12 Quotes of Christmas ~ Day 3

I have a lovely quote for you today.

"From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another
The warmth and joy of Christmas, brings us closer to each other."

~Emily Matthews

Here is the prize I have up for grabs:

All you have to do is be inspired by any quote I post in the next 12 days and use it on a layout or card. You earn one ballot per creation. The more you create.... the more chances to win!
Just link your creation below or email it to me at thynner5@yahoo.ca
Due Date: January 7th
Happy Scrapping!
~Tara~

12 Quotes of Christmas ~ Day 2

Hope you are ready for another Christmas quote. Here is your Day 2 Quote:

I think it would be lovely on a card. Remember you are playing along for this great prize:

Just link up your card or layout below or email it to me at thynner5@yahoo.ca

Due Date: January 7th

Happy Scrapping!

~Tara~

12 Quotes of Christmas ~ Day 1

It's time to host the 12 Quotes of Christmas Challenges. Each day I will post a Christmas quote to inspire you. Use the quote itself, or use it as inspiration on a card or layout and earn a ballot for a great prize!! Look what I have for you girls:

Amazing isn't it. It's just as pretty as can be. It is the starter kit and comes with some plates, Coordination cardstock, card bases and adhesive. Retails for $39.99. It can be yours for just playing along and creating some cards or layouts!!

Here is your first quote:

Just link your creation below or email me at thynner5@yahoo.ca.

Due Date: January 7th

Happy Scrapping!

~Tara~

Challenge # 3 ~ LCOM Sketch Reveal

Who doesn't love a great sketch?? I know that I do. That's why I am at Let's Capture These Sketches!!

This week the sketch was designed by Sara Slade. She has been on both the sketch team and the layout team. Here is the sketch we had to work with this week:

I just love how fresh and funky it is. I created the following layout based on this great sketch:

It features Paige kneeling in a huge hole we dug at the beach in Port Elgin. It was such a wonderful day for a beach visit with family.

I used a Crafter's Workshop Template and painted over it with a sponge brush and some yummy teal paint. I just love using templates. They add so much cool, funky details to any layout or card! Here is a close up:

Challenge: Now that the cooler weather is upon us here in Canada and the US I was thinking it would be nice to feel the warmth of a summer layout. Bring out the brights and create a layout. Link it up below for a chance at one of three RAK's I am offering up for the month! You can also email it to me at thynner5@yahoo.ca.
BONUS: Create a layout using the above sketch and link it on the LCOM Sketch Blog for a chance to win a RAK from them as well.

Due Date: December 31st

Happy Scrapping!

~Tara~

Challenge #1 ~ Happiness Quote

Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.
- Groucho Marx

Challenge: Be inspired by the above quote and/or photo to create. You can use the quote directly on your layout, use the theme as a title, use part of the quote or just be inspired by the photo.

Due Date: August 31st
Draw Date: Sept 1st

Prize: TBA tomorrow!! I actually have three big prizes this time around!!

Happy Scrapping!

~Tara~

Challenge #5 ~ Color Challenge

I whipped up some samples for a Basic Grey Origins Layout class that I will be teaching at Macpherson's Crafts in St Marys. I must say that the papers weren't something I thought I would buy for myself. I tend to lean towards bright colors with lots of bling and glitter potential.

(If you live near St Marys and would like to sign up for the class this coming Friday, send me an email for info.)

BUT.... I just fell in love with this line. It is so lovely and elegant. The colors are so serene together. It worked with a few pics that I have been wanting to scrap.

This BG Class Kit allows you to make a 2 page layout and 2 single pages. What a great addition to my scrapbook!

Here are my two favorites. The first features Paige and is the Bloom and Grow page:



The second features a picture of my friend Michelle and I on New Years Eve. We attended a wedding of our friends Leah and Mark. They looked amazing.... congrats again to them.




Challenge: Use any of the colors featured in the Basic Grey Origins line as the main colors on your next card or layout. Email it to me at thynner5@yahoo.ca to earn a ballot for this months prize draw. A free kit of your choice from weScrap and a Chatterbox Denim Album!! Yummy!!

Due Date: January 31st

Happy Scrapping!

~Tara~

Challenge #2 ~ Blooming Petals

I just love to add flowers to my layouts. That is one of the many reasons I love having girls. All these wonderful excuses to use them. BUT, sometimes I can't find one that seems to fit with the layout I am creating.

I received this amazing kit from weScrap to design with. Their November kit was awesome.... totally awesome! All the lovely earthy colors were so beautiful. However, I don't have any ready made flowers to use on my layouts to match. What is a girl to do but make her own!!

Earth Love Kit:

Here is my layout of Emmy using this kit. I made the two flowers on this layout. I loved how they turned out. Creating your own flowers guarantees a great coordinating creation.

Challenge: Create your own coordinating flowers. You can use anything you want to make your flowers. I would like to see at least one homemade flower on your layout or card! Email it to me at thynner5@yahoo.ca to earn a ballot for my monthly blog draw. I have a great prize for you this month. I'll post the picture and details later today when I get home from work. :)

Due Date: November 30th

Draw Date: December1st

Happy Scrapping!

~Tara~

Challenge #12 ~ Black and White

One of the things I like to see is a black and white photograph, especially on a layout.


Here is a layout I just did for Scrapdango using a great shot of my family which was taken by Lori Anne Franklin. I love how the Crate papers make the photo stand out. Notice the sheer, sparkle fabric under my title?? I saved that from a Cinderella Doll my dog unfortunately ate of Paige's. I love how fabric can add some interesting details and texture to a layout!

Challenge:

Please us a black and white photo on your next creation. It can be one that you convert to black and white or an older photo that has been sitting in an album on a shelf.

Email your creation to thynner5@yahoo.ca or provide a link below. You will earn a ballot for the $50.00 value Rak that I have up for grabs!


Due Date: January 31st
Draw Date: February 1st

Happy Scrapping!

~Tara~

Challenge # 7 ~ Sew What

One of Emmy's very favorite songs right now is by Pink called "So What?" I hear her sing it at least 10 times a day. Thanks goodness she can carry a tune or else it would be driving me nuts.



When I was thinking of today's challenge she asked me to base it on her favorite song. We came up with the Sew What Challenge!!





Challenge #7:


I would like to see you sew on your layout. You can do this by either using a machine, rub-ons or poking holes and sewing by hand. You must also use the color Pink on your layout as well. Get it?? Pink??





Here is my layout of Paige called Authentic Beauty. I used a stitching template and sewed by hand.

Quote Reads: "Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart." ~ Khalil Gibran

Email your creations to me at thynner5@yahoo.ca and put Thynner Blog Challenge in the subject line. You will earn a ballot for this month's $50.00 Prize Draw of new scrappy goodies!!

Deadline: January 31st

Draw Date: February 1st

Happy Scrapping!

~Tara~

Challenge #5

As we get older we begin to make realizations along the way. We learn from things we have done or have seen. We wake up one day with the knowledge that we are here to learn and spread that knowledge unto others.



Challenge #5:

It’s time for a journaling challenge.

I would like you to start of with the following: “ I Now Know……..”


Here are a few suggestions to get you started:


“I Now Know how to….”
“I Now Know why……..”
“I Now Know that…….”


Here is a layout I did. Here are my lovely daughters. I am constantly learning from them!





The journaling reads: “I Now Know why I was put on this earth. I am here to love, here to teach, here to cherish, here to be a mother.”

Since this is a journal challenge, you can post your journaling on your blog or email it to me at mailto:atthynner5@yahoo.ca or link it below. You will earn one ballot for the draw! Yes... the one valued at $50.00!!

BONUS: Use your journaling on a layout to earn two extra ballots!!

Deadline: January 31st
Draw Date: February 1st

Happy Scrapping!

~Tara~

The Scrapping Bug DT Reveal & Challenge #3

I was surprised just how far this kit really went. Not only did I get three layouts done but I also managed to squeeze out a mini album as well. I love being able to utilize all the bits and pieces of a kit.

The kit is full of Bo Bunny!!

2 Bo Bunny Chiffon Dot

2 Bo Bunny Coffee Dot

2 Bo Bunny Frost Dot

2 Bo Bunny Decaf Dot

1 Bo Bunny Winter Whisper Dot

1 Bo Bunny Winter Whisper Mist

1 Bo Bunny Winter Whisper Plaid

1 Bo Bunny Winter Whisper

1 Bo Bunny Winter Fun Cardstock Sticker

1 Bo Bunny Winter Transparency Title

3 Bug Cut Snowflakes

3 Brads

2 x ½ yards of Ribbon

1 Exclusive Bug Cut Title

Here are my creations:

Cold Wonder: I based this one on a sketch by my friend Ally. You can find her sketches on the So Sketchy Blog.

Winter Eh?: This layout portrays my girls love of riding and how a silly thing like winter won't take them away from their ponies!

Winter: Here is Emmy enjoying the snow during an afternoon of sledding. Notice the paint and the sweet transparency title?

Snow Fun Mini Album: I put this 4x4 album together with all my scraps. It showcases the sledding day at "Grandpa Larry's" on New Years Day. A great new tradition for the Thynne Family!

**To see the other wonderful creations that my fellow DT Members did please check out the Bug Gallery! To order the kit please go to The Scrapping Bug!

Challenge # 3:

For this challenge I would like you to chose any one of my layouts and scraplift it! I would like to see your spin on my creations.

Email them to me at thynner5@yahoo.ca or post a link to your layout below.

You will earn a ballot for each layout you do. Yes... if you scraplift one... you get one ballot. Scraplift two... you get two ballots. Scraplift all three... you get three ballots!! What for?? The big blog prize draw valued at $50.00 of new products!

Due Date: January 31st

Draw Date: February 1st

Happy Scrapping!

~Tara~

Life.....or Something Like That

Well... it happened. Life got in the way of my blogging! I swore I wouldn't let it happen but, with the holidays and my birthday I slipped.
It is amazing to me just how exhausting the holidays truly are. I have been so worn out that I actually fell asleep on the couch the other day and woke up with a sore neck and shoulder! Crazy thing is that the last time I ever fell asleep on the couch was when I was pregnant. NOOOOOOOOOOOO....... I am not pregnant now!! Don't even think that! Three is a great number. It just goes to show you just how tired I was.

I am not sure how many of you have decided to chose a special word to be your mantra for 2009. If you don't know what I am referring to you can check out Ali Edwards Blog for details. It took me all of three seconds to come up with this years word..............................................................
RELAX!!

I tend to over do things and get caught up in things. I am constantly focusing on the negative and letting it get to me. I have become a magnet for stress. I am going to learn to chill and relax more. Spend more time enjoying my life not worrying about it! Spend more time with my family and friends. Laugh more.

Challenge #1 ~ Your Word:
What is your chosen word for 2009?? Chose something that means something to you. Email it to me at thynner5@yahoo.ca or post it below to earn a ballot for this months blog prize draw, again valued at $50.00!!
**Bonus: Use your chosen word on a layout and send it to me to earn two ballots. An easy way to start 2009 off!!

I have all the names drawn up for Decembers Draw!! I will let Paige pick the winner in the morning. Then.... it's back to business on my blog!

THANKS to everyone who have been checking in every day and sending in those amazing creations! I am so thrilled everytime I receive an email and see your creations. I will continue to post challenges throughout the month.

~Tara~

12 Quotes of Christmas and Challenge #4

I have been posting 12 Quotes of Christmas at Scrapdango. Every day for 12 days I have been posting some great Christmas quotes to inspire some Christmas creations. I thought I would share them with my blog readers as well. Here they are:

1. Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~Norman Vincent Peale

2. He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.~Roy L. Smith

3. The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.~Burton Hillis

4. May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope;

The spirit of Christmas which is peace;

The heart of Christmas which is love. ~Ada V. Hendricks

5. I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month. ~ Harlan Miller

6. I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. ~Charles Dickens

7. If there is no joyous way to give a festive gift, give love away. ~ Unknown

8. What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. ~ Agnes M. Pharo

9. Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas. ~ Peg Bracken.

10. Christmas! The very word brings joy to our hearts. No matter how we may dread the rush, the long Christmas lists for gifts and cards to be bought and given, when Christmas Day comes there is still the same warm feeling we had as children, the same warmth that enfolds our hearts and our homes. ~Joan Winmill Brown

11. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exists, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. ~ Charles Dana

12. We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give. ~ Winston Churchill

Challenge #4:

I would like to see you use one of the above quotes on a layout or card. I hope to see you inspired by these wonderful quotes. You can either email your creation to me at: thynner5@yahoo.ca or link it below.

Deadline: December 31st. The draw will be held January 1st and be drawn by my lovely daughter Paige this month.

**Remember you are playing for a wonderful prize pack valued at $50.00. I'll post a list and pic this weekend.

Happy Scrapping!

~Tara~

A Sweet Surprise & Challenge #2

I received a sweet surprise in the mail last week. I opened an envelope to find a wonderful collections and buttons from my dear friend Jackie. She also made me a beautiful Christmas card as well. Thanks again Jackie for my early Christmas present!! Here is a look see:

I used the ribbon already for my Wall Hanging that I posted the other day. I also used some of the pretty buttons and ribbon on this layout. I created this for The Scrapping Bug using the great MME papers. I based it on a fab sketch from the So Sketchy Blog! They all went great with Paige and her pink snowsuit!!

Challenge #2:

So your challenge for today is to use ribbon and buttons on your next layout or card.

You can email your creation to: thynner5@yahoo.ca to earn a ballot for this months draw. Yep... another $50.00 value. I still have so much goodies to give away!!

Happy Scrapping!
~Tara~

Let it Snow.... ~ Challenge #6

We sure got dumped on with snow last night. It was so magical waking up this morning and looking out the window. It looked like a magic snow globe. Big fluffy snowflakes falling down over a pristine, untouched yard. Lovely.

Here is what our house and lane way looked in the morning:

By the time I fetched my camera, the kids were running through the yard with the dogs. They were all laughing and having a grand time. They must have stayed out there for well over an hour.

They got it and fired up the hairdryer to dry the dogs. How sweet. My bathroom now smells of a lovely combination of wet dog and burn hair. NICE!!??

We just sat down to relax when we heard the tractor pull up. Steve had gone to work to borrow the tractor to clean out our driveway. The girls hopped up and got their snowsuits back on and waited while Steve built them their mountain. Every year he builds this mountain of snow on the front lawn. Last year it was so high that it reached all the way up to the girls bedroom window. If it had been a door there they could have walked out and been on top of it.

They had lots of fun with Steve and the tractor. He let them sit in the bucket and raised them up and down. The best part was when he raised them a little, went over to the mountain and tipped the bucket. They slipped out of and onto the mountain. You could probably hear the fits of laughter all over Ontario. Maybe even as far as BC.....

Challenge #5:

I know that it's not winter for all my blog readers but for those of you that have winter.... I would like to see you post a snow picture on your blog. If you do not have any snow photos you can blog about what you love about it. I know some of you probably have never even seen snow. You can blog about that as well.

Just add a link to your blog or email me at: thynner5@yahoo.ca

You will earn a ballot for the $50.00 CHA Blog Draw!!

Bonus: Do a layout featuring snow as the subject and earn an additional ballot! Email me at: thynner5@yahoo.ca .

**Due Date: December 1st**

Happy Blogging!

~Tara~

Technique Corner ~ Challenge # 5

I have a fun technique to share with you today. I happen to have found something that is really fun and easy to do. It involves using a mask. Yes… todays lesson is all about using masks.

Heidi Swapp has cornered the market on masks. She has some amazing designs out there right now. I love them all. I think I may even have them all too. One of my favorites is the crown mask. I can’t believe I have had it and never used it until now.

So… what the heck is a mask anyways? It is a repositionable template that works the opposite of a stencil by giving you the negative image. It has a sticky surface that will cling and stay in place once you have positioned it. You can use any medium on it. Everything from paint, ink and chalk. I have used them all and I like the effect they each bring. When you use paint you get a great even, strong coverage. With ink you also get great coverage. When you use chalk you can easily blend colors and get a softer look.

Once you have chosen your mask and your medium you need to chose your background paper. Position your mask on your paper and apply your paint, ink or chalk over the mask. Once you’re satisfied with the result, gently peel the mask away. You are left with a beautiful negative image!! Then, just wipe the mask clean. They are completely reusable!!

I used white paint with a little Ranger Crystal Stickles on the following layout of DD. I loved the overall effect.

You can also make your own masks by using stickers. This is very easy to do. Just place them on your layout, paint or ink and once it is dry, just lift the stickers off.

Have fun and play around with different masks and mediums!!

Challenge #4:

My challenge for you today is to use a mask on your next project. You don't have to use paint, ink or chalk, you can also just trace an outline of the image. I have done this before as well. If you don't have a mask use stickers as your mask. The possibilites are endless!

Email your layout to me at: thynner5@yahoo.ca to earn a ballot into this month's $50.00 Blog Rak draw.

Remember you are creating to win the following:

October Afternoon Tab Book

Pink Paislee Pixie Stixs

Glimmer Mist

Crate Paper Prudence Paper Line - all of it.

Crate Paper Rub ons

Mambi Rhinestones/Gems

**Due date: December 1st, EST**

Happy Scrapping!

~Tara~

Birthday Wishes ~ Challenge #4

I still find it hard to believe that my Dad turns 61 years old tomorrow. I am so lucky to have him as my Dad. We have always been close. I look back over the years and find that we are closer now than ever before. Is it because of the cancer and almost losing him? Or is just that we are both older and wiser.

I was adopted by my parents at 4 days old. It was the best day of my life. I was fortunate to be raised by two loving people who adore me as much I do them.

My Dad is away on a business trip to Bermuda right now. He will not be around for his birthday but I wanted him to know how much I love him and how lucky I feel each and every day to have him as my Dad. I am grateful to God for letting him stay with me and my family a little bit longer.

My girls and I will be making cards for him tomorrow and we will celebrate his birthday when he gets back on Saturday. Here is a photo taken of him and my girls during the summer. Look at how happy they all are. Again... I am blessed!

Challenge #4:

In honor of my Dad's birthday.... I challenge everyone to blog about their Dad. Tell us a little something about them. Link back on my blog or email me at: thynner5@yahoo.ca. You will earn a ballot for your blog entry or email.

BONUS: Make a birthday card!! Email it to me at to earn another ballot for the Blog Prize!!Yep... the $50.00 value prize.

**Due Date: December 1st, EST**

Happy Scrapping!

~Tara~

Challenge #3 ~ Cover It

I am a little behind right now. I have been battling strep throat and an ear infection and my Mom is quite ill as well. I will get caught up.... starting with another blog challenge!

This challenge entails covering up your chipboard! I admit that I love to pull out the paint, chalk or inks to cover my chipboard with. I also like to stamp and stickle my hipboard as well.

I recieved an amazing kit from Scrapdango an in it was some funky Maya Road tree shaped chipboard. Man.... was I ever excited about them.


I traced the top tree onto some of the green pattered paper from the Bella Blvd line. Yummy!! I then adhered it to my chipboard. On the base I used some awesome Ranger Crackle Paint. It gave the tree trunk a realistic look. I then grabbed a Maya Road bird that came with the kit and inked it with two diferent colors. I added a cute Kaiser Kraft pearl for the eye.



Here is my finished layout:



So... look through your stash of chipboard and cover it up. Then... place it on a layout. Email your layout to me at: thynner5@yahoo.ca to earn a ballot into this month's $50.00 Blog Rak draw. Remember you are creating to win the following:
October Afternoon Tab Book
Pink Paislee Pixie Stixs
Glimmer Mist
Crate Paper Prudence Paper Line
Crate Paper Rub ons
Mambi Rhinestones/Gems



I'll post another challenge on Wednesday!

**Due date: December 1st, EST**

Happy Scrapping!

~Tara~

Challenge # 1

I hope everyone is ready for some new challenges this month. I am really excited to have another month long contest. I think I will post a big week long challenge blitz again at the end of the month. Check back daily of some time limited chances to win. I may even post a bonus RAK like I did last month.

We all have our comfort zone and generally stick it on a regular basis. It is where we tend to use the same type of products, the same style and the same techniques. We know what it will produce. SOMETIMES... it's fun to step outside of the box and create something you wouldn't normally do. If you are a 12x12 scrapper.... you can scrap an 8x11, 8x8, 6x6 or and 6x12. If you are always creating linear pages where everything is always straight and even, try turning a few elements on it's side. If you like everything crisp and clean, grunge, ink and tear. If you tend to use three colors all the time, then switch to colors you don't use or the opposite colors on a color wheel.

For me.... I did a round layout. I love trying to make everything fit in a circle. I used a great sketch from Ally that was posted on her SO Sketchy Blog. If you haven't done a circle layout before.... give it a go!! You can also find some great sketches at PageMaps. Click on the round maps.

If you look at a circle layout and wonder what the heck to do with it.... I know alot of people (myself included) who place it on a piece of coordinating cardstock and put it in an album.

So... my challenge to you is to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new. It could be a round layout, like me. It could be a different size layout, use a new style or a new technique.

Please email your creations to me at: thynner5@yahoo.ca and put Thynner Blog Challenge in the subject line so it doesn't get lost in my emails. You will receive a ballot for every challenge you complete!!

**Due date: December 1st at midnight EST**

I'll post a picture of what you're playing for this month..... tomorrow. Look out... I have another great selection for you.

Happy Scrapping!

~Tara~

Blog Winner Announcement

Since this was such a fun month long challenge I didn't want to just use an online random generator. I wanted to do this the old fashioned way!! Since DD is still home sick I decided to include her in the draw.

We tallied up all the ballots. I am still in shock that we had 66 ballots!! The gallery is full of wonderful creations and a bunch of you blogged and commented as well. There were even a couple gals who did all of the challenges. You rock!!

We wrote every one's name down on a piece of paper and DD grabbed her purple flower box to put them all in. She then brushed her hair and checked her jammies. We then went out on the porch and she sat down on "Ally".



After mixing up the ballots with a twirl of her hand..... she reached in and ..... grabbed a ballot!!







She then held it up to show us who won the big RAK valued at over $50.00 of new products. Can you see your name??

Yep.... the winner of my first ever Blog Rak is..................................................................

..............................................................Heather H!!

Please email me your mailing address at: thynner5@yahoo.ca.

I hope everyone takes a minute to click on the gallery and check out all the amazing cards and layouts that were submitted this month!!

**Remember that I am starting another round for this month too. Hmmm... wonder what kind of a RAK I can come up with?? Check this Friday for my first challenge and this weekend for a peak at the RAK!

~Tara~