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.

Hop Along with the ES Gals

It's the 14th & that means .... the Everything Scrapp'n Blog Hop.   Thanks for stopping by.  This is the last stop but I'm sure you will want to start from the store blog - leaving comments along the way for a chance to win a $15 gift certificate to the store.

I'm still hardly able to use my left arm & hand so I've simplified my style a bit.  It's nice to have a page done in less than 2 hours lol.  I am also shaky with the camera so I scanned these - so sorry for the funky color/shadows. 

First is "Everyday Live Valentine's Day Love" is about my grandparents.  They taught me that your relationship is what you put into it each and every day.  That's why I chose the title because especially as they got older they really put the "holiday" effort into how they treated eachother.  I liked using the journaling spots & tags as part of the title.  The Little Yellow Bicycle Journaling Tablet is filled with different spots.  Since they are printed on white paper I used my Old Paper Distress Ink to match the other papers.

My favorite product in this layout is the Pink Paislee Cupid Press Ons.  They go on very eaasy & really added a lot to the page.

Supplies:  Cardstock (Bazzill Basics); Paper (Pink Paislee - Cupid Love Potion & Pink Paislee - Cupid Bullseye); Rub Ons (Pink Paislee - Cupid Press Ons); Tags (Cupid - Punch Outs); Journaling Spot (Little Yellow Bicycle - Journaling Tablet); Bling (Jenni Bowlin - Pearl Flowers Marashino); Ink (Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Old Paper); Letters (American Crafts - Thickers); Thread (Coats & Clarks); Adhesive (Zva - Pop Dots, Tombow - Mono Adhesive & Glue Arts - Permanent Dots)

My next layout is "Godchild" - using old photos from my sister's baptism.  These photos went really well with the green in Webster's Pages paper & the elegant look is perfect for the theme.  This is an 8 X 8 size layout.  That size gives you the best of a 12 X 12 without having to fill up those extra inches.

This paper by Webster's Pages really adds a lot of elegance.  It's hardly recognizable since I covered the chandelier & didn't use the bolder color floral portion (saving for another project).  I used the golden backside when punching out the butterfly embellishments.

Supplies:  Cardstock (Bazzill Basics); Paper (Webster's Pages - Romantique Chic); Letters (American Crafts Thickers); Trim (Prima - Lace); Thread (Coats & Clarks); Punch (Martha Stewart - Butterfly); Bling (Zva - Symetrical Flourishes Pearls Taupe)

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I hope you are planning on attending our first online crop at the Everything Scrapp'n forum this weekend (Jan 15 - 18).  Heather has planned 4 fun filled days of challenges, games, technique tips, and lots of prizes!  Sign up today & let us inspire you to get those creative juices flowing....  The design team will be taking turns hosting 1 hour slots & will be online during that hour to answer questions & chat. See you there.

There will also be a sale all weekend long discount code "crop" to recieve 25% off your entire order.

So much going on at this time of the year it's hard to find a moment to breath.  It sure takes some organization to get everything done & keep your sanity.  We're doing it a bit smaller this year since the boys are grown & I'm still getting back on my feet we thought we'd focus more on the family & less on the stuff.  I can't go without my tree though - our tradition on Black Friday isn't to shop but to put up the tree & that we did....

There's lots going on at Everything Scrapp'n.  Have you joined the new forum?  Right now we've got QOTD (question of the day) but they'll be lots of creativity going on - so join here & watch us grow.

Today is also Design Team reveal & Monthly Challenge time at ES.

This month's challenge was created by Jana titled "Think Outside the Box" - create unique packaging for a gift.  Details are on the ES blog & that's where you will post a link of your creation for a chance to win a great prize.  Each of the designers have done their take on the challenge.  So check each of them for inspiration.  Go to the ES blog to start the hop & the designers links are in the post.

I just got a Martha Stewart Score Board so I decided to make a box for my take on the challenge.   The scoring boards really make easy work of folding in just the right places.  Even though the Pink Paislee Mistletoe & Co. paper is double sided I wanted the box to be sturdy so I used black Bazzill cardstock for the inside.  Adhering both layers that were scored the same size worked perfectly.

To make this 4" box I cut the sheets of paper for the bottom of the box 8"x8" and scored at the 2" & 6" marks.   The top of the box is not as deep so I cut those sheets 6"x6" and scored at 1" & 5".  I adhered trim to the edge of the lid for a finished detail.

 Supplies:  Paper (Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co Naughty or Nice,   Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co Santa's Workshop, &  Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co Postcards); Flowers (Tim Holtz - Grungepaper); Ink (Close to My Heart & Colorbox Chalk Ink); Trim (Joann's); Buttons (Misc. Stash)

I love Tim Holtz Grunge Paper for making flowers & other embellishments.  I cut these flowers using my Cricut Expression & Walk in the Garden cartridge.   I don't have the deep cut blade so I just used the multi cut option & went over it 3 times with depth & pressure both set at "5" (twice around was enough but did another for good measure & clean crisp edges)

I just inked the paper directly from the ink pad by dragging it over (use rubber gloves as this is messy - my fingertips are red & blue lol).  Using a heat gun in the center of the flower caused the petals to curl up in a natural position.  I then bent each petal slightly to create a realistic curve to them.  A Pop Dot between each layer added that dimension we all love.

You've got to try Grungepaper - this product it's fantastic!  Here's the link to buy in the ES store.  Heather sells by the pack or by the piece.


For my other project I continued using the Pink Paislee Mistletoe & Co line.  They really showed off an old photo of me & my Grami - Christmas 1966.  We thought the "See & Say" was high tech back then - so amazed by a talking toy.  I made another flower embellishment using the Grungepaper.  The Pink Paislee Stamps layered made a nice addition to the layout & anchored the journaling.  I also stamped on one of the flower layers to add interest.

Supplies:  Paper (Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co North Pole, Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co Reindeer Games & Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co Postcards); Stamp (Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co); Border (Pink Paislee - Mistletoe & Co - Borderline Stickers); Flower Material (Tim Holtz - Grungepaper); Flower Shape (Cricut Expression & Cricut Walk in the Garden Cartridge); Bling (Prima - Say it in Pearls - Mixed Crystals White); Button (Misc Stash); Letters (American Crafts - Thickers & Pink Paislee - Expressions Cardstock Alpha Chocolate); Ribbon (Misc Stash);  Ink (Close to My Heart & Colorbox); Paint (Tim Holtz - Crackle Paint)

Thanks so much for visiting today!  Now head to the ES store blog to see the challenge & hop around to see everyone's creations.

Blinged out Sketch - My Everything Scrapp'n Design Team Work

Today is challenge time over at the Everything Scrapp'n Store Blog.  This month it's a sketch challenge.  We're using this Pagemaps sketch.  

Each of the designers has a different take on the sketch - visit each of them for inspiration.  Then head on over to the ES Blog for all the details & show us your take on the sketch for a chance to win this great card making kit.  Contents: Six 6x6 sheets of coordinating Sassafras Lass & Heidi Swapp patterned papers, Two Sassafras Lass 6' scalloped borders, Copper Stickles, and some yummy Prima flowers

The thing I like about sketches is that you can still be as creative as you'd like.  Some of us are very literal in our interpretations matching each shape & element.  While others, I'm in this category, will turn it, twist it, enlarge it, etc & basically put their own spin on it.  Both of them are right, fine & A-OK.  Remember there are no rules in scrapbooking....

So, without further ado, here's my take on the sketch.  Can you even recognize the sketch?  Here's my thought process on this... I turned it on it's side & since I only had 1 photo I enlarged the circle & brought it up as an anchor to the photo & place for journaling/titlework.  The curve of the circle defined the curve in my floral flourish (say that 3 times fast lol).  I love the look of the embellishments by Prima that have the stems & leaves attached to the flowers.  I didn't have any in my stash so to create a similar feel I improvised a bit.  I cut several 3" branch image from the Prima paper using my Making Memories Slice - Breast Cancer cartridge.  Then cut each of them off, bent them a bit & attached them to the flowers for more detail & texture.  I was in the mood for using border punches & boy did I use them!  I like the look of all the different shapes layered on each other.

I'm sure you recognize the gal in the photo with me; I met Noell Hyman from Paperclipping when I was at CHA.  I feel like I know her so well already since we chat, email, I watch her shows, & when you look at peoples scrapbooks you get a personal glimpse into their lives.

 

Have you tried Zva Crystals?  They are a great alternative to Prima & they cost a whole lot less.  I like the pearl ones.  The flourish I used in this layout is called "Night Blue"  I thought it was black when I went to use it.  It actually seems more grey than blue to me but looking at it sideways you can see the dark blue shimmer. This pack retails for $3.50 & I cut it into 5 parts to make the flourish.

 

These packs of floral bling from Basic Grey are super cute & super affordable at $1.80 each!  Heather has several styles in stock so check them out in new products. 

Supplies for "Live":  Cardstock (Bazzill); Paper: (Prima - Tropics Blooming Love,  Prima - Tropics Celery Splash, Prima - Tropics Sweet Apple, Prima - Tropics Waterfall); Flowers (Prima - Essentials Tropics & Prima - Black Shelf w/6 Bottles); Bling (Prima - E Line Pearls & Gems; Basic Grey - Pearls Vinyl Fleur Aqua, Zva - Symetrical Flourishes Pearl Night Blue ); Border Punches (Fiskars, EK/Martha Stewart & Stampin' Up) Flower Centers (Prima - Tropics Pebbles) 

A money saving tip that I use over and over again (including both of these layouts) is always buy the sheet of paper in a line that has striped borders.  Cosmo Cricket is famous for these & now many other companies including these by Prima & Basic Grey are including them in each of their lines.  You get a bit of each of the paper or complimentary designs that coordinate back to the other patterned papers. 

I promise these are the last of the CHA photos I'll be scrapping I'm almost finished with them.   I think this is the only photo of the 4 of us from ES who went so even though everyone but me looks great in it I am still scrapping it because it tells the story and the story was I was exhausted and boy do I look it.  This photo had me stumped for a while now since the background of the photo is earthy tones & we're all wearing pink I was having a hard time finding papers to show it off.  Basic Grey Nook & Pantry worked really well. 

Supplies for "Sigh":  Paper (Basic Grey - Nook & Pantry Bundt Pan,  Basic Grey - Nook & Pantry Rolling Pin & Basic Grey - Nook & Pantry Measuring Cups); Border Sticker (Basic Grey - Nook & Pantry - ); Alpha (American Crafts - Thickers); Ribbon - Michaels $1 Spot); Thread (Coats & Clarks)

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you will take up the challenge & try your hand at the sketch.  Remember to post it on the Everything Scrapp'n blog by 11:59 pm on Sunday, November 8th to be included in the drawing.  Have a great day!

The First Everything Scrapp'n Blog Hop

Well it's that time of the month again.... No I don't mean THAT... it's time for the Everything Scrapp'n Design Team to show you what they've been up to! We decided it would be fun to do a blog hop this month.

Of course we have a special for you too. Free shipping on orders over $35 (Coupon Code KENNY)

All of you regular readers of my blog know that I am a vintage kind of gal... so I was excited to find some Graphics 45 in the Everything Scrappn' Store. It is the perfect compliment for the new Narratives Die Cut Paper that just came in the store last week. This layout is so me & my style.

Supplies: Background Paper - Narratives Remember Ledger Diecut; Black Border Paper - Graphics 45 Photogenic; Red Dot & Gold Stripe Paper - Graphics 45 On the Dot; Vintage Tag - Graphics 45 Communique Tags; Cutout Card Paper - Communique; Chipboard Letters - American Crafts Thickers; Chipboard Button Embellishment - Jenni Bolin Milk Caps; Black Trim; Metal Tag - Tim Holtz; Pin (Maya Road); Letter Stickers (Making Memories); Lace (Hobby Lobby & Wrights); Page From Vintage Book; Ribbon (Creative Imaginations)

For my other project I thought I would go with brighter colors & show you how to make a really inexpensive layout that doesn't lack the wow factor....

I love the pink & green color combo & pattern of this paper by Doodlebug. The print inspired me to create a "faux" diecut edge by cutting out along the lines & adhering it to my kraft cardstock using Gel Medium. Since I was already painting on the gel medium I decided to paint behind my titlework with some inexpensive Green Apple Plaid Folk Art acrylic paint.

My journaling spot was rather large & I didn't have a stamp that big so I used another one of my favorite techniques... machine stitching lines to mimic lined paper. It adds texture & interest wherever I use it. I anchored the bottom of the page with a full row of the patten paper adhered with pop dots to add dimension. To make them look more like an embellishment adding a large adhesive pearl to the inside of each flower adds pizazz. Using some of the Prima Flowers & buttons from my stash I select 3 of each style/color to layer. I placed them on the page in a visual triangle to draw you eye to the focal point of the layout & anchor the top line of the design at the titlework

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Supplies: Pattern Paper - Doodlebug Cherry Cobbler; Chipboard Letters - American Crafts Thickers; Cardstock - Bazzill Kraft; Bling Rhinestones, Flowers - Prima; Buttons - misc stash; Thread - Coats & Clarks.

Make sure you visit the Everything Scrapp'n Blog for a chance to win this Rusty Pickle Brass Knuckles Mini Album Kit. All you do is leave a comment & you're entered. While you are there you'll see links to all the other designers blogs - you've gotta see what they've created!

I'm a Designer for Everything Scrapp'n

I've been dying to TOOT that I am honored to have been chosen as a designer for
Everything Scrapp'n!

It's an online scrapbooking store. The owner Heather Turner is a longtime scrapbooker & is working hard to stock the things we all want to buy.

She offers: a customer rewards program, special orders, and regular sales.

Check out the store at: http://www.everythingscrappn.com/

I spy some of my favorite new My Mind's Eye & Jenni Bowlin products in the store....

I'm tickled to death to be a part of this creative team.
Check out their blogs to congratulate them

Denise Martinez (DT Coordinator)
Michelle Jacquemet
Zoa Barker
Janaina Oliveira
Theresa Matz

Add the store blog as a favorite... there's regular giveaways, stock/sale info & loads of inspiration Everything Scrapp'n Store Blog