Getting Creative....

The camera cord is still missing & so to get these projects posted I had to get creative.... I took the photo card to Walmart & used the instant machine then requested that everything be saved to a cd.  It's not my usual photoshopped layouts since the desktop computer isn't hooked up but at least I got it done! lol

I love to mix and match patterned paper & embellishments from different lines.  Since I don't belong to any kit clubs anymore I have to pull things together myself to get that look.

My first layout was using super cute photos of my grown son when he was so young & sweet (not that he isn't still sweet).  Revisiting these old memories sure brings a smile to my face.

I love the whimsy of the Prima paper.  The clouds were perfect for telling this story.  For the center part of the page I used some of the Pink Paislee Cupid line.  The  blue & white hearts were a great match.  The green bottom third of the page kind of made me think of grass.  My Mind's Eye lime green dots anchor the page.

To make the sun I used a My Mind's Eye scallop circle die cut then for the center & then took my small scallop scissors to make the rays.  I used a small zig zag stitch to attach them.  Basic Grey flower bling added interest & kept with the theme.  The little bird was also a part of the die cut sheet.  To define the edges I doodled around with a fine black pen.  Adding one of the black Prima pearls from a flurish gave him and eye & it will not be missed when I use the rest of it on a page.  I'm all about stretching my supplies.  Sure when you use an entire flurish on on page $2.99 is a lot but when you break it up & use parts on multi pages it adds style on a budget.

The tag is from Pink Paislee Cupid.  I layered other tags/envelopes on top of it.  Rub ons are a great way to add depth, interest & say something at the same time.  To further add details to the ready made tag - I attached an eyelet then pulled a bit of stretchy cord to finish it off.

The rest of the package of  Basic Grey bling carried the floral theme from the tag to the page with loads of interest & dimension. 

Stitching in a similar color adds texture with a tone on tone look.  I love the decorative stitches that my machine can do with a press of the button.  A row of flowers in the titlework & basket weave at the bottom sure adds a lot of texture with little effort.  A favorite technique is to add a stitched line to my journaling strips adds interest & keeps me straight.

I love Nikki Sivils bread tags.  This time I painted it with a bit of acrylic paint then added a rub on.  I always take a fine emory board & rough it up a bit before painting to be sure the paint doesn't scratch off easily.  The package of 10 for less than $2.50 lasts a long time.

Supplies:  Paper (Prima - Animal Bash Paper Eager, My Mind's Eye - Blue Sky Forget Me Not, Pink Paislee - Cupid,Bow & Arrow & Prima - Tropics); Ribbon (American Crafts - Backyard Leaf 1 - Backyard Ribbon by the yard);   Journaling Spot: Pink Paislee Cupid & My Mind's Eye - Penny Lane Tiny Dancer ); Tag (Nikki Sivils - Bread(less) Tags & K&Co - Elegant Envelopes, &  Pink Paislee - Cupid); Rub Ons (Pink Paislee -Cupid Press Ons, My Mind's Eye, The Paper Studio & Creating Keepsakes Freebie);  Diecuts (My Mind's Eye - Penny Lane Free Bird Love); Thread (Coats & Clarks); Cord (Wrights); Letters (American Crafts - Thickers) & Bling (Basic Grey Opaline - Pearls Tres Fleur Pastel & Prima - Pearl Swirl Black); Paint (Golden Acrylic Paint); Pen (American Crafts); Adhesive (Kokuyo

Dot n Roller)

My second project is about my Dad.  He's such a thoughtful & generous man.  I wanted to capture the memory of his gift giving....

My Mind's Eye Bella is a very elegant line.  I love the soft colors & the background paper made quick work of design without sacrificing the details.

 

Stitching around the layout with the soft blue color and on the different layers anchored them & subtly draws the eye around. 

Adding stitched lines, ink & some ribbon makes an inexpensive office supply tag super special.

I like to use buttons in place of letters in my titles.  This big brown one is a perfect substitute for the letter "O".

Supplies:  Cardstock (Bazzill); Paper (My Mind's Eye - Bella Bella The Rouge Bird Paper, My Mind's Eye - Bella Bella Sweetness To Me ,  My Mind's Eye - Bella Bella Floraleque Paper, & My Mind's Eye - Bella Bella Bellezo Grace); Tag (My Mind's Eye - Bella Bella Bellezo Accessory Sheet & Staples Office Supply); Buttons (misc stash); Letters (Doodlebug - Chocolate); Ribbon (Offray); Staples (Tim Holtz); Ink (Colorbox); Thread (Coats & Clarks); Pen (American Crafts); Adhesive (Kokuyo)

Well hope you have a fantastic Tuesday.  I'll be emptying more boxes looking for my camera cord while the roofers work on the skylights and roof over the scrap room....lol....  If I get the big computer set up I'll be watching Paperclipping Live with Noell Hyman at 9:30 pm eastern time - seems like months since I've been able to enjoy the inspiration & chatting.