Scrap Your Story- Challenge numero uno!!!!!!

So... Speaking of SYS.... The first challenge to tackle was to create a layout using only one photo.  Easy peasy, right?!?!?  I decided on scrapping a photo of my husband and youngest daughter on her very first trip to Disney World!  She was enamored with all the excitement and couldn't take her eyes off of Mickey and all his friends :-) I happened to take a really cute photo of her sitting on daddy's shoulders as she watched one of the many shows and thought it perfect for this challenge!!!!!

Here is a sketch by Brenshevia that I used to create this layout:

And here is my page...

Isn't she adorable?!?!?! 

 I started by using papers by DCWV Rustic Stack (I absolutely fell in LOVE with them as soon as I saw them!!!!) and used my Cricut Expression 2 to create the die-cut.  Of course, everything I make gets distressed so there's plenty of distressed edges and ink!!!  I used a vellum quote by DCWV also for the title and thickers for the bottom portion.  There are other various embellies by K&Company and Soft Spoken.  

I typed my journaling on my computer then printed it paper from the same paper stack and cut it in strips, then inked the edges for definition.  I have to say, I am very pleased with this type of journaling :-)  

Here are some close-ups of the journaling...

It's Amore!

Afternoon my nifty crafters!!! I have a quick page to share with you guys :-)

I FINALLY finished my page for my Creative Monthly Project Challenge at Colorful Creations that starts TOMORROW!!!! Hahahaha!!!! And... I decided to use the February sketch over at Cest Magnifique to complete it!!! Here's a look at the sketch...

 

Isn't is BEAUTIFUL?!?!?  I was so excited to play wit this one.  There is just so much detail! 

So after choosing the sketch I wanted to work with, I had to decide on what my challenge for the month would be.  And I decided DETAIL would be the challenge.  This sketch just gave me so much inspiration to add layer, upon layer, upon layer of papers, flowers, and embellishments.  Here is my final page...

 

 

Isn't it so pretty?!?!?  I wanted to do a "love" themed page so I decided on red, black, and white (one of my FAV combos to work with!).  I chose various pattern papers from the Bella Armoire stack by DCWV to make my page.  I found a chipboard circle in my stash and added strips of various red papers around it with mod podge.  Then I used my Cricut and my Oriental Iron 2 cartridge to create the black and white die-cut in the background.  After I got that down on the paper, I just started to play!  I used my new Spellbinders Spiral Blossom 2 die to make a couple of layered flowers, adding decorative pearls and brads to the center to finish them off.  Other flowers are by Recollections, aside from two Petaloo colorable flowers that I misted with Distress Stain and Perfect Pearls.  I also added two Prima buttons that I tied twine through.  The number squares in the corner by Basic Grey spell out "I Love You" in numbers :-)  The title "Amore" is by K&Company and I heat embossed it with Garnet embossing powder to match the color scheme.  Doesn't it look "lovely"?!?!?!?

 

Well my friends, thanks for stopping in... Have a LUCKY day :-)

 

 

 

Basic Grey "Hey You" Blog Challenge Candy Revealed!!!!

Just a reminder to get those projects in for my Blog Challenge before midnight tomorrow night for your chance to win some fabulous new goodies by Basic Grey!!!!! Here is a photo of part of the prize package...

The new "Hey You" collection by Basic Grey including the 6x6 paper pad, eclectic buttons, printed chipboard alphas, printed chipboard shapes, and flags!!!! Also a set of standard size tags by Ranger and Cosmo Cricket Tiny Text!!!!!!  Hurry up and get those projects in... What are you waiting for?!?!?!?

All White and Deconstructed!!!!!

Hey there everyone!!!! Yes, another post for the day!!!! A little sunshine finally came my way and I was able to take some needed photos :-)

I was able to finish the Deconstructed Sketch # 90 and combine it with Stacy's Card Challenge to create this monochromatic card!!! The challenge was to use the following sketch for Deconstructed, and use only white (for Stacy's challenge).  Only the sentiment can be in color.  I have NEVER taken on the task of an all white card before.  I've seen how beautiful they can be but didn't think I could "make it work"!  Any who, here is the sketch:

And here is my card!!!!!  I am actually very happy with the way it came out!!!!! 

I started by cutting a 5x7 sheet of embossed "leafy" paper and adding a "faux" corrugated board paper on top.  I used the same leaf paper to make my squares, and added a piece of white canvas, cut into a banner, on top.  I actually stamped my sentiment on the canvas, for a different look!!!

I purchased the "leaf" ribbon just a few weeks ago and have been anxious to use it and thought it would go great with the leaf paper :-)  I added some small white roses, that I "tainted" with just a bit of "Spun Sugar" distress ink and some butterflies I made using my EK Succes butterfly punch.  

I hope you enjoy this as much as I did  :-)

Thanks again for stopping in!!!

Have a LUCKY day :-)

Scrap Your Story- Seriously!!!!!

Hello again!!!! I have some VERY exciting news to share with you guys today.  I have been chosen to be on the Design Team for Scrap Your Story:  An exciting new blog with weekly challenges and opportunities to win some fabulous prizes!!!! Be sure to stop by and check out all the lovely and talented Design Team members and show them some love!!!!! 

I also wanted to share with you a layout I completed this week for Sketch-N-Scrap's sketch # 27.  This one was really fun to work with :-) I also combined this challenge with Roulien's Counting Blessings Challenge over at Colorful Creations!  

Here is the sketch....

Since I already had my Disney photos out, I chose two more from the pack to complete this page.  Another photo of my youngest daughter on daddy's shoulders, and my oldest having the time of her life on the Flying Carpet ride!!!!!

I rotated the sketch a quarter turn counter-clockwise and this is what I came up with... 

I recently purchased the Neapolitan Paper Pad by American Crafts and just couldn't wait to use it!!!! Everything about it is just adorable!!!!  All the embellies are by American Crafts, including the cute little jar of hearts on the right side!!! I made a pinwheel with some paper and vellum and had it coming out the top :-)

For the balloons, I used my 1.5inch circle punch and cut three different pattern papers, inked the edges, and added some hemp cord for the "strings".  I did some paper scrunching on the bottom, and again did my journaling using my computer and coordinating paper.  

Here's a close-up of the paper scrunching... I actually added brown polka-dotted vellum to the top of the green paper and inked the back using various distress inks so it wouldn't be white.  

Well gang, as usual... Thanks soooo much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

Hello Kitty Cricut Ideas!!!!!

Hello again :-)

I was in the process of making some party decor for a customer and decided on making these beautiful rosettes.  I cut the images using the Hello Kitty Cricut Cartridge and several sheets of pattern paper! I thought they would be a great idea for any type of "Hello Kitty" party!!!! 

I started by cutting several 4inch strips of pink Coordinations cardstock and scoring them at every half inch.  Taking four of the 4inch scored papers, I glued them together at the ends until I made a circle.  I pushed in the center to make the rosette then added a piece of cardstock and some hot glue to keep it down.  I cut the center white circle at 5inches and embossed it using the swiss dots embossing folder and my Grand Calibur machine :-)

I cut out the Hello Kitty images at 4.75" in width and 7" in height.  I used various pattern papers to make the balloons then added her to the top of another smaller rosette.  This rosette was made using three 2" strips, scored every 1/4 inch and then glued all together.  Aren't they just darling?!?!?!

Here's some more pics to give you an idea as to how they'll look at your next party :-)

Well gang, thanks soooo much for stopping by and have a LUCKY day :-)

Spunky Desktop Calendar Box... Free Tutorial Included!!!!

Hey there gang!!!! You know I am always busy cooking up some great new projects so I thought I'd take some time from my day (what little I have) and share one of them with you :-)

For Valentine's Day, I wanted to make something for my Daughter's Teacher that was different than most gifts.  I came across a Desk Top Calendar Easel Box that looked PERFECT for the task at hand!!!! I also used Tabitha's February Inspired Challenge to give me inspiration for the color theme.  Her photo had "Spunky" written all over it and that's just what I wanted to accomplish!!!!! Here is what she gave us to draw inspiration from...

Why not give it a shot, right?!?!?  And so I began... and what seemed to be a very easy project turned into a project of all out perfection!!! 

I started cutting, scoring, and putting all the pieces together and everything looked very nice.  However, I was not satisfied with the actual stability of the box.  I wanted something that would hold up through the years.  So I added cardboard to all the pieces and wrapped even more cardstock around it!!! 

Once the box was together I worked on all the details.  I added some borders that I punched with my EK Succes Lattice punch, and of course inked the edges of anything and everything that went into this project :-)  I added the sentiment from a Bravissimo package I found at Joanns like forever ago!!!! I also added two metal photo corner pieces to hold the calendar in place once it's in.   I also stamped the top of the box (which will be under the calendar piece) with a quote that reads: "We must always have old memories and young hopes".  I attached two small brads at the top of the box to make sure the calendar stays in an upright position.  The calendar piece will help with that also.  

I wanted some detail on the drawer so I used a large gem brad made by The Paper Studio that I Picked up at Hobby Lobby, added some springs and hot glue to the back, giving it some depth so that you can actually grab it to pull out the drawer!  The flourishes are made my Jolees Boutique and are actually brass plated plastic pieces.  I think they look great though :-)

For the calendar months themselves, I found free templates online and used Powerpoint to customize them and get them down to size.  I printed them out on alternating coordinating cardstock and then adhered them to a piece of cardboard for sturdiness.  And of course, I inked the edges!! Hahahaha!!! Real surprise there :-)

I also wanted some "motivational" quotes for each month so I stamped the back of them with sentiments.  Here's a peak...

Here's a view of the box opened and with the calendar months inside.  They were a perfect fit :-)

And here's a final peak at the whole box together.  The easel card stands up so you can see the calendar, but also folds down as a convenience.  I just LOVED all these colors together and how the box came out.  

I truly hope the teacher appreciates this as I just had so much fun creating it :-) 

Here's the link to a free tutorial if you decide you want to make one for yourself!!! I have to warn you though... they are addicting!! I'm already working on me second one for my husband :-)

Well, gan... as usual .. Thanks for stopping in and have a LUCKY day!!!!!!! :-)

March Crop

Hey gang!!! Just an FYI... Colorful Creations is hosting a "Pot Of Gold Crop" running from March 8th-10th.  Details coming soon!!! I will keep you posted at they come out :-)

Pot Of Gold Crop

Scrap Your Story

So, I just wanted to let you guys know about a brand new site opening up called Scrap Your Story.  They provide weekly challenge sketches and a monthly winner so be sure to stop by and check them out!!!!

Thanks for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

FYI Websters Pages Giveaway!!!!!!

That's right!!!! Webster's Pages is having a giveaway with FIVE chances to win Brand New Stamps from Allison Kreft Designs!!!!!!!! Here are the AMAZING new stamps....

And here are all the details... http://websterspages.typepad.com/webstershome/2013/02/brand-new-stamps-from-allison-kreft-designs-and-a-giveaway.html#comments.  Stop by and check it out!!!!!

Deconstructed Valentine's cards!

Okay, so I came across yet another blog with sketch challenges and couldn't resist jumping right in!!! We all know by now that I LOVE to give myself more work so I figured I'd give it a shot!!!!

Deconstructing Jen is a blog that provides weekly sketches to get your creative juices flowing :-)

This week's sketch (DS87 ) looks like this:

 I combined this with Sheshe's Plus Challenge over at Colorful Creations using this sketch also and the following colors....

And here is what I was able to come up with!!!! 

When I started this card, I was very "iffy" about the color choices but as it came together I was actually excited about finishing it!!! I used various papers by Recollections and Colorbok and the flowers are actually by Recollections as well.  I decided to give this to my daughter's teacher as part of her Valentine's gift I made her (coming soon!!!).  Isn't it beautiful?!?!?  I just LOVE it!!!!

I also decided on making my daughter's Valentines this year for her class.  I found some really adorable paper at Michaels on clearance and used it for the cards.  I also made some for my sister's HOST children as well :-)

I started by die-cutting the invitations at 2.5"x7"...

Then, I cut squares of pattern paper at 2"x3" and adhered them to the fron of the cards.

 I bought these table scatter hearts at Walmart and glued different sized ones together and added them on top.  

 For the inside, I used Powerpoint to make these hearts and then cut them out and placed them atop another piece of coordinating cardstock to place inside the card.  

 And here are the final cards!!! Aren't they just adorable!?!?  My sister always wears a bow on the side of her head so it's only natural that I added one to the side of her cards!!! Hahaha!!!! 

Thanks for stopping in gang!!! Don't forget about February's Blog Challenge with Candy!!!! It's a wonderful chance to win a fabulous prize!!!  Have a LUCKY day!!!!!!!

Red and Pink and White... Oh My!!!!!!

Hello again my crafty friends!!! I've been sooo busy these past few days trying to get some pages done for various challenges so sit back, relax and enjoy the show :-) 

A the top of my list are some projects I made for this month's Valentine Challenge over at Sketches4All!!!!   It's a GREAT challenge so be sure to stop in and check it out!!!

As part of the challenge, we were to create either a "traditional" Valentine's colors layout OR a vintage Valentine's card.  Since I LOVE to keep myself super busy, I did both!!! First, I decided on making a layout using a photo of my youngest daughter taken about a year ago.  It just seemed perfect for the colors!!! Here is the sketch we had to use for the challenge:

And here is my layout... I followed the sketch quite literally because I just loved the layout of it! 

All papers are from K& Company as are the tickets and chipboard letters (which are adorable !) and chipboard heart .  I also used various embellies by Recollections, Martha Stewart, American Crafts, and Jolees.  Isn't she precious?!?!?  Don't let her looks fool you though... She's rotten!! Lol!!

I also went for the vintage card as I have NEVER made a vintage Valentine's anything before!!! This is my FIRST Valentine's day crafting and I am obsessed with all the pinks and reds!! They are just pretty together!! Any who, here is my take on a vintage Valentine...

I saw that little girl in a K&Company card making pack and I just had to have her!!! I, of course, dissected the "pre-made" cards and just took what I wanted :-)

The papers are from MME "Love Me" paper stack and are perfect for this card!!! I used a stamp for the "Love Struck" and cut it in half.  I added some pearls and lace and voila!!! My first vintage Valentine is done :-)

Another card I made using the MME "Love Me" paper stack was for Anne's "Say it with words" challenge at Colorful Creations.   The word to use was "Love" and it was quite easy to master!!! I decided on a VERY simple card, cutting the papers down to size, and then cutting the banner out of a piece of pattern paper that already had them on it!!! Easy peasy!!!! And here it is...

Again, I stamped with the "Lovestruck" stamp but cut it in half to keep only the "struck" part for my card.  I heat embossed it with pink powder and then inked with various distress inks.  The title was already on the paper but I did outline it with a silver glitter pen.  Isn't it cute?!?!  

Okay, this is my LAST Valentine's project... I swear... Well, at least for this post!!! We're only at the beginning of the month!!! Hahaha!!!  I wanted to make a "pretty" Valentine's themed tag for my monthly Tag Challenge at Sketches4All.  This month's challenge is to create a tag using fabric.

I started with a standard size tag and inked it up a bit with various distress inks (Spun Sugar, Worn Lipstick, Victorian Velvet).  I laid some Tim Holtz masks down and inked it up a little bit more for them to show :-)  The frame is a piece of craft metal that I embossed with my Grand Calibur and then painted with a white Sharpie paint pen.  I stamped another piece of paper with a script stamp, laid down another mask, then inked it up to match the tag and put it inside the frame.  The trim is by Tim Holtz also (big surprise!!!) and I dyed it with Victorian Velvet Distress Stain until I achieved the color I wanted.  I also added tiny pink rhinestones in the center of each one.  

The ribbon and pearls are from Recollections, hearts and metal key by K&Company, Cupid by Jolees, and metal quote and trim also by Tim Holtz.  I have to say that I am very pleased at the end result.  I think I was able to create what I was imagining in my head!!! 

Now, on to other challenges and projects!!

Colorful Creations is currently hosting a "Press Your Luck" game in which you chose a number on the board and behind each number is a challenge.  My challenge was to create a monochromatic layout using ONLY shades of red.  I thought it would be pretty difficult because it's easy to start switching to pink when you're in the "red" zone.  I tried to keep it all red, and think I mastered it!!! 

The pictures are from my friend Karen's Bachelorette party.  We went on a gambling boat for a few hours and had an AMAZING time!! I have been putting together some pages for her to keep as memories!! This is the second in the batch :-)

I also used this month's sketch from Sketch N Scrap (I site I recently found that provides a sketch twice a month, on the 1st and 15th, for an opportunity to win some goodies!!) to finish my page.  

Here is the sketch:

And my submission...

The papers are by Cloud9 Design and Me and My Big Ideas.  I used flowers by Recollections and rub-ons by Scenic Route.  Not so bad for mono page I guess!! 

And lastly, I'd like to show you a page I created for this week's GDT Heidi Brunelle at Colorful Creations.  Please stop by and check out some of her AMAZING work!! She truly is quite talented!!! 

Here is the sketch we had to work with...

And my layout...

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this paper stack by Recollections, but I can never seem to make it work for me :-(  I'm not really happy with the page.. it just looks like it's not "my style" I guess... even though I don''t really have a style!!! Hahahaha!!! 

The pictures are of me and my daughter on the dance floor at my wedding.  My stepmother took the photo from the second floor which gave it a really neat view :-)

Anyway, I used various embellies by Making Memories, brads by Basic Grey and Studio G, and flowers by Recollections.  

Well, that's all gang!! As usual, thanks soooo much for stopping by and have a LUCKY day!!! 

P.S.... Don't forget to check out my FIRST EVER Blog Challenge that runs until the end of the month!!! There will be a fabulous prize to one lucky winner so make sure you get your entries in!!!