Scrapbooking Techniques

Secret Project Coming... and a Tag!

2012-02-24T13:11:00.001-06:00

Happy Friday! Happy Creating!

Here is a tag I created this week. I am working on a secret project... for the All Things Altered Blog Hop that is coming up! Hosted by Scrapbook Flair. It will be March 23 & 24 and there are some FABULOUS talent lined up... so mark your calendars...

OK... back to the tag... while working on this secret project I had quite a bit of ink left on my craft mat after a particular step... so I pulled out a couple tags and ran them through it... I even did a sheet of paper. This is a great way to get awesome backgrounds and to use up the ink and not just wipe it all away.

I added some Tissue Paper from Tim Holtz, a little embossing, and some stickers. My Silhouette Cameo helped me out with the "be". I made the charm using an Epiphany Punch.

Hope you have a happy Friday and a weekend full of creative possibilities!

Decorate Your Home Blog Hop

2012-02-18T02:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Day! welcome to theDecorate your home blog hop!

If you just hopped over from Gina’s blogthan you are in the right place… if you want to start at the beginning… clickhere! And it will take you to Nicolette, who is our hostess with the mostessfor this hop!
My Project I have to share is a project I did for my dear friend and hernursery. I had a blast decorating the letters. Here it is:

I bought the wood letters from Hobby Lobby.I then painted them using Claudine Hellmuth Studio Line paints. After the paintdried I then used the Multi-Medium in Matte to adhere my paper. The last stepis the most fun… decorate! I used various embellishments, flowers, bling,paper, ribbon, etc… to decorate each letter.

Now hop on over to Jamie and see whatfun she has in stored for you!

Have a fabulous & creative Friday!

Christine

Call of Duty... Call to Create!

2012-02-17T09:24:00.000-06:00

Happy Happy Friday!

Today I am going to share with you alayout that I did this week…

With the help of google and an awesome Canoncopy machine at my local scrapbook store, I was able to find the image of thesolider and print it onto Archival 11X17 paper. I ended up cutting it downquite a bit, but that’s the beauty of creating… watching as it evolves! Isprayed a little Adirondack Color Wash spray, in espresso, on the top and sidecorners.

SILHOUETTE STUFF:

One of the coolest things is the title!Once again, Google! I found a picture of the title and imported into mySilhouette Studio Program and was able to turn it into a cut-able image. So mytitle matches that of the game!!! I love the Silhouette!

I also cut the tags out with my Silhouette.

The last detail is the chain! From TimHoltz Idea-ology.

Have a creative day!

Christine

P.S. Come back this weekend! I am partof a Decorate Your Home Blog Hop and I will share a cute way to personalize anursery or any room… ;)

12 Tags of 2012... and Gesso!

2012-02-16T08:49:00.000-06:00

Happy Thursday!

Today I have my February Tag to share.Earlier this week Tim Holtz announced that he will no longer be doing the 12 Tagsof Christmas… (yes... it was me you probably heard crying…)

but instead The 12Tags of 2012.

(yes… that was me you heard squealing with delight!)

Here you canread more about it and see Tim Holtz’s tag…

...and without further ado this is my tag:

I had so much fun creating this tag…

To start I pulled out a blank canvas...(my tag!) and some black Gesso from Claudine Hellmuth Studio line… and my BasicGrey rub-on tool. (I use the wide end to smear on the gesso… works great!)

I then smeared black gesso on my tag.

Once the gesso dried I ran the tagthrough the texture Boutique Using the Valentine Background & Borderstexture fade.

Now, here is where it gets interesting… Icouldn’t use distress ink because the gesso would resist it… so I took mySilver Adirondack Acrylic Paint dabber and dabbed the paint on my craft mat… Ithen used an ink blending tool and picked the paint up and rubbed it onto my tag…this allowed me to get paint primarily on the raised surfaces. I repeated thesame steps again, but this time using some Scotch Quick Dry liquid glue. Isparingly dabbed at my tag and then sprinkled glitter!

To finish the background I inked up theedges with Distress Ink…

The heart was created using the HeartWings Die by Sizzex, designed by Tim Holtz. I wanted to really give my tagtexture, so I used burlap, glitter, glassine, tissue paper, and grunge board tocreate the heart.

I encourage you to play along… it’s a fantasticway to learn new techniques. He has step by step directions and great picturesof the steps on his blog...

Until next time… Happy Creating!

Christine

Creating to Inspire...

2012-02-12T00:00:00.000-06:00

HappySunday… today I want to share something that I did quite a while ago… I postedit on my blog here. I have it in my studio, but it kind of just gotovershadowed. You know how that goes? It was there and I would see it… but didn’ttake the time to “see it”. I remember making this… it was a tough time in mylife. I had just been laid off and things just got turned upside down. Well theother day I “saw it”… and I really needed this… Once again I am going through arough patch and normally I can stay positive, but I have struggled these lastfew months. This canvas, along with several “attitude adjustments” that I havegiven myself has really helped… I also have been reminded that creating andpaper crafting is not only something that I absolutely love, but it is also ahobby that can help heal.

Ilove quotes and inspirational sayings and I have them throughout my home… hereare some pictures of my little inspirational cube I made full of my favoritequotes…

Whatare some projects that you have created to inspire yourself… please link tothem, I would love to see!

HappyCreating!

Christine

Inky Love

2012-02-11T02:25:00.001-06:00

Oh Sweet Saturday!

Today I want to show off a card that Iput my little inky heart into… and boy do I have a post full of techniques today!So grab your cup of coffee and prepare to be inspired! Lol…

I started my card by playing with theSilhouette Cameo. I read online that the Inkssentials embossing pen will fitinto the pen holder for the Silhouette… so I had to try it.. and it has openedthe door to so many possibilities! I Used a cute swirly heart background design fromthe Silhouette store. Once the Cameo was finished drawing my design, I took itoff the mat and poured embossing powder on it and heated it. I worked kind offast, but You really do have a lot more time than you would think… the designtook several minutes to draw but the powder stuck to the whole thing without aproblem.

Next, I brought in a little Distress Ink…but in an unconventional way! Using the Ink Palette and a Distress Ink refill,I set the stage to “paint” with my Distress Ink!

A few drops is all ittook… I also added a few drops of water from my water pen to tone it down some…

Once all the hearts andswirlys were coloered in I inked it up with an Ink blending tool and Barn DoorDistress Ink. …and then I ripped it right in half! And adhered to the base.

The base of the designis a 4”x5.25” piece of Manilla cardstock from Ranger. I LOVE this stuff! Thebottom of the card is stamped with a Hero arts background stamp, “newspaperbackground.” The edges are inked with Broken China, Barn Door, & Black soot.

The heart is alsoembossed… and is also a Hero Arts Stamp, “newspaper Heart”. I used a multicolor embossing technique on the heart. After stamping the heart onto themanilla cardstock, I sprinkled the pink powder on the outside and then came inwith the red powder for the center of the heart. I then heated it… aftermelting my powders, I worked very quickly, and while the powder was still hot Isprinkled the Holographic powder on and then heated it… talk about a twist onembossing! I love going back in and adding that sparkle!

The edges of the heartare distressed using the Prima Distress tool and then inked up with my DistressInk palette. The heart is adhered to the card with pop dots.

Ribbon and blingcompleted the card… but looking at it, I decided something was missing so thefinal touch was adding Crystal Stickles to the blue hearts in the background!

I hope you are leavinghere inspired! Have a very creative day!

Christine

dryer sheets? really?

2012-02-10T00:32:00.000-06:00

Happy Friday!

Today I have a very fun technique totry! I read about it in a book I recently got…

“Creative Foundations” by Vicki Boutin

I LOVE this book! It is so full ofinspiration it is crazy!

So what technique is it that I amsharing?

Dryer Sheets.

Yes… dryer sheets. Used dryer sheetsactually.

Here is a tag I did using this technique…Can you spot the dryer sheets?

The background is one and then the “ribbon”that is ruffled and straight behind the hearts is… yes dryer sheets!

THE TECHNIQUE:

1.Start with a used dryersheet.

2.Lightly iron, be careful notto burn.

3. Ink as desired!

HappyCreating!

Christine

Ink & Gesso, with a side of Perfect Pearls!

2012-02-09T11:45:00.000-06:00

Oh Happy Day! Today I have a very inky layout to share...

You know those days that you wake up way too early... and you just can't get back to sleep? Today was one of those days. I had several things that I wanted to try, so out of the warm bed and into my fluffy socks and to my studio I went!

1. I started with Ranger's Manila Cardstock. I used the 12x12 size.

2. I laid down my mask:

3. ...and then sprayed with various colors of Adirondack Color Wash:

Those are the steps for the foundation of my layout.

I then put some Claudine Hellmuth Studio Line Gesso on to my craft mat and dropped Peeled Paint Distress Ink Re-Inker into it and mixed it up... next I smeared it on to the bottom right of my layout.

Here is a close up of the grouping.. The clock is a rub-on from Studio Calico and the hands are

idea-ology by Tim Holtz. My flowers I cut out of Claudine Hellmuth Sticky Back Canvas... I peeled off the back to expose the sticky and then adhered Perfect Pearls Powder. I love how they turned out... I used three different colors and they look iridescent!

My title I cut out using the Silhouette Cameo. To get the holes in the paper, I used the Cinch.

So... I had a great morning getting all inky!

Happy Creating!

Christine

Playing with the Cameo....

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Wednesday. I have a layout that I wanted to share that I did over the holidays....

I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut my title and the Santa Claus. I LOVE MY CAMEO. I also cut out my flower with it.

Happy Creating!

Christine

Zig Zag ...Embossing Love!

2012-01-24T09:26:00.000-06:00

Happy Day! I am sitting here with my coffee and 90's Pop Music playing on Pandora. A fun way to start my day! ...and of course being able to share another fun card. It is super simple, with only one technique: embossing.

I used Adirondack Embossing Powders from Ranger: Red Pepper & Butterscotch. I laid out two pieces of paper, one for each color. After stamping my background stamp with Versamark, I sprinkled one color on sporadically and then knocked it off. I then came in with the second color and did the same. I embossed the heart the same way. I then adhered it with a pop-dot.

Both stamps are from Hero Arts new releases! Love the new stamps!!!

Have a creative day!

Christine

Stamp + Water = Love

2012-01-23T00:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Monday... Today I have such a fun technique to share! I stumbled across it while playing in my studio this weekend...

Here is the card I made:

...and here is the technique!

I started with watercolor paper and stained it with Distress Stains.

Next... this is the fun part!!!

I stamped my background stamp... are you ready??? using water!

I laid the stamp down, with the rubber facing up, and misted it with water. I then laid my paper face down on top of the stamp and used a stamp press to apply pressure.

Because Distress Stains react with water the image shows...

You can use this technique with Distress Ink too! Hope you have been inspired!

Happy Creating!

Christine

Coloring Crayon Resist

2012-01-21T00:50:00.000-06:00

Happy Saturday! Today I want to share a technique I recently learned.

Here is a card that I made using it...

It is a fun resist technique using coloring crayons!

Take a stamp and face it rubber side up. Lay your paper on top and rub the crayon over it. Just like we use to do when we were kids and would rub leaf patterns on to paper! I used a white crayon on my project. I then used Broken China Distress Ink and inked it up.. the crayon resisted the ink!

I can't wait to see what it looks like using colors! Have fun creating this weekend!

Christine

Paper Patch Crafts & Pineapple Drinks

2012-01-17T07:04:00.001-06:00

Happy Tuesday! Today I have a layout to share! I did this for a sketch contest that is going on over at Paper Patch Crafts Facebook Page. The challenge is to create a layout based on the following sketch:

...and here is what I did with it!

Me and My Pineapple Drink! These are pictures from a luau we went to in Maui. It was so much fun. The paper I used is paper that I bought in Hawaii at a local scrapbook store there: Island Paperie. It is designed and made in Hawaii! The shells you see are real, they are from a necklace I had. The two flowers in the bottom right hand corner are stamped and color with Copics.... these are stamps I bought in Hawaii too!

Hope you have a creative day!

Christine

Valentine's Day Blog Hop

2012-01-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Day!

Today I have a cute twist on Valentine's Happies.

If you have been hopping along then you just came from Jamie's Blog

If you have stumbled across my blog and would like to start at the beginning go here to Nicolette's Blog and see all the fantastic things she has planned!

Now for my Valentine's Happies...

What are they you ask...

These are Valentines to give to your scrappy friends. The friends we hold dear to us and provide a special type of support for us. While cropping with them we share our lives & memories... both past & present. I have seen how wonderful and strong these bonds are when one goes through difficult times and how happy they are for us during happy times too. So, it makes sense to show a little love to our scrappy friends this Valentine's Day...

instead of decorating boxes of candy, I decorated Distress Inks! Each one ties in to the color that it is...

Chipped Sapphire:

Embossing Ink:

Ageg Mahogany:

Spun Sugar:

Worn Lipstick:

Dusty Concord:

Stormy Sky:

Tea Dye:

Faded Jeans:

I hope that you have been inspired! Now hop on over to Berenice's Blog and see what crafty goodness she has posted!

A Christmas Tag...

2011-12-19T08:26:00.000-06:00

Happy Monday!

Today I am going to share with you a tag that I did, inspired by Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas. I know that it is over and usually I would have posted throughout those days... but I couldn't create til after the fact. It made me so sad because I have been looking forward to this all year. Right before the tags started I got a kidney stone for Christmas... too big to pass of course. So I had to have a procedure done... so for about two weeks I was out of it because of the pain and meds.

I barely was able to comprehend what I was seeing when I was looking at his blog throughout the 12 tags! So I have been slowly creating my tags since I have recovered...

Here is one I would like to share with you today:

I made this tag using this new stamp I got recently...

I found it on Simon Says Stamp. ...and I am in love with this stamp! It's huge! and perfect for any project! Have I mentioned that I LOVE this stamp?!!!

I used the technique Tim Holtz used on Tag #2 using the Distress Stain Picket Fence.

I stamped my Flourish on to the tag using Archival Ink. I then went over the whole tag with Picket Fence Distress Stain. Once it dried, I inked up the tag using the Distress Inks in various colors.

Now the real fun part... I took an exacto knife and sliced in to the tag! and then ripped it and stapled the pieces back. Using a stamp from Memory Box I stamped the music notes and inked it up with Distress Inks and adhered to the back of the tag. The poinsettia is a Penny Black cling stamp. After stamping it on to Glassine paper with Archival Ink, I inked it up using Festive Berries Distress Ink.

My charm is made by 7 Gypsies. I coated the back with Glossy Accents and put Tim Holtz Tissue Paper on it. Once dried, I ripped off the excess and some of it from the back.

Merry Christmas!

Christine

I'm Back... with so much Inky Goodness!

2011-11-17T09:58:00.001-06:00

Hello! Happy Thursday... It has been too long since I have been here... unfortunately I have to admit that I haven't had too much time to create really these last couple weeks. ...and then something awful happened: I hit a creative wall block! BUT all that changed last week when I was so fortunate to be able to take a class from the designer and creator Jen Starr! Ink Boot Camp was the name of the class... and let me tell you something: WOW!

I learned so so so very much!!! and Jen is a fantastic teacher! I can't tell you how many times in class my jaw dropped and I just was amazed at the techniques!

I was able to play in my studio most of the day Tuesday and here is a layout that I created with some of the techniques I learned using Distress Inks.

(I thought these were very appropriate pictures to use for such an inky layout!)

...and here are some of the techniques that I used...

I started with the Wrinkle Free Distress technique on a sheet of watercolor paper.

How To:

1. Start by rubbing multiple colors of Distress Ink on to your craft mat being careful to not overlap them.

2. Mist your mat with water until you see little water beads of color.

3. Place your paper face down into the color and rub your hands along the back. (I used a brayer and rolled it all around on my paper).

4. Dry it with your heat gun.

5. To get the specks and spots that you see on mine: After drying it, tap it down randomly. You don't want to place the whole paper down and you don't want to rub... just tap!

TIP: You can put your paper face down on to the craft mat as many times as you want... the important thing is that you just want to dry it between each "dip" into the color. This allows you to layer your color. If you skip this step then everything you do will just run together.

HERE is a great video from Tim Holtz on Distress Inks!

OK... I know that this post is getting kind of long... but I have to share this next technique with you because it is one of my favorites!!!!

Removing your Distress Inks with water...

Do you see how I have poinsettias on my background and on my tags?

This is how I did it...

Once I had my wrinkle free distress background finished I came back with my stamp and Archival Ink. (You want to make sure you have a water-proof ink to do this technique... Archival Ink is just my favorite!)

I stamped all down the edge of my paper and on my tags. (Depending on what ink you use for this step, you might need to heat set it.)

now time for the magic!

1. Using a water pen or a paint brush and water color in your image with water.

2. Once the water has been on there for a few seconds or so, come in with a paper towel and blot off the water.

See? because Distress Inks react with water, we are able to remove some of the color. Allowing our image to really "pop" on our background!

When you play with these techniques, don't be afraid to push the limits! Once you got it, try using different inks, different papers... there is just so much you can do!

Stay tuned for more inky fun... My head is just spinning with ideas!

until next time... Happy Creating!

CHRISTINE

Spooky Candle

2011-10-27T23:59:00.000-05:00

Happy Haunting! I have a spooky project to share with you today... I created this fun candle decoration for a contest that We R Memory Keepers was having over on Facebook.... and I was one of the winners!!! Yipppeee!

I started with a decorative candle holder.... Using a sheet of 12 x 12 paper, I ripped about a 5" piece off and then inked both sides. I decorated the front with various embellishments: bling, flower, ribbon, cheese cloth, & paper accents.

I didn't want to permanently decorate my candle holder, so I made my project to be a corset for my candle holder... here is the back:

...you can see it featured on the We R Memory Keepers Facebook page...

A newly Discovered Paper Company...

2011-10-10T15:07:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Did you get any creating done? I wish I could say that I did.. but I didn't really get a chance to... Here is a layout that I did last week:

It is actually another layout that I started in a class from CKC Nashville. In it we used paper from a company that I had never heard of, Bisous b-zoo. I absolutely love these papers. The colors are bright and beautiful and there are a lot of accents that you can fussy cut out and use as embellishments.

I kept a few things the same on this layout as what was instructed in the class, but completely changed the embellishment grouping and added a few other accents as well.

Its a fun and silly picture and I love how the colors in the photo and the papers go so well together.

Here is a closer look...

In class we used white embossed cardstock. Using Distress Stain we colored it blue. We then ran Distress Ink in brown over it to color the embossed dots.

The blue and orange flower I cut out of the paper and then put Rock Candy Crackle Paint on them to spice them up a bit. The other flowers and bling are Prima. The really dark colored flower was actually a black flower. I used Adirondack Color Wash in Stream and then Perfect Pearls Mist in Turquoise to add the blue sheen to it. The butterflies where given to us in class. They are just little wooden accents. Using paint dabber I colored them and then added the copper wire to create their antennas.

Wishing you a creative day!

Christine

Soiree!

2011-10-07T09:30:00.002-05:00

TGIF!

I am a little behind posting today... but I have a fun layout to share!

Here is a layout that I did this week using the Pink Paislee Soiree line. I absolutely love this line! Last Friday we had a big birthday crop at our local scrapbook store... During our group picture they tried to make me be in the front... I didn't want to be in the front.... so I crossed my arms and pouted (not being serious)... someone next to me snapped a quick photo... we were all laughing!

Using the matching twine in the Soiree line, I wrapped it around my picture several times.

I used a selection of Prima Flowers and Bling to make this little grouping. The green embellishment next to the flowers is on pop-dots, I have a little journaling tag in there telling the story. Its hard to see in the picture, but I used my Epiphany Shape Studio Tool Round 25 on the top of the tag to make it easier to pull out. I cut the word "pouts" with my Cricut using the Alphalicious Cartridge.

The white grid lines that you see, (above), I made using Ranger's Enamel Accents. Once it dried, I used my Ink Blending Tool and Worn Lipstick Distress Ink and smudged some ink over that area to make the Enamel Accents pop!

The lettering here used to be green foamy letters. With the help of some ink and Perfect Pearls Mist, I altered them to match my layout. The circle embellishment was also made using my Epiphany Shape Studio tool!

Have a wonderful Friday and a crafty, creative weekend!

Christine

Quick & Classy with My Mind's Eye

2011-10-06T08:34:00.002-05:00

Welcome Thursday! ...and tomorrow is Friday! Yipppee!

Today I have a layout from a class that I took at CKC in Nashville, Quick & Classy with My Mind's Eye. I didn't finish it in class, so I pulled it out the other day when I started to scrap. I tweaked it a bit to make it my own... I am so happy with the results!

The papers are from My Mind's Eye and so are a few of the embellishments.

The Green Polka-dot paper is a 12" strip. I folded it to create a single pleat and then added the stars at the end. They are on pop-dots and have Stickles on them!

The title I cut out with my Cricut and the Opposites Attract cartridge.

IN THE DETAILS:

I had these fabulous little clear word stickers hanging up on my Clip-It-Up... I just picked out several words that went along with my picture and adhered them in a "zig-zag" column.

One thing that we did in class, that I thought was so neat, is this little paper clip! Paper clips come in all sizes and colors! Here we used a blue one that matched our papers and tied two pieces of ribbon to it... instant embellishment! Instant, cheap, embellishment!

These are little rub-on birdies from Studio Calico. I added the bling using my I-Rock.

When I was looking for something to journal on, I saw the packaging to the rub-ons.... and thought it would be perfect! So the journaling below is on the packaging!

Have a splendiferous day!

Christine

Not So Halloween Card

2011-10-05T00:02:00.000-05:00

Happy Wednesday! As October keeps on rolling, I can hardly believe it is getting closer and closer to the holidays! Halloween, Thanksgiving, .... Christmas! Today I have a not so Halloween card to share....

I used the new Halloween line from My Mine's Eye, Mischievous. I distressed the edges... I really distressed the edges! A friend let me use her Zutter Distrezz It All tool.... this tool rocks! I love it! ...and it's on my wish list! I then ripped and tore and ripped some more!

The flower started off bright orange... I brushed Black Magic Glimmer Mist on the leaves, used a Metallic Silver Paint Dabber on the edges and stamped flourishes on the petals in silver paint.

A huge brad finished the flower.

I hope you are enjoying fabulous Fall weather!

Happy Creating!

Christine

Playing with Goosebumps!

2011-10-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today I am so excited to share with you a card that my friend Sharmiece made! It's beautiful!

She started by embossing a 4.75"x5.5" of Butter Cream Cardstock using a Tim Holtz Texture Fade by Sizzex. To get a deep impression she ran it through her Texture boutique twice. She then sprayed it with Goosebumps and heat dried it. Goosebumps is a fun new product from Tsukineko! It's a clear texture spray. Once dried, she ran a Cat Eye Ink in Chestnut Roan over the paper. She wiped it with a paper towel and repeated the inking again.

She used the Stampendous Daisy Thanks stamp set to create her flower. Stamping it and then coloring with colored pencils and Gamsol. (Here is a how to video from Archiver's website!)

She then fussy cut her flower. After tying the ribbon around the card she adhered her flower. Stamping the sentiment was the last step in creating this beautiful card!

I hope you have enjoyed Sharmiece's work as much as I have!

Happy creating!

Christine

Pronto Pups! Yummy!

2011-10-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday! I can hardly believe that October is here!

Today I have a layout to share....

Fall is here, and with that, of course, comes the fair! I created this layout to document our adventure at the fair and one stop on our fair food quest! The paper is from 7 Gypsies. The mat is Grungepaper that I inked up and then used a mask to create the design on the right side. The circles you see were made using the Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Tool Round 25.

To create this little grouping, I used Prima Bling, leaves cut from Tim Holtz Alterations Die, Tattered Leaves, and a journaling block that I stamped and distressed. The title is made from felt letters by Prima. After "Googling" the pronto pup, I found out that it was established in 1941. It was quite interesting learning about this tasty little fair treat... You can read more here.

Hope you have a fabulous, crafty week!

Christine

Falling... for the new Distress Ink Colors

2011-09-23T09:16:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday!

Happy First Day of Fall!

Happy Anniversary to me!

Today is my five year wedding anniversary! The card that I am sharing today is the card that I made for my wonderful husband for this special day!

Last night, after he was asleep, I set it up on the kitchen counter... So this morning he could be surprised by it... and he was! I was still half asleep when he came to tell me how much he loved it! ...and how fitting it is for today... because it's the first day of Fall!

I am really excited to share this card with you today because...

the new Fall Limited Edition Distress Inks were used to make it!!!

Using the new Distress Ink color Ripe Persimmon, I inked up a 4 3/4" x 6 3/4" white piece of paper.

I laid the Maple Leaf stencil from Crafter's Workshop down and I went in with the two other new colors, Gathered Twigs & Seedless Preserves, and my Ink Blending Tool to ink around the stencil. The leaves were cut out using the Tim Holtz Alterations Die, Tattered Leaves. They were white... I stamped the writing on to the leaves using the Hero Arts Friend Definition stamp and then using Distress Inks, inked each leaf up! The colors used were: Wild Honey, Stormy Sky, Seedless Preserves, & Forest Moss.

The heart and the backing of the frame are Sticky Back Canvas. The heart is inked up using Ripe Persimmon and the backing of the frame is inked with Gathered Twigs. I wrote my sentiment using a Sakura Glaze Pen.

The inside of the card says:

"A Little More Everyday"

along with the mushy stuff I wrote my husband!

I hope you have a wonderful Friday! Where I live its beautiful outside! All the windows are open in my house and I am sitting outside in our screened in patio just enjoying the morning... Blogging & drinking coffee!

Happy Creating!

Christine

Oh... I had to share a wedding picture... or two!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

2011-09-22T10:14:00.000-05:00

Happy Thursday! Merry Christmas! I have started working on my Christmas cards. I am determined to finish and get them out this year! ...wish me luck!

So many beautiful Christmas lines are coming out from so many different companies... walking into my local scrapbook store how can I not be inspired?

I made these two cards using the Christmas line, "Wonder", from the up and coming Authentique Company. I love their paper! The designs, the colors, the texture! It's very well made.

I bought the 6x6 paper pack and two of their embellishments, excerpts and noteables.

Hope you have a merry and creative day!

Christine

Stamp Layering

2011-09-21T08:30:00.001-05:00

Happy Wednesday!

Here is a card that I made using a flower stamp that I just love! Stampendous "Narcissus Perfectly Clear Stamps". It is so multi-purpose! You can cut it up and use it in pieces or as a whole, which is what I have done.

...and it's a fun coloring stamp too!

I used several stamps on this card. One of the little tricks to creating stamped backgrounds like this is layering. I started by inking up a 4" x 5 1/4" white piece of paper with Distress Ink. The next step is to start stamping! The first layer on this card was made with a background stamp from Hero Arts, "Envelope Pattern". I then stamped the scratch lines using a Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous stamp, "Scribbles" and the flourishes, which are also a Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous stamp, "Flourish 2".

The flowers I stamped on to watercolor paper and then I colored using watercolor pencils. The shimmer you see on the petals is from a product that I discovered when I went to the Creating Keepsake Convention, Shimmerz Paints! I LOVE this product. I bought 6 different colors and I wish I would of gotten more! Once everything was dried, I cut out my flowers and adhered them to my background that I had stamped up. Next, I stamped my last layer, the thank you sentiment.

I then adhered this to a card base.

TIP: I like working on a separate piece of paper and then adhering it to a card base. When I work directly on the card, ink tends to get on places where I do not want it, like the back!

I hope you have a fabulous, crafty day!

Christine

Stamp Storage Idea....

2011-09-13T08:02:00.000-05:00

Happy Tuesday!

Today I have a storage idea for you!

I use to have all my acrylic and rubber cling stamps in binders. I loved it, but it was difficult to go through and some what of a pain to put them back... so I started to think of a solution!

HINT:

When coming up with organizing ideas, you want to make sure that your solution makes it easy to put things back in their place. You are more likely to put something up if it is quick & easy vs. if it is more of a nuisance.

This is what I came up with:

A Clip It Up!!! I absolutely love it! It sits on a shelf in my closet and it is very easy to access. I can see all my stamps, get the one I want, use it, and then put it back! Easy-peasy!

I have them divided into categories and labeled:

I have another Clip It Up that I got for Christmas last year... It is two tiered and has all my embellishments on it. I love, love, love my Clip It Ups!

For my wood block stamps this is what I came up with a while back:

You can see the details here.

Hope you have a fabulous & creative day!

Christine

It's coming... the Holidays!

2011-09-12T11:15:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday!

It is so good to be back! I actually was able to play in my studio last night for the first time in weeks! Between going out of town, work, and painting our kitchen & dining room... its been crazy busy!

I have been wanting to make this project for quite a while! A dear friend gave me the cutest little gift last year for Christmas. It was a Holiday Survival Kit. I loved it and it made me laugh! I am going to make them this year for Christmas for everyone.

I started with an empty Crystal Light container. (I have a ton of these! I have been saving them for the past year... wanting to use them for something!)

I wrapped it with some Christmas paper and decorated the front.

(The poinsettia stamp is by Penny Black. The ticket stamp is by Memory Box.)

When you open your kit, this is what you will find:

Everything you need to survive the holidays! I am going to sit mine out on the window ledge above my kitchen sink this holiday season. It will be a reminder to just have fun and not get caught up in all the stress that the holidays try to bring.

Hope you have a fabulous and creative week! I have several more things to share with you this week! (I stayed up til 2 last night creating! ...it was a long time coming!)

P.S.

Here is a picture of my husband and I trying to pick out a color for our dining room & kitchen... I love the fact that Behr offers samples!

Crazy, huh? But we did pick a color and it is almost finished!

I will post pictures and you can see the color we picked! :)

wreck the magazine...

2011-08-30T22:49:00.000-05:00

I love my scrapbook magazines... I love going through them and being inspired and having ideas come to me on projects that I want to do... The same with other magazines that I get... like Better Homes & Garden or even Rachel Ray! Color combinations, layout designs, oh the inspiration!

Sometimes, though, I am not where I can run to my studio and create... like today!

I am laying on the beach, it's my last day in Florida.. and I haven't really created in a week! I am starting to twitch! I am getting all these ideas but I know if I don't get them down I will forget!

Solution:

WRECK THE MAGAZINE

Here is what my magazines look like when I am done:

It's like turning your magazine into your own "Smash" idea book!

Hope you have a creative day!

Christine

and the winner is...

2011-08-28T19:05:00.000-05:00

i am so sorry it has been so long...

here is the winner from the "unusual" mini-album blog hop:

Amy Esaid...

OH my goodness! Who would have ever thought of making a mini album out of packaging?!?!? You rock! It's really beautiful. I'm your newest follower!

Yippeee! I will be back soon. I am out of town... but I have been coloring away so I will have some more inspiration coming soon!

Happy Creating!

Christine

"Unusual" Mini-Album Blog Hop!

2011-08-19T23:42:00.000-05:00

Happy Weekend!

Welcome to the "Unusual" Mini-Album Blog Hop!

I am so excited about this hop today... it is the first time that I have ever hosted a hop and it is showcasing some fabulous and "unusual" mini-albums!

There are some very talented ladies in this hop, so make sure you go to each of their blogs to see their take on the theme: "Unusual" Mini-Albums...

...make sure you leave some love on each and every blog to be entered to win a fantastic prize package that I will be giving away!!!

Here is my "Unusual" mini-album:

I made a mini-album using all my packaging from my Prima flowers that I have bought! It is a little inspirational quote book filled with pockets, tags, flowers, and more! I used various stamps, paper from Memory Box, and lots & lots of ink!

The tag that slides out of the pocket is Prima Packaging.

The pocket was made from Prima packaging as well as the two tags in it...

I love this page... it was created using the clear packaging that Prima uses... and it has all kinds of inspirational word on it too! I created a pocket to slip things in... and that black polka-dot paper = Prima Packaging!

The picture above & below is the tag that slips into the pocket that was created by adhering the sides of two pages together...

Packaging comes in all different sizes, shapes, and colors... most of it is super cute and can make really awesome embellishments. So think twice before throwing away that packaging next time!

Are you ready to hop???

Your next stop is the very talented Lou over at Pretty Paper & Chipboard.

If you get lost along the way, just come back here and find your place!

Here is the line up:

Christine www.scrapbookingtechnique.blogspot.com

Lou www.prettypaperandchipboard.blogspot.com

Pammejo www.pammejo-scrapbookflair.com

Jessica www.jessbippitystamps.blogspot.com
Jess Kinderstampo www.kinderstampo.com

Martha www.pattisscrapingtime.blogspot.com

Tiara www.imacraftysista.blogspot.com

Sylvia www.bellascrapbookdesigns.blogspot.com

Happy Hopping!

Picket Fence Distress Stain!

2011-08-19T01:07:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday! It has been a crazy busy week! I am glad to see the weekend! I wanted to share with you a little wall hanging that I created this week:

I started with a black piece of cardstock. What I was the most excited about was using my new Distress Stain, Picket Fence! I used it to stamp the scribble in the background... I just rubbed the stain over the stamp and then stamped the image... I love how the white pops out on the black cardstock!

I stamped the sentiment on Sticky Back Canvas and then inked it up with some shimmer paint and Distress Ink. I added the flowers & the bling. I mounted it on a piece of chipboard that I sprayed with Adirondack Color Wash, Stream and inked the edges with a gold Paint Dabber.

Hope you have a fantastic Friday and please come back tomorrow for the first blog hop hosted by Scrapbooking Technique!
"Unusual" Mini Album Blog Hop

I Love My Teacher Blog Hop!

2011-08-12T23:50:00.000-05:00

Happy Weekend!!! Today I am part of "I Love My Teacher Blog Hop!"... Abby over at Scrapbookaholic is the host so hop on over to here to start at the beginning.. If you have been hopping along than you just came from the talented Celeste's blog...

Here are some layouts that I did to record some of the highlights of my Freshman year in high school. I have a layout like these for each year... showcasing my school picture and fun little things from that year...

Here are the layouts that I did for my band picture and some band keepsakes... (now... don't laugh! it's not the greatest picture...)

Not only do I have my pictures scrapbooked, but all the little inside jokes from school that I wouldn't remember now if my life depended on it! lol...

Another fun way to capture school memories is to write all the great things you remember about your favorite teacher... the teacher that impacted your life the most! Or have your child tell you what they love most about their favorite teacher and write it on a frame or card as a great teacher gift!

Hope you have been inspired! Now hop on over to Emma at My Creative Time to see what fabulous project she created!

Happy Creating!

Christine

Flowers, Leaves, & Bling... Oh My!

2011-08-10T00:00:00.001-05:00

Hi! I am so excited to share some things that I learned this pass weekend! One thing is flower arranging...I took a Prima class so I could learn about this.... I wanted to learn this because sometimes when I try to arrange flowers on a page it kind of looks like the flowers threw up on the layout!

Here are the groupings that we did on the layouts... I changed mine up a bit from the way they were on the instructions... but I learned a few tips & tricks to share...

One thing is to start with the biggest flower and work to the smallest flower. On the grouping below I started with the blue flower and then added the green flower and then the pink.

Once your flowers are laid out.. then go back with the leaves, as fillers. After you have everything laid out the way you like, then glue down.

Another fabulous tip I learned is about bling! I love bling, but it can get quite costly... We were given one pack of a beautiful Prima swirl bling embellishment... and we used it for all three layouts! If you look at the bling you can see several different swirls and flourishes... you can cut it up and use it for several different groupings.

The blue glittery branch & leaves you see was so much fun... We took a felt sticker... it was brown on the front and sticky on the back... we used the sticky side and dipped it into the glitter creating our embellishment! So if you have any stickers that you are not wild about, you can use the back to add glitter or flocking!

Hope you have learned a little about flower arranging! Have a creative day!

Christine

Fun & Easy Tags!

2011-08-09T08:39:00.000-05:00

Good Morning! Today I wanted to share a fun project that I did for my friends! We all went to Nashville this past weekend for CKC. We made goody bags for each other and had yummy snacks and just had a blast! Here is what I did...

I bought these cute bags at Archiver's. I wanted to personalize them a bit, so I made little tags for each bag with their monogram on it.

I started with a piece of heavy duty chipboard and then painted the sides and back and just the edges of the front. I chose various pattern papers to use according to their favorite color! I inked the edges a bit and then adhered it to the chipboard with Claudine Hellmuth's Studio Multi-Medium. (I love this stuff!) I cut out the letters with my Cricut and also used Multi-Medium to adhere them... Not only is it a great adhesive, but it seals your project too! making it protected!

The last step was to add a little mist of Perfect Pearls by Ranger and some fibers & ribbon!

Whaaa-laaaa!

Here is a closer look:

Tags like this make great little happies and can be used for so many different things... it being "Back To School" time... think how cute your kid's supplies can be labeled! Christmas presents, birthday presents, or luggage when you travel! The possibilities are endless!

Have a creative day!

Christine

Cards for Soliders...

2011-08-08T09:35:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday!

The past week as been such a whirlwind... It was a scrapping week for sure! Last Monday I was able to take a class from Memory Box's own Dave Brethauer and then Thursday I was off to the Creating Keepsake Convention, in Nashville, for the weekend!

...and this is where it gets exciting!!!

At the Friday Night Crop CK hosted a card contest. You received an orange piece of cardstock (A2 card size) to use to make a card that will be sent to the soldiers so that they can have cards to send to their loved ones at home. I entered and here is my card:

I used stamps from Tim Holtz - Stamper's Anonymous and from Memory Box. I inked the card base with Distress Inks and stamped the clock tower and flourishes on to it. I then layered the Journey piece and the sentiment on to the card. Both of them were white paper that I inked up using the Distress Inks.

...and then I turned in my card.

I was talking with my friend when I heard them call my name... I didn't know what was going on at first... then all my friends were like, "You Won!" I still can't believe it! It was so much fun and an incredible honor to make a card for the troops. Here I am with my prize and my card:

I couldn't stop smiling! I was so excited!!! Here I am with Megan Hoeppner. She is the Creative Editor for Creating Keepsakes! She was so much fun!

Hope you all have a very happy Monday! I have lots to do... unpacking and work... oh and I hope I have a minute or two to create!

Christine

2011-07-29T11:21:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday!

T.G.I.F.

Here are some birthday cards that I made for a card swap.

I used an Unity stamp for the sentiment. The paper line I used is Cosmo Cricket's Delovely. I traced over the stamp and colored in the candles using Atyou-Spica Glitter Pens.

Using a Corner Chomper, I chomped the corner before folding it down and attaching it with the Tiny Attacher.

Hope you all have a fabulous and fun weekend!

All Lined Up...

2011-07-25T10:16:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday!

I wanted to share what I made for a swap this month... it is a mystery swap, so we could make whatever we wanted. I chose to make these cute little dress forms using the Tim Holtz Alterations dies: Caged Bird and Sewing Room.

I learned how to make these when I took a class from someone who took a class from Tim Holtz!!!

I think that they are so cute! I cut the dress form out of chipboard and then stained them using Walnut Stain Distress Stain. I used various colors of the Distress Stains to color Sticky Back Canvas. I then cut out the top part of the dress form. I adhered the Sticky Back Canvas to the chipboard dress form. The "skirt" is cut using the bird cage and Grungepaper. I used Crackle Paint, Paint Dabbers, & Distress Stain to color the skirts. All the ribbon was originally white... Distress Stain fixed that though!

dance in the rain....

2011-07-24T00:03:00.000-05:00

just a card to remind you to always dance in the rain...

Hope you are having a splediferous weekend!

Happy Creating!

Christine

Glossy Accent Resist

2011-07-19T09:21:00.000-05:00

Happy Tuesday! I have some really fun techniques to share today!

To make this card I started with the pink background, I used papers from Basic Grey's Lauderdale Collection. I took the patterned paper and smeared Glossy Accents over it randomly. Once it dried, I used my Ink Blending Tool and Distress Ink to ink it up! You can see where the the Glossy Accents resisted the Distress Ink.

I used Archival Ink to stamp my background stamp, Hero Arts Design Block Birthday. You want to make sure you use a permanent ink, like Archival, to stamp on to the Glossy Accents so that it stays.

Taking a piece of green patterned paper, I stamped the distressed ticket shape, (Memory Box Index Card stamp). Using the Ink Blending Tool I inked the edges with Forrest Moss Distress Ink. I stamped the flourishes using Forest Moss and Tim Holtz's stamp, Flourish 2.

I stamped the Birthday definition stamp,(Hero Arts Dictionary Greetings), on to a piece of cardstock and cut it out, distressed the edges, and inked it up with Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink. I used patterned paper and the Tim Holtz Alterations Die Tattered Florals to cut out the flowers. Then I ran them through the Sizzex Texture Boutique and inked them up too!

Some twine, a brad, and a metal embellishment completed the card!

I hope you were inspired! Happy Creating!

Christine

A Masking We Will Go....

2011-07-18T01:14:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend. I have some exciting news.... last week I was lucky enough to win a set of stamps from Tim Holtz's blog! A set from his new releases! Yippeeee! Even better, I got them in the mail Saturday! Aren't they pretty!?

I plan on playing with them today!

Today I want to share this card that I made using a fun masking technique.

I am really happy with this card. I started with Glimmer Mist, (in Apple) and a tree screen, both by Tattered Angels. I used a new Memory Box Stamp, (Autumn Leaf Collage)and stamped it on my card and also on to another piece of paper. I then colored the leaves in with Twinkling H2O's, cut them out, and pop-dotted them on top of the stamped image on the card. I then added glitter to the stems. I made the tickets using an Imaginisce stamp and a neat masking technique! Do you want to see????

Here it is!

I stamped the image on to my paper.

I also stamped the image on to a piece of scrap paper and cut out the center, making my mask.

I took my mask and laid it over the stamped image.

...and then stamped a background image on to my paper.

I then stamped another stamp on top of that...

Here is the finished embellishment:

I hope that you have been inspired to try some masking!

Have a creative day!

Card for a Friend....

2011-07-15T14:01:00.000-05:00

Here is a card I made this morning for a friend.

I used Memory Box stamps and paper. I used my Copic Atyou-Spica Glitter Pens to add accents to the flowers on the stamped image. I inked the edges with Distress Ink Frayed Burlap.

Have a creative day!

Christine

Thank You Cards

2011-07-14T09:59:00.000-05:00

I want to share some thank you cards that I made late last... I will be sharing quite a few thank you cards in the upcoming days... I am making them for someone I love who will be needing thank you cards soon. This is a great gift idea... whether they be birthday cards, Christmas cards, or Thank You cards. Handmade cards are beautiful and one-of-a-kind! Once I get all of them made, I am going to tie them together with a ribbon.

I made this one using SEI paper. My thank you stamp is by Hero Arts.

This one I used a Memory Box ledger stamp and various papers. ...and Distress Inks!

Have a creative day!

Christine

A Scrappy Weekend!

2011-07-11T08:15:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a fun and creative weekend. I did! I still can't believe all the layouts that I did this weekend... Do you want to see? Here they are:

This double layout has been in the works for a long time. I started it and then stopped and could never really get it together... I finally finished it! Around the left page I have journaled the lyrics from The Beatles song, "I Wanna Hold Your Hand".

I had quite a bit of pictures from our visit to the sunflowers... so for this page I used the We R Memory Keepers Pocket Page. I used some ribbon and a little bit of scrapping to take it to the next level.

Simple layout.

I had fun with this layout. I took an 8x10 photo and cut it into 1" squares to create this mosaic.

Another simple layout. The pictures were what I wanted to focus on...

I fell in love with this picture. I did a bit more with this layout. I started by laying a transparency over my photo. I used a little bit of ribbon and I did a little grouping around my journaling.

The butterfly by Prima and I cut off one side of the wings. I used some bling flourishes. The pin you see in the center of the flower was a gift! I am part of a group on Facebook, made up of fantastic women and we do swaps. This past month I received my goodies and there were several beautiful pins. I can't wait to try to make some myself!

Have a creative day!

Christine

Too Much Fun Playing in the Park... Echo Park!

2011-07-08T08:18:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I shared a layout using Echo Park's "A Walk in the Park". Here is a card that I made using scraps from my layout. I used a card sketch from PageMaps to whip out this card super quick! I pop dotted the brown strip on to the card to add dimension! I stamped and embossed the "thank you".

Have a Happy Happy Friday!

Playing with Echo Park!

2011-07-07T07:50:00.003-05:00

Happy Thursday! I want to share a layout that I did using Echo Park's "Walk in the Park" line.

THE DETAILS:

I made these fun flowers using the stamp below. I stamped it several times on the various pattern papers and cut them out. I pop dotted some and others I glued right on the picture. I accented the flowers and leaves with my Copic Atyou-Spica pens, (they're fabulous glitter pens!). I drew the stems with Enamel Accents by Inkssentials.

The Stamp is by Hero Arts, "Flower Text".

I cut the word "playing" from my Cricut using the cartridge Alphalicious.

Have a fun & creative day!

Distress Inks... FOREVER!

2011-07-06T06:19:00.000-05:00

Happy Wednesday! Here is a card that I made using a new stamp and Distress Ink:

I started with a clean white sheet of cardstock... using Peeled Paint, Broken China, & Walnut Stain, I inked up my background. I stamped the Clock Tower stamp using Archival Ink by Ranger. The stamp is a Tim Holtz Stamp. I stamped and embossed the word "Forever". As a finishing touch, I wrapped twine around and added a little charm.

This is the inside of the card:

I inked up the background and stamped the Keys background, (stamp by Hero Arts). I then stamped the Heart, (Tim Holtz). I didn't want my heart to be vary dark, so I inked up the stamp and stamped it on scratch paper, then without re-inking, I stamped it on my project.

Hope you have a happy day...

Out of Print... LOVE this paper!

2011-07-05T15:35:00.000-05:00

Hello! I just wanted to share a card that I made using scraps from layouts that I recently finished.... I am using the Basic Grey Out of Print line... I LOVE THIS PAPER LINE!!! I punched out some of the circles and adhered them with different size pop dots so that they are layered. I drew my butterfly and cut it out and used pop dots to give it some dimension. I used wire to create the antenna.

Have a fabulous crafty day!

I Scream! You Scream! We all scream for... a challenge!

2011-07-03T22:26:00.000-05:00

Here is a layout that I just completed!

I did it for the challenge going on over at Paper Patch Crafts.

A summer fun layout based of the PageMaps sketch below:

I created mine as a double page layout. I had these great pictures of our ice cream from Yogurt Mountain. Costco has the best printing department and they offer these awesome 8x12 prints! It's like you can almost take a bite of the yummy ice-cream!

I used the paper line "Lauderdale" by Basic Grey. (A little secret... all my paper came from a 6x6 paper pad! Buying the 6x6 paper pad is cheaper and I get all the paper designs... you can create a lot of layouts from this tiny stack of papers!)

Hope you have a wonderful holiday tomorrow as we celebrate our Freedom and Independence!

Scrapbookaholic Challenge: Red, White, & Blue Challenge

2011-06-27T03:14:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday! Today is a Scrapbookaholic By Abby Challenge... Here is my layout...

This was a very simple layout. I used three different pattern papers and red, white, & blue cardstock. I sprayed all three sheets of cardstock with Glimmer Mist. I cut the word "thankful" out using my Revolution and the Chocolate 4x8 Alphabet Die. The star border was cut out with the Cricut and the Holiday Cake cartridge.

I made a rosette using my Martha Stewart Scoreboard. The sticker you see is the one I got

November 2, 2010 after I exercised my right to vote.

Go here to find more details and to enter the challenge...

Have a great week!

Beach Party Blog Hop

2011-06-25T00:40:00.000-05:00

Happy Weekend! Welcome to the Beach Party! If you are here just visiting and want to start at the beginning go HERE to Abby's Blog. If you have been hopping along then you have just come from Emily's Blog...

This layout I did with papers from Bo Bunny's Paradise collection. I loved the colors and knew the papers would be fun to use with cruise pictures! "Paradise Surf" was my foundation sheet and I cut 5" of "Paradise Batik" and put on top of it. Using the other side of the "Batik" paper, I cut a strip and folded it like a fan and then adhered both ends to my layout. The paper rolls you see I did using scraps from this project and other scraps from my scrap buckets. I used a toothpick to get the rolls started and then a strip of glue at the end to keep them rolled.

DETAILS:

This is a neat embellishment grouping I made using paper, beads, & wire. The flower center was a circle that I cut into a spiral shape and then rolled from the outside in towards the center. I put a little bit of Stickles on the top to give it a little shine. For the beaded leaves, I strung beads onto a very thin piece of wire and then molded them to look like leaves.

The green leaves you see behind my flower were actually cut out from the "Paradise Batik" paper that I used for my paper folding. I used a technique called "Extra Time with Tinted Paper" that I learned in my @Home with Claudine Hellmuth class. After I tinted my paper I cut the leaves out using my Revolution and Quickutz die. The flower is a stamp that I bought in Hawaii back in 2007. I stamped it with Memento Ink and colored it in with my Copic Markers. When putting my embellishment together, I only glued down the end of my leaves that are under the flower. This way I was able to keep some dimension even though I am just using paper!

The next stop is Celeste L. at Touched By A Butterfly. I hope you have a fantastic weekend! Enjoy being at "The Beach".

Scrapbookaholic By Abby - Father's Day Card/Sketch Challenge

2011-06-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday! Today I am sharing a card I made for Scrapbookaholic By Abby Father's Day Card Challenge. It is based off the following sketch:

Our sponsor this week is Sakura of America so I found it only fitting to use their fabulous Glaze pens on my card:

I started with a plain cardstock base. I drew the lines on the bottom with various colors and then wrote a variety of words up top that describe the best daddies in the world, (like mine!). I added a ribbon as the only embellishment!

Make sure you go visit Abby's Blog for details on how to play along!

Happy Creating!

Techniques to Make Your Heart Flutter....

2011-05-31T06:29:00.000-05:00

Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday weekend, in honor of all those who have and who are serving in the Military.

Today I want to share with you a layout and several techniques!

It's a fairly simple layout at first glance... but when you start breaking it down... there is stamping, sewing, misting... oh boy!

The first technique I want to share is my Tissue Tape/Glossy Accents Butterflies!

To make these I used Tim Holtz's Tissue Tape, Martha Stewart Butterfly Stamps, & Glossy Accents.

Step One:

I put Tissue Tape on my cardstock.

Step Two:

I stamped my image on to the Tissue Tape.

Step Three:

Once the stamped image was dried, I covered with Glossy Accents. This step took the longest because it took several hours for the Glossy Accents to dry... but it was well worth it!

Once the Glossy Accents dried, it made my butterflies flexible... and I was able to work with the wings and bend them to create a more dimensional embellishment. I made the antennas out of decorative wire from the craft store.

The second technique that I have for you today is stamping with Hero Arts Shadow Inks. See how I have butterflies stamped all over my layout... very soft, but very colorful....

This is what I used to create that.... Memento Dye Ink, Hero Arts Shadow Ink, and various stamps.

I inked up my stamp with various colors using the Memento Dye Ink. I then lightly stamped onto scratch paper... I then without cleaning my stamp, I inked my stamp with the Hero Arts Shadow Ink... You can repeat these steps over and over, creating a lighter and lighter stamped image... until all you have left stamping is you Shadow Ink... it creates awesome effects!

Lastly, my title. I used my Silhouette to create the title. Once it was cut, I outlined it with a white opaque gel pen and then misted it with Perfect Pearls Mist, Heirloom Gold.

I hope you have been inspired! Have a wonderful day!

Scrapbookaholic By Abby Challenge #6

2011-05-30T00:10:00.000-05:00

Happy Memorial Day!

Today I have another challenge from Scrapbookaholic By Abby.

THE CHALLENGE:

Graduation... using designs from Kich N' Bleus or .svg files from Kadoodle Bug Designs.

I chose to use this cute little digi design from Kich N' Bleus. I actually printed out and used it as a paper piece pattern... and that is how I made my card!

I added the high heels and the banner. I used the Tattered Banners Die from Tim Holtz's Alterations Collection and a part of my all time favorite quote from Henry David Thoreau to create the banner.

Make sure you go to Scrapbookaholic By Abby's Blog and see all the fabulous projects from the other Design Team Members and all the details of playing along with this challenge!

Hope you have a Happy Holiday!

Be Original....

2011-05-29T12:27:00.001-05:00

Here is a tag I made... I saw this saying Friday Night when I was out with my husband... and I just loved it!

I covered the whole tag with Distress Stain, Wild Honey. I then used my Distress Inks, Fired Brick & Spiced Marmalade, around the edges. Using an awesome background stamp from Hero Arts, I stamped the grid on the background using Archival Ink, Russet.

I stamped the leaves in the corner using a Memory Box Stamp, Leaf Canopy. I colored the stamp with my Copic Markers and then misted with the Copic Colorless Blender solution to re-moisten my ink and then I stamped on to the tag. Details here on this technique.

I made a stencil out of Tim Holtz's Alteration Die, Sewing Room Dress Form. I used the negative of that stencil and inked the dress form on to the tag using Distress Ink, Fired Brick and the Ink Blending Tool.

With the Tim Holtz Alterations Die, Tattered Banners, to make a place for my quote. I added a little ribbon and a metal embellishment to complete my tag!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday weekend... playing, creating, and celebrating!

scallop flowers... oh so whimsy!

2011-05-27T16:05:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! I am back! I have had quite a case of scrapper's block. Never before has it been so bad! Weeks! It was just terrible! I think that I have broken free though! Today I am going to share with you a layout that I did last night...

I used Basic Grey's new line, Sweet Threads. Using the Martha Stewart Around the Edge Punch, I created the background mat for my layout.

I made my flowers using scallop circles that I cut out using a scallop circle die from Lifestyle Crafts. Some I tore into spirals and rolled up and others I cut slits in and folded to create petals... I layered them and put brads in the center. I adhered these flowers with various sizes of pop dots. I free handed the swirls and used my I-Rock to add the bling!

For the date embellsihment I used a stamp from Technique Tuesday, It's a Date. My journaling block I created by using a mask that I made from Tim Holtz's Alteration, On the Edge Die, Scrollwork, some lined paper and Distress Ink. I used my white pen from Inkessentials to create the faux stitch look around my mats and title.

Hope you have a great holiday weekend! Happy creating!

Scrapbookaholic By Abby Challenge #5

2011-05-16T00:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday! Today I am sharing a project I created for Scrapbookaholic By Abby Challenge #5: Hello Kitty! I made a Cupcake Gift Card Holder. I found this cute idea from a friend at a crop one night and couldn't wait to try it... she shared where she got it from: Fabulously Artsy. This is a great tutorial video.

This is how the cupcake looks at first glance... but then you pull Hello Kitty out and... whhhaaaalaaa! A gift card appears...

I hope you have a chance to play along this week! Go check out Abby's blog for all the details!

My Husband is Perfect.... & perfect for me.

2011-05-02T17:09:00.000-05:00

I want to share with you the Easter card that I made for my husband. I used paper from

Memory Box - Minuet, Spellbinders Die - Cross Collection , and a Technique Tuesday Stamp - Urban Blueprint for the front of my card...

Here is the inside of my card:

I was inspired to make this card for my husband because he said to me once... "I am not perfect"... and I just wanted to let him know that he was... perfect... and perfect for me....

The stamp, Urban Blueprint was perfect for this card .... I bought it originally because both of us are in home design.

A layout....

2011-04-18T17:48:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday! I wanted to share a layout that I did...

I used another piece of paper as a stencil... I loved the scalloped edge but it was bright orange! So I made it into a stencil. I inked with Distress Ink and created the border that you see on my layout.

I stamped the hearts on various scraps of green paper and cut them out... I added some sparkle with my atyou-spica glitter pens.

I had the date that these pictures were taken, but my husband or I could not remember the story behind them... (this is why I should stay more current on my scrapbooking!). So for my journaling I wrote words that described "us".

Happy Creating!

sometimes simple is the best....

2011-04-13T21:53:00.000-05:00

I love embellishments! I will be the first to confess I love to pile it on to a layout... but sometimes simple just goes a long way! Here is a super simple layout that I did yesterday, but I am so happy with it! I was going to do some stamping, etc... but when I looked at it I thought it was perfect as is...

I used Kraft Cardstock and inked the edges with an Ink Blending Tool & Black Soot Distress Ink. The silver patteren paper is SEI and the title was cut from paper from Tim Holtz's Lost & Found Paperstack.

These are pictures that I took of the room when my husband was getting his tattoo. I loved all the bottles of ink! There is no journaling on this layout, but I journaled on the first page of this event... Here is that layout:

Details here...

Happy creating!

Drumroll Please....

2011-04-12T19:31:00.000-05:00

...and the winner is....

number 77 !!! Yipppeee!

My random generator, (a.k.a. my mom) picked 77 !

You have won a Big Prize in honor of my blog reaching over 300 followers...

AJoy Said:
Mommy loves her new baby! How is Bella Boo doing now? She's almost a year?
We have two kitties...Sweetie 15 and Neo 7. They bring much love don't they!
Love the layouts! I like how you showed not only your new addition but your love for her and all your excitement i.e. the toys! Tells a great story.
April

Please contact me with your address!

Yeah! Congrats!

Hope everyone had a crafty kind of Tuesday! It was beautiful, but I have been stuck indoors...allergies! blah! I was able to scrapbook though!

Have a great night!!!

Scrapbookaholic By Abby Challenge #3

2011-04-11T00:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday! Here is my project for Abby's third challenge:

You can find all the details of the challenge here. We were to make a pet project using the color orange in honor of the ASPCA's goal of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and their "Go Orange for Animals Campaign". So many of us have pets that are so dear and special to us... they are a part of our family! My husband & I adopted our little Kitty last August from our local animal shelter... she has since taken our hearts and taken over our home! lol... I made this frame to hang up in my studio with pictures of my Bella Boo! She is my little scrap companion! She is not allowed up on our furniture, but I will catch her on my scrapping desk playing and when she wants my attention she gets up where my Cricut is... too funny!

I used the Cindy Loo Cartridge to cut out my kitty for the frame... The papers used are Bo Bunny's Love Shack line and a piece from Tim Holtz's new resist paper. Here are some details:

I added orange bling to her crown and made bling for her eyes!

At closer look, the Risist Paper had the definition of Curiosity on it... too perfect for pictures of our kitty!

Here are some other layouts that I did about my little kitty:

Details here...

Details here....

Details here...

I am not a proud mommy am I??? lol... Hope you have a fantastic Monday! Make sure you check out all the other design team members projects! You can find the list here on Abby's Blog!

P.S. I will announce the winner of my BIG giveaway for reaching 300 followers on Tuesday!

LOVE YOUR PET Blog Hop

2011-04-09T01:13:00.000-05:00

Happy Weekend! Welcome to the Love Your Pet Blog Hop. Abby was fantastic in putting this together in honor of the ASPCA's Prevention of Curelty to Animals and their "Go Orange for Animals" campaign. If you have been hopping along then you have just come from Liz's Blog. If you are just stopping by and would like to do the hop then go to Abby's Blog to start! Abby is giving away some fantastic blog candy... make sure you visit & leave a comment on all the blogs for a chance to win!

Here is my project: I did a layout about my precious kitty... we adopted her last August and I was so excited getting all the little things needed to take care of our little kitty!

Now hop on over to Kristen's Blog and see what kind of creative yumminess is there...

Have a fabulous fantastic weekend!

A Happy for a Friend....

2011-04-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

Good Morning... I wanted to share with you today a great idea for a happy to give to a friend... Life throws us all kinds of obstacles... some good, some bad. As friends, it is great to lend a helping hand in whatever way we can... Here is a easy to make, convenient & cute gift idea!

It is a soup jar!

This one is Mexican Bean Soup. You put all the ingredients in to the jar... depending on your recipe you might have all the ingredients together or some separated.... You can then decorate the jar and add a tag with the directions on how to cook...

The little bag of beans you see here is just a little something extra that I added... I took some extra beans and wrapped them with tulle and tied with a ribbon... the little tag on it says they are "Get Well Beans"!

Ribbon, tulle, and a rosette really dress up the jar...

Here is the recipe for this soup:

Mexican Bean Soup Mix in a Jar

3/4 cup each dried pinto and red kidney beans

Flavor Packet:

2 tablespoons dried onion flakes

2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes

1 tablespoon chili powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

6 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules

1/2 cup uncooked white rice

1 cup small-cut pasta

Put beans in a 1-quart jar with lid. Put flavor packet ingredients in a sandwich-size plastic bag. Seal bag with tie or ribbon. Do the same with the rice and pasta. Place in jar with beans.

Type or print neatly the Cooking Directions (Below), on a small card, punch a hole in the corner, and attach with a ribbon to the jar.

Mexican Bean Soup:

Rinse and pick over beans. Put into a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot with 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, cover and remove from heat. Let sit 1 hour.

Drain beans and return to pot. Add 8 cups water and contents of flavor packet. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 1 hour or until beans are firm-tender (time will vary depending on age of beans). Stir in rice and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.

Uncover, stir in pasta and 1/2 cup water. Simmer 10 minutes or until pasta is tender.

This makes such a great gift! It is a dinner and it can be kept in the pantry and cooked when desired! Hope you all have a great Friday! Come back Saturday for the Love Your Pet Blog Hop!

Tags Galore!

2011-04-06T18:56:00.000-05:00

Hello! Today I have some tags to share with you...

This is a tag I did as I was playing around with Distress Stains for the first time! I love these stains! They are fantastic!!! I used Peeled Paint and Tumbled Glass. I rubbed them onto my craft mat and then drug my tag through them... that is how I created my background. (When doing this though, keep the stains separate on your mat... don't go over one with another... it will contaminate your stain...)

I cut the grandfather clock out of my Cricut using the Heritage cartridge. The other clock is a Tim Holtz stamp. I stamped onto Glassine Paper using Archival Ink. I then cruppled up the Glassine paper to get the aged look! I added some various embellishments and glitter and whaaa-lah!

...and I am very very excited to show you the following tags.... I was able to take a class from a friend who got to take a class from Tim Holtz! She shared tips & tricks and was just amazing! Here are the tags I created from her class:

Crackle Paint & Glassine Paper

Alcohol Ink & Distress Stains

Distress Stains

Distress Inks & Paint Dabbers

The techniques I learned are awesome and I can't wait to start playing with them and using them on layouts and other projects!!!

A Little House on the Scrapbooking Prairie....

2011-04-01T23:28:00.000-05:00

Happy Weekend! I just wanted to share an embellishment that I made for a "3D Embellishment Swap" that I was in this past month... I made this using Tim Holtz's Alteration Die, Rickety House. I cut it out of chipboard and then ran it through the Texture Boutique using the Brick Texture Fade. I inked it up using Distress Inks. I then used the scrap chipboard and made a little flower window box and then my Silhouette to make the white picket fence!

Have a fantastic & fabulous weekend!

Scrapbookaholic By Abby Challenge #2

2011-03-28T03:00:00.006-05:00

Happy Monday Everyone! Welcome to another challenge with Scrapbookaholic By Abby. Challenge #2 is "Spring"! We had to design a project using "Spring" as the inspiration. I have had such Spring Fever lately... I have been Spring Cleaning and Organizing and spending lots of time outside.... I chose to make a project inspired by Spring Cleaning....

A Coupon Organizer!

I have started clipping coupons... it has always been half-hearted attempts in the past, but after seeing how much it can really save, I have put forth a little more effort. In all my Spring Cleaning I found my old day planner... I took out all the insides and made my own organizing system to put back in!

I have a pocket in front to put a calculator in or any other misc. items... and I made 12 dividers to help sort my different coupons. I have labeled most, but have some left blank to use later as my "system" evolves.

I cut regular notebook paper to size to put in my book to use for making my grocery list. This little book serves as a one stop for grocery shopping preparation!

I found these fabulous little pockets at my local scrapbook store... they were perfect for holding my coupons in each divided section!

I hope that you have enjoyed my little project and make sure you go check out all of the other design team members projects! You can go HERE for the list of everyone's projects. You then can play along and post your project on to Abby's Blog!

Color Mixing with Different Mediums

2011-03-25T00:00:00.002-05:00

I am so excited to be back as a featured guest on Ideas for Scrapbookers! Today I want to share some techniques on color mixing. I was thinking about how my scrapbooking budget has been decreased slowly over this past year and how I can make my supplies last longer and work for me more. I can’t always buy every color that a product comes in… even though I may want every color! So I started playing and discovered what neat effects you can create by mixing colors using different mediums.

Example:

Faded Jeans Distress Ink + Viva Pink Glimmer Mist = Purplish Stamped Image!

Below is a card that I did using the above combination.

STEPS TO ACHIEVE THIS:

1. Rub your Distress Ink onto your craft mat.

2. Mist lightly with your Glimmer Mist.

3. Stamp your stamp into your mix like it was a stamp pad.

4. Stamp in desired place.

It is that easy!

I used Tim Holtz’s new stamp collections… (this is where my scrapping allowance went!), “Papillion” & “Reflections”. As soon as I saw the Reflections stamps the idea for this card came! I love that they are backwards in order to do reverse type techniques, but on my card I just stamped as is, which is backwards. It becomes a fun twist on a “Thinking about You” card.

I made my card a pocket so the “inside” of the card is actually a tag that slides out…

There are a lot more different ways you can mix colors. Here are a few my playing yielded:

(from the left)

The first is the combination that I did on my card. The second is actually three different mediums, which created a very pretty multi colored look. Some spots are the original colors and the others are where the colors blended. The third was really fun! I used the Snow Cap Paint Dabber to “ink” up my stamp. I then sprayed the Coffee Shop Glimmer Mist directly onto the paint and then stamped my image. The last is colored Gesso. I was able to get a very textured stamped image using Gesso and it doesn’t have to be white!

Think of the color possibilities using this technique! You can get so many colors from just using a handful of supplies! I urge you to play and see what fun color combos you can create!

*NOTE*

When using Paint or Gesso with your stamps you want to clean them immediately! You do not want these products drying onto your stamps. I used water and a stamp scrubby pad to clean mine.

If you have never checked out the Ideas for Scrapbookers Blog I really recommend it! It is a place full of inspiration and great techniques!

Have a great weekend!

(Finish It Friday will be back next week!)

Just Playing....

2011-03-22T11:56:00.000-05:00

Hello! I am sorry I have been MIA for the last few days... I am officially diagnosing myself with Spring Fever! I have done it all... Bike Riding, Spending every second I can outside, working on getting a garden started, and... SPRING CLEANING! I love this time a year.... its a chance to come alive after being dormant all winter... Windows open, breezes blowing, flowers blooming! It is just invigorating!

This morning I went into my studio for a bit... I just had to play! I recently bought some Kraft Glassine Paper.... I have watched a video online of Tim Holtz demoing it at CHA... and I couldn't wait to play!

This is what it looks like before working with it: a smooth, crisp sheet...

...just waiting to be crinkled!

Then you smooth it out and this is what it looks like:

just waiting to be inked!

I inked it up with Distress Inks, Distress Stain, Perfect Pearls Mist, & Paint Dabbers. I love it! The Paint Dabber is something I am going to play with some more.... I applied the paint and then wiped it off with a moist cloth... You see, above, how pretty the Distress Inks took to the Glassine. I can't wait to play with this some more and take it to my scrapbook pages and altered projects!

I even stamped on it... the results are 50/50... really want to experiment more with this... here is what my playing yielded this morning!

Not bad considering it was before coffee!

Don't be afraid to go play with a new product... you can find lots of information online about different products and techniques... but don't be afraid to push your supplies to the next level... experiment! Have fun!

Hope you have a great day! Enjoy Spring and be creative!

Finish It Friday!

2011-03-18T01:02:00.000-05:00

Oh Happy Friday!

...and welcome to a new little "segment" on my blog! It's called,

"Finish It Friday"

I do not know about all of you, but I have quite the collection of unfinished layouts & projects! Below is my crate of unfinished layouts... (I know, I know...) I stopped counting at 30, but there were still at least 5 or 6 left to go! So, if you have unfinished projects, please play along! If we complete a project or two once a week... just think how quickly we will be finished!

This is the layout I decided to finish this week. I had a small amount of time to scrapbook Thursday evening and I chose this layout because all that was left to do was journal! ...and I had actually taken pictures way back when (Nov. 27, 2010), as I did the layout, to use as a tutorial!

"Before"

I used a sheet of Natural Cardstock for my base and paper from Crate Paper's Restoration Line.

"After"

I added my journaling and I was finished! I had to think for a minute or two about what I wanted to say, but after that it was a breeze! ...and to think: this layout has been sitting for 3 and a half months!

Now for the details:

"Ticket Rosette"

I had two tickets from the concert. I took one and cut it in half horizontally and put them together and then made a Rosette using my Martha Stewart Scoreboard.

Here is a fun little technique to use on double sided paper...

The How To:

I took a strip of paper and cut a slit into it. You do not want to go all the way to the top. Just about a half to three-quarters way up.

I then took a triangle, (from my drafting days) and lined it up with the top of my slit. Using a bone folder I scored along the edge of the triangle to create a crease, which allowed me to get a pretty fold with my paper. I glued both sides down and then went back with a brad to add some bling. The last step is to take another sheet of paper and adhere to the back so it shows, as if it is peeping from behind the main sheet...

I hope you have enjoyed the first edition of "Finish It Friday".

Have a wonderful, creative weekend!

Hoarders - "The Scrapbooker's Edition"

2011-03-15T14:16:00.000-05:00

Have you ever seen the show Hoarders? I have watched an episode or two... and that is all I could handle. All the stuff these people 'collect'. WOW! I am ashamed to say that recently, as I was looking around my studio... I came to a realization... I am a "Scrap Hoarder". I have the hardest time throwing away even the smallest piece of scrap paper... "because I might be able to use it..." Below is a picture of all my scrap paper!

...and the sad thing is, most of these containers are to the point that it is more of a waste of time to look through than it is helpful! From this realization came a mission:

"To go through and organize my scraps."

I started last night... I tackeled the blue container, (it has all the blue scraps in it, I am some what organized with all the scraps!) The garbage that I found in there amazed me! Pieces of paper that I couldn't even get an 1" square punch out of... Yes... I am a Scrap Hoarder.

First Step: Admitting... check.

Now I must fix my problem.... I sorted the scraps into piles:

Throw Away -This pile contains scraps... minus the 's' = crap!

Keep - I tried to make this pieces of paper that were at least 3" or so...

Give Away - Paper that I know I will never use again... I am going to give to a local Chairity that I teach paper crafting at....

Card Making Bag - Smaller than 3" but paper that I love and could use to make cards.

Then I got to thinking... (uh-oh! we know what that can cause...) There were several pieces of blue scraps from paper that I had just loved... not big enough to really do anything with, but enough for maybe a punch or two... so out came my 1" square punch!

...and this is what I did:

A mosiac like paint can! This is a pint size paint can that I bought at Home Depot a while back... It was a couple bucks and just sitting on the shelf begging to be altered! (I want to go get another one to use Alcohol Inks on...just a thought!) Everything on this can was made using paper scraps... the flowers, the squares... even the top...

I had enough to make a rosette and punch a 2.5" scallop circle!

...then these mini's came...

...all from scraps! The blue card was made with all of these:

yes... I had kept these for the past two years... once again..."because I might use them..."

So, my question to you is,

"Are you a Scrapbook Hoarder"

What do you hoard? I also would like to know how you store your scraps? Is there a better way than how I am storing them?

First Scrapbookaholic By Abby Challenge!

2011-03-14T02:00:00.003-05:00

Happy Monday! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! I am so excited to share with you today the first Scrapbookaholic By Abby Challenge! There will be challenges every two weeks over at Scrapbookaholic By Abby. Come join the fun... it's easy and gets your creative juices going! Make a project following the theme and link it up with Mr. Linky... there are some great prizes that will be given away!

Now... for Challenge #1:

"Pick Your Own Holiday"

We had to pick a holiday in March to celebrate... There is a great list here of so many different fun days in March!

I chose to honor Dr. Seuss! His birthday is March 2, 1904. I love Dr. Seuss and all his books. I think we probably can all remember reading his books at some point in our childhood. In working on my project, I stumbled accross one of the coolest websites ever:

http://www.seussville.com/

It is so much fun! I really recommend going there and taking a peek!

There is a poem by Dr. Seuss that I love and it has inspired my project:

How did it get so late so soon?

It's night before it's afternoon.

December is here before its June.

My Goodness how the time has flewn.

How did it get so late so soon?

-Dr. Seuss

This is what it inspired:

I made this clock using paper from Cosmo Cricket's Circa 1934 line. For the numbers I used Numerals by Tim Holtz for the "12" & "1/2". The others are brads that I made using my

I-Top by Imaginisce and more paper from Circa 1934. I wanted it to be fun! I am so happy with how it turned out and it looks great in my living room! lol..

I first cut my circle out of pretty thick chipboard. Using Claudine Hellmuth's Multi-Medium in Matte, I adhered my paper to the chipboard. I also adhered the center circle and the circle with the D stamp with Multi-Medium. The circle with the quote was put on using Pop Dots. You can buy clock kits at your local craft store. It was very easy to put together.

Here it is hanging on my wall!

and a close up of the poem:

Now for a little bit of scrapbooking poetry inspired by Dr. Seuss. My friend Laurel Apling wrote this and I thought it would be perfect to share while celebrating his birthday!

"Dr. Seuss on Embossing Powder"

by: Laurel Appling

They poured their powder here and there.

They tripped and poured it in the air.

They poured it on the table, on the floor,

and on the Versamark some more!

They poured it directly on the stamp.

They mixed it with the glue so damp.

They poured it every-everywhere.

It's probably even in their underwear!

Make sure you go to Abby's blog for all the details of the challenge and to enter your project. She has a great prize from our sponser this week.... Cosmo Cricket!

Also, check out all the inspiration from the other Design Team Members!

I Love Lucy Blog Hop

2011-03-12T00:55:00.000-06:00

Happy Weekend! Welcome to the I Love Lucy Blog Hop hosted by Abby over at Scrapbookaholic By Abby! If you have just come by to see me, thank you! You can go here to start the hop and see all the fantastic I Love Lucy projects! If you have been hopping along than you have just come from Jess' Blog... I am the last stop on your journey... You have, no doubt, seen from fabulous work during your hop, and I am hoping that my project ends your hop with a BANG! I had fun working on it and it just came together so well... So without further ado... my project:

We all were assigned an episode from the I Love Lucy show to use as inspiration for our project. The episode I had was, "The Charm School". It was quite humorous with such a great moral of the story... being that Ricky & Fred loved their wives just the way they were...

I decided to make a fun little mini book for our coffee table that shows my relationship with my husband and how he truly loves me for me...

I used Echo Park's Be Mine Collection... I antiqued all my papers using Distress Ink, Vintage Photo, and a fun little trick with my Multi-Medium from the Claudine Hellmuth Studio Line. I used my Multi-Medium to adhere all my paper to my chipboard book. What I did to get such a great aged look is that I tinted my Multi-Medium with some of my Studio Paints by Claudine Hellmuth. Here is how you can use your Multi-Medium for mini albums... I warn you, once you start playing with Multi-Medium... you never turn back!

I get to say now that I know someone who took a class from Tim Holtz... I got the above idea from his tag creations! Taking the Bird Cage Alterations die and cutting of the sides to make a skirt... just brilliant!

This is a fun spinner that I got a long time ago... It is made my Cosmo Cricket. I thought it was perfect for my book because know matter how I am at times... my husband loves me for me!

As I was creating my project I started to think about how a scrapbooker could really learn tried & true lessons from watching the I Love Lucy show... they are:

As Ricky Ricardo says, "Lucy, Splain Yourself!"

To a Scrapbooker this translates to...

You have got to journal!

When a mistake has been made call out"Ai Yi Yi Yi Yi!:

and when all else fails, through your hands to your side and cry out like Lucille Ball does so many times throughout the shows! lol...

I hope you have had fun hoping along... and have left a comment on everyone's blogs in order to be in the running for Abby's giveaways! Have a happy and fun filled weekend!

Just tear it!

2011-03-09T11:45:00.000-06:00

So, last night I went into my studio to play... I had so much fun and everything just fell into place! Here is my layout that I created...

I used paper from Bo Bunny's Gabrielle Collection. ...and I just ripped and tore to my little heart's content!

Details:

To achieve this look I took my x-acto knife and sliced a diagonal slit into my paper... I then just ripped the paper back and stapled the pieces down with my Tiny Attacher... The flower on the bottom I made out of ribbon, I then hot glued a brad to the middle. The Flower, next to the key, I made using the Imaginisce Petal Roller... but the paper I used is all torn! I tore a circle out and then tore it in to a spiral, and then just rolled it up... now my flower has a real distressed & vintage vibe!

For my title, I cut my letters with my Cricut using the Stamped Cartridge. I then used a damask stamp to add a little flair to them...

I had a blast tearing and ripping and distressing! I really encourage you to try some of these techniques!

Making Primary Colors POP!

2011-03-08T10:51:00.000-06:00

Good Morning Everyone! ...and Happy Fat Tuesday! I want to share a card that I created using Memory Box Stamps and Paper! (Have I mentioned how much I love this company???)

I started by taking the Orchid Branch Print stamp and stamped it several times on white cardstock. I then colored them with my Copics and Atyou-Spica pens, (Copic's Glitter Pen!).

The next stamp I used was the Birch Branch Print stamp. I inked it up with several different greens and then misted the inked stamp lightly with Ranger's Perfect Pearls Mist in Kiwi. When I stamped my image it allowed me to have a shimmery image without the area around being shimmered. I then cut out my flowers and arranged them onto the branches.

Then butterfly on the flower and on the tag...(it's there, look closer... I used Hero Arts Shadow Ink to stamp it....) is stamped with the Butterfly Collage stamp. The word Believe is actually stamped from a Christmas Stamp! Believe Poinsettia Collage Stamp.

The paper that I used as my background is from Memory Box's Minuet line.

I hope you check out their website and see how awesome they are!!!

Now... for some more exciting news....

I am honored to receive the Liebster Blog Award from Carley over at The Real iCarley. Thank you so much Carley... you are so sweet to think of me and my little o' blog.

The Liebster Award is designed to bring new blogs to light. This is designed for blogs that have less than 300 followers. It is a great way to share blogs that might not otherwise be seen, or blogs that you may want to share with others. I am here to honor these blogs and to bring awareness to other wonderful blogs.

As a recipient you must share the love and pay it forward by:

1-Creating a post where you blog about the Liebster award & reveal your 3 blog picks

2-Let them know you chose them

3-Copy & paste the blog award on your blog

4-Have faith that your followers will rally & show their crafty love back out to those you awarded

5-Have fun!

So here are some blogs that I enjoy reading... Please go stop by and give them some love too... That is what is so wonderful about crafters... we support each other!

1. Time for T You have to go see this blog... It is so inspirational. Tristan is an 8 year old boy who does some amazing work! It is so inspiring seeing him sharing his passion for the hobby.

2. Scrapbooking Filki her work is just so beautiful!

3. Scrap Faire More fabulous work!

Such EXCITING NEWS!!! ...and some winners

2011-03-07T04:00:00.002-06:00

Below is a badge that I am going to be able to display on my blog from now on... and you want to know why...

I am so so so very excited to announce that I have made it on to

Scrapbookaholic By Abby's Design Team!!!!

Here is Abby:

This is going to be so much fun... challenges and blog hops oh boy! And I am on the team with some very talented designers too! I encourage you to go check out everyone's blog and be inspired by the variety of styles and projects that await you! Here they are:

Alina Colorado http://www.neverstopscrapping.blogspot.com/

Amber Holder http://www.stayingcrafty.blogspot.com/

Ashley Gray http://www.myscrappinpalace.blogspot.com/

Carley Carter http://www.the-real-icarley.blogspot.com/

Celeste Billman http://www.ccscards.blogspot.com/

Celeste Lombas http://www.touchedbyabutterfly.blogspot.com/

Erika Valdez http://www.cricutlove1.blogspot.com/

Karla Urea http://www.kalittlescrapcorner.blogspot.com/

Kristin Badeaux http://www.pinkldycrafter.blogspot.com/

Maria Elena http://mariaelenaworld.blogspot.com/

Meighen Montagnese http://www.scrappin3rdeeschik.blogspot.com/

Pam Bray http://www.pammejo-scrapbookflair.blogspot.com/

Raven Baca http://www.love4stamps.blogspot.com/

Sandra Rosario http://www.365daysofcricut.blogspot.com/

Zeni Pradel http://www.scrappyzeni.blogspot.com/

...and me!

Keeping coming back to see all that we have instored for you... Abby has gotten some fantastic sponsers and has some great challenges coming up!!!

P.S. To add more excitement to this wonderful day I want to annouce the winner from the Graphic 45 give away and from this past weekend's blog hop... so here they are:

The Graphic 45 winner is:
Sondra Krastins

and from Jennifer's Birthday Blog Hop:
Donna from Diary of a Scrapbook Addict

Please email me your addresses and I will get your prizes out to you ASAP!

What a fabulous way to start the week!!! Hope it is wonderful for you all!!!

Jen's Birthday Blog Hop!

2011-03-04T04:51:00.000-06:00

Happy Friday! and

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENNIFER!

Today I have a cute project for you... If you have been hopping along, then you have reached the end... sad, yes, but exciting because you get to see my adorable little card AND find out about some super exciting BLOG CANDY! Whooohoooo!

If you have just stopped by my blog to visit and want to participate in the hop, then go to Jennifer's Blog at the beginning... all of these wonderful ladies have come up with great & inspiring projects!

If you have been hopping along, then you have just come from Jessica's Blog!

So without further ado... My Little Turtle!

I used Pink Paislee's Soriee Line. I fell in love with this line... the colors and patterns are fabulous!!!

I made my turtle by stapling ribbon into little hoops and adhering them in layers to a piece of cardstock that I had cut into a turtle shell shape. The grass was made with a really cool tool... the Martha Stewart Fringe Scissors! There are four blades on these scissors, which allow you to cut four strips at a time... the possibilities are endless!

The outside of my card reads,

"Remember when it took forever for your birthday to get here?"

The inside reads,

"Now they come too fast! Happy Birthday!"

Now... for BLOG CANDY!

Jennifer has a HUGE GRAND PRIZE! Two Cricut Cartridges!

In order to be in the running for this fantastic prize you must have completed the blog hop and leave a comment on my blog stating this....

...and I have my own little happy to give away too... so in order to be in the drawing for my giveaway, I want you to leave a comment telling me your birthday and the best gift you ever received!

Please feel free to look around my blog and at my other projects... If you like what you seem then please follow me... I have a lot of fun in stored for the upcoming weeks!

Happy Aniversary Mom & Dad! I love you!

2011-03-02T22:14:00.000-06:00

Today is my parents 30th anniversary! Here is the card that I made them and a technique that I stumbled upon that is so simple, but wonderful!

I started with a card base made out of a piece of paper from Echo Park's "For the Record" line. I then stamped & embossed part of the Journey stamp from Memory Box, and stamped & embossed the clock from Stampers Anonymous by Tim Holtz. The tree branch is also from Memory Box... I used several different Memento Inks to get the multi-colored look of the branch.

My numbers are from Tim Holtz, Numerials. I embossed on them too! Here is a little trick... I held the number with my alligator clip and heated it up with my heat gun. I then poured embossing powder on to the hot metal... it sticks! Then I heated the embossing powder to melt it... once it was all melted I poured more powder on to my numbers and did a second coat. You can also do this on Brads!!! Just make sure you are holding your piece with an alligator clip or tweezers because it gets very hot!!!

Below is the inside of the card....

Do you see how I have inked my flowers... I really like the look I got, and it was all from playing! Here is a quick tutorial:

I used Memento's Mini Ink Pads... They are tear drop shape and the point is what I used for this technique...

You start from the center of the flower and swipe out... creating a swoosh of ink... (I use very technical terms here...)

It's just a fun and different way to add color...

You can use as many colors as you would like to color your flower, or whatever stamp you desire!

Here are all my supplies that I used for the tutorial....

I hope that you were inspired by this technique and try playing with it... Do you see how just playing can yield such fun results!?

Graphic 45 Day! Finale Project!

2011-02-28T15:58:00.000-06:00

When Graphic 45 annouced their Design Team Call I knew I wanted it... and that I would need to go BIG! What is so amazing is that it has all come so easy... every project that I have done has just fallen into place... and I have so many more ideas that I can't wait to do... The following project is one that I am the most excited about... I used a technique that I learned over the summer from Claudine Hellmuth... Paper transfer to Sticky Back Canvas. So what I did was take Graphic 45's Le Cirque line and transfer it to Sticky Back Canvas and then made a wall hanging/quilt out of it! It is 4.5'x4.5.

I am sad that I was not able to completly finish it before I posted it, but I had a friend/co-worker who really needed help this weekend and I picked up her shifts. I will post it when it is done... All that is left is to put the back on and add a few little more embellishments.

I do not sew, (but the occasional straight line...) so I am very excited about how it has turned out... Everything that you see is fabric! Except the "H" that is Grungepaper covered with paper.

This technique is really simple too! You take Sticky Back Canvas (by Claudine Hellmuth's Studio Line), and peel the backing off. You want to put your pattern FACE DOWN into the sticky... You then want to really rub the paper down, like with a credit card.... The next step is to spray it with water and rub off the backing... Here is what it will look like...

After you take off all the paper, rub it down with Claudine Hellmuth's Multi-Medium in Matte. This will seal it and help get remaining fuzzies....

I hope that you have enjoyed my week of Graphic 45... Good luck to all who are trying out for their Design Team.

P.S. Don't forget to make a comment on all three posts from today for a chance to win some Graphic 45 goodies!

Graphic 45 Day! Project 2

2011-02-28T10:24:00.000-06:00

Acrylic Stamp Blocks.... NOT just for stamping.....

Welcome back to my Graphic 45 Day!!! Here is another project I would like to share... This is a little "desk happy" for my husband to bring to work. ...the clever part is... It's an acrylic stamp block! See....

The directions are super easy and quick and it yields such a unique project!

You take your stamp block and to the back adhere a sheet of two sided clear sheet adhesive. (It has to be clear... or you won't see your paper or picture through it...) Rub it with a credit card or something similar to get all the air bubbles out... Then peel off the backing to reveal your second side of stickiness and place your paper or picture down.... rub to get all the air bubbles.

Then you just decorate the front the way you would like and you have a cute project!

When I saw Graphic 45's I Think I Can paper from Playtimes Past, I knew it would be perfect for my train pictures! It is so fun!!! Don't we all remember the story of The Little Engine that Could?

Hope you are having a fantastic Monday... Don't forget to leave a comment on all my posts today for a chance to win some Graphic 45 goodies!!!

Graphic 45 Day - Project 1

2011-02-28T05:58:00.000-06:00

Happy Monday! Welcome to the last day of my Graphic 45 celebration! I have been posting projects the past week working up til this day... You see, I am trying out for the Graphic 45 Design Team! I am so excited and have been on a roll creating and it has been a blast! Today I will be posting several projects throughout the day. And since this is my big finale, I believe some blog candy is in order!!! So, in order to be eligible, leave a comment on every post. That easy!

The first project of the day is a card I made using the below stamp:

I fell in love with this stamp! ...and just HAD to have it! Using a sheet from Graphic 45's Playtimes Past I made the following card:

I stamped directly onto the pattern paper, first. I then took my stamp and stamped it on to the back of the blue checkered paper. I cut my flowers out and added some Glossy Accents to the center of the flowers. I colored the leaves in with Copic Markers. I love how the pattern shows through the Copics!

I look forward to seeing you throughout the day! Until later, Happy Monday! Have a great week!!!

I am sharing some secrets...

2011-02-27T21:55:00.000-06:00

Hello! I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! I am just wanting to share a secret...

BIG THINGS ARE IN STORE FOR TOMORROW

on my blog! I am going to be posting throughout the day... sharing several projects.

Please check back frequently...

ok... one more secret!

I am trying out for Graphic 45's Design Team!!!! I am so excited and have had so much fun creating all my projects! It has been a whirlwind of creativity at my house!

ok... just one more secret!!!

I am so excited and happy and I want to pass all the joy along... So, come back tomorrow throughout the day and leave comments on all my posts... one person will be the lucky winner of some Graphic 45 goodness!

I would love for you to share this with your friends and spread the word! The more the merrier!