!!

CTMH has really up-ed their workshop game over the last few years and Sweet as Honey is just another that will not disappoint. It will complement so many pictures (check out the third layout which I was able to fully complete with pictures of my family from our fall photo shoot). The workshop kit comes with the Sweet as Honey paper, cardstock, stickers, die-cuts and accessories- it also comes with exclusive pieces that you cannot get outside of this kit. You can use these items to create the projects based on the included instructions or you can go rogue and let your creativity soar.

This final page is my favourite of them all- certainly in part because of the cute people on it. You can purchase this kit HERE.

Until we craft again, The Brae-er


I am just Smitten!

Our newest collection has arrived just in time to celebrate Valentine’s Day and all the things we love. This kit is so pretty and the stamp set- very punny! Items can be purchased separately or as a bundle to earn a discount. Smitten also pairs well with new products found in our January-February catalogue. Now scroll on to see some artwork inspiration!

Above: Smitten paper pack with stickers, Here and Now stamp set, Black Acrylic arrows, Cardstock (Black, White Daisy, Ballerina, Raspberry).

Above: Smitten paper pack with Stickers, Smitten Coordinating Cardstock and lots of 3D foam tape.

Find yours in my SHOP.

Until we craft again, The Brae-er


September/October Canadian Blog Hop

Welcome to our Canadian Blog hop. If you have arrived from Brandi’s blog then you are on the right path. Read on and at the bottom, there will be a link for your next stop- and don’t forget to leave some love in the form of a comment.

Well, another school year has begun and with that comes first-day photos!! Since I also work in a school and have to leave on the first day WAY before my kids we usually only get second-day photos (but we can pretend right?!).

I used our new line, Smarty Pants, to make the school pictures pop. Cardstock, paper pack, stickers and Picture my Life cards are all part of this page. I also added some of our FANTASTIC new acrylic letters- this will be a favourite for titles this year.

My daughter’s page uses more from the Smarty Pants line. For a different twist I added some of the Gloss Spray in Ocean. She saw this page and loved that the letters in the title matched the letters on her shirt- a fun coincidence.

Now hop on over to see what Michelle has on her blog– I cannot wait to see it!

Until we craft again, The Brae-er


Slimline Celebration- all the ‘adorableness’ you could want!!

Absolutely this is a set that I have thoroughly enjoyed having!!! I know I will return to this one again and again. The images are adorable and fun and they allow me to colour- something I find very relaxing. These stamps and thin cuts are part of our current special- Slimline Celebration. You can purchase the pieces as a bundle and save some money OR you can purchase just the items you want.

Just look at the cute things you can make!!! They even work well on scrapbook pages.

Until we craft again, The Brae-er


Reminiscing- Product retires in 6 days!!

Retiring product happens and we always look forward to the shiny, new product that arrives on September 1st but when I look back on some of the fun (and crafty goodness) it makes me sad to see products go. The Core and July-August book are in their final days. You can see the product on my website HERE – everything is while supplies last.

For now, you can reminisce with me by checking out all of the fun projects below!

Until we craft again, The Brae-er


Why I love attending Album Retreat with CTMH

I attended my first album retreat at the beginning of the pandemic. It was the first one that was offered virtually and that meant that I could attend without the need for time off work and the expense of a flight and hotel. I knew that these events were known for the artistic techniques and fresh styles of scrapbooking. Since that first one I have attended every single one offered – they are that good! Here are all the reasons I love this event.

  1. The learning – I love to learn and this event does not disappoint. Even after being a consultant for 17 years I still learn something every single time!
  2. Completing pages- from start to finish. Better yet I leave most events with 11 double-paged layouts.
  3. FUN- these events make me laugh and smile. I have done them all at home and by myself but I don’t feel like I am by myself. The home office staffers are so engaging and funny- I enjoy every moment.
  4. Recorded lives to view at my leisure. Yep- even if I need to run my kids somewhere I can still watch it all and complete all my projects. All the live sessions are recorded and offered to attendees.

5. SOOOOOOOO many goodies! When the album retreat box arrives it is full of new product goodness. It is so fun to dig through and see all the stamps (often one is exclusive to the event), accessories and PRE-CUT page goodness. Yes- everything is PRE-CUT!!!!

6. Just gorgeous pages- really this one is key. Look at the pages we will be creating in October. They always look fabulous in pictures but even BETTER in person. I cannot wait!!!

So, how can you join the fun?

Click HERE to purchase the bundle– that is your ticket in. I also have an extra-special offer for my customers when they order through me. On top of your purchase, I will offer you a CTMH album of your choice or $45 in CTMH products! Remember, spaces are limited so don’t delay in ordering your bundle.

Until we craft again, The Brae-er