Autumn is in the Air - Chriss Hird

Well, I don't know about you, but this first full week back at school, and all the extra-ciricular activities that come with this time of year, have really wiped me out! If I didn't understand the term "Mom's Taxi" before, I certainly do now!!! I just need to know - where do I go to get a meter installed in my vehicle? I think that should be an option when buying a car!

I did manage to scrap a couple pages though! Autumn is my absolute favourite time of year. I love the crispness of the autumn air, the bustle of getting ready for school (most days!), cozying up in my favourite sweater and seeing the leaves change to the beautiful crimson shades of Fall! Oh, and did I mention the fabulous seasonal patterned papers?!

I know many of you have probably seen, and maybe even added to your stash, the sweet new Apple Cider line from Imaginisce. How have I come to this conclusion? Because I went back to my fave LSS today to pick up a few more sheets and guess what - SOLD OUT! And its no wonder, they're so darn cute!

I wanted to show how you can create lovely LO's using only the patterned paper. Sure, all the embellishments are fabulous, but they can get pretty pricey too. So if you love a particular line, try using embellishments you have at home, or even create your own!

This layout is my favourite, yet if you look at it, its rather simple. Besides paper, all I've used is a tag and chipboard lettering. I'm fortunate enough to have a Sizzix alpha set, so I cut out my own title, painted it, and then ran it through my Cuttlebug Argyle embossing folder. The result is easy, inexpensive and cute!


This second page has a few more additions, but not many. I stamped my title with my Stampin' Up Woodgrain background stamp - that's it! The acorns are from...you guessed it! My Cricut! (By now, you should all know how much I love the Cricut! LOL!) A couple flowers and some buttons completes the page.


So if you find yourself at your favourite scap shop with only a few dollars to spend, get that perfect paper and take it home knowing that you can create something beautiful and stay within your budget! Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Back To School Challenge By Chriss Hird

"Its the most wonderful time of the year!" I can hear the commercial in my head now! We've had a lovely summer, but by this time both my kids and myself are ready for structure again. They can't wait to get back to school, soccer, dance and all other scheduled events that September brings!

So my eldest daughter is off to Grade Four this year! She's no longer a Primary, but an Intermediate now! She's very excited, and one of the things she's looking forward to is her new array of school supplies. Gone are the crayons and paint discs, in with the calculators and math sets! Oh, and of course...BINDERS!


But of course she doesn't want just an ordinary blue or red binder. No! She needs fancy binders! I so understand this need, I think its a girl thing! So off I go to Walmart to buy her binders, only to find they cost anywhere between $10 - $20...EACH! Um, yeah...I don't think so. So whats a penny-pinching, scrappy mama to do? That's right, she's now got custom made fancy binders!

I so enjoyed making these for her, I kinda want one for myself now! Again, I pulled out my trusty Cricut to make the cute images and titles. This one uses the Once Upon A Princess cartridge.

Isn't she cute?! I used Bazzil Basics Swiss Dot Cardstock, My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary Collection, Maya Road Ribbon, in addition to some miscellaneous ribbon, and Queen & Co. buttons.


These sweet BFF's are my fave! They're so adorable! Cricut's Create-A-Critter cartridge provides you with these little cuties, plus many many more.

This binder also uses My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary paper in addition to October Afternoon's Hometown Line. So last year, I know, but it totally works! I added a little bling..and presto!

The backs of the binders are personalized with a little message for my daughter.


...and of course the close-up...


So if you don't really want to spend the big bucks but are prepared to spend a little time, you can create fabulous, unique school supplies for your kids too. I hope I've inspired you to pull out your stash and send a little something special along in the backpacks this September!