CKU Blog Hop - Mixed Media Canvas

 Hi and welcome to the CKU Blog Hop! We’re excited to share with you projects that we hope get you excited about CKU Reunion, whether you’ve already registered, are planning to come, or wishing you were coming. The blog hop is from Friday, October 7th at 10:00 am MT until Saturday, October 8th at 10:00 am MT. If you get lost during the hop, come back here for the hop order (below). Have fun hopping!

Last winter I took Christy Tomlinson's SheART Workshop and loved playing with the various mediums, doodling, and letting loose as I created. The only problem was, I'm not very good with making cute girls (mine was a little on the "fluffy" side). So when I was thinking about a project for this blog hop I thought it would be fun to try some of the techniques I learned in that workshop but with a twist.

This canvas is a tribute to my sweet Basset Hound Cleo. I love this picture of her. The great thing about making a canvas is you can play and if you don't like something, add another layer or stamp something over it.

What you need to get started is a white canvas (you can get them at any hobby store like Michael's, JoAnns, or Hobby Lobby - mine is a 8x11 size), paper, photo, Mod Podge, stamps, StazOn ink, paint, brushes, rub-ons, and a heat tool (for quickly drying in between layers).

This picture shows the basic background I applied to the canvas. Everything is adhered with Mod Podge and totally dried before starting the next steps (that's where the heat tool comes in handy or you're going to have a lot of waiting time).

Next, I added the "character" to the project, the stuff that makes it more of a collage than just a canvas. I used stamps (you'll need StazOn ink for stamping because the Mod Podge creates a slick surface), paint and a variety of applicators (like mesh, bubble wrap, and a dry brush), printed items, a rhinestone paw print, rub-ons, and doodling with a pen.

Once you have all the flat items on, paint the edges of the canvas, and apply a final layer of Mod Podge to seal everything. Then I added a flower (made with various circles) and a brad with a quote (I clipped the brad legs off and applied with foam tape).

Here's the finished project and a couple close up shots.

I had so much fun creating this canvas, which I now have at work so I can admire my beautiful hound. But more than that were the memories I enjoyed as I worked on the canvas.

I hope you enjoyed my Cleo canvas. Have fun blog hopping and we hope to see you at CKU Reunion in San Diego on October 27-29.

Here's the blog hop order (if you stumbled upon this blog post I highly recommend starting at the beginning with Stacy Julian):

Stacy Julian
Michelle Hill
Jodi Sanford
Kim Watson
Deena Wuest
Cindy Tobey
Stacy Croninger (You are here!)

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Sweet Cleo

The past two weeks Cleo hasn't felt well - she wasn't putting weight on her front, right paw. We took her to our vet, then to a specialist, ran every test they suggested, but couldn't find the cause. So we decided we just needed to be patient and let the muscle heal (that's what the doctor figured it was - a torn muscle).

Late afternoon on Friday, we were all home and Cleo had just gone outside. We peeked out the window and Cleo was laying on the deck with her paw under her in a weird way. When we opened the door, she laid back and lost consciousness. We scooped her up and tried to wake her up while calling the vet - they said to bring her right in. By that time she had stopped breathing and so we started trying to revive her as we frantically drove to the vet. When we got to the vet (one in town since our vet was 20 minutes away without going through the football traffic), he tried chest compressions, injected her heart, and compressions again but was unable to revive her (he thinks she had a heart attack).

And so our sweet Cleo has moved on to greener pastures. While this weekend has been an emotional one, the thing we all agree on was that she knew she was loved up to the very last minute. We were all with her telling her how much we loved her and what a good dog she was. Plus, because she hadn't been feeling well, we had spent a lot of time rubbing her belly and just sitting with her.

We will miss her more than words can express. Her internal clock that reminded everyone when it was time to eat or have a treat, her perfect hound howl, the stubborn look she'd get when you wanted her to do something, her beautiful spotted belly, her basset waddle on walks, the way she smelled like corn chips after a nap, and so much more.

Mabel also misses her buddy. She has not been by herself for more than a few hours since we brought her home. She has searched the usual places a few times this weekend looking for Cleo, which breaks our hearts. She loved Cleo, even if she did enjoy tormenting her as any little sister would.

Cleo's big paws left permanent prints on our hearts. She will live on through photos and memories and in the knowledge that she was greeted by Buster and Barkley and is now roaming the green pastures of doggy heaven.

We love you Cleo!

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Can you Zumba?

I'm not sure I can! I'm trying this again but in the privacy of my own home. I bought a DVD series that has varying workouts and levels. So far I've just done the basics where they teach you the steps and get you used to moving. Let's just say I'm not sure I was made to shake my booty or roll my body :)

But, I do enjoy it. And no one is allowed in the room at the same time in case my hip swaying and booty shaking gets out of control. Plus, no one needs to see that!

Onward and upward in the quest to conquer the body shape. Let there be Zumba!

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25th - Christmas Countdown

Today being the 25th means another Christmas countdown post. It's just three months and I can HARDLY wait!!! Yes, we've already purchased a few things for the season. What's a person to do when Hobby Lobby puts their Christmas stuff out in July?? You gotta buy or it may be gone :)

So for this countdown, here are my favorite Christmas songs and movies (in no particular order). Happy Three Months 'Til Christmas!!

Favorite Christmas songs:

• O Holy Night (the Josh Groban version is my absolute favorite and on my iPod all year)
• Deck the Rooftop - Glee Cast
• Mary's Lullaby
• On This Winter's Night - Lady Antebellum
• Reason for the Season - Lonestar
• The Secret of Christmas - SHeDaisy and Johnny Mathis
• Breath of Heaven - Amy Grant
• Gift of Love - The Boones
• The Gifts of Christmas - Hilary Weeks
• Joseph's Lullaby - MercyMe
• Were You There on that Christmas
• The Innkeeper - Michael McLean
• Mary Let Me Hold Her Baby - Michael McLean
• Candlelight Carol - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
• I Believe in Father Christmas - Sarah Brightman
• Believe - Josh Groban
• VoiceMale - their Jingle album
• Pine Cones and Holly Berries - The Osmonds
• The Carpenters Christmas 

Favorite Christmas movies:

• Elf
• Muppet Christmas Carol
• The Christmas Story (you'll shoot your eye out!)
• Home Alone
• Miracle on 34th Street - both versions
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas - both versions
• Charlie Brown Christmas
• Shrek the Halls
• Mr. Krueger's Christmas

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CKU Reunion Blog Hop

I'm so excited - CKU Reunion is just a little over a month away! I loved going to past CKUs and hanging out with the incredibly talented teachers and soaking in their creativity. And this year it is in beautiful San Diego, CA (can you say beach nearby???) on October 27, 28, and 29. It's going to be a blast! And you'll be learning from some of the industry's experts like Lisa Bearnson, Teresa Collins, Stacy Julian, Michelle Hill, Megan Hoeppner, and other inspiring people. I'm telling you, you won't want to miss this!

So, the reason you're here is for the blog hop. I hope you've enjoyed the projects so far. If you stumbled upon this blog post and want to see the other CKU Reunion Blog Hop participants, then head on over to Mou Saha's blog. She got us started and has a list of everyone participating. The blog hop is from Friday, September 23 at 10:00 am MT until Saturday, September 24 at 10:00 am MT. If you get lost, I'll include the order at the end of the post.

And now, on to the project!

When I think about attending an event such as CKU Reunion, I know I'm going to have lots of stuff I want to keep track of, so that's my inspiration for this project. But first, I have a small quiz. What do you get when you put these items (pictured below) together with paper, stickers, buttons, and more?

Page protectors, envelope, electrical tape

Did you guess a mini-album? Well that's what I made from these. I took three envelopes (5"x5"), trimmed off the flaps, covered them with paper, stickers, buttons, ribbon, and other fun stuff. Then I used electric tape to bind the envelopes together into a booklet. To make sure everything stays together, I put tape in between each envelope and on the outside.

For the cover, I trimmed two 6"x6" page protectors to about 5 1/4" square (or as close as I could get them to the envelope's size). I attached them with electrical tape to the front and back envelope and then put tape across the outside to finish off the bound book effect.

Here's a few pictures to give you an idea of what the finished project looks like.

Front cover

First page (front of envelope)

Second page (back of envelope) and third page (front of envelope)

Fourth and fifth pages

Last page (back of last envelope) and back cover (lace is on the outside)

The product I used is Crate Paper's adorable Neighborhood collection. I love the bright colors, whimsical designs, and beautiful ribbons (but then I'm a sucker for ribbon). Plus I threw in some Queen & Co. flowers and a little crocheted ribbon I had on hand.

If you aren't going to an event in the near future, this can easily pass for a coupon organizer (just drop it in your purse), a receipt catcher, or anything else your clever brain can think of.

Thanks so much for stopping by. One last thing, if you leave a comment AND go to Facebook and Like one or all of the following pages, CKU, CK Scrapbook Conventions, or CK Scrap & Play, you'll be eligible to win a cool t-shirt from the CK Events team (we have several fun scrapbook related designs).

Here's the list. Next up is the talented Michelle Hill!

Mou Saha

Teresa Collins

Stacy Cohen 

Piradee Talvanna 

Laura Vegas 

Stacy Croninger  (you are here)

Michelle Hill 

Megan Hoeppner 

Kim Watson 

Bye!!!

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Favorite Quotes

Quotes are one of those things that I love reading - they are quick and inspirational. Here are a few of my favorites:

Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures.  ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Happiness is a warm puppy.  ~Charles M. Schulz

People know you for what you've done, not for what you plan to do.  ~Author Unknown

If I had to sum up Friendship in one word, it would be Comfort.  ~Terri Guillemets

Goals are dreams with deadlines.  ~Diana Scharf Hunt

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.  ~W.T. Purkiser

When the world says, "Give up,"
Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."
~Author Unknown

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Pumpkin Cake

It's started - the leaves are changing on the mountains, the mornings are cooler, and the sun doesn't rise as early. Must be Fall! And with Fall comes pumpkins. There are so many wonderful pumpkin recipes. One of my favorites is Pumpkin Cake - made in a jelly roll pan (a cookie sheet like pan with sides and about an inch deep) with creamy, lovely, cream cheese frosting!

I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

Pumpkin Cake

batter

1 (16oz) can pumpkin

3 eggs

1 cup oil

2 cups sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp baking powder

2 cups flour

½ tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

Mix pumpkin, eggs, oil, sugar and cinnamon together and beat together until smooth and light. Add baking powder, flour, salt and baking soda and beat well. Pour batter into lightly greased deep cookie sheet or jellyroll pan. Bake at 350^o for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely.

frosting

1 cube softened butter

4 cups powdered sugar

1 (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1 tsp vanilla

Mix until creamy smooth. Spread on cooled cake.

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